Please help! I need breast pump suggestions!

Sylvia - posted on 01/10/2010

If you need an electric pump for pumping frequently for your baby, the two on the market that are recommended for frequent pumpers (and I'm a pro pumping mom, having pumped exclusively for two children for 18 months and still pumping for my third child and she's going on 15 months old next week) are the Medela Pump In Style (they have different models) or the Ameda Purely Yours. They are double electric pumps that are made for frequent use. You can also rent hospital grade pumps. I rented a hospital grade Medela pump for a few months with my oldest daughter, but since then I switched to the Ameda PY for my subsequent two kids. For infrequent use, some women use manual pumps. But my supply has always been abundant, so a hand pump never worked for me.

You're probably not going to find a quality breast pump in the store for under $250. That's generally the retail price that you will pay. You may be able to find a deal on a breast pump on Craigslist or Ebay, which is where I found two of the pumps that I got. Never been used by a private party, but they opened the package and couldn't return it. And if you buy a pump online, very often you can get it for free shipping and will probably receive it in a matter of a couple days. There's plenty of reputable online retailers that can save you money -- much better than going to Babies R Us or some lactation consultant or hospital. Of course, if you need to rent, you can do that, too. When I used to rent mine, it cost me about $45 a month. But once I knew I was committed to feeding my baby my milk, I figured the most cost effective thing would be just to buy my own. I also got a lot of support for pumping on the Exclusively Pumping board at IVillage, and I think Kellymom.com has lots of good advice for breastfeeding/pumping moms. Hope this info helps!

Tiffany - posted on 01/05/2010

Ok I use the Playtex pump. They make two kinds one for occasional use which I bought in the beginning because i did not plan on using it all the time but when my son was born I was forced to. That one broke within a month because I used it for daily use so my husband bought me another one the Playtex Embrace Deluxe Double Electric Breast Pump. It is kinda big & comes with EVERYTHING you could possible need in a breast pump & more! It's hospital grade & has a 6 month warrenty on most parts and a year warrenty on the pump itself! I have DD breasts and have had no problem with this pump & u can use with Playtex drop-in bottles and alot of other bottles as well their listed on the box, comes w/ a carring case as well. Shopped around for the cheapest price for it cause it's a lil pricey but worth it. It's sold at select Walmarts, Babies-r-us's and other places but I bought mine online @ walmart.com had it sent to my home & it was SIGNIFICANTLY cheeper that way! Good Luck!

Michelle - posted on 01/04/2010

Quoting Rhianna:

contact your local WIC office! (through the department of health) they can rent you a hospital grade double electric pump! i used one form them for 11 months because i exclusively pumped, because of latching problems

def rent a hospital grade pump!!!! and if you can get someone else2 foot the bill...why not?

Robin - posted on 12/31/2009

Medela pumps are wonderful. Call your maternity ward at the hospital they can be a great resource. Your hospital also have a lactation specialist. They are a great resource. Finally check out La Leche League online.

Good Day! - posted on 12/30/2009

I used the Lansinoh double electric pump. I pumped casually but it lasted the entire year I breastfed.

Jane - posted on 12/30/2009

i found a hand pump to be better for me than the electric ones. Learning Curve makes one that worked for me and i have C's. you can order it on-line. it's not too expensive. there are some drugstores that carry hand ones as well.

good luck!

Christine - posted on 12/30/2009

The hospital I gave birth at offered breast pump rentals and offered a discount on breast pumps if I wanted to buy one. I ended up buying one because I was going to be returning to work and needed to pump at work. You can call the lactation counselor where you gave birth for more info.

Jennifer - posted on 12/30/2009

You don't have to do either to get a pump. All I did was call them and they rented one to me. My family made too much money to get on wic. They told me the cut-off line for my size family and because my husband made to much, then the only paperwork I filled out was just my address and phone number and a promise that if I didn't return the pump that they would keep my security deposit. It is worth asking for the cut-off for your family size, because if you can get on wic, then they will loan you a pump for free!

Rebekah - posted on 12/29/2009

Quoting Jennifer:

Quoting Rhianna:

contact your local WIC office! (through the department of health) they can rent you a hospital grade double electric pump! i used one form them for 11 months because i exclusively pumped, because of latching problems

Definately call WIC. I was eligable for wic when I was pregnant with my first two and they told me that if I wanted to breast feed, they would loan me one for free. They also told me that if I got to the point where I wasn't eligible for wic any more, they could rent one to me for a descent price. They had also said to NEVER buy one from a store, because there really isn't a good one out there. When I had my third child, I wasn't eligible for wic, so I had to rent one off of them. The first time you go, you will have to pay a little more, because they will need a security deposit, and you will also have to buy your own tubing and collection system. After that mine was only $15 a month. I'm sure that probably changes from office to office, but it shouldn't be too much more than that.

Also to the WIC mommies. I have been thinking about getting on WIC for the formula, do you have to enroll in the program for them to rent one to you or do you just have to qualify?

Rebekah - posted on 12/29/2009

Thanks ladies. All of you helped!

Jennifer - posted on 12/29/2009

Quoting Rhianna:

contact your local WIC office! (through the department of health) they can rent you a hospital grade double electric pump! i used one form them for 11 months because i exclusively pumped, because of latching problems

Definately call WIC. I was eligable for wic when I was pregnant with my first two and they told me that if I wanted to breast feed, they would loan me one for free. They also told me that if I got to the point where I wasn't eligible for wic any more, they could rent one to me for a descent price. They had also said to NEVER buy one from a store, because there really isn't a good one out there. When I had my third child, I wasn't eligible for wic, so I had to rent one off of them. The first time you go, you will have to pay a little more, because they will need a security deposit, and you will also have to buy your own tubing and collection system. After that mine was only $15 a month. I'm sure that probably changes from office to office, but it shouldn't be too much more than that.

Rhianna - posted on 12/29/2009

contact your local WIC office! (through the department of health) they can rent you a hospital grade double electric pump! i used one form them for 11 months because i exclusively pumped, because of latching problems

Kim - posted on 12/29/2009

Hi, I am a similar size and express breast milk about 6 times a day as my baby feeds best off a bottle and I can make sure he is getting enough this way. I use a Philipps Avent electric pump and it has been great for the past 4 months.

Baby is noe gaining weight steadily on breast milk and I am comfortable and not leaking. It takes about 10 minutes to pump 200 - 240 mL and I facebook while I am doing it.