Breast Pump

How many of you march/april moms who are planning to try BF have purchased or received a breast pump already? Are you planning to bring it with you to the hospital? I do not have one yet and am wondering if I should wait or get one very soon and have it ready to bring. I'm planning on asking my OB on Tuesday, but just wondering what other ppl's plan is. I guess it makes sense to have your own to start learning how to use, but I've also heard some people were given a prescription for one or rented one from the hospital.

 

We are due date twins and I am having 2 boys also. I am waiting until I deliver because my insurance will help to cover the rental of a hospital grade breast pump for the 1st few months. After that I think my aunt has a pump she is going to give to me. She was an educator for prenatal classes and has a demo pump she said that I can have.

 

I used the hospital pump for the 4 days we were there after the twins were born, and probably would have rented one for a little bit to see how it went before buying one. (We had one our friend gave us after she was unable to use it at all). For BFing twins, it IS a necessity, and a pretty expensive one. But if you think of the cost of a pump compared to formula for twins for a year, it's very affordable. I have the Medela Pump In Style, BTW, and love it. Well, as much as you can love a device that makes you feel like a milk cow :lol:
Good luck! The BF forum is a great resource, great help here.

 

congratulations! don't know about you...but I am getting nervous and ready for this pregnancy to be over! I just found an interesting thread in the breastfeeding forum basically saying a store bought medela is designed for one baby and rarely will produce enough milk for twins. so maybe i will wait and probably rent the hospital grade pump for the best chance at success. If I decide to pump longer and it seems like it will be worth it, I could try my own and supplement when they are a little older.

 

Yup, if you need to pump after having the twins it is best to rent a hospital one for the first couple months and then you can reasses your need for a pump and buy the appropriate one

 

I used the hospital pump while there, both before and after my discharge. They usually have one in the NICU. You'll get your own tubing etc. I also used the hospital grade pump at home for 3 months - it was so much better than the regular pump. Definitely worth it to rent until you see how things go.

 

I just found an interesting thread in the breastfeeding forum basically saying a store bought medela is designed for one baby and rarely will produce enough milk for twins.
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Ok, this intrigued me so I had to search out that thread. I must say I'm still confused. Either a motorized pump is or isn't capable of good suction. If it's fine for 4 pumps per day, then I don't understand why it would have worse suction on #5, 6, and beyond and then work fine for the first 4 the next day. I just don't get that, unless they were referring to battery power. I couldn't find any disclaimers about twins in my manual, either.

I also wonder what they are referring to as a "store-bought" model. The pumps found in Target, BRU, etc. are definitely inferior to the higher priced models and I would consider them "store models." I have the PIS and love it. I had to purchase it at the lactation center at my hospital. It was over $200 but worth every penny. Used it for over a year w/ DS #1. It could suck the polish off my toes if I turned it up high enough and it was quick and easily transportable (and for the record, there were some days that I pumped more than 4x/day). I can't imagine why it would work any less for twins unless there was a decline in my milk production. I used the rental machine for the first 2 wks and it worked fine as well. I can't say that I noticed a difference in the two, either. Even though I have my own pump, I plan to use the hospital machine while I'm there...one less thing to have to worry about carting around.

Eve

 

I used the hospital one while I was in the hospital and then when I was at home I used te Medela pump in style and had no issues with it at all! I was able to feed and pump enough for both babies!

Good luck!

 

I contacted the breast pump office at the hospital today and they told me that they will have pumps there for me to use while I am recovering. Plus, I will be renting one of the hospital grade pumps for a first few months and then switch to the medela pump in style that I currently have (borrowed).

I am exclusively breast pumping. So this is important to me.

Jenn

 

Thanks!

 

QUOTE(newpairofschus @ Feb 27 2009, 08:56 PM) [snapback]1208887[/snapback]
I just found an interesting thread in the breastfeeding forum basically saying a store bought medela is designed for one baby and rarely will produce enough milk for twins.
Ok, this intrigued me so I had to search out that thread. I must say I'm still confused. Either a motorized pump is or isn't capable of good suction. If it's fine for 4 pumps per day, then I don't understand why it would have worse suction on #5, 6, and beyond and then work fine for the first 4 the next day. I just don't get that, unless they were referring to battery power. I couldn't find any disclaimers about twins in my manual, either.

I also wonder what they are referring to as a "store-bought" model. The pumps found in Target, BRU, etc. are definitely inferior to the higher priced models and I would consider them "store models." I have the PIS and love it. I had to purchase it at the lactation center at my hospital. It was over $200 but worth every penny. Used it for over a year w/ DS #1. It could suck the polish off my toes if I turned it up high enough and it was quick and easily transportable (and for the record, there were some days that I pumped more than 4x/day). I can't imagine why it would work any less for twins unless there was a decline in my milk production. I used the rental machine for the first 2 wks and it worked fine as well. I can't say that I noticed a difference in the two, either. Even though I have my own pump, I plan to use the hospital machine while I'm there...one less thing to have to worry about carting around.

Eve


I believe store bought is from any retail establishment and hospital grade is only available through medical equipment resources to buy new. I asked a nurse and hospital grade pumps are super expensive, starting around $1150 brand new (but you can find on eBay for much cheaper) In my breastfeeding for multiples class they talked about this. They said that in fine print the Medela's you buy in the store basically say that the motor is only designed for up to 4 times a day over a period of time - I am trying to remember but it wasn't in the manual but some document on their customer service website under general policies. I will see if I can find it and post. She said they will not tell you this and if you try to return the pump through the manufacturer because of the burned out motor they can ask if you are pumping more than four times a day. Assuming mothers may try to pump for the first year, theoretically the motor would burn up if you are pumping for two...theoretically, but it sounds like it has been fine for some folks. Kind of like buying a cheaper efficient vacuum that is designed for two rooms of carpet compared to buying the same vacuum for the whole house and then being frustrated because it circuits out and burns up. (yes, I have done this) LOL. Anyway, so I guess the question is if it can maintain the power of the suction over the long term due or does the motor fail after a few months. I would think so many factors have to play into it like how your body produces milk in the first place to how much your babies actually need. Anyway, I'm convinced enough to rent the hospital grade but admit that it is a choice based on what I've read and been convinced about through classes. I just want to make sure I have the best chance of getting through breastfeeding for a year hopefully, but boy, this is an expensive item and not an easy decision.