How To Buy A Breast Pump
If you are staying home to care for your healthy newborn, you may not need a pump at all. For the occasion when you may want to go out without your baby, hand expression is an effective and cost-saving option.
how to buy a breast pump
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If either you or your baby is unable to nurse after birth, you should use a special hospital-grade pump. Your hospital will have one available for you to use during your stay, and they will let you know where to rent one if your baby is still unable to nurse when you go home.
If you are sure that you will be returning to work, you might want to consider buying a personal pump before the baby is born. That way you will have it available if you need to pump to comfort in the early weeks. However, these personal pumps should not be confused with the previously-mentioned hospital grade pumps, which are designed to help you establish milk production.
Check the length of the pump's warranty, because that is the expected lifetime of the pump!As a general rule, it is a good idea to avoid pumps made by companies whose main business is selling bottles, nipples and other supplies needed by mothers who are formula feeding. In the long run, it is much cheaper to rent or to buy a good pump than to buy formula.
Pumps for regular useAre you a mother who has already established a good milk supply and has a baby who is nursing well? If you will be separated from your baby because of work or school, you will need a dependable and efficient electric double pump. Some mothers find that pumping both breasts at once saves time and actually brings in more milk. See the Breastfeeding USA article To Pump More Milk, Use Hands-On Pumping for more ideas for bringing in more milk.
There are new multi-user electrical pumps in the $300 price range, which carry a three-year warranty. After you are finished with it, the pump can be loaned or sold to another mother who has her own personal accessory set, and even be recycled.
Pumps for mothers who have not yet established a milk supply and/or whose baby is less than 8 weeks old.If this is your situation, you will probably need to rent a hospital-grade electric double pump:
Previously used pumps.Using a previously owned pump that has not been approved for multiple users is like using somebody else's toothbrush. Milk can get into the unsealed motor, even if you get new tubes and personal milk collection parts.
Remember that the average lifetime of a pump is about the same as the length of its warranty. Yes, the pump may work a bit longer than the length of the warranty, but you will have no recourse from the manufacturer if it no longer works efficiently..
There is an even more important aspect to consider. An older pump that is beginning to wear out may not work well. If the pump is not able to adequately stimulate your breasts, then your milk production will drop, and you may not be able to make enough milk to keep up with your baby's needs.
Nothing lasts forever. Pumps wear out. We are not surprised when a hairdryer or a microwave oven or a car fails to work properly after it has reached it's *expiration* date, and it is the same for pumps.
If you decide to breastfeed, a breast pump can be an invaluable tool in your journey (for one: it allows other people to feed the baby. Hello, nap.). But breast pumps can be pricey. What you may not know is that thanks to the Affordable Care Act, breast pumps are covered under most health insurance policies for free. But if you hear insurance and think red tape, you are not alone.
Next, you select your preferred pump and then complete the order form. Babylist Health will verify your insurance coverage and request a breast pump prescription from your doctor. You get a brand-new breast pump delivered directly to your door, with free shipping included.
A: Nope, you can order your pump as early as six months before your due date and up to six months after baby arrives. Babylist Health will hold onto it until the date your insurance plan says you can have it (which for most plans is about 30 days prior to your due date). Once your pump ships, you should get it within 5-10 days.
A: Most likely. Babylist Health works with most major insurance suppliers, which means that most people can get their breast pump through them. You can check your eligibility on the Babylist Health to find the answer quickly.
Your healthcare provider or a lactation consultant can help you determine which pump might be best for you. Also, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides a list of approved pumps online including the manufacturer's name and the date the device was approved. Simply, type "breast pump" into the search bar and you will get a list of pumps from which to choose.
Keith DR, Weaver BS, Vogel RL. The effect of music-based listening interventions on the volume, fat content, and caloric content of breast milk-produced by mothers of premature and critically ill infants. Adv Neonatal Care. 2012 Apr;12(2):112-9. doi:10.1097/ANC.0b013e31824d9842. PMID:22469966.
Using a breast pump in between regular breastfeeding can help you maintain your milk supply. Most UnitedHealthcare benefit plans include coverage for the purchase of a personal-use, double-electric breast pump at no cost to you. These are the most common pumps and they closely simulate the action of a breastfeeding infant. You can find which brands are included by contacting the national breast pump suppliers listed below.
To request a breast pump, call the phone number on your health plan ID card, or you may contact one of the national network providers below. You will need a physician prescription to get a breast pump. Make sure to note that you will not be reimbursed for a breast pump purchased at a retail store.
These pumps are operated by hand. They work well to relieve engorgement (when your breasts are too full of milk). They are easy to carry with you, don't require a power supply, and may be less expensive than other types of pumps. But they are slower than electric or battery-operated pumps and can't be used hands-free.
These are designed to be used a lot. Most are faster and more comfortable than manual pumps. Some types closely imitate the action of a breastfeeding infant. They can help you maintain your milk production if you bottle-feed breast milk often. Electric pumps tend to be larger and heavier than manual pumps. But they are also the fastest way to pump milk. Some of the newer models are very lightweight.
You've decided 'breast is best,' but there are many reasons why you may not be able to nurse baby on demand. A breast pump allows you to express (extract) your milk so you (or Dad) can feed baby from a bottle, anytime baby is hungry.
The concept for every breast pump is one and the same. Each uses suction at the breast (that mimics the way a baby feeds) to pump milk into bottles or storage bags. That said, not every pump operates in the same fashion or attends to the same particular set of needs. Before you settle on a pump, ask yourself these important questions:
Are you having trouble lactating? Do you have a busy schedule that prevents you from being home for every feeding? Is your baby a preemie or in the NICU? Is baby simply having trouble latching on? Not every pump caters to every issue -- determine why you need to express your milk and go from there.
Maintaining a steady supply of breast milk means you'll need to pump several times a day -- sometimes even more! If you need to pump quickly and efficiently at work, for example, look for a machine that's easy to carry, lightweight, and double pumps (both breasts at the same time) in a quick cycle. But if you need to express only occasionally, say to help prevent engorgement (common when your milk has only just come in a few days after the birth of your baby), then perhaps a hand-held pump is all you need. If you are multi-tasking and would like to be able to do something else while pumping, try a hands-free pump, just remember you will also need a hands-free bra.
Not every new mom is lucky enough to pump in the privacy of her own home. If you have to pump at work, consider a machine that's small, quiet and battery operated so you don't have to find a discreet place to pump that also has an outlet. There are even breast pumps with AC adapters so you can express in your car via the cigarette lighter.
Looking to pump on your coffee break? You'll need a machine that gets the job done in a minimal amount of time. Pumping cycles can vary from 15 to 30 minutes (or sometimes even longer if you're using a manual pump). That may not seem like a lot of time, but it could mean the difference between spending your lunch hour pumping and having a few minutes to grab a salad before that afternoon meeting. Moms with a busy schedule might also want to look into purchasing a pump with an LCD display that you can program to remember your preferred pumping patterns.
The breast shield is the piece of the pump that is placed directly over the nipple. There is a standard size for shields, but many manufacturers have smaller or larger options available, because a proper fit ensures creation of a vacuum lock that will help you express the most milk most efficiently. How can you tell what size is right for you? The nipple should move freely in the shield while pumping is in progress. If it doesn't move at all or rubs against the side of the shield, you need a larger size.
If you don't plan on using your breast pump for a few hours, clean it according to the manufacturer's instructions. Many pumps can be easily disassembled and washed with warm water and a mild detergent. You can also disinfect your breast pump and accessories in microwavable steam clean bags in about 3 minutes. If you are on the go, use quick clean wipes to cleanse breast shields, valves and membranes.
Luckily, thanks to the Affordable Care Act, most insurance companies are now required by law to provide a breast pump for free for all new moms. However, which pumps they cover all vary depending on your insurance provider and your particular plan. 041b061a72