Choosing a Breast Pump...
If you are planning on breastfeeding, you're probably going to need a pump. Most people don't know, but many insurance companies cover a medical grade breast pump under "durable medical equipment". Because you are using it to care for your baby, it's considered medical equipment, just like diabetes supplies or other required items. We have Blue Cross/Blue Shield, which covered 80%. With our insurance, the only caveat was that we had to get a prescription from our doctor for a pump and purchase it at a medical supply store. Most hospitals will either have a medical supply store, or be able to get you a pump.
 Medela Pump in Style Advanced |
I didn't think that I was going to need a pump. During our Breastfeeding class, we were informed that your body produces the amount of milk that you need to feed your baby, and since I was going to be a stay-at-home Mom, that I wouldn't need one.
As it turned out, after Lucas was born, and my milk "came in", I needed one. At a 1am feeding, three days after Lucas was born, he refused to latch, and wouldn't eat. I tried, and tried, and tried, but he would just arch his back and scream. About 5 hours later, when he still hadn't eaten, I was faced with a decision: feed him the formula that the Hospital imposed on me, or go get a pump? We already had a prescription for the pump, but hadn't purchased one yet. And the medical supply store that we had to purchase it at surely wasn't open at 6 in the morning. |
So, Clinton, being the awesome husband and dad that he is, went to Walmart and purchased one off-the-shelf, so I could give Lucas my milk. It was a middle-of-the-line Evenflo Comfort Select dual pump. Let me tell you, using that thing was one of the most painful experiences of my life, second only to child birth! It pulled so hard that it made my breasts actually bleed! Comfort, my patoot! I cried in pain every time I used it, which was for three pumpings, until we could get to the medical supply store.
Once we got to Genesys, I purchased a Medela Pump in Style Advanced. It comes in a bag (one of three choices), and includes four bottles, a cooler, ice pack, wall plug, battery pack, tubing, and one set of valves. While the Medela pump was significantly more expensive, once the insurance covered 80%, it was actually cheaper than the off-the-shelf, mid-grade pumps you can buy. After the deductible, we paid about $60.00.
When I started using it, the difference was night and day. I could barely feel it drawing out the milk, and the Medela brand extracted twice as much as the Evenflo brand. The backpack is nice, because I could take it with me anywhere, and no one would know the difference. It doesn't have a brand name on the outside of the backpack, or even indicate that it's a breast pump. I've actually had people comment on how cute the backpack is and ask where they could get one.
Once we got to Genesys, I purchased a Medela Pump in Style Advanced. It comes in a bag (one of three choices), and includes four bottles, a cooler, ice pack, wall plug, battery pack, tubing, and one set of valves. While the Medela pump was significantly more expensive, once the insurance covered 80%, it was actually cheaper than the off-the-shelf, mid-grade pumps you can buy. After the deductible, we paid about $60.00.
When I started using it, the difference was night and day. I could barely feel it drawing out the milk, and the Medela brand extracted twice as much as the Evenflo brand. The backpack is nice, because I could take it with me anywhere, and no one would know the difference. It doesn't have a brand name on the outside of the backpack, or even indicate that it's a breast pump. I've actually had people comment on how cute the backpack is and ask where they could get one.
My simple advice: if you plan on breastfeeding, get a good pump, and purchase it before you are discharged from the hospital. You'll need it once your milk comes in, and I so wish I would have had mine ahead of time!
Handy Breast Pump Accessories...
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After purchasing my pump and using it for a while, I discovered that I needed more bottles and valves than it came with. I am unsure whether or not accessories are covered under insurance, as I didn't try to purchase anything from the medical supply store. Target and Babies R Us are both great resources for Medela Brand items. Both have a really great selection, and are relatively affordable.
One of the most useful things that I purchased was a Breastmilk Labeling and Storage Kit. I always had problems with Lucas' bottles tipping over, and not knowing which bottle to use first. This solved both of my problems! It comes with an easy to use, and easy to clean storage container to keep in your fridge. It utilizes the FIFO (First in, First out) method of storage, and keeps your milk in order. As a bonus, you get two storage bottles that fit on your pump! |
 Labeling and Storage Kit |
 Labeling Lid |
The kit comes with two Labeling Lids, which have a handy dial that allows you to indicate which day, and at what time the milk was expressed. They form a tight seal, and fit inside the cooler pack that was included with your pump. Extra lids are sold separately. I also purchased extra bottles, and enough labeling lids for them, so I had 8 all together. It allowed me to store the milk in our fridge without constantly transferring it to other containers and forever washing dishes.
These items are significantly more useful if you are pumping exclusively, or saving milk to give you baby while you're at work or on-the-go. |
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I also ran into the problem that I was waking up every 3 hours to pump, and only had one set of shields and valves. The very last thing that I wanted to do was wash, rinse, and sanitize bottles and shields after only sleeping for an hour and a half. So, I purchased an extra set of shields, so I could go two pumpings without washing. I would simply rinse the parts with hot water after use, and then wash them in the morning.
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Easy Cleaning and Sanitizing...
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When babies are very young, you have to sanitize everything that goes in, or touches anything that makes its way into their mouth: bottles, nipples, breast pump parts, pacifiers, et cetera. Medela Quick Clean Micro-Steam Bags makes this very easy! Just add 2 ounces of tap water, and pop it in the microwave for 2 minutes! No more boiling bottles, or colanders in pots of steam! These bags were especially helpful while we were travling for Robotics. I would wash the bottles and pump parts in the sink, and sanitize them right in the room. I have also used them to clean Lucas' toys while we were out and about! I always carry one in my pump bag, and place the dirty bottles and pump parts in it for temporary storage, and to prevent contaminating the clean parts.
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 Micro-Steam Bags |
 Quick Clean Wipes |
The last item that I suggest for successful, easy pumping is Medela Quick Clean Wipes. They're a bit pricey, but worth the investment if you plan to go a lot of places where you won't have access to soap, water, or a microwave, but will need to pump. They are sanitizing wipes that clean your pump parts without water! Just wipe down the inside and outside of your shields, valves, and bottles, and allow them to air dry for 10 minutes.
These were indescribably convenient while I was traveling for Robotics. I often had to pump in a bathroom, or a storage room with no access to a sink. Occasionally, I would have to pump in the car, and also had no way to clean my parts. Medela also sells these wipes in an individually wrapped package option, but I've found that just keeping a large package of the wipes in my pump bag is not difficult at all. |
