[ElizabethS]

Ok I am looking for a breast pump. I'm due in the end of April. I have breastfed three babies. I rented a hospital grade pump w/my second and third child when I had to go back to work (exclusively breastfed the first since I wasn't working..and didn't have to pump). However it costs $60/month. If you add that up I could have bought several pumps of my own by now.

I'm looking to purchase a double electric pump this time around but am unsure which to get. For some background, I have trouble relaxing and with letdown, when pumping and not breastfeeding. I also have a hard time finding any that fit...I have really really large nipples, and they seem to get pinched/suctioned hard with even the wide flanges.

So anyways my question is I need something that....

*Is comfortable, and does not pinch (with the knowledge that my nipples are quite larger than the average apparently!)
*Something that will not impede my breastmilk production, I'm going back to work at 6 weeks and will probably start pumping at 1 mos to start some storage. I'll also probably pump when engorged the first week or so and set aside.
*Something that is QUIET. I will be pumping in the bathroom at the bank where I work and customers will be able to hear a noisy pump...embarrassing and will probably tense me up and impede let down and milk collection, once again.

I am not willing to spend $800 on a pump, but wouldn't mind looking in the $200-$300 range IF necessary. If I can find a cheaper one that works just as well, all the better. But I know how vital it is to have a pump that you like and doesn't hurt! Thanks girls!

PS> The hospital grade pump I used before was a Medela Symphony 2.0, which costs $750/used. So way out of my price range =(. But it worked well.

[Doodlebug06]

I've been using a Medela pump in style advance.
It's double and works great. 2 phase letdown.
I've been exclusively pumping to bottle feed my dd and she's 3 weeks. Just today I got her to latch on.

Anyway. It's pretty quiet and I also had big nipple issues. I bought 30mm flanges and they have a set one step larger that are XXL if you need that.

Do you have insurance? If so call and ask if they cover the purchase of a pump with a prescription. A lot of ins companies do as long as its purchased through a durable medical equipment company who is in network.
I paid $0 for mine through insurance.

I actually have 2 Medela PIS. I bought one when leaving the hospital and the second one the ins pd for. They are about $300 in stores.
I have a 2 story house so I wanted to have a pump on both floors to make it easier since I pump so much.

Anyway I think the Medela pis is the closest to the symphony you will get.
I used a symphony in the hospital and honestly I can't tell much of a diff between the two.

For ref I pump about 40 to 45 oz a day using my Medela.
It also had a battery pack so u can pump without electricity.

Do you not have an option of using any type of office somewhere in the bank to pump?
I kinda thought there was a law about having to provide a place. I could be wrong.

[Jennyt13]

To comment on the PP - check your state laws - they may have to provide you a room more suitable than a bathroom - I know in Illinois that is a law.