Tell me about the pump you already have or the one you are planning on getting. If it's one you have and are planning on using again pros/cons about it? What site (if getting it through insurance) will you be using? I have a Medela (I believe it's a pump in style) (through insurance) from my last pregnancy. I'm hoping since I have a different insurance company I can get a different model (and maybe a different brand)
I keep hearing good things about the spectra so I think I will give that one a try if my insurance offers it. I had the medela with DD and it was ok. I always had problems getting milk in the tubing though. Since the spectra is a closed system I'm hoping that won't be a problem.
I had a Madela with my first, but with my second I got a Spectra and I can't suggest it enough. I absolutely LOVE my spectra and wish I would have gotten it with my first.
same here. Medela PISA with DD, but think I'll do the spectra with this baby. originally i planned on the medela again because i already have so.many.bottles and parts, but i keep hearing how great the spectra is (my sis used it with her baby), so i'm pretty tempted to try it.
Post by teachermomtobe on Jan 17, 2017 10:06:11 GMT -5
Following this thread for recommendations. Also, any feedback on these 2 pumps since these will be covered by insurance: Ameda Purely Yours®'' Double Electric Breast Pump Medela Pump In Style®'
I need to start figuring this out as well. I hear great things about the Spectra S2. It's hospital grade, which makes me lean towards it. I hope my insurance doesn't have set ones we have to choose from.
I don't know how helpful this is, but I have the Ameda teachermomtobe. I wasn't impressed really, but I never let down well for the pump and never really liked to pump. It was easy to clean and customer service was very helpful and responsive when I had a power issue. I got a replacement overnight. Overall, it did the job but I can't rave about it. I think this was the only option I had through my insurance.
Following this thread for recommendations. Also, any feedback on these 2 pumps since these will be covered by insurance: Ameda Purely Yours®'' Double Electric Breast Pump Medela Pump In Style®'
Ah this thread just reminded me to order my new pump. I got the Medela PISA tote last time and I loved it. I just checked online and I am eligible to get a new one through insurance. I can get either Spectra S1 ro S2 at no charge - I see you ladies talking about this pump. Which one would you pick?
I have a Medela Freestyle and a hand pump from previous pregnancies. But I honestly don't plan on pumping ever again, except to relieve discomfort. I plan to EBF while on maternity leave, continue to do it when I'm with baby, but start with formula when baby goes to daycare. I hate pumping, washing parts, etc. with a passion and all of the evidence for breastfeeding is purely correlational - when researchers have studied babies from the same families that have been breastfed and formula fed there is no statistically significant difference in health or IQ.
Anyway, back to your original question I liked the Freestyle because I travel for work and didn't always have an outlet. I feel very behind the times, having never heard of the Spectra!
I have a Medela Freestyle and a hand pump from previous pregnancies. But I honestly don't plan on pumping ever again, except to relieve discomfort. I plan to EBF while on maternity leave, continue to do it when I'm with baby, but start with formula when baby goes to daycare. I hate pumping, washing parts, etc. with a passion and all of the evidence for breastfeeding is purely correlational - when researchers have studied babies from the same families that have been breastfed and formula fed there is no statistically significant difference in health or IQ.
Anyway, back to your original question I liked the Freestyle because I travel for work and didn't always have an outlet. I feel very behind the times, having never heard of the Spectra!
I have alot of these same feels sdlaura. I was EPing from 8 weeks-6 months and when my supply finally just wasn't cutting it, it was such a self-imposed guilt trip to stop. I couldn't believe how much time I got back though. The 20 minutes of pumping every 3 hours plus the bottle washing, pump part washing, etc. I told myself the next time I was pregnant, I would stop as soon as I felt like it was a chore.
I have a Medela from dd. I was going to get another Medela, but these Spectra raves have me second guessing. Would I need to get all new pumping bottles though because yuck!
Post by starsandshamrocks123 on Jan 17, 2017 16:22:49 GMT -5
I had the Medela PISA last time and it did its job. I'm afraid of change but if the spectra is an option for me, I'd consider it.
sdlaura I hear ya! I EP'd from 4 weeks-4 months. The BF was tough because I had to use a nipple shield. Hate those things. Once I went back to work it was rough to pump at 6am before I left for work when I hadn't even really slept. Then at 10, 2, etc... I felt like I was a zombie! I am so impressed with people who BF or EP for even 6 months. So many breakdowns! Everyone makes it look so easy.
My approach this time is to follow her lead... and just see where I end up. I would love if it were easier this time. But I cannot be a walking emotional train wreck like that for everyone's sake.
I was annoyed because MIL who always makes her opinions known (which are of course, always right)...asked at 12 friggin weeks "you're going to BF again, right?" When I responded as above adding that pumping was manageable last time since it was baby 1, that I will think it will be tougher taking time away from DS this time. She was like "well you'll figure out the balance. I did... Baby needs breastmilk and DS will make that sacrifice for the wellbeing of his sister. You can suck it up" I wanted to hit her. What works for one doesn't always work for another. She never went back to work after DH... Until you live in my shoes you cannot tell me what's best for my kids.
And DH just thinks it's better since formula is so expensive. I get it and I will do what I can but I was a messssss last time. So I'm allowed to make these calls.
Probably an UO but ahhhh I'm anxious just thinking about it.
starsandshamrocks123 it continues to amaze me the pressure that moms get to EBF based on purely correlational data, and studies that can't be designed using scientific methods. You should send your MIL articles about this study, if she gives you a hard time again
It just seems so obvious to me that women who have the support/time/resources to breastfeed/pump long-term have a gazillion other advantages and those are the things that impact a kid's health and IQ, not the actual breastmilk. Plus, why does BFing have to be all or nothing? I'm sure if there is a benefit to breastmilk, kids would still get that benefit if they have, say, half breastmilk and half formula.
Formula's cost is not an issue for me - I'm sure I'm more likely to do better in my career, and therefore make more money/advance faster if I am not taking an hour out of my workday everyday to pump.
Also, one reason I plan to BF again at all is that I feel like it helped me lose the baby weight. I've never had an easy time losing weight but it just seemed to fall off pretty fast after having my babies (of course, that doesn't mean things fit the same...). But the research on weight loss is also weak:
I have a Medela PISA from DD. I think I'm going to get the spectra this time around based on the reviews I read. If it doesn't work well for me, my Medela will be my back up. It still worked well after a year of use.
honda13, I've read that you can buy something that allows you to use Medela parts and bottles with the spectra. Anyone have experience with this?
Post by starsandshamrocks123 on Jan 17, 2017 17:44:41 GMT -5
I was considering looking into the freemies (connects to medela) if anyone's got any experience. It might be a waste or it could be amazing. On the fence
lol I realized you guys must thing I'm an evil person who complains about her MIL and that's all.
I should say that I support everyone with their decisions and I don't judge anyone for their choices. It just drives me bonkers when people think they can tell someone else what they should or shouldn't do.
Post by eucalyptus on Jan 17, 2017 21:37:17 GMT -5
I am going with the Spectra S2! At first I thought it wasn't covered and was going to buy it anyway... But turns out it's an option! I have to be within 30 days to order it.
I have a Medela Freestyle and a hand pump from previous pregnancies. But I honestly don't plan on pumping ever again, except to relieve discomfort. I plan to EBF while on maternity leave, continue to do it when I'm with baby, but start with formula when baby goes to daycare. I hate pumping, washing parts, etc. with a passion and all of the evidence for breastfeeding is purely correlational - when researchers have studied babies from the same families that have been breastfed and formula fed there is no statistically significant difference in health or IQ.
Anyway, back to your original question I liked the Freestyle because I travel for work and didn't always have an outlet. I feel very behind the times, having never heard of the Spectra!
I have alot of these same feels sdlaura . I was EPing from 8 weeks-6 months and when my supply finally just wasn't cutting it, it was such a self-imposed guilt trip to stop. I couldn't believe how much time I got back though. The 20 minutes of pumping every 3 hours plus the bottle washing, pump part washing, etc. I told myself the next time I was pregnant, I would stop as soon as I felt like it was a chore.
Preach! I felt so guilty when my supply dropped. I cried and cried. When I finally switched to formula after beating myself up I was so much happier. I refuse to feel like that again.
honda13, YES! I can remember, once we made the switch, feeling like such a weight was lifted and the guilt that was so consuming seemed silly. I'm REALLY hoping that hormones don't make me feel that way again.
I have a Medela PISA from DD. I think I'm going to get the spectra this time around based on the reviews I read. If it doesn't work well for me, my Medela will be my back up. It still worked well after a year of use.
honda13 , I've read that you can buy something that allows you to use Medela parts and bottles with the spectra. Anyone have experience with this?
Just saw this! I hope that I can get a conversion for the bottles I have. I'm leaning towards a spectra based on what you ladies are saying here. When dd was born Medela was all the rage lol.
Well this thread just encouraged me to research the Spectra S2 despite never having heard of it before! I just ordered it through my insurance too. 😊
I used the Medela PISA with my DS 4 years ago and didn't love it or hate it, but it was highly recommended at the time. It worked well enough but I had supply issues and I'm hoping the Spectra will yield more milk for me this time around.
Post by applemuffins on Jan 18, 2017 22:35:11 GMT -5
I had the Ameda purely yours for DD and that's what I ordered again. I just got the email that it was shipped! So, pretty excited. The insurance I was on last time made me wait until the baby was born to put my order in, with is a huge PIA. I'm busy with a newborn, last thing I need is more work and things to remember to do. And I had latch issues so I really, really needed a pump from the beginning. Not a week into the beginning.
Anyway, I didn't love the Ameda. But I don't know if you can ever love a breast pump. What I did like is that it was very light weight and milk never goes into the tubing so it's easy to clean. It worked ok. I just barely pumped what I needed with it. It seemed pretty terrible on battery power, which sucked so I had to rely on my manual Medela pump more than I would have liked. I got the Ameda again though because I qualified for some of the extra items like the carry bag, extra bottles, a freezer tote, etc. I'm going to try the freemies add on. Not sure how well it works, but I love the idea enough that the ~$50ish it takes to buy the additional cups to use with my pump is totally worth it.
I also bought the Medela manual pump. It really came in handy, and its always easy to carry around anywhere, just incase of any emergencies or technical difficulties or who knows what.
I have the PISA and loved it, but I may go ahead and get the Spectra this time just to see what the fuss is about. If it doesn't work I will still have my PISA to fall back on.
Post by applemuffins on Jan 19, 2017 20:21:15 GMT -5
Just got my pump in the mail and I'm really disappointed. The website said I qualified for the pump that includes the tote bag and some extra accessories, but I only got the pump and basic parts in the mail. That's not what I ordered. If that was the case, I would have gotten something else. I'm assuming insurance told them they wouldn't cover the other one, but they should have called and told me. I'll have to call them about it.
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