Best prices on breast pumps?

[NYEmomma]

Hopefully this isn't a taboo topic to discuss, but I'm trying to find the best price on an electric breast pump.

I nursed DD until she self-weaned at 13 months and used a manual pump the entire time. I figured since I was a SAHM I wouldn't need to build a stash, but I ended up pumping every night before she went to sleep because she started sleeping through the night at 2 weeks. And then I pumped one side every morning because after a couple of months, she only nursed on one side at a time.

Needless to say, I spent a lot of time on the couch, pumping by hand.

I NEED an electric pump this time -- ideally a dual electric -- but they're SO expensive. Anyone have any tips on where I can get the best deal at?

 

[descovy]

Okay, so it's been a few years... my youngest is 7!

But after having a hand-pump with my first child, when #2 came around, I bought a Medela pump-in-style on ebay.

Here's the deal, #1 was in the hospital for 10 days after birth. In that case, the hospital actually rented a pump to me. I bought the tubes and "cups" , but the motorized "machine" was the rental. In fact, when I would visit baby dd in the hospital, I didn't even have to carry the pump with me, just the tubes and hook them to their machine.

So when #2, came around, I realized there was nothing skeevy about a used Medela pump in Style. At that time (2002) I bought the pump for $100, (new would have been $250) I used it for the next 2 kids, and a friend purchased it from me in 2006. Back in 2002, when I bought the tubes and "other pieces" it cost about $20 (new & sealed!)

So that is a thought to seriously consider. It was far more worth a cheapie hand pump. My oldest, having been intubated in the hospital for a week after birth actually lost her sucking reflex and refused the nipple... both by bottle and breast. So I had to pump every bottle, and rock her to sleep before I could slide the bottle in her mouth without spitting it out. Being my first, I cheaped out and used a handled pump after she came home from the hospital. Lesson learned for babies 2 & 3!

 

[100AcreWood]

Definitely not taboo . They are very expensive but so worth it. A couple ideas are waiting for a 15% off coupon at bru. Or renting one from your hospital (not sure if that would be cheaper in the long run). You could borrow one from a friend and buy all new hoses and external pieces. I know in my area people sell them at consignment stores (just the motor). I'm not sure how that rates on the ick factor though. I wouldn't think there would be any transfer of fluids if you're just using the motor but I'm no expert.

Hopefully some others will have better advice for you. I know some folks never need one but I used my Medela pump in style with all of my babies. Good luck!

 

[akcire]

A hospital grade breast pump is a closed system, so there is no possibility of milk getting into the pump. They cost approximately $1500.00


A personal model breast pump is not a closed system and is not recommended to be shared. I suggest you purchase a new pump, and not a used pump.

There is a yahoo group the exclusive pumpers who can give you the best pump advise. Once you know which model you want the internet is the cheapest place to buy.

My daughter is 8 months old and never nursed correctly. I have pumped for 8 months, but due to a case of mastitis am no longer meeting her daily needs. I do have a large freezer stash and we are supplamenting with formula.

I have a Medela Freestyle which is fine for occassional use, but the pump in style is probably better.

They ladies on the yahoo group are pumping experts.

 

[starann]

Check with your insurance company, some people have found that their insurance will cover one or part of one (mine didn't) but it is worth a call!

 

[Mom2Ben02]

I actually got a Pump in style on Freecycle (!!!). It was amazing. I bought new tubing for $26, and was good to go. DS is 17 months - we still nurse once a day, but the pump is now retired and passed along to my sis.

I do have to add, my most essential pumping accessory was the Simple Wishes pumping bra. Worth its weight in GOLD. Wish I had know about this for DS9 and DD7!

 

[MrsPete]

Insurance bought me a hospital grade pump.

 

[AZMermaid]

My friend gave me her Pump In Style. I would have felt a little funny using a used one from a stranger, but this was my best friend from high school and I knew I could trust her when she said she never had any issues. My son never latched and I pumped exclusively for 3 months. Kudos to the poster who went to 8 months! My son had colic and I had a break down one day trying to pump and bounce him in the bouncer with my foot while he just screamed. I had to stop for my own sanity. But it was also my saving grace because I could time it to need to pump as soon as my husband got home. "Oh, here's the baby. He's been screaming for two hours now. Gotta pump!"

 

[crisi]

Check with your insurance company, some people have found that their insurance will cover one or part of one (mine didn't) but it is worth a call!

Mine did - rental on a hospital grade pump - so I was only out the disposable parts.

 

[JuliaNC]

I pumped for over a year in total with my kids and used 2 different Medelas. They were fine, not great but worked. Be sure to check around and look into other brands that don't advertise as much (Ameda and Hygeia come to mind), Medela actually has a pretty bad rep in some nursing circles, I am a maternal child health RN by trade and if I were to buy a pump knowing what I know now Medela would not be my first choice. Believe there are some reasonable ones that are dual electric, although in the world of dual pumps reasonable is rarely less than 200. If you don't think you will use it long may want to look into renting or hospital loaner programs, just depends on your area, hospital, and insurance! Facebook has a bunch of very active nursing groups, leaky **** and nursing freedom are the first two that come to mind, may want to post to those or similar to get up to date reviews, I know I just read a long thing on pumps on one site not that long ago. Good luck and Congrats!

 

[NotUrsula]

Whatever you do, once you price what you want, put the money into your FSA account if you have one. As durable medical equipment, the cost of a pump and parts is eligible for reimbursement.

IME buying a personal-model double electric directly from a hospital can save you quite a bit, as many hospitals have special-purchase programs, and most of them also are not required to charge sales tax on durable medical equipment sales. Call their lactation depts. and see what they have to offer (most of the time they don't care if you are delivering elsewhere.)

I've heard that Hygeia's tend to be the quietest of the leading brands, but it has been awhile since I've heard one, so I can't speak to the newer models.

 

[sookie]

when i had my son, the best deal was to get an RX through your OB and then take it to a local DME store. if you had a diagnosis, often the insurance would pay for it. otherwise they were just lower cost and no tax.
i got a medela pump in style and i used it until my son self-weaned. next time i will probably pay for a monthly rental or push for insurance to get me one.

 

[Swimalie]

When my son was born with hypoglycemia he wouldn't' bread feed due to being giving a bottle right away. I rented the hospital one but it was $45 a month and the insurance wouldn't cover it. I found a Pump in Style at a garage sale for $100 and used it for the next 9 months. I fully cleaned it and used my own disposable parts. It was wonderful. See if you can find one on craigslist or a good sale. They are well worth it.

 

[mandas08]

I added pump to BRU gift registry and after your even date has closed you get a completion coupon. I cant remember the amount it was (sorry), but then I combined it with a 20% coupon I found in the newspaper.

I ended up gettin my Medela for right around 200 after discounts

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

I bought the Medela pump in style in 2006. I exclusively pumped for 10 months for first son, then exclusively pumped for 12 months for second son, loaned it to a friend a year later who used it for a few months, and now another friend is using it (has been since July).

I was a milk machine so maybe others had different experiences, but I found the Medela to be a great product.

 

[bettymae1121]

I haven't bought this yet as baby isn't due until Feb, but this one gets great reviews and is the one I'm planning to buy. Amazon has it for $159.80.

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=10986698

 

[tink_n_pooh]

Definitely check with your insurance company, many cover the cost

I heard, not sure how true it is, that since it is going to be required that all insurance covers breast pumps in 2013 many have already jumped on board and are covering it now. Probably requires a note from your doctor stating it is medically necessary but that should be easy enough

 

[zeferjen]

Hi - I can give you my old one if you cover shipping. It's a Medela Pump in Style with the backpack. I guess you would want to replace a few pieces, but the pump itself is in perfect working order. PM me if you are interested.

 

[DSNY4ever]

I recently got a Medela Swing. It is just right for if you only need to pump like once or twice a day (it is electric, but only pumps once side at a time). I bought it at Babies R Us and waited till I had one of their 20% off coupons.

My SIL was going to give me hers but I did a lot of googling and found that there are only a few brands that you can actually share safely with only buying new tubing etc. Her was not one of them

 

[maplevale]

My SIL exclusively pumped and bottle fed for over 6 months using a $35 First Years pump from WalMart. Just because there are `better`options out there doesn`t mean you necessarily need it.