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Written by Leslye Adelman, M.S., IBCLC, CCE
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Tuesday, 29 July 2008 |
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Dear Lactation Consultant:
I am so confused. I just came out of my local Babies R Us unsuccessful in my intent to purchase a breast pump. There are so many available that I didn’t know which one to get. Prices vary greatly and I know some manufacturers tend to be more reliable than others, but I am totally confused. I know I want an electric pump, but other than that, I am lost as to which is the best. What would you recommend?
Jane Penshaw
The Woodlands, TX Dear Jane:
I don’t blame you for your confusion. What you need to do is ask yourself the following questions:
- 1. What is the purpose for pumping?
- a; are you returning to work or school and will need to be pumping at least several times a day, all week long?
- b; will you be pumping so baby gets a bottle a day and perhaps an occasional extra one?
- 2: What is your budget?
- 3: Have you contacted your health insurance to see if they will cover any part of the pump cost? Some companies will reimburse you for rental pumps only. Other companies will reimburse for “expendible goods” (purchased pumps), so you definitely want to check on this before investing.
- 4: Does your employer have a lactation program? More and more companies have programs that include pump rentals. In Los Angeles, for example, The Dept. of Water and Power has a program where they will give the employer or spouse a rental pump to use as long as she is working and breastfeeding. What a great deal!
You can speak with relatives and friends to find out what they used and preferred, although each woman lets down differently to pumps so each person you speak to will have their own personal reason why they like a certain pump. Some women can manually express with their hands over a bowl and never use any equipment, while others use a manual pump and are quite successful. The majority of women today find an electric pump the way to go. Styles, prices and companies vary.
I have worked with one company for more than 20 years and find their products work well and they are extremely reliable to deal with. I recommend the Medela Pump In Style Advanced. The Freestyle, which came out earlier this year, is expensive and still has some kinks, although its concept as a hands-free pump is great, but not unlike buying a new model car in its first year. I would hold off this year and wait until changes are made to make it a quieter and more comfortable pump.
Storage in Bisphenol-A free bags is the way to go and using Bisphenol-A free bottles will prevent your baby from any exposure to that toxin.
I hope you find this helpful. Buying a pump is not an inexpensive purchase, and I want everyone to feel they have made the right decision.
--Leslye
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