Breast Pump Recommendation?

[wimbly11]

Hi Everyone, I plan on trying to breastfeed so everyone tells me I'll need a breastpump. Pretty clueless about these. Recommendations for a good but not insanely expensive one?

[Zonny]

I had a manual one, by Avent and it worked fine for my needs - taking a full year of mat leave, and not really having a need to go out for long periods without DS.

To be honest, for me it was easier to just feed DS myself rather than worry about having bottles clean, milk warmed to just the right temperature, etc. Besides, if I left him for DH to feed and I went to have a nap, go do something, etc., well my body would still make the milk not knowing I wasn't going to use it that day. So I'd wake up or get home with leaky, uncomfortable boobs. It worked better once he was eating cereals and things, I'd thin the cereal with it. But we mostly didn't bother with bottles.

Good luck!

[wimbly11]

Thanks for the tips!

[francine1985]

don't buy one until you are sure you'll be able to pump. borrow one or rent one from the hospital. I bought a very expensive double electric pump and despite having plenty of milk I was unable to pump more than a few drops of milk after hours of trying. it wasn't a supply issue and there was nothing wrong with the pump. some women (like me) are just unable to successfully pump. I was lucky to be able to be a stay at home mom so thankfully there was no need to pump.

[wimbly11]

I wonder if my hospital rents them....that's really good advice. I never thought about that

[bargain_hunter_lola]

If you are looking to rent you can try Shoppers Home Health Care (not the regular Shoppers Drug Mart).

I rented from there for the first 2-3 weeks. It's a bit pricey (it's been almost 6 years so I can't remember the price) but it was the exact same model the hospital had (which made it easy because I had already used that kind for 2-3 days). I hadn't planned on pumping but BF'ing wasn't working so I pumped. Unfortunately pumping didn't work either so we then went exclusively to formula.

[Lyssia510]

I had an Medela hand pump(I made so much milk until I got mastitis that I had to pump one side while I feeding dd), and then when my supply dropped I rented a hospital grade pump from a home health store for like 60 ish a month. If you have insurance a breast pump rental may be covered which makes it cheaper than buying one.


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[Springbreeze]

If you are looking to rent you can try Shoppers Home Health Care (not the regular Shoppers Drug Mart).

I rented from there for the first 2-3 weeks. It's a bit pricey (it's been almost 6 years so I can't remember the price) but it was the exact same model the hospital had (which made it easy because I had already used that kind for 2-3 days). I hadn't planned on pumping but BF'ing wasn't working so I pumped. Unfortunately pumping didn't work either so we then went exclusively to formula.

We rented our pump from there 3 years ago, then the price was 25.00 a week, with a discount if you rented for a month. We rented weekly as breastfeeding didn't work and neither did the pumping. there is a 50.00 dollar fee for the parts, tubing and valves. Hoping to have breastfeeding work out this time, did not enjoy pumping at all. I will say if you know you are going to rent one to call as soon as you can, they have a limited amount to rent. I didn't have one when we brought DD home from the hospital so after getting us settled hubby went out to get one. He called me from the store because they were out. I was so upset and burst into tears now unsure what I was going to feed DD when she woke up. The lady at the store gathered from hubby's end of the conversation how upset I was. They had one left in the store that was spoken for but they were very late in picking it up so she let hubby rent it.

[lilo0003]

I used the Avent manual, it was inexpensive and worked well. With DS 1, I was back at work at 6 months (no 1 year leave then) & he was exclusively BF until 14 month. So I pumped a lot with it. With DS #2 he refused anything but me. By then we had the 1 yr leave so was OK.

[bargain_hunter_lola]

We rented our pump from there 3 years ago, then the price was 25.00 a week, with a discount if you rented for a month. We rented weekly as breastfeeding didn't work and neither did the pumping. there is a 50.00 dollar fee for the parts, tubing and valves. Hoping to have breastfeeding work out this time, did not enjoy pumping at all. I will say if you know you are going to rent one to call as soon as you can, they have a limited amount to rent. I didn't have one when we brought DD home from the hospital so after getting us settled hubby went out to get one. He called me from the store because they were out. I was so upset and burst into tears now unsure what I was going to feed DD when she woke up. The lady at the store gathered from hubby's end of the conversation how upset I was. They had one left in the store that was spoken for but they were very late in picking it up so she let hubby rent it.

Yes, good advice. If you know you need, better to book it ASAP.

We rented on a weekly basis because I wasn't sure how long we'd need it. Looking back we should have went with a month rental.

I lucked out that I had most of the add on parts (valves, bottles. etc) from the hospital, but I was told some local health units have the kits and will provide them to people who need them (not sure if that meant low income or just people who needed the supplies and stores were out). Just an FYI. HTH


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[shaneB]

I suggest "Philips Avent Comfort Electric" it is comfortable and quiet. It's a little expensive though, but it's worth buying.

[wimbly11]

I looked into renting, it's $25 a week plus you have to purchase the add ons for around $50 I believe. If I used that for a few months, I could purchase one for myself so I think I will be buying. I did check and my health plan does not cover it.

[Zonny]

Are you taking a year of mat leave? You might not need a pump at all.

[wimbly11]

I am taking a year off. But I want DH to be able to feed for bonding time with baby so that's why I wanted to pump.

Do you think there is sanitary issues with buying second hand?

[Springbreeze]

A lot of people buy pumps second hand just make sure you buy the parts new, these are not as easy to clean. Buy parts I mean tubing and valves.