I am 19 weeks pregnant and looking for advice on breast pumps. A friend of mine told me to invest in a really nice one. Her son is 6 months and she just started working again. My friend said that her breast pump was not even worth using. She still nurses her son when she's home, but they use formula when she's working. I would like to nurse exclusively for a while, but I'm sure I will have to work after the baby is born. Could I get some reccomendations for a good one?
Thanks :)
hello, i see that most people already responded with the answer i was going to say. But i will tell you what i used at first, i bought a cheapy one from walmart (evenflo) and hated it. i almost gave up, it was painful. then i decided to rent one from the hospital for 60 days and loved it, it was the medela. there expensive, but well worth the money. Good luck!!!
I have a Medula Pump in Style which is always rated number 1 by doctors and moms. I am selling it for $125. I will in Blackwood. If you are interested, please let me know.
I have a medela and it works really good. I actually bought mine on Ebay which saved me a lot of money (about 1/2). You can usually just boil the parts or buy replacement parts (like the hoses and shield) on the medela website if you are concerned about it. Medela has a lot of different models depending on how often you will use it and such. I preferred an electric double pump. It saves time, and mine came with a battery pack to use when traveling. Hope this help!
The Medela pump in style was great for me. It was electric or battery powered, you could do either. I plugged mine it, and it was double pumps, so I could do both breasts at the same time. I found it comfortable and easy to use and I was able to build up quite a supply.
I would recommend buying a cheap, single, hand pump first, or using what they give you in the hospital to make sure breastfeeding is going to work. The reason I say this, is that my friend went out and bought the backpack one from medela and used it like once or twice before she decided breastfeeding wasn't for her.
Honestly, I would wait until the baby comes, because you really shouldn't start breatsfeeding until the baby is used to your feeding, and your milk is coming in strong, about a week or two, and you might even decide it's not right for you, I had so many friends get pumps, and they ended up having a hard time and quiting. I breastfed both of mine, you are a year a part, and I loved my middle of the road First Years pump. Just a suggestion. Good luck!
I used the Avent pumps. I never purchased an automatic one just a manual, but it was comfortable and easy to clean. I really liked all the Avent products because not only do they have several different choices but even as they get older there are options like handles when the babies are feeding themselves.
medeula all the way, they are pricey but totally worth it. instead of getting it at babies r us or someplace like that, check into a local medical supply store. that is where i got mine and it saved me about $50. they do have to order it from there so it takes about 4 days to get it. dont be discouraged about nursing and working, it can be done and its so worth it! good luck.
It's great to rent one. The ones they rent are either Medela or Ameda and are hospital-grade. Much more effective than ones you can buy. I rented one from a local woman. Just google it and start calling around. You'll probably come home from the hospital with your own accessories or you can buy them. The pump part is just the machine that provides the power.
I had a Medula when my boys were born (they are now 7 and 5 years old). It worked really well. I bought in because it was recommended to me by everyone I knew who was nursing. Hope all goes well!
I bought a $60 first years double breast pump from walmart and it worked great at first but by the 2nd month of using it daily on side stopped working. The other side was still great. I would highly recommend renting one, they are steralized and you can get avery expensive one at a very good price through your local hospital. After your done with it you dont need it anymore anyways. I wish I would've done that right away instead of wasting the money on a cheaper one.
Hi E.,
Congrats on your pregnancy! I worked and pumped with my son until he was 15 months old! You can definitely do it. Here is a link to an article that I wrote on pumping and working: http://www.pumpingtips.com. I also recommend getting a good double-electric pump. I only recommend Ameda or Medela. You can see the Ameda pumps here: http://www.mothersboutique.com/peelbrpu.html
Let me know if you have any questions about my article or about breastfeeding in general. I am happy to help out!
J.
A Mother's Boutique
Maternity & Breastfeeding clothing, Nursing Bras, Breast Pumps, Slings and Accessories.
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I breastfed exclusively for 1 year and used the medela pump in style Advance which was great. I got the backpack which really helped when I had to go to work b/c I had free hands to carry other things. It was also helpful when we took trips and had to have free hands! Some say the ameda is better b/c you don't get milk backed up into it but I didnn't have a problem and will just get new tubing which is really inexpensive if I have the chance to breastfeed again. Good luck. If you have any questions feel free to contact me.
MEDELA!!! I have the Medela Harmony hand pump. I had initially started pumping with The First Years electric pump, and it was terrible. I ended up using formula when I was not nursing my first. Then I discovered Medela. At first I thought that using the hand pump would be tiring, but it was awesome. It allowed me to be able to control the suction and pace. I was MUCH more successful expressing milk using this pump. The best part, it was only $35!
I have the Medela Pump in Style Advanced and it's awesome. If you need to pump several times during the day, definitely go with a double-electric one and not a manual. It's so much easier and faster.
Breastfeeding worked great for me, but I would think about waiting to invest in one until after the baby is born to make sure that it's actually working for you. You'll probably be EBF while you're home with the baby anyways, so make sure you both are getting the hang of everything, then go buy one. They're a big investment so you don't want to waste the money in case something isn't working for either you or the baby.
Go with the Medela double pump. Medela pumps are a bit more expensive but worth every penny. I went with one of their single pump versions and regretted it when I went back to work because it took twice as long to get the milk out.
Congratulations on your pregnancy! As for pumps, I highly recommend the Medela Pump In Style. It's rather pricey, but worth every penny. I've nursed my first two children for 2+ years while working full time and pumping, and now I'm home with my third child but still pump so my husband can feed him or I can go out. My PIS has worked perfectly the entire time and is still going strong.
Hi E.,
I have to agree with Bonnie K. The one she suggests is the one I used (sorry can't think of the exact name right now). I actually did not have to purchase mine since my aunt gave me hers, and the hospital supplied all of the personal parts for free. However, if you do have to purchase one, I would wait until the baby is born. I would hate to see you pay I think $300 for a pump and not be able to produce.
I wish you all the luck and enjoy your little bundle every minute. I can't beleive it's been two years already for me.
I have the Ameda Purely Yours with Backpack, but got the Polypropelene accessories so they are BPA free. Here's a sight with reviews:
http://www.breastpumpsdirect.com/breast-pump-reviews.asp
http://www.breastpumpcomparisons.com/breast-pump-reviews....
There is Medela stuff everywhere. I think they are just more commercially available and marketed. Ameda pumps are really well respected though, and you should consider them too. I believe they are also cheaper. Some advice I got was not to get one from a company that sells formula. I guess that makes sense. I really like mine. I have used it in the car no problem with the cigarette lighter adapter.
Also, check this out if you pump frequently as I do. It is a HUGE lifesaver!: http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Expression-Bustier-Hands-free-...
I used the medela double breast one when I was nursing my son (he weaned himself due to illness at 11 months old). I would suggest that whatever brand you choose, definitely get electric and definitely double breast. Also, if the hospital or a clinic nearby has it, take a lactation course. At mine, the offered the discontinued model for half off, just make sure you can get extra parts if need be (I was able to get extras of the need to be replaced things for 3 years after). Also, it's good to have a battery source as well as plug in in case you don't have a place to pump with a wall socket close enough. Good luck.
I bought a Medela pump-in-style and it did not work for me. I use an Avent hand-held and I love it! I work 9-hour days and it is so small and quiet that no one knows I am in the bathroom using it. Unfortunately you won't know what works best until you try. Good luck!
Hi, E.!
If there is any way that you can afford a Medela Freestyle, that is the current top of the line pump. If not, the Medela Pump in Style is almost as good. ALL of my working-mom friends use one of those 2 pumps. I even have one friend who nursed TWINS while working full time & was able to pump plenty for them till they were around 2 years old.
I also HIGHLY suggest checkint out www.KellyMom.com for some tips & to start going to LLL Meetings IMMEDIATELY. The more information and support you have, the more successful you will be.
Good luck & have a wonderful pregnancy & birth!
I highly recommend the Medela Pump In Style. I used it for 3 kids, and loaned it to my sisters who used it for 3 other kids. When I went back to work (part-time), I took it to work and pumped on my lunch break. To most people, it just looks like a big black purse. I nursed my kids w/o supplementation for 6 months, 8 months and 9 months, but could've gone on much longer. The pump is very durable, and the parts that touch the milk are easily sterilized. Good luck, and congratulations!
I loved my medela pump. It worked great and was very portable, a cute bag too! Hospitals usually rent out pumps that work great but are not very portable! My advice- spend the money for a great pump- but make sure you are going to commit to breastfeeding because there are no returns. I actually waited until breastfeeding was going well for us (1-2 weeks after delivery). Keep an eye out for sales- burlington has medela pumps on sale sometimes for 15% off. Or- another option is buy a pump off of ebay or craigslist and just buy new parts for it. Good Luck!
I invested in a double-electric breast pump that I NEVER use. Then I got the Medela Harmony manual breast pump and I absolutely love it. It's quiet, portable, comfortable, and easy to use. Plus, it's only about $30. Here's the link at Babies R Us: http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2409078
I get more milk with the hand pump than I ever got with the electric. And I can take this everywhere - to work, on trips, etc. It's so small that I can stick it in my purse, and as long as I can find a place to pump, it's very discrete. I seriously use it every single day, and my son is 7 months old, so it's held up through a lot of use! Definitely worth every penny.
I used the Medela Pump in Style, well worth the cost. (I had a Mini Medela with my first child...it took way too long and was way too slow, and pumped one at a time.)
Congrats!
I used the Medela Pump in Style for both of my sons. I worked part-time evenings and needed to be able to pump quickly and my pump worked great. Within 8-15 minutes, I was done. My first son only used formula from 9-12 months as I ended up pregnant with my 2nd son and had to stop nursing at the recommendation of my doctor. I'm proud to say that my 2nd son never once needed formula.
I loved my Medela double electric pump. I pumped daily from pretty much the beginning since I had to return to work after 2 months.
Medela. I've used the Backpack style through two children. My son is chronically ill and I still nurse him at 3 years old (though I'd love to quit it has been helping his immune system numbers so it's my own little miracle). They are very easy to use, get one with a battery back up so if you're at work and don't have a plug in handy, you can do that. I've used mine in multiple countries too. It's worth the money. Good luck and congratulations!
I love my Medela Pump In Style!
I was able to nurse both of my children exclusively while working full time. My reccommendation is the Medela "Pump in Style" if you are going to carry it back and forth. It is GREAT, discrete,and lightweight. and I used mine for over a year for each child and it is still kicking.
The other option is to rent a Medela Lactina and leave it at the office. That is a good one and you can rent them for $50 per month.
Good luck!
Congratulations on your pregnancy! I agree that the Medela Pump in Style is the way to go. I have been pumping since I was in the hospital after delivery due to problems with my supply, problems with the baby latching, and problems with her weight loss. For a month I pumped after every feed and have had no problems with the Pump in Style. It's very portable so I can take it back and forth to work with me to use there as well as at home. Definitely get a double electric pump- it is worth every penny b/c it is more effecient and takes less time. You can use it to pump only one side if needed as well. I know some people have recommended waiting to buy the pump, but I bought mine before my daughter was born. I didn't open the package until I needed to use it though (you can return breast pumps as long as the packaging is not opened). But I was grateful to have the pump before she was born since I had to start using it right away.
Check with your insurance company and see if they will cover the rental of a hospital grade pump. I have UPMC insurance and they covered my monthly rental fee for a hospital grade Medela pump that was AWESOME.
E....first off, congratulations! And it looks like you have a lot of responses and mine will be similar. I agree with a lot of other moms, the Medela Pump-N-Style Advanced is what I purchased from the hospital after my first daugther was born. It was a little pricey, but so worth the money spent. If you plan to nurse for a while and possibly have another baby, then it will pay for itself even more! Also, check with your insurance, you might be able to get some money back from them. We got $50 from it. I am now using my pump with my second daughter. She's almost 10 months and so far has only nursed or had breastmilk. I just think of all the money saved by pumping. It's time consuming at work sometimes, but well worth the money saved on not having to buy a lot of formula. Hope this helps and good luck!
