Breast pumps

[kerpupples]

Hi ladies, was wondering which of you bought your own and which rented a hospital pump, and what your experience was with each. Is the hospital pump portable? It sounds like that's the better option but that it can also cost more depending how long you breastfeed.

Thanks!
Amy

[riogirl71]

HI Kerpupples good to know you plan on breastfeeding. I bought the Medela pump in style, it was highly recommended by a friend. I bought it at
http://www.addalittlelove.com/
which had the best deal of all places and she was super nice. THe pump has a first stage that imitates the baby let down then a second phase for expression. It fits really well, it is pretty heavy so if you want lots of portability get the newer model, more $$. If you go with pump in style get the bustie that allows you to put both bottles on at the same time while freeing your hands. It is also pretty quiet.

couple of extra tips... be very persistent. Bfeeding can be tough. I massaged a bunch and got him on the breast right away, it is a learning process for both of you. One thing I wish I had known. When you go to latch on you have to make sure his mouth is wide open like a yawn. If it is not it will only grab your nipple and it hurts plus doesn't give him much milk. Tickle his mouth with your nipple until he opens wide then pull him towards you - not push the nipple in his mouth. THen everyone says put the nipple center and up, I went to a lactaion consultant and she said to put it towards the top of his mouth but off center, more areola under tha over if that makes sense. My nipples wore very sore, lots of pain for about 3 mos then it got MUCH better after I did what she said. Not sore at all anymore and now I can fully enjoy feeding him without wanting to scream. If your nipples get sore try the hydrogel pads. Also buy cotton pads to use at home then the thin ones to go out, cotton breathes and you can get a yeast infection on your nipples if it doesn't breathe. Also found these great nipple shields, Avent I think. Let them air out a binch too - DH should love that, and put a little milk on your nipples when you are done since it is the best remedy. I also managed to figure out how to bfeed laying on my side which was great after c-section and bub and I can just lay there and be comfy (I have even fallen asleep feeding him). Good luck and don't hesitate to PM me!

[kerpupples]

Wow, great advice, thanks so much rio! I have a girlfriend who's breastfeeding now and your advice is very consistent with hers. She had someone from La Leche helping her get started while in the hospital. Not looking forward to the pain and soreness but it does help to know what's coming! Good tip about putting the milk on, I haven't heard that one yet.

I'm sure I'll be coming back to you for more info!

[crasmus]

hi there... congrats and glad to hear that you are planning on BF... i'm a mom of 3 boys, i BF all 3.. my first was born early and was not a good feeder... fell asleep after a minute or two... so we ended up giving him a bottle because he ended up back in the hospital after 3 days.. but i pumped for 4 months, and he got BB milk for that long... my second took better, but had/has an extreamly high palate.. so we managed, but his position had to be altered... it worked tho, and BF him for 7+ months.. my 3rd was a breeze compaired to the other two.. but he was tongue tied, and had to have it clipped... but after that hurdle.. we BF for 15months..

so i guess... i'm not sure where you are but have a laleche or a BF helper come to your hospital room... they can tell you things to do if ...ie.. high palate, tongue tied, sleepy baby.. they give SO MUCH info to you.. and do not be afraid to stop the feed, and start over if the latch is wrong.. and it will hurt if it's wrong...

as for being sore... it was very short for me... about a week or so after my milk came in... another thing... pump a little more and freese the milk when your milk first comes in... it lasts awhile in the freezer, and that helps ensure a good milk supply to continue.

as for a pump.... i used a rental (my sis works for a medical supply company.. so it was my cheepest way to go) but they are really not that portable.. it can be done, but the case was kinda big.. but the pump worked great... i used it as a double (the fastest and easiest way) and got the bra tshirt thing for being hands free... it worked ok... i'm on the larger breast size.. so i was still finding myself adjusting here and there...

one thing i think..... my 3rd he BF RIGHT away...like first minute or two of life... and that seemed to be the best.. and he took onto it the bst... but do not be discouraged if it doesn't "work out" right away.. and look to support..

honestly... there are so many things to be said... but ihope that the info i gave you helped... and feel free to ask anything else!!

colleen

[noodle]

I used the Aventi and loved it. I just finished (she weened herself) BF after 11.5 months, loved it, cannot believe more mothers don't do it. I think the pump depends on how often and where you plan on pumping. I always at home but GF working used Medela, better travel system. The Aventi came with replacement parts but I never had to use, I pumped 1 daily for about 6 m and 2 daily for the first 3 m, I over produced. GL with the BF, stick with it. I can honestly say it's the most rewarding things I've accomplished in my entire life. Oh, and baby Sydney hasn't had one illness in her 1st year.

[bdantonio]

i used the medela i did alot of research and it was the best.

[TwinMommy]

Medela Symphony. It is a yellow one that pumps just like a baby sucks. Loved it!

[kerpupples]

Thanks ladies, more great info. I'll probably go with the Medela if I decide to purchase.

[teachertam]

Amy,

I bought a Medela from Target and I believe it was $225.00. I breast fed my DS for 15 months and it was great. Very portable and easy to use.

Regards,
Tammy

[loopie]

Hi Kerpup-
congrats!!!!

I just purchased the Avent ISIS per the recommendation of a friend- it's a manual pump and I love it! it was $40 and has replacement stuff, extra bottle, etc.

I had been using a MEDELA pump in style that a friend lent me, but it just wasn't cutting the muster - DS doesn't bf very well, so I pump and give it to him, it was taking forever with the electric pump and in the end, the suction was not really enough-

with the manual ISIS, I can mimic feeding, and am getting more- it is also super portable (fits in my purse or diaper bag) - it's lightweight, and I can walk around the house while using it- with the Medela, I was landlocked until I was done- sometimes 25 minutes - and I couldn't just stop and take care of the bean b/c the darned bottles would fall over and spill.

I am sure that what i'm doing is not ideal- i'd rather ds would just nurse, but in my world- this is what works.

I wish you a healthy happy pregnancy and great success with nursing.

loopie

[kerpupples]

loopie - very interesting, you're the first person or source I've seen that has anything good to say about a manual breast pump. Don't your hands get sore? I think I'll still probably go with electric. BTW if your DS won't nurse I think you're doing the best you can do! Still much better for him than formula. I don't think you should feel bad about it at all.

[bdantonio]

i had both and my hand sometimes did get tired.. I used manual one when i was atwork since it was quiet

[nicaliw]

Congrats on your choice to breastfeed! Its such an amazing experience.

I'm a L&D nurse and so I got all the advice I could from the lactation nurse I work with. She rented me a medela lactina, we only buy Medela brand pumps at any of the local hospitals. I think they have the best reputation. I'm sure other electric pumps work OK, too, though.

Good luck!

[ctran]

I used the Medela - double pump. It was great!

The lactation consultant at the hospital gave me a list of independent sellers of the Medela. She told me to get a prescription for a breast pump from the doctor. These independent sellers would sell breast pumps a little cheaper and with a prescription, you wouldn't be charged sales tax. I bought the more expensive Medela so I saved quite a bit.

Good luck!

[kerpupples]

ctran, thanks, that's a wonderful tip. My hospital has on-staff lactation consultants too so I think I'll give them a call. I think I'll probably be buying a Medela double as well.