Hey, I've just found out that I'm pregnant again (with my second child). With my first child I had a really hard time producing enough milk and I am already worried that I will have to endure the same hardships. I would like to buy a good pump that may help me keep my supply or even help build up my supply if I happen to loose it again. I'm starting to save up now so I'm willing to spend a good chunk of money on one as long as it's a good one. Any other mothers whom have also had troubles with their supply but found a great breastpump, I would be really appreciative for your tips. Or any other mothers that really liked their pumps??
i agree, the medela PIS is worth the price. the best deal aronud on them is at: http://www.hackleyhme.com/
you can't see the prices online, they have an agreement not to post them. but email them and get the price. then order via the phone. mine came in like 2-3 days!
I had supply issues with both of my babies and used the Medela Pump in Style Advanced. We bought it at the hospital for around $250 (some insurance companies will cover a pump if your doctor "prescribes" it, ours did not).
I love the Medela Pump in Style. If you wait to get it when you're in the hospital, most insurance will cover it. We ended up paying only $60 out-of-pocket for a pump that retailed for around $240. Good luck!
I agree, Medela is very good. Most insurance plans will cover it, but it was my experience that to get coverage on the cost, you have to call your insurer before the baby's arrival. In my case I didn't need a doctor's prescription, I just got a special certificate from the insurer to be presented to my attending physician at the hospital, and got my pump during my stay after the baby was delivered. The procedure might differ from insurance plan to insurance plan, so if you do have an insurer that covers this, I'd just call now and see what's needed.
Another cost saving option is to rent from the hospital, or buy used on Ebay. I've seen Medelas and others go for very cheap. Just be sure to buy all of the accessories brand new for health/safety sake. You probably know this already, but you can buy replacement accessories for Medala pumps at Target and Babies r Us.
Go with Madela forsure. Best out there, and worth the money. Get a double pump if you can.
I would highly recommend the Medela pumps. I bought mine with my first child in 2002. At the time, it was the Pump-In-Style pump by Medela. Since then, I have had 2 more children. Thus, it has been used for 3 different children and I breastfed them each for a year. I returned to work after each of them, so my pump was used several times a day for almost a combined total of 3 years. I think that's proof that they are very durable and lasting! As a side note, I was caught in a situation without my pump and had to go purchase one for more or less a "one-time" use. Not wanting to spend much money for a single use, I bought a cheap one for around $60 - I couldn't get it to pump anything! So, I fully agree that you get what you pay for with breast pumps.
I love the Ameda Purely Yours! Target has the same exact pump by Lansinoh. Both sell for $150.
I pumped exclusively for 11 months and it worked really well. It's compact, efficient, easy to use, and I always had an overabundance of milk.
I'm not sure about Lansinoh, but Ameda pumps have a warranty- if anything goes wrong they replace it. The first pump I got had a flaw. I called and they sent me a new one right away. I think the whole process took 2 days.
http://www.ameda.com/products/personal.aspx
http://www.target.com/Lansinoh-Double-Electric-Breast-Pum...
I was able to get a Medela Double pump-in-style through my health insurance (call your providor it may be covered)and I have now lent it to 2 friends (they just bought there own tubing supplies) It worked great! It had a flutter pump to start then went to a slow deeper pump which is suposed to simulate a baby feeding better. I never had a real problem with milk production but my sister-in-law used Fenugreek (herbal supplement to increase milk production) and said that helped almost double her production. I would check to see that there is a flutter start on your pump, that is what my lactation specialist told me would work the best and so I was perscribed the Medela, not sure if the other brands have that option. Good Luck! And congrats!
Medela Pump and Style Advance - HANDS DOWN! LOVE THAT THING. WORTH IT'S WEIGHT IN GOLD.I worked full time and breast feed my TWINS for a year. I never bought a can of formula. I pumped in the car, airports, work, home, vacation, etc.... heck I even pumped WHILE DRIVING (but only one side at a time, and not with the babies in the car with me)!!!!
My cousin got hers on E bay for a STEAL and it was perfect and in the box!
Sounds like we are similarly situated:
I know Medela is a great brand and lots of women have had great luck with it. I used it for my first baby, but stopped producing enough milk around 4 months. This time around I didn't want to run out so early so I asked my OB, who referred me to a lactation consultant, who advised me to buy the Ameda brand. I took her advice and bought the Ameda pump, which is rated just as highly as the Medela. I bought it at the hospital at cost so it was only $175 and I love it. My supply is still going strong and my little one is 5 1/2 months old now. My Medela was around $300.
One little bonus too- all the Evenflo (plastic and glass)and Medela BPA free bottles fit right on the pump so it saves a step when pumping directly into bottles!
I purchased the travel back-pack Medela dual pump and it worked fine. They have other Medela pumps where it has special settings for let down etc. but you pay more. You can just switch the setting from 4-5 until let down and decrease to 2-3 lets say and it works fine.
You can buy them used or new on E-bay or Craigs list I think. Mine is sitting around along with all accessories and won't use anymore if you're interested. The pump and tubing doesn't come in direct contact with breastmilk. All other items can be sterilized through boiling or with Medela microwave bags.
Hi M.,
I used a Medela pump... my aunt actaully gave it to me so it is an older version but I loved it! She used it with 3 kids and then I used it for 3 months. My daughter was lactose so we had to switch to formula otherwise I would have used the pump longer.
I know some rental places let you try out the pumps, maybe you can try a few out and see what you like the best. If that is not an option I would go with the Medela.
