Annd another breast pump question

So this time around on baby #4 I would like to try and exclusively pump.

I looked it up and my insurance only covers a manual or electric pump..NOT a hospital grade.

This is my first time ever touching a pump let alone using one so what would be my best route..brand...kind etc.

How many times a day do you need to pump?
I work full time and just wondering how many times a day I will need to do so.

Annd another breast pump question

Definitely electric double if you can get one. You don't need a hospital grade one to EP but they are better. To EP I'd get a medela PISA if you can. Manual pumps are super cheap. You can always buy one as a back up.

First 12 weeks, pump every 2-3 hours which is about as often as baby would eat. After 12 weeks, I stopped my middle of the night pump. I pumped right before bed and then as soon as I got up. Definitely get some lanolin or coconut oil for your nipples bc until they toughen up, you want them to be lubricated. Definitely get a hands free pumping bra (simple wishes is a great one).

If you have facebook, do a search for exclusive expressing/pumping and join the group. It's very helpful!

A big tip I can share is don't clean your pump parts after every pump. Put them in the fridge and take them out when you need them. It saves so much time. I cleaned them at night. Also a second set of flanges is helpful too.

Annd another breast pump question

I'm EPing and use the Medela PISA. I pump every 3 to 4 hours. I definitely recommend getting a second set of parts and the Medela pump and store bags and a second set of bottles.

Annd another breast pump question

Insurance won't cover hospital grade unless there is a medical reason (nicu, etc.).

I agree with Elizarags. I also eventually stopped washing the parts after ever pump and just put them in the fridge and end of day wash them.

You need to pump as often as the baby eats. It will establish your supply and keep up with the baby.

Def ha ds free bra. Electric double no question.

Annd another breast pump question

Have you nursed your other children? I bf my first and it definitely seemed to help my body get moving when I pumped for my second. I only ep the first few days before DD2 could nurse although I continued pumping after every feeding for a few more weeks. At the hospital I used their pump and pumped every 3 hours except for 3am which I skipped. I used my hands free bra which was so helpful. The first day or two I actually mostly hand expressed bc the pump didn't get the colostrum very well. Once my milk was flowing I went to the double electric. I used the ameda platinum hospital grade the first two months and then switched to the pis and did well with both.

Re: Annd another breast pump question

Re: Annd another breast pump question

Re: Annd another breast pump question

Posted by ElizaRags35

Posted by MrsT809

Posted by ANewDayHasCome

Insurance won't cover hospital grade unless there is a medical reason (nicu, etc.).

Even with dd2 in the nicu after I was discharged my ins didn't cover a hospital grade. I rented oop and it was not cheap.

It's totally dependent on your insurance.

Cheapest I found the symphony was $60/month from BRU if you rented for 3 months at a time. I rented it for 9 months

Annd another breast pump question

I got a double electric. And I would try and get one that is a closed system.

Message edited 5/6/2015 9:31:36 PM.