Out of all the things I was terrified about being pregnant and having a baby, I wasn’t concerned about breastfeeding. In my head, I thought it was all about being in the right mindset and being patient (for other mommas laughing along already, yes, I learned my lesson quickly!). My sweet boy had trouble staying on my breast without a nipple shield and that came with the challenge of constantly being swatted off by tiny newborn hands. I had purchased two pumps from a neighbor (one double-electric pump and one hospital-grade pump) and when it was apparent that bottle feeding with expressed milk was going to be needed at least some of the time, I naively thought that pumping would be easy too.
First off, don’t be like me! If you plan on breastfeeding, I highly encourage you to see a lactation specialist BEFORE the baby arrives. Not only will they help you understand more about breastfeeding but you’ll learn various positions for feeding, figure out what nipple size you are (yes, that’s a thing), and they will even help you set up your pump and learn all the correct settings. Learning these things when you aren’t sleep-deprived with a screaming baby is absolutely ideal and not at all something I did. So please, do as I say and not as I did.
The next hard pill to swallow is that similar to a birth plan, you may not end up feeding your baby the way you initially planned and that’s okay. Whether you planned on nursing and you end up exclusively pumping (that’s me!) or you find that formula is better for your mental (and physical!) health, your baby is getting fed and that is what matters.
But if you’re reading this, it’s probably because you want help choosing the right breast pump. I’ve tried several, and here are my thoughts,
- Manual Breast Pumps:
Manual breast pumps are simple, hand-operated devices that require the user to manually express milk. They are compact, affordable, and ideal for occasional use. I ordered my first manual breast pump (the Medela Harmony) during a 3 AM feed when I was getting overstimulated and anxiety-ridden with my hospital grade pump. I’ve since re-purchased the same one when the first one broke from using it so much 😬. A lot of folks think these take too long to express milk but I am usually able to drain one side in 5-10 minutes. I love how easy it is to clean, that it doesn’t need to be plugged in or take batteries, and that it’s super portable. I even fit it in a clutch sized handbag two weeks ago to attend a wedding. While I don’t think a manual pump should be your only option, I highly recommend you have one in your arsenal. If you do end up using this routinely, I would also recommend you order the larger 8 oz Medela bottles. The 5 oz bottles that came with the pump were too small in the middle of the night when my supply was highest.
- Wearable Electric Breast Pumps:
Designed for moderate use, wearable electric breast pumps operate with the push of a button. Depending on the brand, they are relatively affordable and come with adjustable suction levels and different cup sizes.
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- I first used the Elvie Stride pump and unpopular opinion but I was not impressed– I could pump for 15-20 minutes and still not have enough for a full feed. I know lots of people who love it so I’m not hating on the brand, just sharing my real experience!
- Next, I tried Lansinoh’s Discreet Duo Wearable Breast Pump and LOVED it! I use this 80% of the time.
- Hospital-Grade Breast Pumps:
Hospital-grade breast pumps are top-of-the-line devices that offer the highest level of suction strength and efficiency. While sometimes pricier, hospital-grade pumps are a worthwhile investment for certain situations. I have the spectra and while it’s an amazing pump, I find it super overstimulating to be attached to a machine that is plugged in.
Insurance Coverage
Almost all health insurances will cover a breast pump and there are third party websites that will help you figure out which pumps are covered and allow you to order through them (they handle the insurance). I used a company called AeroFlow but a quick google will yield a ton of results. You can opt for something that is completely paid by insurance or pay the difference. I recommend buying a manual pump out-of-pocket and using your insurance coverage for something wearable or hospital grade.
*Your insurance may also cover replacement parts each month so make sure you take full advantage of your benefits.
Pumping Bras
Once you’ve found the right pump setup, make sure you stock up on the right bra. Here are a few I’ve liked,
- I just ordered another two pack of Quince Maternity and Pumping Bras. For the price and comfort, you can’t beat it! These are similar to Hatch or Bodily brands but a fraction of the price (here’s a discount link for $20 off a purchase of $200+).
- Someone gifted me the Kindred Bravely pumping Bra and it’s incredibly comfortable!
- The Spanx Bra-llelujah is unfortunately not size inclusive — I’m normally a 36DD and the XL barely fit (that’s their largest size). That being said, it’s a great bra when you want more support for the girls.
Other Pumping Accoutrements
Pumping is practically an olympic sport and anything you can do to make it slightly easier is worth its weight in gold. I recommend a bottle sterilizer, a bottle brush, and to stock up on nipple butter.
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