Anyone want to talk breast pumps?

[caz1221]

Last time around, I got my pump while in the hospital just after DD was born, so I'm not sure if it came from a medical supplier (and if so, which one). Hoping it's just as easy this time. I had the Medela Pump-in-Style and thought it was fine - I'm not sure what the difference is between the PIS and the Freestyle, though.

A question I hadn't even thought of until I saw this thread is whether I need to buy new pump parts (I have at least two sets of everything so I can have a set at work and at home) or if I can reuse the ones from DD (which were used pretty heavily for over a year and are now 2-3 years old).

[mc13]

I had the Spectra S2 with DD and loved it. I exclusively pumped and that thing was so quiet and efficient. I'm planning on getting the same thing this time too.

[LadyNymeria]

I actually got my prescription for a pump while at my check-up today.

I have Cigna so they go through CareCentrix for their pumps. When I called CareCentrix they gave me a website to use if I wanted a Medala or I could talk to someone about other brands. I've heard good things about Medala so I was just going to go with that.

Insurance covers the Medala Pump-in-Style Advanced starter kit so it's everything you need to start off pumping, but doesn't include the extras like a bag to carry everything or the matching cooler. BRU has a tote bag that comes with the cooler that is intended for use with the starter kit so I plan to buy that.

[cbowl]

I was wondering the same thing about buying new pump parts...I barely used mine with my LO. She refused a bottle for a year. But I'm hoping that won't be the case this time.

I had the Medela Free Style.

[beckyrosen]

I'll probably just use mine from last time, it's a Nuk brand one (cuz I could afford it) and I have a Medela manual pump. I'll be with the LO most of the time so I won't need much in the way of pumped milk, so I figure what I used last baby will be good enough lol.

[thekatezombie]

The hospital I delivered at have out Medela PIS or PISA, I forget which, but that's what I got. I hated it, to be honest. I felt like I was constantly replacing the membranes and tubing because it was losing suction, and I didn't even use it as much as some people do. I should find out what my insurance covers this time, but since I'm not working now I might just pick up a manual and see if that works better.

[LadyNymeria]

Jun 20, 2016 16:25:01 GMT -5 thekatezombie said:

The hospital I delivered at have out Medela PIS or PISA, I forget which, but that's what I got. I hated it, to be honest. I felt like I was constantly replacing the membranes and tubing because it was losing suction, and I didn't even use it as much as some people do. I should find out what my insurance covers this time, but since I'm not working now I might just pick up a manual and see if that works better.

I've been seeing this pop up on some reviews, which makes me nervous, but it appears Medela is the only one covered by my insurance so hopefully I end up on the side of people who love it.

[LadyNymeria]

So it looks like insurance completely covers the Pump In Style Advanced Breastpump Starter Set, or it partially covers (I pay the rest) for the Pump In Style Advanced On-the-go Tote, PISA Backpack, or Freestyle.

For non-FTMs - do you think having the pump be permanently attached to the bag (like with Tote or Backpack) would be annoying at times? The PISA Starter Set comes with nothing extra, so I'd have to buy a bag to put it in, a bottle cooler, and all the necessary accessories. The Freestyle is a lot more, but is a small portable unit and comes with a bag, cooler, and all the accessories.

Obviously I need to decide what I think would be most handy for me, but I was just curious on thoughts between the different options. Pictures below for reference.

Starter Kit:


PISA Tote (backpack is similar but a backpack instead of a tote bag):


Freestyle:

[annapunkalunka]

LadyNymeria I had the PISA and bought a nurse purse to put it in (it's cuter and bigger, worked better for me at work) and I legit never took the pump out of the bag.
I also never had any issues with the pump and I pumped a ton (14 months working full time, so 3-4 sessions a day. I highly recommend it!

[LadyNymeria]

annapunkalunka - Glad to hear you liked it!! So you had that first one? The starter kit? Then just bought a bag that worked for you separately?

[jennybeans]

LadyNymeria, I initially liked the tote bag, but I ended up leaving my pump at work so the tote just took up more room. I ended up getting a second pump and purchased just the pump without the bag and thought it was so much more convenient! I stored the parts and milk separate in a fridge and if I wanted to take my pump anywhere it was wayyy more convenient to stick in a tote or luggage.

[lpj]

I had the Medela Swing last time (not sure how that compares to the Freestyle?) which is one of the most common here in Aus. This time I am going to rent a Symphony for the first six months.

[cbowl]

On that note....are STMs replacing bottles? Like I said...my bottles were really hardly used but I feel like some of them look a little cloudy. I'm assuming I should just buy new ones?

[jennybeans]

Jun 20, 2016 17:32:51 GMT -5 cbowl said:

On that note....are STMs replacing bottles? Like I said...my bottles were really hardly used but I feel like some of them look a little cloudy. I'm assuming I should just buy new ones?

We are just planning to replace the nipples. I think it would depend on how cloudy the bottles are and how much you used them. We used ours 5 days a week for 10 months but they stayed pretty clear so I plan to use them again unless something changed while they were in storage!

[lpj]

We're going to reuse them (after thoroughly cleaning and boiling to sterilise of course). I just don't (personally) believe its necessary to buy new ones when I'm comfortable that I can sterilise them.

[annapunkalunka]

Jun 20, 2016 17:58:59 GMT -5 lpj said:

We're going to reuse them (after thoroughly cleaning and boiling to sterilise of course). I just don't (personally) believe its necessary to buy new ones when I'm comfortable that I can sterilise them.

This.

[annapunkalunka]

Jun 20, 2016 17:06:58 GMT -5 LadyNymeria said:

annapunkalunka - Glad to hear you liked it!! So you had that first one? The starter kit? Then just bought a bag that worked for you separately?

Yep! I got a little cooler and ice pack for transporting too and from home. I had 2 sets of pump parts so I wasn't having to wash every night, only every other. I rinsed my pump parts after each session and stored them in a ziplock in the fridge between sessions, then threw them in the fridge when I got home until I couldn't wash them.

[humorme00]

My insurance doesn't cover breast pumps : (

I'm looking at the Spectra S1 since it seems to get good reviews and is a reasonable price. Has anyone used this model? I think the battery will be a convent option, but if it doesn't last I may be better off getting the S2.

[lovetruly2015]

Jun 20, 2016 16:51:33 GMT -5 LadyNymeria said:

So it looks like insurance completely covers the Pump In Style Advanced Breastpump Starter Set, or it partially covers (I pay the rest) for the Pump In Style Advanced On-the-go Tote, PISA Backpack, or Freestyle.

For non-FTMs - do you think having the pump be permanently attached to the bag (like with Tote or Backpack) would be annoying at times? The PISA Starter Set comes with nothing extra, so I'd have to buy a bag to put it in, a bottle cooler, and all the necessary accessories. The Freestyle is a lot more, but is a small portable unit and comes with a bag, cooler, and all the accessories.

Obviously I need to decide what I think would be most handy for me, but I was just curious on thoughts between the different options. Pictures below for reference.

Starter Kit:


PISA Tote (backpack is similar but a backpack instead of a tote bag):


Freestyle:

My insurance completely covered the first one and im pretty impressed by it. The only thing I find slightly annoying is that I was given the advice to only pump in 15-20 min session and the pump has no internal timer like the one the hospital used so I only pump one side at a time right now so I can keep an eye on the clock. I like thats its small and can fit right on my night stand next my bed so I don't have to get up for my 3am pumping. However I don't plan on going back to work for a while so for me my pump doesn't need to be portable. Oh I highly recommend looking in the pumping bras so you can be hands free. It gets old holding on to them while you pump pretty quick.

[annapunkalunka]

lovetruly2015 I totally forgot about the pumping bras! An absolute must! It allows you to play on your phone or read or whatever. The distraction, I think, helps you get a better letdown and more milk.

[lovetruly2015]

Jun 20, 2016 19:58:28 GMT -5 annapunkalunka said:

lovetruly2015 I totally forgot about the pumping bras! An absolute must! It allows you to play on your phone or read or whatever. The distraction, I think, helps you get a better letdown and more milk.

Yeah its on my to be purchased list this weekend.

[thekatezombie]

Jun 20, 2016 17:32:51 GMT -5 cbowl said:

On that note....are STMs replacing bottles? Like I said...my bottles were really hardly used but I feel like some of them look a little cloudy. I'm assuming I should just buy new ones?

I was going to reuse them and replace nipples, but I have no idea what happened to them. New bottles it is!

The PISA tote is what I had! I was never bothered by it being in a bag all the time, but I also didn't have the option of leaving it at work or anything.

[Deleted]

Jun 20, 2016 17:32:51 GMT -5 cbowl said:

On that note....are STMs replacing bottles? Like I said...my bottles were really hardly used but I feel like some of them look a little cloudy. I'm assuming I should just buy new ones?

We used the playtex drop ins so same bottles for this one. Should probably get some new nipples though.


Side note: jealous of everyone south of the border who gets a breast pump. Theyre not covered by insurance up here .

[fem]

I will just replace nipples on bottles.

I had a Medela PIS in the backpack last time. Worked great and I liked the backpack for taking it to and from work. I will get another one though since it's covered my insurance and the last thing I want is for it to quit working a few months into nursing.

My sister gave me a battery-powered single pump that I loved. Not sure of the brand - it seemed pretty old but it was awesome for pumping while driving or while walking around. It even seemed to work a little better. I think it was on its last leg so I need to look into that.

[LadyNymeria]

lovetruly2015, annapunkalunka - Hands-free pumping bra is definitely on the registry! It's one of those things I don't actually expect anyone to choose to buy for me, but it's on there as a reminder to myself that I need to get one!

[serendipity731]

We'll be getting new nipples and a few extra bottles.

My insurance only gave me the Ameda Purely Yours, I'm jealous of y'all with Medela coverage! I lost suction on one side after a couple weeks. Based on what I've read here, I'd just need new membranes so I'll look into that. I have a different insurance now so I'm gonna call to see what they cover. If it's the same one, should I get a new one or just replace the parts?

I also got the Lansinoh manual pump. I ended up using that the most. It took longer though bc I could only do one side at a time, but I didn't have to pump often. I'm going to get another one since I threw my old one out.

[LadyNymeria]

serendipity731 - Generally I'm all about not over-using insurance coverage just because you have it (the whole idea of even if it's "free" it's not really "free"), but with something like a breast pump if you can get another one, I personally would. I'd rather have a back-up if one was available to me just in case something happened to the first one and it wasn't still under warranty or whatever.

[olive]

I will probably replace the bottles. DS only used one type so we will try all the old ones and then go buy whatever kind new LO likes.

[LadyNymeria]

I think I'm leaning towards getting the completely free PISA Starter Set then figuring out what bag would work for me once I get closer to going back to work. I like the idea of the Nurse Purses since they fit a laptop and I plan to work while pumping so I'm not stuck staying any later at work to make up for pumping time.

Plus the battery pack and bottle cooler accessories are pretty cheap so I can pick those up if I decide I need them rather than paying for the upgrade up front. I'd hate to spend $75 on the upgrade now then having breastfeeding/pumping not work out for me when I could have gone for a completely free option and bought accessories as needed.

[briannea]

Jun 20, 2016 16:25:01 GMT -5 thekatezombie said:

The hospital I delivered at have out Medela PIS or PISA, I forget which, but that's what I got. I hated it, to be honest. I felt like I was constantly replacing the membranes and tubing because it was losing suction, and I didn't even use it as much as some people do. I should find out what my insurance covers this time, but since I'm not working now I might just pick up a manual and see if that works better.

I preferred the lansinoh manual pump to the medela pisa, I even bought two extra and could still double pump. I liked not having to hear that loud electric pump and I could relax more. I pumped till lo was 14 months.