I am trying to do research on the best best pumps, both manual and electric. I've heard good reviews about the manual Lansolil but most reviews I have heard that the Medula double-electric is best...but so expensive!! Any thoughts from your experience? I am a new mom-to-be come November, so only want to make 1 purchase instead of trying these out.
Also, is it okay to buy a used one with the sterile factor?
Lastly, I was looking to buy reusable nursing pads, but are they effective? It would be nice to be able to reuse them, but I don't want to spend the money on them and try to be eco-friendly if they don't work.
Sorry, I can't help you with the pump... I have never been able to pump. I do use reuseable breast pads though. I love them. I have gotten so used to them that I tried to use some disposables that I got for free and they felt awful! If you sew, I can send you a great free pattern to make some.
Congrats! The lactation departments at some hospitals will let you rent the pumps. When I had my son in Pittsburgh, the women's hospital let me rent the Medela double electric pump, and gave me new parts for what actually touch me as well as new bottles for the milk. Since I'm now a SAHM, I'm planning to purchase the Medela double electric, instead of renting, when my second boy arrives in October. So if you don't want to invest in a new pump, you might check around to see if you can rent one.
I used reusable, washable nursing pads and they were absolutely fine.
I would wait to buy a pump until you need it. I breastfed my daughter for a year and only used a pump a handful of times. I have a cheap electric pump that works well....I don't suggest a manual though.
With my oldest I couldn't breastfeed and had a pump but never used it.
I joined the publix baby club and got awesome coupons. I got buy one get one for both playtex and lansonil disposable breast pads. Whith my first child, I used the washable ones. My experience was that the disposable ones were far superior with absorption. I had leak problems just about every day with the washable ones and just thought that was how it worked. Having the disposable ones, never leaked once, even when my breast was about to explode! I wouldn't use the washable ones again. I had the medula electric and loved it. If you are planning on more than one child, it makes no sense to rent in my opinion. you will end up spending that money and not own anything. It is rare that you wouldn't be able to use it. I used my pump for months, almost exclusively, with both of my children and have no complaints, well worth the money! Have fun and a wonderful birthing experience!
I LOVED my reusable breast pads and although bulkier than the disposables I thought they were way more comfortable.
As for buying a pump used... the lactation consultants will tell you not to but if you look at the way that they're made it's virtually impossible for your milk to actually back flow into the machine and contaminate it. I have an unused set of tubes and whatnot still sealed in the pouch from Medula if you end up needing the hook-ups.
by personal experience i would recommend the medela double electric pump. I have 2 children and breastfed both. With our first, i started with the medela single electric pump, it worked well but took at least 20 minutes to pump both breasts. When i had our second, we invested in the double electric and i was able to pump both breasts in half the time. I had stated in a previous post that you can use second hand pumps because all you have to do is replace or even sterilize the portions that are touching you. The pump itself has been designed so that nothing but air is exchanged. If you are interested i am in the process of selling a lot of baby items including a double electric pump. you can email me: [email protected]
good for you & eco-friendly!
LOVe my reusable breast pads!
feel free to send me a personal message- I love giving breastfeeding/new baby advice!
as for pumps: used BOTh the Medela and the Ameda.
they are BOTH great. the AMEDA is one where you CAN use a used one SAFELY! so look on Craig's list, etc, and save your money :)
the manual ameda was ALSO great! but NOT to have as 'only' pump!
i used the medela pump-in-style with both my children. i bought new and never had any problems. you can absolutely buy used, just purchase new tubing and, of course, sterlize the parts that come in contact with you or your milk. i seem to remember liking the avent and lansinoh disposable pads the best. never tried cloth reusables. the lily padz are effective, but for me, it was kind of pain dealing with the milk leakage and just condensation that would form every time i nursed or pumped. you really have to wash them every time you take them off. and then they have to dry before you put them back on. best for nights out!
hope this helps. congratulations and best wishes for a beautiful delivery and healthy baby! enjoy.
Hi Bryanna! Congratulations on your upcoming baby. I have 2 children 19 and 3 months old. I can tell you from experience do not get a manual pump. It is hard work, takes a lot of time and you don't get as much milk out as with an electric one. A used pump is ok if you get all new tubes and things. I have a Ameda Purely Yours double pump and really like it, but I only use it on occasion and only at home. If you are going to be working I would suggest getting the Medula and make sure you have a traveling pack for it.
On the nursing pads, I tried the reusable ones and I leak through them. But each women is different. Get a set of disposables and see how much you leak. If it isn't a lot then you could try some reusables.
I had a Medela Pump In Style double electric that was used and it was a work horse! I felt comfortable with a used one but I knew the previous owner. I did have to hunt down new tubing on the internet (and if you need the website send me a message and I'll find it for you!) and you need all new parts. Yes they can be pricey but you won't be disappointed. I had to replace mine as i lost it during hurricane Katrina and bought a less expensive Medela model and was not happy at all. Even if you will be staying at home it's a great idea to introduce a bottle at around 6 weeks (I personally love, love, love the Playtex nurser with the latex nipple-very soft like the breast). I suggest this because you will want times to get out of the house and be able to leave baby with a sitter. And by 6 weeks your supply is established and regulated by baby. It's also nice to have a stash of milk in the freezer in case something comes up and you need to be away from baby for a few hours. Never know when hubby/partner might surprise you!
DO NOT use the gerber reusable breast pads! They were terrible! But do some on-line research there are lots of reusables that can be purchased that moms are very happy with. You have to be careful if you consider making your own because they need to be breathable to prevent moisture from just hanging out on the breast and typically the ones from a cloth diaper supplier will have a layer of waterproof but breathable material. You can find reviews on-line with a google search.
Since you are looking to be more eco-friendly have you considered cloth diapering? I started cloth with my 14 month old when she was 4 months old and I wish I has started right from birth! It is a great feeling not having to buy diapers! I haven't had to buy diapers (unless one of the in-laws watches her lol) for the last 10 months! And it's not like what I thought. I had all these thoughts of old school cloth diapering. If you would like any info on it just send me a message and I'll be happy to share my positive experience and offer some tips about what I have learned/choices to consider.
Congrats!
I really liked Medela but the manual one from Avent works just as good. With my daughter I tried evenflo and that worked well also. Medela is good but really over priced. I used pads also - some women don't leak so...you'll have to see. I liked the Medela pads the best. Good luck!
I think you can buy a used one, but read the info online about sterilizing and what parts you may have to buy new.
As for the breastpads, I used the Gerber reusables. They worked well for the most part. They did start shrinking after awhile from washing (even though I'd lay them out to dry). They will leak around if they get too wet (esp like with overnight use), just always make sure youhave an extra set on hand. Good luck!
A hand pump is best, you have better control. The reusable breast pads work great. Just throw them in the washer with your whites. Be sure not to bleach them as they might make your breasts sore
Breast pumps are not returnable so I wouldn't even consider buying one until you are sure that you will use it. My best friend's milk did not come in (yes, those people in the breastfeeding classes tell you this will not happen but I've seen it with my own eyes and I can tell you that it does). Unfortunately, she had bought a pump and never used it. She had to give it away to a charity, unopened! That is a very expensive donation.
I would recommend using something in the hospital if you need it there and if not, then rent something from the hospital for a month to see if you like it. I rented the Medela Pump in Style, double electric and it was great. I did purchase it after pumping for a month and ended up pumping exclusively (my guy never learned how to latch, even after 3 lactation consultants tried to work with him) for almost a year. A ton of work, and couldn't have done it with a single or a manual.
As for breast pads, I tried the resuable and found them to be bulkier and not as reliable in absorption. This was a major problem for me since I was working... I really liked the Playtex disposable best and I could buy them at Publix, but you can try different types. No need to purchase tons before baby is born.
Depends on how often you plan on pumping. Occasionally so someone else can feed the baby then a manual would suffice. If you are going back to work then I recommend an electric pump. It doesn't need to be fancy or double. Remember you have to fall in love with your pump while pumping, like your baby, to get that milk to flow. It ain't easy, but practice makes perfect.
I used the First Steps double electric pump since I was going back to work with both children. It wasn't as expensive as the medala and had all the same qualities. I have really liked it. Also, if I got milk in the tubing or something cracked, I would call the company and they would send me a replacement part right away. I have a single medela brand electric pump, which I like, but the First Steps breast suction cups molds to the breast better, which I liked. Course, I bought my pump 5 years ago, so it all could have changed since then :) I also used disposable breast pads from Lansinol that worked well.
I moved up to a Freestyle now that I'm pumping at work. I have my Pump in Style from my first pregnancy that I need to sell. It was used regularly for about 6 months. Send me a message if you are interested in it.
I would maybe also suggest that you rent a pump from the hospital. Until you know what your experience will be with nursing, it may be wiser not to spend the money upfront. The Medula probably is the best, but is expensive. With my first, I tried to nurse and it didn't work. How frustrated I would have been if I had spent the money! Also, the ones from the hospital are the best pumps so that should help "get you started" too.
The re-usable nursing pads are fine. The only problem I would say is bulk. They are fabric and so must be a certain thickness to absorb. The disposable ones are much thinner and form fitting. I liked the re-usable ones though because I could tell they were there and doing their job.
Good luck. Nursing is a great experience. It got better for me with each successive pregnancy.
About pads- I bought the reusables and yes they do work. The one problem i found was i would leak through them at night. But i was really big in the boobs. So at night i started using little washcloths for the baby.
I had the same problem with my second pregancy but used the disposable kind and then i didn't wake up in the morning with a big wet circle. After a week or so then i wasn't so heavy due to not nursing and could use the reusable ones at night.
About machines- U can rent a pump from the hospital to see if you need it. It cost me about $40 for a month and it turned out nursing wasn't for me.