Breast Pump - Recommendations

siblingtoolivia wrote: OK, so I am only 7 weeks pregnant with # 2 but have decided to try to breastfeed with this one. Didn't with Olivia because the whole idea stressed me out way too much.....unfortunately, Olivia had a HORRIBLE tummy, very bad refulx, etc. and I to this day regret not breastfeeding her...maybe it would have been easy for her and me!! Anyway, decided to give it a whirl this time but am very nervous...

I am wondering if you who have breastfeed can recommend a breast pump since I will be doing both feeding and pumping so baby #2 can also take a bottle, would like to try to feed with breast milk until 6 months (from there we will see) I will have to pump at work and want something that is electric and/or battery HOWEVER am interested in pumps that are reasonably priced....I am sure the $300-$400 ones are wondeful but that is out of the budget sooooo

Bring on the suggestions, battery and/or plug in good pumps!!

Thanks girls!

MyLuvBugs replied: Medella is awesome. But the hand pump ones NEVER worked for me, so we ended up getting an electric one of there's. Not sure on the model numbers or anything. But they have a website you can google if you get a chance.

You should also see if Consumer Reports recommends anyone inparticular.

amynicole21 replied: Well, I am not sure how much they are going for these days, but the Medela Pump In Style is really the best double electric out there. I've not heard too many good things about the cheaper ones (at least the electric ones anyway).

If you wanted to go non-electric, the Avent Isis is supposed to be really good. I have one, but have never really gotten the hang of it. Some people prefer them to the electric ones though.

When you think about the cost of formula and compare it to the cost of a good electric pump, you are either breaking even or coming out ahead with the pump. Might be worth considering

luvmykids replied:
Same here, I don't remember the price ranges on the Medella's but I do know I wasted a lot of money on cheaper ones before I finally sucked it up and bought the Medella.

MyLuvBugs replied:
SAME HERE!!! I bought that Gerber Hand pump one that said "It's just like your baby sucking". Yeah right! So not worth the money.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: I have a Medela single electric (don't remember the name) and have been happy with it. I bought the Avent Isis on sale at Target while I was PG. Once I tried it, I never even got a drop out so I think it went in the trash.

PrairieMom replied: I have a medela one too.
I know there is some debate about used breast pumps, but I see no problem with it, ( no different than renting one from the hospital IMO) I got mine off ebay for $100.

siblingtoolivia replied: Thanks Amynicole, I never thought about the comparison in cost of formula vs cost of GOOD breast pump....seems to be the Medala is the most recommended, I have heard they are very good....and your right Tara, I think ebay may be the way to go....

Thanks for the food for thought girls!!!!

ps, any good breastfeeding basics books you can think of too? I am an avid reader....

amynicole21 replied: The only problem with getting a used Medela is that you *could* get one that has been used by someone who has hepatitis or AIDS or something, and it *could* be transmissable into any milk you pump The ones from the hospital are a closed system, therefore you can't transmit germs, but the Pump in Style is not. That said, I used my friend's pump for 3 years through two kids, but I know where she's been

PrairieMom replied:
How is a pump and style not a closed system? The milk never actually goes into the pump. I used all new tubings and all that. Is there something I'm not aware of?

luvmykids replied:
You may even be able to find a new one on ebay.

coasterqueen replied:
Actually it can and it did with my PIS. It is VERY POSSIBLE for milk to back-up in the motor.

There really is no debate about them being safe or not. It is fact that they are NOT safe. That is why there are warnings and why companies will not take returns.

And IMO it's not worth the risk to save $200 more or less. Especially when you save that money by not buying formula.

~Roo'sMama~ replied: I have an Avent Isis. I only needed a pump to help out with engorgement, and to have a little milk stored up so that Andrew could take a bottle once and a while if we went out or I needed a break. So, I didn't really think that spending the big $$ on an electric pump would be worth it ~ I love my Isis it was perfect for what I needed. The first couple times using it it was a little hard to get something out, it just took a little while to get used to it but after that it was a piece of cake.


Pretty much the only times I even pumped was in the first couple months before feedings when I was too full for Roo to latch on, and I still have leftover milk in the freezer.

ewansmom replied: I too am breastfeeding and also pump so that we can go out during the day (don't feel comfortable feeding in public). I bought the Medela Advanced after renting a Medela Lactina from the hospital and I love the Advanced. I too thought the price was a little high, so I shopped around and found a deal at lactationcare.com. The Medela Pump n Style Advanced was $220 with free shipping.

mckayleesmom replied: I have a BaileyNature lll pump and on their website they state that they are the only actual FDA approved pump that can be safely passed on to other people. There is no way that milk can back up into the motor on that thing....I just don't see how it would be possible.

ashtonsmama replied: GET AN ELECTRIC/HOSP. GRADE ONE!

I too, tried the hand pump...and NO WAY am I going back to that. Too hard. I like my Medela one.
It's a double, so I can pump two boobs at once...

boyohboyohboy replied: I have a medela double select, it is just the "innards" of pump in style without the fancy bag, and the extra bottles, and such, it was only $120, and if you watch their are sales on some of these items at toys r us or some of the other web sites, I use the lactation connection.com
I love this pump, its easy. I also had rented one from the hosp for 3 months, it was the best! but it was $50 a month, so it made sense to just buy one. we knew we would use it on other kids we had.
I to have heard that its not safe to get a pump that was used. it can hold the germs and other diseases, we were told that from our lactation consultant. I actually did have my milk back up into the pump once also.....

I guess if you think about it, there are tons of other baby items that you might end up spending more then you should on, this one is item is definetly worth it.
I can also say, that once I got my milk started and I learned to bf well, I rarely pump now. so you might just need to rent one from the hosp for a while, stock up on milk in the freezer and then there is no need to pump...
unless you need to pump at work?..
JMO
you can PM me for some other web sites i used when searching for a pump.

Bamamom replied: Ask your LC if there is a pump that can be charged to your insurance. We got a Medela (not sure what kind - it is a single but I can still pump both breast in about 20 minutes with it) basically for free. It was covered 100% by our insurance. Never hurts to ask anyway!!!