Breast Pump

[Anonymous]

I've seen on this board and elsewhere a recommendation that 1st time moms wait to buy a breast pump. Can anyone expand on why?

[Anonymous]

Personally I waited, and just rented from the hospital (though I'm sure there are cheaper places to rent!) until I was certain I was giong to proceed with nursing. I was committed in theory to it, but since one never knows how it will really go, I waited. Just my experience.

[Anonymous]

I had problems with supply and had to have a hospital-grade pump in order to get anything out (even the Medela PIS, which is generally believed to be the best "regular" pump, didn't do it for me). I was very glad that I had borrowed the PIS and not bought it outright, otherwise it would've been a waste. I would wait to buy, or buy it close to your delivery date and not open it so that you could return it. You can always rent in the meantime - my hospital grade pump cost 60/month (at Georgetown). Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I'm bfing my second, and this time around I'm using a rented hospital pump; the first time I used the Medela PIS. I really, really wish I had rented the first time, too; the difference in production has been significant. With the PIS I had to pump for 25 minutes to get the same amount I now pump in only 5 to 10 minutes. I'll be bfing for a year, as I did with my first, and the extra expense incurred by renting is totally worth it to me in time saved. Being hooked up to a pump is no fun.

That said, everyone's experience with pumping and supply is different, so I agree with others that you should wait until the baby arrives and see what your supply is like, etc. You can always rent for a month and then purchase your own.

Good luck!

[mpeluso]

Just wanted to chime in on what the PP's have said. I rented the hospital pump for a month and was glad that I did not buy one because it turned out I was not producing enough milk and what I was producing my DS could not keep down (GERD) and I had to switch him to Enfamil Gentlease which has partially broken down proteins so it made it easier for him to stomach.