So, you are pregnant and planning to breastfeed. If you plan to breastfeed, you are going to want to obtain a breast pump to build up a supply of milk for the little one when you are gone or to pump when you are at work away from baby. Occasionally, you will need to express milk and get rid of it (pump and dump) if you have an infection and are taking medicine that is not good for the baby or if you have a surgical procedure that requires anesthesia. While you may not use the pump every day, you will want to have one.
If you are wondering when to buy a breast pump and when to rent – take a look at the tips below.
The Different Types of Breast Pumps
You could buy a manual pump and save a lot of money, but manual pumps are best for very limited use. They take a long time to empty the breast, and they are not as effective as an electric pump which stimulates the let down response.
If you have decided to buy or rent an electric pump, do not do so until you have breastfed your baby for at least four weeks. Many women are allowed a minimum of six weeks maternity leave, so this allows you time to decide if you are dedicated to breastfeeding.
The Difficulties and Rewards of Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is not easy; in the beginning, it can be painful (extremely painful sometimes); often you will be the one getting up in the night to breastfeed the baby (if you haven’t expressed milk for your husband to feed the baby in a bottle), and sometimes you will feel that all you do ALL DAY LONG is breastfeed. In the beginning, a newborn can breastfeed for 20 to 40 minutes. An hour or two after that, they are ready for more.
Having said all of that, breastfeeding can be extremely rewarding. There is something magical about feeding your baby and seeing them gaze into your eyes or smile while feeding. It is nice to have the baby so close and to have time to sit down and just focus on the baby.
If after four weeks of breastfeeding, you decide it is something you would like to continue for several more months, you need to decide if you should rent or buy a breast pump.
Why Rent?
Renting a pump is good if you are unsure how many months you will be breastfeeding, if you don’t plan to have any more kids (or breastfeed future children if you want more), or if you don’t know if you will be able to breastfeed when you return to work.
In my large, metropolitan area, a breast pump can be rented for $2.25 a day. (You can look to rent breast pumps at hospitals or some pharmacies.)
Why Buy?
If you plan to breastfeed for 6 to 12 months or more, you should buy. In addition, if you plan to have more children and breastfeed them, you will definitely get more for your money by buying. The Pump in Style pump (which I used and loved) costs $265. You will pay that much after 4 months of renting using the daily fee listed above. In addition, when you are done using it, you can always sell it and make back some of your money.
The choice to breastfeed or not is a personal decision dependent on your own unique family and work situation. If you do decide to breastfeed, try it out for a few weeks before you decide to rent or buy a breast pump. If you enjoy breastfeeding and plan to do it for some time, it may be worth it to buy a breast pump rather than renting one.
Knowing when to buy a breast pump can be a difficult decision. Time and cost are both important factors in your decision.
This post was written by staff writer Melissa.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I was wondering about delaying solids for up to one year and just exclusively breastfeeding my baby. I have found very little information regarding this, only that you shouldn’t start solids until 6 months and that sometimes doctors recommend not starting until 12 months due to a history of allergies. My baby was born full term and we have no history of allergies. Has anyone else ever heard of this concept or found any information about it on the internet?
I have heard of this also. My best advice would be to ask your doctor. I have three kids, and they started eating solids between 5 to 5.5 months (and I still nursed each of them until at least 12 months). I honestly can’t imagine not feeding them solids until 12 months; they were all too hungry!
I think this decision really depends on the amount of breast milk that the mother can create naturally
I used my pump for child #1, and child #2, and child #3 (perhaps 3 times) then I sent it to my sister in law. Then she sent it to a friend of mine. Medela says that sharing the pump voids the warranty…phooey! You can sterilize the pump parts if you are worried about cross contamination. Medela actually makes sterilization bags.