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Talk to me about breast pumps/ BFing
I am completely overwhelmed by the options and have no clue what to do.
My plan is to do a combo of BFing and pumping, although since I'm home it'll probably be 75% BFing and only 25% pumping so DH can bottle-feed her in the evenings and weekends, unless she doesn't develop a good latch and needs to be bottle feed all the time.
So, to accomplish this, do I use a single pump to pump on one side while baby is feeding on the other side, or do I pump with a double pump at a different time, not when baby is being fed?
Or do I just rent a pump until I figure this all out? Do you rent them from the hospital, or somewhere else? I have to admit I'm a little skeeved out by the thought of a "used" pump, so I'd prefer to just buy one.
Thoughts? Reccomendations for pumps?
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Re: Talk to me about breast pumps/ BFing
I cant give you to many pointers on bfing since it didn't work out for us. A had a hard time latching and wasn't gaining weight in the first few days.
Anyway I rented a pump from Nyack. The actual pump is theirs but you buy the parts that your milk flows through which are brand new. I used it for about a month. If I remember correctly it was around 50 with a deposit that I got back once I returned the pump.
It's totally overwhelming, I feel you on that. I've read a bunch of books and spoken extensively with gfs who bf, I'm still overwhelmed, but I'm going into everything with a positive and realistic outlook. It's going to be difficult, it will hurt, but I will not give up. I also joined LLL Orange County on FB so I can get involved as soon as the little lady arrives, and it's good support.
I bought the Medela Pump InStyle most of my friends and I believe a lot of the ladies on here highly recommended it. I will be coming back to work 6-8 weeks after the little lady arrives so it's a necessity for me.
That's all I've got for you right now, but the ladies here are awesome with advice so I'm sure you'll get good input. Yay for baby Elf!
Don't be skeeved by renting one. You are only renting the motor. All the other parts that touch you, you will have to buy. (milk doesn't go in the motor)
I bought a pump after I knew I could BF. This is my suggestion to everyone. You can't return them and the warranty starts when you buy it not when you start using it. If you need a pump in the hospital they will give it to you and your insurance will cover it. If not then you will nurse until you have a flow and then learn to pump. They say you shouldn't pump until about a month (unless necessary) to establish a good system with the baby and your body. If you are staying at home I'm not sure you have to go for a 300.00 double electric. I have a Medela PISA but I use it everyday multiple times a day. (I picked medela for the ease of finding replacement parts they sell them everywhere. If I couldn't pump it would be a big issue so if something needs to be fixed I have to be able to grab it) I could never figure out pumping while feeding I am not coordinated enough so I must pump at a different time.
I honestly hate pumping and if I was at home I do it as infrequently as possible. This is just me.
with Ava, I rented from the hospital for a month. I think it was $65. She had latch issues from the beginning, and renting gave me the option of figuring out if i wanted to pump full time or not. I opted to exclusively pump for her and lasted 6 months. So I bought a medela double pump (PISA) within that month.
the hospital ones are closed system and you purchase all the parts separately - so basically, you rent the motor. it's perfectly fine and a good option compared to spending $200-300 on a pump that may or may not be used. Some people simple don't produce milk or enough to continue breastfeeding.
with Sam, I already had a pump. But she latched well and i didn't use the pump for the first two months. then i started to use it once a day to get a little stash going. she took 2 bottles before she started daycare at 3 months and did fine there. i pumped at work and once in the morning at home until she was about 10 months old. i hate pumping. I'm still nursing her once a day before bedtime. She's 15 mos.
I have a Medela Pump in Style Advance (PISA). There are so many good ones on the market now but, I'd definitely recommend a double pump and getting a hands free pumping bra even if you will only be pumping part-time.
You can certainly wait to buy a pump until you have started BF'ing. Most LC's recommend not starting to pump until 3-4 weeks in anyway since it can create an over-supply if you start too early. Do the research on the one you want beforehand and then it can be ordered or picked up after you've had a couple weeks to establish your BF'ing relationship. By that time, if there are any latch issues, you'll likely be past them.
www.KellyMom.com is a fantastic resourse for all things related to breastfeeding and pumping. I'd head over there and make sure to bookmark it for future reference.
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I wouldn't get yourself too stressed out about it. Don't assume it will be a negative experience at first, hurt, or be difficult. I bf my dd and never had any issues, and I am currently bf my son, again with no problems. I think it gets overwhelming reading on here and other boards about the difficulties that happen, but there are so many other stories you don't hear about easy bf experiences. Though I do know it can be tough and there are challenging times, especially the first time. I was a basket case w/ dd because I didn't know what I was really doing and worried my supply would run out, but this time around I knew going into it what to expect.
I will say it is a commitment and there are times at first when I felt like I couldn't leave the baby for more than 3 hrs or worried about where I was going to bf when we were out and about, but it gets easier, you get used to it and realize it isn't forever. It was nice to do my night feedings half asleep and just whip my boob out and go back to sleep. I didn't buy a pump til right before I had my daughter. I bought a cheaper one in case I didn't bf. I bought the Lansinoh double electric and still use to this day. I work full time and pump. I pumped for a year w/dd, and have been pumping now for almost 10 months for my son. I can honestly say, I hate pumping, but again it isn't forever. I only pump when I work and never do it at home. If you want to pump at home, I would pump when the baby only eats on one side or in the mornings after bf and after the baby starts to sleep longer through the night. Then when your dh gives a bottle, I would pump during that feeding so your body doesn't think you have dropped a feeding. I took a bf class and I called the hosptial's Lactation consultants all the time. They really helped me alot in the beginnig with any questions.
I agree with August here. They are pretty pricey no matter what you decide to buy so do your research, get the hang of bf-ing, then invest in a pump if you need one. It's not skeevy at all of you rent one from the hospital.
this exactly. i cant imagine using a single pump and having to spend twice as much time doing it. not to mention that pumping can be your only 'relax' time (as strange as it sounds) with a little one- so the hands free bra is key! i also second the recommendation for KellyMom! it's fantastic!
even though i have a PISA, in hind sight i definitely would have rented. we had such a hard time bf'ing in the beginning- like for 5 whole weeks, i was on the verge of quitting about a hundred times. you just never know how it's going to work out.