I plan to breastfeed this baby, which means that after about 12 weeks when I return to work (thank God it's not full time), I will be pumping. And I don't like it either.
My last time around, I had a completely slack-a$$ pump, one pump, battery operated, completely useless. But I knew nothing about breastfeeding that time around. This time, I want to be much better prepared. I've checked out some of the pumps out there, but I would really love to hear what pumps you ladies are using, especially if you LOVE them. I know, I know, it's impossible to LOVE pumping, but how's your pump?
Medela Freestyle - good to great. Had to have it replaced at 7 month mark because of some battery issue. They replaced it no questions asked. So all in all, very satisfied. I have no problem pumping 6 ounces from each breast at each pumping session. I don't know whether that is because I am a cow or due to the pump's effectiveness.
I loved my pump just not the pumping. I splurged and bought the Medela Freestyle- the dual electric. It had a battery but you could also plug it in the battery did not develope a memory so you didn't have to run is dead before recharging which was great. I liked that it attached to my nursing bra and it was hands free so I could still do some work while pumping. I just wish they could make them quieter.
Medela Pump In Style. It saved my milk, literally. I had an Evenflo pump and had to pump exclusively for a couple of days. I was only getting out an ounce on each side and I was engorged! I bought the Pump In Style at Target and noticed an immediate difference. I think I got out about 10 ounces on each side that first day. I bought the larger shields and the steam bags to clean the stuff in each night. I used the pump at work for about 10 months and have kept it for when/if I have another child.
I had a Medela Pump in Style ~ my sister and I shared it (had our own suction cups, bottles, etc. and we were pregnant at diff times) between our 4 boys and it worked like a dream. We have since passed it on to our SIL who has been using it for over a year and its still running/working perfectly.
I have an Ameda pump. Its about $280, but well worth it. I have used mine lots. It has car charger and wall adapter. I have pumped while in the car several times, just because it will be easier to feed the baby in the car than stop. I dont like pumping either. It hurts my nipples!
EDIT: Wow i cant believe people get 6 oz out of each breast! I have been getting 2 to 2 1/2 out of each. Jealous!
I have the Medela Pump in Style and like it alot. Its very convienent to use having an adaptor and battery pack too. Ive used it on two kids and its still in great condition. I have tried the Medela manual pump and it sucks. Also the Evenflo Single electric pump is a hunk of junk. The motor sounded terrible and on the second use using the batteries it completely quit working. Another one I have used it the Lactina-Medela brand hospital grade pump. It still did not work as good as my pump in style but it got the job done.
The Medela Pump-in-Style. Definitely. Loved it (as much as one loves feeling like a dairy cow when attached).
Edit to answer your last post: I told myself I'd hang in for 6 months, and ended up nursing (and then after the blood-drawing biting started at about 9 months) - I quit nursing but pumped exclusively to a year. Again, without a good pump I wouldn't have made it that long.
Edit again: be sure you don't let your husband put batteries in the battery pack (takes 8 AA) NOT seven AA and one AAA. So that when you are stuck in the parking garage for an hour, leaking, crying and desperate for relief you don't end up pumping 7 oz. by hand...
I had my first almost four years ago. We started with the First Years pump that Wal-Mart carried. It was an emergency purchase and a POS. I do not recommend.
My husband then ordered the Medela Pump In Style for me to use when I returned to work. It was awesome and the design makes it easily portable and discreet. Highly recommend!
Then, because I was pumping a lot, my husband also got me the Lansinoh pump. It was not as portable, but it was a good, strong pump and less than half the price of the Medela. I would recommend it if you are on a budget and don't plan on traveling with the pump as much.
This is based on what was on the market four years ago. I now have 9 month old twins. I have tried using the Lansinoh, but it doesn't seem to have weathered being in storage for three years as well as the Medela, which is working as well as the day we bought it.
Good luck and best wishes.
I also have the Medela Pump in Style. Oh, the dumb names they come up with to try to make it sound more glamorous! I don't have anything to compare it to, but it seems to work well!
Medela Pump n Style. I cant say I loved pumping, but I did love having all that milk to give to my baby.
It was/is GREAT! With my son, I pumped 5-6 times a day and with my daughter @ 3-4 times a day and NEVER had any problems.
It is TOTALLY worth the $$$.
Another suggestion - buy plenty of bottles and pump parts - valves, sheilds, etc. With my son, I had only enough to get me through @ one day so I had to wash bottles and pump parts every night. I bought more when my daughter was born, and it was so nice not to have to stress everynight about washing pump supplies every night for work the next day.
Good luck and don't give up!
Oh yes, the Medela Pump in Style. With my first 2 babies, I used a manual pump, which really worked surprisingly well and was only about $20.00. But then it finally broke after I had my third baby and I found out that many insurances will pay for most of the breast pump if you have a prescription and you purchase the pump from the medical supply store. So I got my pricey pump for $40.00 and insurance covered the rest. I was amazed at how quiet this pump was, how fast it was to set up, and how quickly it pumped- it took about 7 min to pump both sides (at the same time) as opposed to 25 minutes total time with my old pump.
Medela pump in style-- go to Target and spend the money on either the soft flanges and/or the big ones-- it makes a HUGE difference-- I switched back and forth between the big ones and the soft ones-- why they don't make them large AND soft I don't know....
And you can NEVER have to much milk in the freezer at the end of your maternity leave...
My Medela Pump in Style worked great. I breastfed twins, so it kept up with the demands of two babies. I was able to get out 20-25 oz a day using that pump, which allowed me to breast feed for over a year. I've just started using it again for my three week old and it still works after not using it for almost two years.
