Breast Pump - Woodridge, IL

I've been happy with my Medela Pump In Style. The only thing I wish I had done differently was buy the backpack version. I got the messenger bag and it's really big and clunky. I've seen other moms in the office with the backpack and it's much more discreet.

I rented one from Condell. In the end I paid a little more than buying one, but these are medical grade pumps that work VERY well!

Hi A.,
I had similar goals and can share my experience. Do not use a hand pump - they can be tricky to get the hang of and they take forever. When I went back to work I used the Medela Pump in Style. You can plug it into the wall or use it on batteries. It is a little pricier, but it is worth every single penny. I have made very few purchases in my life that I can vouch for so confidently. I was able to successfully produce enough milk to freeze for my daughter until she was about 7 months old. I should add she 100% weaned herself - as soon as she could crawl she totally lost interest in nursing. With the Medela I could have easily fed her until 12 months if she'd been willing.

Also, does your work place have a nursing mother's room? It really makes all the difference, you don't want to be pumping in the bathrooms multiple times a day. It's tricky enough without trying to balance on the toilet. If you don't have one you can lobby your HR person for one - converting a closet or vacant office (with no windows obviously) works perfectly.
Good luck!
MC

I was an EP-er, pumping 8 times a day for about 4 months and used a Medela Pump-in-Style. It was a very good choice for my level of usage, as I worked it like crazy.

If you have 3 months at home before you go back to work, you may wish to start by renting a pump from the hospital where you deliver (before making the long-term investment). At the hospital you can ask the LC for their opinion on which product would be best for your intended use.

You may also wish to visit a local LLL meeting prior to giving birth. Some hospital LCs are great and can be fantastic help. Some hospital LCs are clueless and don't help you one bit. Visiting a LLL meeting prior to birth could help you build a great nursing foundation upon which you build your nursing goals. They also would be able to assist you with selecting pumps.

A.:

there are a number of choices.... rental or buying is the first decision...

there are three manufacturers... medela, ameda egnell and now hygeia.

look at all their websites...

P., RLC, IBCLC
Breastfeeding and Parenting Solutions

I have used both medela and ameda. I think ameda has worked best for me. I was able to get more milk with ameda.

My son just turned 1 and I have been pumping exclusively since he was about 2 months old. I have the Medela Pump n Style and just a few months ago bought the new Medela Freestyle. I love both of them, but the Freestyle is a lot more convenient and is a hands free pump.

Good Luck!!

A.,

I just went back to work after having my second child. By the time I finished breastfeeding my first at 9 months I owned both an Ameda Purely Yours and a Medela Pump in Style and I have been happy with both. I express the same amount with both of them. The Ameda did not come with a bag etc. (and was cheaper). I leave the Ameda at home to use. Since the Medela came in a nice bag it was more convenient to take to work so I leave it at work.

Good Luck,
D.

My son is 9 months old I went back to work when he was almost 5 months, And I have a freezer full of milk for him. (which I had to start over at the begining of April because I was bad and not using it and it was too old). I have the medela pump in style, I also got the car adapter so I can sit in my car and pump where ever we are . I still nurse with no probblems with milk supply.

I used the Ameda Purely Yours and it lasted through breast feeding four kids at least one year. I did have a breast shield crack at some point and I called and they overnighted the piece. I was very impressed. It is worth the extra money although it is cheaper than the Medela pumps I checked into. I paid $120 for mine, pump only I didn't buy the bag and optional cooling packs.

I've got an Ameda Purely Yours. I'm on kid #2, month 11 and work full time. It's gotten me through both kids (I nursed my first until 20 months, though I stopped pumping around 13 months). Lots of choices out there. I quite like the pump I have. The design is simple. It's small and packs up easily. It's the cheapest high quality double electric pump out there ($150 if you don't get all the extra bells and whistles) and does a great job. I've taken it on business trips where I've had to exclusively pump for 2-3 days at a time and it's been just fine.

Hi A.,

I just finished breastfeeding my second child with an Ameda Purely Yours breast pump. While it didn't come with a bag, I used the black bag that I received at the hospital from Similac that came with the insulated bag and ice packs. It worked perfectly for both of my children.

I read through the responses and the one thing I did not see mentioned was the difference in functionality. When I was shopping for a breast pump my lactation consultant showed me several different kinds including the one's mentioned in previous responses. She then demonstrated how each worked, the pros and cons of each, etc. What sold me was that the Ameda is the only one with a closed system- meaning that milk could not backflow into the pumping system. The other pumps had an open system which meant that when milk flows back into the system it can create mold and potentially get into the fresh milk being pumped. The open system is the reason women don't share pumps. With the closed system though the parts are more simplistic and everything can be cleaned. She said essentially that while it is not recommended to share pumps it would be possible with a closed system. They just don't recommend it because most people don't realize there is a difference. This is also the difference for the pumps you can rent versus purchase.

My suggestion would be to go to your lactation consultant and talk with them. Hopefully they are knowledgable about the pumps they are selling. I purchased mine through the hospital at Rush-Copley on 34 in Aurora about 3 years ago. I have been very happy with how it has performed. I was able to purchase replacement parts when needed through momsonline.com.

Blessings and Best Wishes,
L.

I'm about to have baby #2, and after my experience with my first one, the one thing I would steer clear of is the manual pump. What a pain in the butt!!! I hated that pump. It was actually the Avent manual pump and it was the absolute worst designed product I've ever used in my life. My parents live about 4 1/2 hours away, so I mainly got it for car trips. Using it in the car or anywhere on the go was terrible because one of the tiny pieces that was integral to the pump working would frequently come loose, spilling breast milk all over me. UGH. Plus I couldn't ever express very much milk while using that pump. Maybe the other brands' manual pumps are better, but I'll never buy another one again. I ended up buying the Medela Swing for this baby. It's the same as the medela pump & style, but it's a single electric pump instead of a double and over $100 cheaper. Good luck!

I really liked my Medela Pump 'N' Style. Whatever you choose, try not to go cheap, if possible. This is one peice of baby stuff you really need quality on. Good luck with your continued nursing :O)

I used Medela Pump N Style. I pumped at work from the time I returned, when my son was 16 weeks old until he was a year old. It worked great. Never once had a problem with it and it is quick. It would take me 10 minutes each time I pumped. I did not have the hands free bra but next time around I think I will get it. It is nice to have your hands free to take a 10 min break, check voicemail/email do whatever you need to while pumping. I found that the more convenient I made it the more willing I was to do it. The pumping thing gets old but if you have a good pump and focus on how great the milk it for your kid you can get through it. For me the Pump N Style was definitely worth the cost. Good luck!

I love my Medela Pump and Style. I also purchased a hands free bra from La Leche International that is hands free and phenomenal. The bra is so much more comfortable for me and practical.

Good luck!

I thought I could get away with a manual pump, but a few weeks into being back at work, my supply started to tank. That's when my lactation consultant said to get an electric pump if I wanted to make it to 1 year. I bought the Ameda Purely Yours and LOVED IT. It was nice to take a break during the work day, hands free and relax and read a magazine while pumping.

I used Medela pump in style and it works great. It comes with a battery pack if you have to take it to work and dont have an outlet or have to pump in your car etc. My lactation consultant recommended it because of the power. Other brands are less money but dont have the same power. I would spend the extra money for it. After all, you'll be saving money not buying formula and giving your baby what's best for him. I think you can get it at Target and sometimes they are on sale. Check online first.

Hi A.,

My experience was

1. The rental Medela didn't work well and wasn't worth the money
2. The small electric (plug in) Evenflo worked ok, kind of noisy which made relaxing/let down more challenging
3. The manual Avent (Isis I think) worked really well and was easy to transport and very discreet

Hope that helps and kudos to you for your committment to give your little guy the good stuff!

I breastfed two kids and used my Medela Pump in style for both. It worked like a charm. I see a bunch of others have also suggested the Pump in style. It is worth the money and see if your insurance will pay for it. I only had to pay $30 for mine. :o) Good luck!!!

You can do it. I did it until my son was 1 and it worked for me. I purchased the cape and worked something out a schedule for pumping.