What brand and type of pump is best?

Brenda - posted on 08/26/2009

Medela Swing is what I have, but I have learned recently to never buy a second hand one. Medela makes open system pumps, so milk can be sucked into the motor, which cannot be cleaned, and if not treated properly, mold can grow in the moisture. There are several closed system pumps, Amada (I think that's right or something close to it....) I believe has a closed pump.



Just curious, you said you were young, how did you know you didn't have enough milk? To be honest, I have found a lot of doctors and nurses are breastfeeding stupid, to put it simply. I would agree with a low supply if there were weight issues or lack of wet diapers, of course.



http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/index.... is an awesome place for reading up on supply isses. They also have some advice for pumping.

Elizabeth - posted on 08/26/2009

Medela pump-in-style! it is a double and aap say that you produce more if both breasts arae pumping at the same time. On my daughters third day of life I bought it (she was in the NICU) and I got 4ounces of colostrum from each breast-- I wasnt even getting 10ml with the hospital pump! It is so worth the money! My daughter will now be able to have expressed breast milk until she is 2yrs old!

Lindsay - posted on 08/26/2009

Definitely go wtih renting a hospital grade pump if you can. I started out with a retail version of a Medela pump....I pumped and pumped and pumped and got maybe 2oz total from both sides. When I finally gave that one up and switched to a hospital grade Medela I instantly doubled the amount of milk I was getting, and it was more comfortable for me. Don't worry when you don't get much at first no matter what pump you use...as you continue to breastfeed the baby will demand more and your body will make more. I didn't have enough to store until about 8 weeks.

Vanessa - posted on 08/25/2009

Im BFing but plan to pump when i go back to work and for my husband to help feed. I bought the Medela Pump in Style Advance. It was a bit much($275) but i plan on pumping in the future. I like it...it comes in a nice case and is very simple to use. I even have extra supplies for it because the hospitals pump required the same tubing/bottles/etc. Its a double pump but I currently use it as a single since Im not coordinated enough to do both at the same time. If your not planning on having any more, I would recommend the Medela Swing pump...that would have been my 2nd choice

Cathi - posted on 08/25/2009

Stay away from the EvenFlo. I have been using it for 2 weeks, and now Its difficult to pump more than an ounce on the highest setting... I am going to rent one from the hospital this week.

Nicole - posted on 08/25/2009

I've heard that the Medela pumps are great. As I dont pump very often I just bought the first years double pump and it does me just fine.

Melissa - posted on 08/23/2009

Thank you all for your advice. I ended up renting a medela pump, but I can not nurse my baby because of the anti-depression meds I am on. I have a history of postpartum depression and the doctors had to raise the dose. I did get to nurse her for a few days though.

Jennifer - posted on 08/17/2009

Hi there! I used a first years pump with my first daughter and totally breastfed my second. I would defiantly recommend just breastfeeding! Pumping was such a hassle!! I always had to be home or I had to find a place to warm a bottle. It was horrible. and I quit at 4 months. Not saying that you will but I LOVE that I can just latch my 2nd on anytime anywhere! so much better! lol If I can do it you can! the more you breastfeed the more milk you will have and there is tea and stuff to help you have a good milk supply. ;) good luck!

Kristie - posted on 08/17/2009

Hi Melissa! Congrats & Good Luck! I highly recomend biting the bullet and buying a Medela. I use the double one - a lil trick my lactaion specialist told me at hospital - take a tight sports bra - with shelf and turn inside out (when you put this one the shelf will be on outside!) Now cut small holes where your nipples are. When pumping you can put the funnel pieces in the cut hole and pump both breast hands free! When done remove funnel pc pull the shelf bra part down and go about your bussiness.

Sarah - posted on 08/17/2009

I had to boost supply and my lact. consultant told me to use a Medela pump instead of the Ameda Pump in Style that I'd been given. She said the Ameda just doesn't have the power to help a low supply issue. I ended up buying a Medela Freestyle from www. lactationcare.com. I saved about $100 bucks buying from them vs online. (I'm just a very satisfied customer - I have no other association with them.) The Medela double pumps work better than the Ameda did. I do agree though, that renting might be an option to see if it will work.

You might also talk to a lactation consultant about herbs to boost supply. I'm on Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle.

Antoinette - posted on 08/17/2009

Wow! I can't believe that in all of these responses no one suggested the best remedy ever (in my opinion). I too have the Medela Pump in Style and love it, but what really helped increase my supply is "Mother's Milk Tea". It's an organic herbal tea I bought at Whole Foods Market for only $5.99. 16 tea bags and I reuse the same bag at least 2 times before throwing it out. It has helped tremendously & my baby doubled his weight in 6 wks from birth!!

I am able to pump 5 ozs from each breast if I pump first thing in the morning before he nurses or if he is taking a long nap and I pump inbetween. It's awesome! And doesn't taste bad either.

Babies R Us also carries a similar tea and lots of other teas to help with Mothers. Check them out as well. I haven't tried any of their products since I've been so happy with my Mother's Milk Tea.

I usually drink one cup with breakfast, and another cup at night before bathing Kingston and getting him ready for bed. I usually nurse him to sleep each night, and now since drinking my tea, supply is never an issue.

Good luck!

Stephanie - posted on 08/17/2009

I have the Medela Pump in Style & LOVE IT!! It's one of the most expensive but it's well worth it. It has an ac adaptor and a battery pack so you can pump anywhere...even in the car! I would also have several sessions with a lactation consultant & see if your hospital offers classes. If not La Leche League can find someone to help you out. Hope this helps...good luck!!

Heather - posted on 08/17/2009

I would recomend the medela pump in style...But only if you plan to pump for 3 + months. Otherwise, renting is a good option... You can also rent to start to see if pumping with work for you - most hospitals (that I know of) rent a medela - which is similar to the pump in style... But look at your reasons for wanting to pump - if it is to increase your supply, I would wait to purchase or rent until after the baby is born and you see if you will actually need it - you may be surprised about your supply. Also, there are other ways to work on your supply- talking to a lactation consultant at the hospital when the baby is born is good - you can usually even contact them before the baby is born to discuss your concerns before hand.

Nicole - posted on 08/16/2009

I love the Medela Pump in Style.

Ashley - posted on 08/16/2009

I also have an Ameda Purely Yours breast pump...it is the pump that the hosital (Kaiser) sells, and it is the same brand they rent out (except they have the hospital grade one). As far as renting, I think it depends on whether or not you decide to breastfeed long term. For example, If you are planning on breastfeeding and pumping for a year then you definitely want to invest in a GOOD QUALITY pump. Plus if you decide to have more children then you will always have it there with no added expense (except for new replacement parts).

Samantha - posted on 08/15/2009

i LOVE my ameda pump! its double and it works amazing. its sort of loud though (my coworkers tell me it sounds like a copy machine haha) but hey it does the job well!

Karen - posted on 08/15/2009

I have the medela pump in style. As an OB nurse, this is the style we use to sell from the floor. It is also the brand name of the pumps that we use on the floor. Pumping will help to increase your milk supply because breast milk is a supply and demand thing. If you have questions, you can always ask a lactation consultant. They are a great resource. One thing to remember thoug, that any breast milk you give the baby is helping don't stress to much about having to supllement if it even becomes and issue.

Molly - posted on 08/15/2009

My son was born a preemie and was not able to latch on. I had to us formula until my milk started coming. I had to pump every two to three hours. My son is two months and still will not latch on, so I just continued to pump and bottle feed that way. My way of thinking is if he wouldn't feed from my breast, at least he is getting breast milk to feed instead of formula. It's a little more work, but I'm willing to go the extra step to feed him my milk. I have the Medala Pump in Style. It works great, like the hospital grade pump. It comes with a battery pack if you need to pump where there is no plug in. I also have a Avent hand pump, which works well too, but if you have to do it on a regular basis, that's a no go. I also have the Lansonoh pump, but that did not keep up with all the pumping I had to do. I used that for two weeks and it started to lose the pumping energy. A friend of mine also had the Lansonoh also and had the same problem. I would go with the Medela. They have been in the breast pump business for years.

Liz - posted on 08/15/2009

Second the Medela Pump in Style! Love mine. You can pump both breasts at once, which is not only faster but double pumping like that will increase your prolactin, which in turn helps with supply.

Any breast milk you can offer is a good thing, try not to stress too much over your supply problems. Have you seen the awesome KellyMom.com content on boosting supply?

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/index....

Lindsay-Grace - posted on 08/15/2009

I've got a Avent Uno. The electric one. It's fab. my little working robort. Medela are very good (i rented one with my first baby) but now i've got my Uno i'd never go back. I hate having to pump so the uno is perfect for me as it's small, mobile, simple to use and most importly it's comfatble.

Sarah - posted on 08/15/2009

I did not like the hospital grade pump, but I love my Medela Pump In Style.

Christina - posted on 08/14/2009

if you are looking to pump in order to store milk, then buy a pump. if you are worried about supply, i agree that renting a hospital grade pump at first is the way to go until you figure out if it helps. make sure you find a board certified lactation consultant to help with any issues.

Marleigh - posted on 08/14/2009

I too have the Medela Swing pump. I used it with my (almost) 2 year old and now with my 2 month old. Its small enough to take to work in my purse and pump on breaks.

You can get the Medela bottles to pump into, or even the Playtex Vent Air ones screw right onto the pump.

I was told that Medela is a company the pretty much specializes in Breastfeeding and any other like Playtex etc pumps arent as good because their main focus is elsewhere on many mnay things. Medela is the way to go!

Wendy - posted on 08/14/2009

Hi Melissa. I'm currently using the Medela Swing breast pump. It works great and is very quiet. You can also buy Medela breast feeding kits which include bottles that screw right onto the pump and can use them for freezing the milk as well. Wendy Storer

Erin - posted on 08/14/2009

Pumping will help increase milk production. I would recommend talking to your doctor or midwife to see if you can rent a hospital grade pump. It will work better than anything you can buy retail and will be more cost effective. Also, talk to a lactation consultant. You may have not produced enough milk because of your child's latching technique. You can talk to your doctor/midwife or go onto the La Leche League website to find a lactation consultant in your area. You may not end up needing to pump.