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Dear Lactation Consultant:
I am 6 months pregnant and will be going back to work when my baby is 3 months old. It is my hope to breastfeed for a full year (assuming all goes well), which means I will be pumping while I am at work. I am confused as to the type of pump to use to maintain my milk supply. Can you advise me?
Candi Hazelcorn
Brooklyn, New York
Dear Candi:
You have many options available today, which is quite a change from even 10 years ago. The first thing I would recommend is to check with your health insurance company to see if they will reimburse for a pump. If they will, is the coverage for a rental or a purchasable pump (aka expendable good)? If you can get reimbursement, that will help with your decision. Also, many corporations have lactation and/or pumping programs, which you should know about before you have the baby. Then you might be provided a pump. Check all this out now so you aren’t dealing with it once the baby is born.
There are several companies that have rental breast pumps. Some are available through hospitals, lactation consultants (like myself) or local stores, such as baby boutiques. When renting, you need to be certain the pump has been properly cleaned with a germicidal cleaner to prevent bacteria from being passed from lessee to lessee. This is why I do not recommend renting from a larger, chain baby store, as I know of incidences where pumps have actually not been cleaned before they have been rented. Also, the pumps are likely to get better attention when a consultant is on board to check the working condition of the equipment.
There are about four companies with top quality rental pumps so you do not necessarily need to go with the one company putting out the biggest ads. Prices vary so check around and make sure you get a superbill if your insurance will reimburse you. Otherwise, hang on to the receipts so you can deduct the expense of the pump and all pump accessories on your taxes. If you rent, there will be restrictions, but if you have any problems you can easily get a replacement pump, a real plus.
If you are purchasing a pump, you will want to get one that is durable and will serve your needs. It should have a good warranty, be easy to use, be portable and have a battery pack or other non-electric capability. There are many pumps available and prices vary tremendously, depending upon where you purchase the pump. Several new companies are coming out with pumps in 2010 and one company has just come out with an all green pump that I have fallen in love with. (Check out the mercantile on this website.) Pump accessories should be Bisphenol-A (BPA) free or you should not consider that pump. (Read that section of this website.)
Purchase the pump from a store or website with a lactation consultant or someone who knows the pumps well. Fly by night websites might offer lower prices, but don’t expect any assistance from them or from the larger chain stores. They just cannot answer the types of questions we can. Ask for assistance in setting up the pump the first time you use it, as well as getting professional information on pumping time, storage of breast milk and introducing a bottle.
I hope this responds to some of your concerns. You are in a large, metropolitan area, with lots of support so you shouldn’t have any difficulty getting the assistance you need.
Sincerely,
—Leslye
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