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Pumps - Buying vs. Renting from Hospital
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erikafagan
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| I'm 32 weeks and trying to decide if it is worth the money to buy a breastpump, or if it makes more sense to rent a hospital grade pump. Any insight/opinons would be great. |
Anonymous
| I think it depends on how long you plan to use the pump. If you are planning to use it for more than a couple of months, I would buy one of the higher end Medela pumps. I found that it more or less works just as well as the one that I rented from the hospital. |
Anonymous
| and if you plan to have more than one child, you'll be happy that you bought one. I'm using my 2004 PIS for my second child. $300 well spent. |
Anonymous
| I would recommend that you wait to buy, or at least not open it so you can return it later (and some stores won't let you return it at all, so watch for their return policy). Breastfeeding is somewhat unpredictable, and you don't know until you're actually doing it how things will go, even with the best intentions. Hopefully you will have no problems and have a great supply, but that's just not something anyone can guarantee. I ended up renting from the hospital because I had problems with low supply, and even Medela PIS (which is supposed to be the best "regular" pump) did nothing for me. You can always start out by renting and then buying your own once your supply is established etc. Good luck! |
Anonymous
| Hi, first reply poster here again. I'd definitely agree with the PP, that you might want to hold off a week or two before you open your own pump (if you buy one). I rented one for two weeks and when I figured out that I was going to continue nursing, I broke the seal on my Medela. |
Anonymous
|
15:43 has good advice.
The lactation consultant that taught the class I went to pre-baby recommended that people buy a cheap hand-pump just incase they needed it when the baby was first born, and then wait to see how breastfeeding was going before investing in a good pump. Personally, I think the hand-pump is worthless, but I very much appreciate her point. Many women try to breastfeed and either can't or decide they dislike it. Once you are committed to breastfeeding, it is well worth the investment. |
Anonymous
I totally agree with waiting to see how the breast feeding goes until investing in an expensive pump in the beginning. It can be very difficult for many women to breast feed even if they are very determined to do so, and I speak from personal experience. I recommend either purchasing a cheap one just to relieve engorgement or renting one from the hospital in the beginning until you get the hang of things. I spent hundreds of dollars on a nice pump then had to stop bfing after about a month. Ended up being hospitalized at that time (another story) and using the hospital pump for a few days and it was NICE! I had so much pain with my Medela pump (abrasions on my aereolas), but the hospital pump felt so gentle and seemed to work much more efficiently. Perhaps that was just unique to me, but if I'd known how nice the hospital pump, I definitely would have gone that route. |
Anonymous
| The nurse consultant from my insurance co. said that if I get a prescription from my doctor that I can submit a receipt and try and get reimbursed - no guarantees but that I can try it. Not even sure if my doc will give me a prescription (I haven't asked yet) but just passing along what was suggested to me. I figured I'm going to buy one anyway so why not submit the receipt and try it? |
Anonymous
| Yes, the LC told me to ask the ped. for a prescription to buy a breast pump and there maybe an outside chance to get fully, if not partially, reimbursed. Worth a try... |