Pump

[Assisi]

Are you going to get one in order to express? Do you already have one? When would you buy one if you were planning to and what kind would you get?

I'm returning to study two days a week at 4 weeks postpartum and had been thinking I would get one later 'if I needed it', but now those first four weeks are looking pretty busy and I'm considering getting one in advance. What would you do? My hospital lets you hire pumps at home and lets you try some out for free while you're in so I had thought I would think about it then.

It's very important to me not to switch to formula, but there are likely to be times when I'm just not physically present when baby is hungry.

 

[Hadassah]

I keep waffling on this one. I can't see any reasons unless there is an emergency or something that I "have to" express, but I did find out that the local apothecary does 'rent' them out... so that would really help in the long run when we're ready to wean from breast (teeth....!) and move more towards bottle, since we'll be doing breast milk for a while (about a year if we can or longer).

 

[angelsgirl]

I have one and I love it.
I express everyday... just to have something there... it's meant my husband and my MIL and maddie's great gran have all been able to feed her. And it gives me a break.
I have the Medela Mini Electric... it was recommended to me and it is fabulous. It retails for $150. You can get manual ones for about the $90 mark... but for the extra little bit the electric one is so worth it.
Also the mini electric can be battery operated, which would be good for you if you needed to express at uni or while travelling.

 

[Leanna]

Are you going to get one in order to express? Do you already have one? When would you buy one if you were planning to and what kind would you get?

I'm returning to study two days a week at 4 weeks postpartum and had been thinking I would get one later 'if I needed it', but now those first four weeks are looking pretty busy and I'm considering getting one in advance. What would you do? My hospital lets you hire pumps at home and lets you try some out for free while you're in so I had thought I would think about it then.

It's very important to me not to switch to formula, but there are likely to be times when I'm just not physically present when baby is hungry.

Buy one beforehand and then do not open the package in case you want to exchange it. For building up a freezer stash, starting the second week is the best time because you still have a lot of oversupply and some women have troubles later on. I have used a Medela Harmony hand pump as well as a Medela symphony double electric that the lactation consultants lent to me (for free woohoo). I really like the Medela brand.

 

[Sign Of The Fish Burger]

I plan on getting one. I want to use a bottle as little as possible but I do want DH to be able to feed her once and awhile (if I want to go out) or whatever.

 

[Catholic Wife]

I hope to be able to breastfeed, and definitely plan on getting a pump for when I return to work. I haven't started really researching products yet, but the Medela brand seems to be highly recommended from what I've read so far.

 

[Assisi]

We looked at a couple of prices last night and I'm just so hesitant to make such a purchase before I know whether or not I need it. I think we have decided to wait and see how we go. My father works on campus, and in the same building as my lectures and labs are held, so if bubs really needs to eat then I can be easily found by my parents.


To get an electric pump would cost us the same amount as we have spent so far in getting things ready for baby. And baby may not even take the bottle (or worse, not come back to the breast). So I want to make sure it's needed first.

 

[-~Truth_N_Trust~-]

I also found a pump very helpfull in the first few weeks to deal with oversupply (HUGE oversupply! lol - think sleeping wrapped in towels) and avoiding mastitis - hand expressing is fine but takes much longer! I think I also went with medela.

 

[tiredwalker]

I got the Medela hand pump. It'll be a while before I use it, but I'm going to be staying home, so I should only need it for occasional use.

 

[llghoney]

I've been wondering too what kind to get & if a hand pump is harder to manage than a electric one?

 

[Assisi]

I've been wondering too what kind to get & if a hand pump is harder to manage than a electric one?

I keep wavering back and forth. Apparently an electric will be faster, and your hand won't get tired, but on the other hand it will be heavier too.

 

[llghoney]

When you say heavier do you mean carrying the pump around?

 

[Assisi]

When you say heavier do you mean carrying the pump around?

Yes. I was thinking that because I would have to take it with me when I went out...

 

[llghoney]

I'm not sure how heavy they are but I wouldn't think they wouldl be to to heavy. Guess it's a matter of how quick or what not. Hand pumping seems like it would take longer. I dunno.

 

[jgonz]

I never used a pump with breastfeeding 6 babies. However, I would have paid ANY amount of money to have this electric pump (I'm borrowing it right now) to help with the issues that we're having with Abel. He was tongue-tied, got it clipped, still won't latch on properly, needs to have the frenulum clipped More... blah blah blah... So I'm pumping and finger feeding still. Pumping often is also helping keep my supply up.

I guess I'm saying that you never know that you Will need a pump... but if you are going to be going back to school, an electric pump will cut your pumping time in half. You won't feel tied to the pump, stuck in a bathroom or closet pumping forever. And it'll be there "if" you ever need it for emergency situations. And, G-d forbid, the baby has latch issues, you'll have it at your house, ready to use (instead of running out and buying something cheap until you can get a good one).

Another option is to rent one for awhile first (if you have a pharmacy or rental station around you that is).

Oh, and the Medela Pump In Style (double pump) that I'm borrowing is in a backpack, so it's easy to carry and it's not heavy at all.

 

[llghoney]

Where do you buy the attachments like tubing & all if you get a used one?

 

[jgonz]

I think anywhere that sells pumps has the kit with new personal parts...

 

[Assisi]

My only issue with the weight is that I will have to carry it with me. I will be travelling a few hours by public transport with books and baby and baby stuff and I want to cut out as much weight as I can.

jgonz, it is possible to hire pumps from the hospital so I might do that to try it out first.

 

[angelsgirl]

my electric pump is light as. i don't think i would even notice it in my baby bag.
i have friends who had a manual pump first and then swapped to an electric one.
i don't know any one who has gone the other way.

 

[Assisi]

my electric pump is light as. i don't think i would even notice it in my baby bag.

I felt the weight difference between the electric and the manual at the store and there's enough of a difference to make a difference for me. I'm going to be walking to the station with baby, baby bag, pump and books, then changing trains, then walking a good 40 mins across campus twice daily. Every gram counts.