Ask A Grad

[westiemom]

What's on your minds? You can ask the SAIFers anything!

Edit because words are hard.

[emilie]

Working/traveling moms who pump - what breast pump do you use? Would you recommend it?

[westiemom]

emilie I don't work so I will page some working moms. sumbeach @ketchup bluefairy5

[MellyKnu]

Oct 10, 2016 16:44:57 GMT -5 emilie said:

Working/traveling moms who pump - what breast pump do you use? Would you recommend it?

I have the Medela PISA at home and used the Medela Symphony (hospital grade) at work. I had the same output with both, but the Symphony was more comfortable- the pumping was smoother feeling than with the PISA. The PISA wasn't too uncomfortable, though. More so when I first started using it, which comes as no surprise.

[emilie]

westiemom I would love to hear any opinions on pumps, honestly! As someone who works out of the home and travels sometimes for work, though, I would like to see which pumps are best for toting around, using on the fly, etc.

[dream2be3]

Anyone bottle feed from the beginning? BING isn't an option for me due to a breast reduction several years ago. I have no idea how many bottles I should get or how many of the various sizes. I'll be using the Avent glass bottles and they don't carry them at any stores around here so I have to order online.

[bluefairy5]

emilie I also use a PISA. Works great. A bit heavy, but I've never handled another single-user pump so don't know how it compares for travel.

dream2be3 This isn't an answer to your actual question, but if you're specifically looking at glass, in case your LO doesn't take to the Avent (no reason to think this will happen; just in case LO gets a bit picky) we've had a great experience with Dr. Brown's glass. As to numbers and sizes I will defer to the experts 😊

[wibblywobbly]

dream2be3 I bottle feed. I have three smaller bottles, three or four medium bottles, and two big bottles. DD still uses the medium and big ones. DS is only two weeks old and uses the smallest ones. I have to wash them often but I can't afford to get more right now and I just wash them in the sink so it doesn't take that long.

[dream2be3]

Oct 10, 2016 19:15:12 GMT -5 wibblywobbly said:

dream2be3 I bottle feed. I have three smaller bottles, three or four medium bottles, and two big bottles. DD still uses the medium and big ones. DS is only two weeks old and uses the smallest ones. I have to wash them often but I can't afford to get more right now and I just wash them in the sink so it doesn't take that long.

This may be a really dumb question but can I use the bigger bottles when they're little but only make a small serving size in it?

[mrsrodgersaz]

Oct 10, 2016 16:44:57 GMT -5 emilie said:

Working/traveling moms who pump - what breast pump do you use? Would you recommend it?

I have the Spectra (the one w/o the battery) and I really like it (as much as you can like a pump). It doesn't come with a carrying bag but I just throw it in a reusable grocery bag to tote it to and from work.

[MellyKnu]

Oct 10, 2016 19:44:22 GMT -5 dream2be3 said:

Oct 10, 2016 19:15:12 GMT -5 wibblywobbly said:

dream2be3 I bottle feed. I have three smaller bottles, three or four medium bottles, and two big bottles. DD still uses the medium and big ones. DS is only two weeks old and uses the smallest ones. I have to wash them often but I can't afford to get more right now and I just wash them in the sink so it doesn't take that long.

This may be a really dumb question but can I use the bigger bottles when they're little but only make a small serving size in it?

I don't have experience with glass bottles, but I'm thinking they might get kind of heavy? Personally I wouldn't use any bigger than I need to.

[katemonster]

Oct 10, 2016 19:44:22 GMT -5 dream2be3 said:

Oct 10, 2016 19:15:12 GMT -5 wibblywobbly said:

dream2be3 I bottle feed. I have three smaller bottles, three or four medium bottles, and two big bottles. DD still uses the medium and big ones. DS is only two weeks old and uses the smallest ones. I have to wash them often but I can't afford to get more right now and I just wash them in the sink so it doesn't take that long.

This may be a really dumb question but can I use the bigger bottles when they're little but only make a small serving size in it?

We only used the small 4 oz ever. DS never drank more than 4 oz at a time, even at a year old. We also used the smallest nipple hole the whole time. We had 3 Advent glass and 4 life works glass. Advent were easier to clean.

I had Medela Freestyle pump which was fine.

[rainbowbridge14]

Oct 10, 2016 18:30:26 GMT -5 dream2be3 said:

Anyone bottle feed from the beginning? BING isn't an option for me due to a breast reduction several years ago. I have no idea how many bottles I should get or how many of the various sizes. I'll be using the Avent glass bottles and they don't carry them at any stores around here so I have to order online.

I don't have an exact answer, but things to consider:

Newborns eat like 10-12 times a day so. Think about how often you want to wash bottles in the early days and that should give you a rough estimate.

For bottle size it depends if you feed pumped breastmilk or formula. With breastmilk you may only ever need small bottles but for formula you will need big ones.

If you want to teach LO to hold their own bottles it might be easier with smaller/lighter ones.

Will LO be in a daycare that requires you to premake bottles? If so having more is best as we would send 4 premade bottles to daycare.

[tikoberry99]

Oct 10, 2016 18:30:26 GMT -5 dream2be3 said:

Anyone bottle feed from the beginning? BING isn't an option for me due to a breast reduction several years ago. I have no idea how many bottles I should get or how many of the various sizes. I'll be using the Avent glass bottles and they don't carry them at any stores around here so I have to order online.

We bottle fed while I was waiting for my milk to come in and we were feeding M 12 bottles a day at first. I used 4 Minbie glass bottles and washed them after each use. I used the newborn nipple and still do when I feed him pumped milk. I would advise you buy another brand of bottle in case baby doesn't like the Avent. We just started using glass dr browns and M likes them waaaaay better than the Minbie.

[dancerspose]

@ketchup may have just answered my question, but is there a standard type or list of breast pumps that insurance covers or do you have to call your insurance to find out what they specifically will cover? Has anyone found that the one provided by insurance is not good and they have to shell out for their own anyway?

[nomnom]

Oct 10, 2016 18:30:26 GMT -5 dream2be3 said:

Anyone bottle feed from the beginning? BING isn't an option for me due to a breast reduction several years ago. I have no idea how many bottles I should get or how many of the various sizes. I'll be using the Avent glass bottles and they don't carry them at any stores around here so I have to order online.

I did a mix of BFing and bottle feeding at the beginning and quickly switched to all bottles. My kids took 8-9 bottles per day each when they were very small and only ate a few ounces at a time. Once they needed something larger than 4oz, they only use 5-6 bottles per day. Master R upped his intake faster than Miss G and eventually needed a few 11oz bottles. He's a really big eater, though (like 40-50oz per day when the normal is about 32oz... doctor said it was fine since he also is a big boy).

I'd recommend eventually having enough bottles to get through one day. That said, your baby may not like Avent or you may find you don't like it. My kids took well to Avent naturals (plastic version) the first time we tried them. Buy a couple to try and then order the rest (with expedited shipping, if needed) once you test it out. I also recommend a soft bottle brush with a sponge on the end. I got a stiffer one initially because I thought it'd scrub better. It does, but it also splatters soapy water everywhere when I pull it out of the bottle.

[dancerspose]

Oct 11, 2016 8:47:40 GMT -5 @ketchup said:

Oct 11, 2016 8:40:50 GMT -5 dancerspose said:

I was able to find the options on a FAQ sheet for TriCare (which didn't start covering pumps until January of 2015, which is cray). I was able to go through a medical equipment supply company, purchase a pump at the military BX, or purchase a pump from a retailer and submit a claim for reimbursement. I chose the medical supply company option, submitting my prescription (which you'll get from your OB), and then they gave me a list of pumps. At the time, because the program was still in infancy, there wasn't a restriction on price or pump -- just that it didn't include fanceh accessories (even though mine came with a bag and cooler). The options were the PISA (backpack or tote), Spectra 2, Ameda (I think), or LOLOLOL a manual pump. Definitely don't waste your free pump on the manual. Purchase that baby for $35 off Amazon (recommend the Harmony). 

It seems standard that options include PISA and Spectra. Both are quality pumps, and the leading two options on the retail side anyway. I wouldn't be concerned with quality of pumps offered as long as one of those two are on the list. What insurance do you have? 

Thanks!  I have BCBS.  I know I should search around their site to start, but I find their website infuriating to use... I suppose I could ask some wives of men who work with DH to see what they had covered, or even my OB's office since it's a pretty big insurer around here they may have some idea. 

[dream2be3]

Thanks ladies for all the bottle advice! Dr Brown's was my second so I will buy a few of those in case the twinkies don't like the Avent. I'll stick to just a small amount of bottles until I know which brand works best. Soft brush is on my list of things yet to buy. Thank god for Amazon Prime!

[kensie5226]

Oct 10, 2016 16:44:57 GMT -5 emilie said:

Working/traveling moms who pump - what breast pump do you use? Would you recommend it?

My Insurance covers the Ameda and it's worked fine for me. It only comes with one size flange and it took a little shopping to find one that actually fit me, but once I did I've had no issues. I've got it with me for work travel right now!

[peaseblossom55]

Any special tips to keep swelling in legs and feet down besides compression socks and elevating my feet?

[goldenlove3]

dancerspose I have BCBS and just submitted my claim for the breast pump. My plan covers the Medela Pump In Style Advanced Breastpump Starter Set or the Ameda Purely Yours Dual Electric Personal Double Pump. Then I can upgrade up to Medela with tote/backback or the Medela Freestyle for an additional cost. Since I have so many gift cards from my shower, I'm thinking that I'll get the basic free Medela and buy the tote/cooler set separately.

[peaseblossom55]

@buttmonkey, thank you so much!! I've been drinking water non stop, good to know it can help.

[dancerspose]

Oct 11, 2016 11:03:23 GMT -5 goldenlove3 said:

dancerspose I have BCBS and just submitted my claim for the breast pump. My plan covers the Medela Pump In Style Advanced Breastpump Starter Set or the Ameda Purely Yours Dual Electric Personal Double Pump. Then I can upgrade up to Medela with tote/backback or the Medela Freestyle for an additional cost. Since I have so many gift cards from my shower, I'm thinking that I'll get the basic free Medela and buy the tote/cooler set separately.

Thank you! I know BCBS plans can differ a lot among states, but I'm hoping the breast pump thing is pretty standard...

[bluefairy5]

Oct 11, 2016 11:36:39 GMT -5 dancerspose said:

Oct 11, 2016 11:03:23 GMT -5 goldenlove3 said:

dancerspose I have BCBS and just submitted my claim for the breast pump. My plan covers the Medela Pump In Style Advanced Breastpump Starter Set or the Ameda Purely Yours Dual Electric Personal Double Pump. Then I can upgrade up to Medela with tote/backback or the Medela Freestyle for an additional cost. Since I have so many gift cards from my shower, I'm thinking that I'll get the basic free Medela and buy the tote/cooler set separately.

Thank you! I know BCBS plans can differ a lot among states, but I'm hoping the breast pump thing is pretty standard...

I also have BCBS and I don't recall that mine covered the Spectra either, but did cover Medela and Ameda. Pretty sure I've never heard a single good thing about the Ameda, at least on SAIF.

For a little while there was what amounted to an urban myth that the insurance-provided pumps weren't as powerful as the retail-purchased pumps, but it seems to have been disproven. (Lucie's List, much as I like it, was a purveyor of this particular myth.)

[luvboston]

dream2be3 we bottle fed all three kids from the beg and had 16 bottles which got us through 2 days. When our 1st was 6 months we doubled the amount because we were going out a lot and were very busy and didn't want to always have to load the dishwasher at night to make it through the day. Now the bottles are used as sippy cups as we have lifefactory bottles that change over as they age.

[dancerspose]

Oct 11, 2016 12:04:29 GMT -5 bluefairy5 said:

Oct 11, 2016 11:36:39 GMT -5 dancerspose said:

Thank you! I know BCBS plans can differ a lot among states, but I'm hoping the breast pump thing is pretty standard...

I also have BCBS and I don't recall that mine covered the Spectra either, but did cover Medela and Ameda. Pretty sure I've never heard a single good thing about the Ameda, at least on SAIF.

For a little while there was what amounted to an urban myth that the insurance-provided pumps weren't as powerful as the retail-purchased pumps, but it seems to have been disproven. (Lucie's List, much as I like it, was a purveyor of this particular myth.)

Thank you! If the information I found online is correct (and I'm only about 60% confident in it) it looks like those two brands would be my options as well, once I confirm with insurance. Also good to know that there shouldn't be a question of which one of those two to go with...

[Winnifred]

Ok so this is maybe a little repetitive but I thought I saw online somewhere that people just went ahead and used the bigger bottles rather than the smaller ones, since they were easier to hold and could just be filled with less liquid to get the smaller amount. But it sounds like I should still get some smaller bottles? I plan to BF and pump when I return to work. We'll mix in some formula if needed....

My insurance covers the Medela pump so I bought a 3 pack of their larger bottles.

Also, I mentioned this on the Pregnancy board last night, but does anyone have opinions on a preferred bottle drying rack? I like the idea of a rack that can hold more than just bottles (like glassware or whatever else I might decide to hand wash rather than put through the dishwasher). I got the larger boon lawn drying rack in the mail yesterday and I don't think I want to look at that thing on my counter for any extended period of time... Any thoughts/suggestions?

[mrsrodgersaz]

Oct 11, 2016 8:40:50 GMT -5 dancerspose said:

@ketchup may have just answered my question, but is there a standard type or list of breast pumps that insurance covers or do you have to call your insurance to find out what they specifically will cover? Has anyone found that the one provided by insurance is not good and they have to shell out for their own anyway?

I had BCBS but was out of state so insurance covered any pump I could find through a covered durable medical supply company. I had THE.HARDEST time finding a place that had anything other than prosthetics, walkers, or sleep apnea equipment. I ended up getting a crappy one through insurance (Rumble Tuff) that worked for the few times I had to pump at home while I was on leave, but opted to pay OOP for a better one (Spectra) once I went back. I'm so happy I did because I would never still be pumping if I was still using the crappy one.

[goldenlove3]

Oct 11, 2016 12:04:29 GMT -5 bluefairy5 said:

Oct 11, 2016 11:36:39 GMT -5 dancerspose said:

Thank you! I know BCBS plans can differ a lot among states, but I'm hoping the breast pump thing is pretty standard...

I also have BCBS and I don't recall that mine covered the Spectra either, but did cover Medela and Ameda. Pretty sure I've never heard a single good thing about the Ameda, at least on SAIF.

For a little while there was what amounted to an urban myth that the insurance-provided pumps weren't as powerful as the retail-purchased pumps, but it seems to have been disproven. (Lucie's List, much as I like it, was a purveyor of this particular myth.)

Hmm that's interesting. Glad to know it's disproven though. The company that my insurance uses works with Target. After it's been ordered, I pick it up from my local Target pharmacy.

[remylove1011]

dancerspose I also have BCBS and my options were Amed.a and Even.flo. I ended up getting one but also purchased a PISA off Amazon. If you watch the flash sales they do you can get a great deal if it's not covered by your plan. (I got the pump and tote combo for $160).