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Medela PumpInStyle Advanced Double Pump. Very small/portable, and super easy to use. Also comes with a hands free harness for ladies who like to write briefs or do crossword puzzles while pumping, which was never me...in fact the picture always made me laugh, but I suppose it's possible.
You definitely want a double pump, Kelly. I pumped anywhere from 10-15 minutes depending on the day and how full I was. But that is truly a case-by-case thing. Fresh milk keeps (Back me up on this ladies?) I think 7 days? I usually froze about half of my daily take-home. And it keeps for quite awhile frozen, I think 6 months.
Wpending the money on an efficient double pump is money well spent.
AGREED. the medela instyle double pump is THE BEST. you'll feel like a cow getting milked but it is WORTH IT. I pumped for about 10-15 minutes as well. and I pumped A LOT to make sure my milk supply kept going as long as I could get it. I wasn't able to breast feed and so the only way to get my milk was through pumping which I did about every 2 hours which made it feel like I was always pumping, but I needed to get as much milk out of me because I tend to dry up within one month (this is just me.......so don't fear! I'm sure you'll do better than I!) as far as I know 7 days sounds correct on refrigerated. I opted to pump for the day and then the next pumping would be for freezing and kept alternating so I had some stored as well for the later months. defintely invest in a good pump but I would say the medela instyle is the best.
What brand did you use for pumping?
Medela double pump. I have had the pump in style models for years. Every 2 babies I have to replace it though. Whatever brand you buy, make sure it has DC option also. I know half the time, I end up in my car since the rooms are booked and I can't find a room with power. (This will be my 7th BF baby and I work full time. All of them made it through pumping for the full year and then some made it to 2+ years (my boys )
How long does it take?
10-15 minutes depending on how stressed I am.
How long will the milk keep? (this does vary, I use LLL for references)
1-3 days fridge
3 months freezer (above fridge)
1 year in deep freezer.
Buy freezer bags. I find it the best. Label them.
Please don't wait until 6 weeks to introduce the bottle though. I disagree with this policy. After having to delay going back with my first (refused to take it by the time we introduced at 6w and I spent weeks finding one that she would take), I usually introduce within first 10 days at least one feeding. Never had issues with rejection and it gives DH/siblings feeding time.
__________________
Katrina, mom to 7 wonderful children on earth, and 4 guardian angels in heaven.
Medela, medela, medela....I know it's bulky(I KNOW) but the Lactina is awesome! I buy the Lactina(or lactina select) on ebay. It's a rental grade so ok to buy used. You can sell it for what you buy it for(or dang close) and all you ever buy is parts. I'll do it again this time. No matter what, I always ended up buying a medela when I first bought cheaper.
__________________ Rebecca
Wife of 18 years to Anthony
Mommy to 4 daughters Elinore 05/27/95,
Phoenix 12/14/01, Pascale 06/03/05
& baby Wren on 12/10/12
A lot of my friends who work use the pump in style, but anyone who is going to be a SAHM and wants something for just a few times a week, the Medela mini electric pump is awesome. It's survived through 2 babies and pumping milk for my friend's adopted baby so it lasts a long time. It's also be battery powered (I've even pumped while driving LOL).
Yup..same as the other girls...medela in style (double pump) here too! I am hoping my pump holds out for this baby as it has seen me through 2 other babies! So far so good, so I will be keeping fingers crossed as this will be my last baby.
I also second do NOT wait that long to introduce a bottle to baby. I waited EVERY single time, (had a hard time letting go)...lol. Needless to say, baby refused the bottle. Thank goodness, I am able to take off of work until baby is 6-9 months...so a sippy cup worked in a pinch til I got home. I always keep a huge stockpile though, just in case I get sick and have to go on a non compatible breastfeeding medication. I always did a few days in the fridge and a few months in the freezer.
__________________ Rebecca
Wife of 18 years to Anthony
Mommy to 4 daughters Elinore 05/27/95,
Phoenix 12/14/01, Pascale 06/03/05
& baby Wren on 12/10/12
I actually have a Lansinoh double pump and liked it as well. I used it daily for a year when I was pumping at work. You definitely feel like a cow, but it is worth it.
For me, it took closer to 30 minutes to pump but I am a huge milk producer and would get 4 oz per breast so maybe that is why? I always froze it day of. But, if I recall, the milk only lasts 3 months frozen, right?
If you deepfreeze it's a year. I also take more like 30 mins no matter what pump I use. I know for me, I can't do puzzles or read or anything like that. If I do, I will just sit and pump for nothing. Sounds weird but I kind of have to focus on pumping and baby.
__________________ Rebecca
Wife of 18 years to Anthony
Mommy to 4 daughters Elinore 05/27/95,
Phoenix 12/14/01, Pascale 06/03/05
& baby Wren on 12/10/12
Yes, she's a really close friend of mine and between myself and another woman, we got her baby through the first 6 months with at least a few ounces of breastmilk a day.
Well done! That's just awesome! I would love to do something like that. Really cool
__________________ Rebecca
Wife of 18 years to Anthony
Mommy to 4 daughters Elinore 05/27/95,
Phoenix 12/14/01, Pascale 06/03/05
& baby Wren on 12/10/12
It really wasn't too hard, just one pump in the morning and I'd freeze it in silicone ice cube trays so she could add an ounce or so to each bottle of formula just to give her baby the extra immunity boost. Easy peasy! I was also on Domperidone, so supply wasn't an issue. If you are interested in donating breastmilk, you should look into it! I think there are services that will pick it up from your house if you don't know anyone personally that needs it.
Kelly, be sure to check out the Milky Way forum too, if you're interested. I have a (really) lengthy post in there about the ins/outs of BF, and some of the ladies have also posted their thoughts and tips too. It's pretty informative for FTM's.
Rebecca, I don't think that's weird at all. I was able to multi-task while pumping, but I did notice that REALLY concentrating (and even massaging my girls while pumping)often helped with output.
__________________
Maggie - Mommy to Marlowe & Willamina
While we're on the subject, do you think an electric pump is necessary for somebody who only plans on pumping a few times a week (just to stock up in case I can't nurse, like if I'm on an antibiotic that I can't nurse with), or is a manual sufficient?
While we're on the subject, do you think an electric pump is necessary for somebody who only plans on pumping a few times a week (just to stock up in case I can't nurse, like if I'm on an antibiotic that I can't nurse with), or is a manual sufficient?
IMHO I would really get an electric pump - the one I have was only like $60 and was so worth it. The manual ones are a royal PITA and are super annoying. If you only plan on pumping once a month or so, then maybe a manual one, but for a few times a week, you'll really want an electric one.
Mary, I would love to but I don't produce hardly any from my right boob for some reason. Where you prescribed the Dom? Did you buy it yourself? I think it's awesome that you did that!
Maggie, I could read every now and then but I'd sometimes look down to see that nothing, or not much, had been coming out. I only read if I had time to burn.
Lucy, I agree with Mary on the electric. You can get an inexpensive electric so why not. I had a top-rated manual in addition to my electric and it would often lose suction and it was near impossible to deal with. Even when it worked it just didn't work as well.
__________________ Rebecca
Wife of 18 years to Anthony
Mommy to 4 daughters Elinore 05/27/95,
Phoenix 12/14/01, Pascale 06/03/05
& baby Wren on 12/10/12
