Medela Manual Breast Pump

You can rent an electric one from medela.com or from Capital Pediatrics in Austin. If you rent the lactina it runs about 25 dollars a month. When you consider how much use you will get from it, the price is very reasonable.
Also, you might try looking on Craig's List for an electric one.
I tried to use a manual and it was very difficult. The electric takes less time and you can express more. Renting a pump is pretty inexpensive and way less than the cost of formula.

I have a Lansinoh electric pump that I got from Amazon. It was a bit cheaper than most of the other pumps. I haven't used any other for comparison, but I really like the Lansinoh one. It's easy to use and easy to clean. Just takes a little time and getting used to.

C.,
Congratulations on the coming of your little one! And for wanting to breastfeed! A lot of women have one challenge or another with breastfeeding, but it is well worth any and all effort.
I will echo the La Leche League advice. I think the closest meeting to you is going to be in McAllen...but I could be wrong...Here is a link listing all the towns in Texas where meetings are held.
http://www.llli.org//Web/Texas.html
Meetings are held monthly and kids are welcome. I have been attending a meeting for years now. I have no current challenges or "burning questions" but I still find it to my advantage to attend. It is a great group of women and I find it very encouraging to be around others who are so positive (and helpful!) when it comes to breastfeeding.

If you have not already read "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" I would recommend doing so. The 7th Revised Edition is the newest one. It is a book put out by La Leche League and contains a wealth of information, including proper latch technique. Improper latch is the number one culprit when it comes to sore nipples and discomfort. Amazon.com has it for about $12, but you could likely find it at your local Barnes and Noble or Borders.

The LLL website has some good resources.
http://www.llli.org/resources.html?m=0
One last plug for LLL -- phone consults are FREE! The leaders are not medical personnel, but they have lots of bf-ing experience and can help you troubleshoot issues and give you tips on what to change (if anything).

Also, I want to say that if you are going to continue being a SAHM, I really don't think you're going to need a pump of any kind. Honest. I am a SAHM of two and and have used my pump only a few times. If you are returning to work, it's a different matter...but if you are going to stay at home, my 2cts would be to not sweat it.

I know this was lengthy, but I hope that this contains some helpful information for you. If you have any questions for me, please don't hesitate to email me.

K., mama to
Catherine, 5y
Samuel, 2y
EDD 9/23

For me, the manual breast pump was very frustrating and discouraging (it was not the medela). I used a manual breast pump with my first child and gave up on the whole thing after 8 weeks. With my 2nd child we invested in an medela electric double breast pump and WOW - I was able to breast feed after returning to work (full time) until #2 was 8 months old. #3 was a "surprize" and I was able to breast feed with her (using the electric breast pump when returning to work) until she was almost 7 months old.
Another general disadvantage of the manual pump is that it takes a really long time, since you have an older child...time may be of the essence. An electric does cost more - but when you consider the time factor (you can typically pump both breasts at one time in about 7-10 minutes vs 10-15 minutes with each using a manual), your frustration level and older siblings...it's well worth the price.
I had a friend that "rented" it from me between my 2nd & 3rd child - she bought all her own bottles, storage containers, tubing, etc - so if you have a few friends you may consider going in together to purchase one to share.
If you "practice" you'll probably end up hurting/cracking your nipples and then they'll be more sore when the baby is born.
I believe Lanolin (your local walmart or target carries it) makes a cream that you can start applying to your nipples during your last trimester and continue using through the first couple of weeks after your baby is born. I didn't learn this tip until #3 and it does help with the early "soreness, cracking, etc" that may occur with breastfeeding.

Good luck!

A little about me:
I'm a full time mommy & full time professional in the Human Resources world. I have been married for almost 10 years and have 3 daughters. 7 years, 2 years and 9 months...

Request a lactation consultant and an electric pump at the hospital. ASAP.

Get an electric pump. Rent it (Woman's Work in Houston rents them) or buy an Ameda pump. This one has more settings than the Medela and you can take it out of the bag.

If you experience severe pain days during the weeks following delivery, suspect YEAST. This is the toe curling pain immediately upon latch on/let down. If this baby is properly latched on and you feel this kind of pain, inform your MD or lactation consultant ASAP. This is severely undiagnosed and very common.

Do NOT give up....it takes a little while to get things going but is very worth it!!!

Contact your local LaLeche group for support...

Good luck!

Hi,
Just do not give up, get lots of help, cry if it hurts because it will. Don't let non-breastfeeders discourage you. Get in touch with LeLEche they will come to your house usually and some even showed me with their own babies exactly what they do and what it looks like. Know that it gets easier after a while. Good luck

Contrary to what Lisa mentioned below, no physician would recommend nipple stimulation at 37 weeks because your due date could potentially be off by a week or two. Nipple stimulation brings about the natural release of oxytocin (the natural form of pitocin). Oxytocin causes contractions which sometimes (if your body is ready) evolve into labor. Most doctors don't recommend this because it has been known to lead to excessively long, deep contractions that sometimes slow down the fetal heart rate. Unless your doctor recommends that you do some "practicing" and is willing to monitor you closely, I would not do it.

Regarding the breast pump... you did not mention if you were a working mom. If you are, I HIGHLY recommend getting the electric pump. If you aren't, then you probably won't need it because you will have the availability to nurse on demand. For working moms, though, the medela electric pumps are fabulous! I could not have continued breastfeeding with our daughter without it. I always see new moms in Target on the breastpump aisle and they always have these looks on their faces like "Do I really want to spend this much money on this thing?" The answer is YES!!!! It was more worth it more than ANY other baby item I purchased. What's funny is people always stop those "confused"-looking ladies and tell them it's worth every cent. You'll see five or six ladies standing around the baby section singing the praises of the electric breast pump!

Best wishes to you and your sweet baby! And congratulations on the decision to breastfeed! It really is the best thing for you and your baby!

I think it is great that you will breastfeed your new baby! It was one of the best parts of having a new baby and a good reason to sit down and rest a few time a day. I pumped and breastfed for 18 months--unless you are working full time, or having other problems, you probably won't need a "milking machine". Though Medela makes a great affordable electric called the Swing.

Aside from the nipple stimulation concerns and going into labor...the breast pump is not practice for nursing a baby. Though you can have some discharge all through pregnancy and the later weeks, colostrum production is activated by the hormones of labor and the separation of the placenta. It would be great for you to find a local La Leche League meeting and start building a support system. Older children are welcome to attend and it is a great way to see other moms nursing their babies and get some help if you are having problems. You do not have to join to attend.

I know you are nervous. I was too. My breasts were HUGE (I stoppped measuring after I passed DD) and her head was so tiny I didn't know how she was going to eat! My secret weapon was a pillow-supported football hold. It also is great for leaving your hands relatively free.

Drink plenty of fluids. Pat your nipples dry and use the lanolin after every feeding. Change your nursing pads a lot. Avoid drying soap on your nipples.

Hi C..

My advice...don't buy anything yet. The hospital will have a pump for you to rent or you can borrow a pump from a friend until you decide that you can indeed breastfeed. You will have to buy a personal kit for sanitary reasons but you 'll have to purchase one for your own pump as well. I never produced enough milk to feed my children so I was glad I hadn't spent so much on a pump. If you make enough milk, then I would definitely recommend the electric pump. Save for it or borrow one. If you haven't had a shower yet...register for it. Breast milk is the absolute BEST thing for your baby and Leche League is a n excellent resource for support. I wish you much success!

You didn't say what you are planning to pump for, but if it's just so dad can feed the baby now and then, an manual pump is okay. if you are going back to work and want to keep up a full milk supply, you need to buy the one with the motor. You will just never keep up with the hand pump. Too bad about the expensive baby clothes and decor! Breast milk is much more important! Hopefully you can stay home with baby and won't really need to pump. Just feed "on demand" and your milk and baby's hunger will work themselves out together. Get the lactation nurse in to see you at the hospital before you go home.
I found nursing way harder than I thought it would be and have always said that if I hadn't been very committed I surely would have given up. I had different issues with each baby, so even nursing three babies didn't make me an "expert"! Just be ready to ask for help and be very kind and patient with yourself and your baby as the two of you learn to nurse together. It's a great thing!

First of all, I would suggest that you join La Leche league. There must be a chapter in your area. This organization will give you tremendous support for breast feeding.You must also be very determined to breastfeed your baby. I breast fed both of my children (now 31 and 26 years old!!) I do feel that it helps develop a bond that lasts a life time. However, you can also develop a bond by ALWAYS holding your baby when you bottle feed and by following all other bonding procedures. So, I have developed a more tolerant attitude about bonding over the years. Do not be nervous about breast feeding. There are simple solutions to all problems associated with it. I developed a breast infection when my son had to go back into the hospital with billirubin and the nurses made me stop breastfeeding him and put him on formula. I could not take penicillan because I am allergic to it. So, I went to an herbalist and was taught how to make olive oil compresses to apply to my breasts, how to express the milk so it would not dry up- I had no pump at the time- just hand expression method. I also used herbs and got rid of the infection. When my baby left the hospital ,I breastfed him until he was three years old. He still remembers the experience fondly. It was hard to get him to stop, but it was time at three.Well, I do hope you find support for breastfeeding. It makes all the difference in the world. Good luck. J. K.

since your a sahm a manual breast pump should do, if you plan on returning to work you will need an electric pump. A baby can get more milk out than a pump can so you might or might not get a lot of milk out when you pump, if you don't you should not be discouraged. With my first a had an avant manual pump and it was great, I only used it a handful of times to relieve engorgment and have a few bottles in the freezer. With my second she was in the Nicu and I only got to nurse her once a day, I had a medela pump in style, I pumped every three hours. I have not used it once since she has been home over 2 1/2 months. It's so much easier to just nurse her. When your in the hospital get help from the nurses, make sure you meet with the lactation consultant while your there. It takes a while for you and baby to really get the hang of it. It does hurt pretty badly, that was something no one told me, but that goes away. Some things that helped me were nipple cream, it's in a little purple tube, it helps with the soreness. A nursing cover so you can nurse comfortably in public. Learning to nurse laying down, took me a few trys but then you can doze while you feed her. With my second I don't even think I wake up anymore. I just hear a whimper and pull her close, haha. I needed a lot of breast pads, even still. I always thought sport bras were more comfy and easier than nursing bras, but maybe it's just cause I am cheap and didn't buy a good bra. Nursing is a beautiful thing good luck! And congrats on the little one. Oh and drink lots of water.

I would be careful, nipple stimulation can jumpstart labor, and also the first couple days of nursing your baby will be colostrum (a thicker, yellowish milk that is packed full of antibodies and nutrients), so you don't want to pump all that out and have your baby miss out on it. (I'm not sure if that would happen...running out of colostrum if you pump before baby comes, but I wouldn't risk it). The only thing I would suggest in preparation for breastfeeding is get some lanolin cream (Lasinoh brand is what I used) and rub it on your nipple and areola several times a day. When baby arrives, I would put it on after every feeding. It will REALLY help your nipples to not be TOO sore. I did this with my 2nd baby and I never had any problems with dry, cracked, or bleeding nipples. I don't think anything will prepare you for the pain at first though. It was excruciating the first week after my daughter was born. But applying the lanolin after every feeding worked well. My mother always told me to "toughen up" my nipples during pregnancy, but every book I've read has said it doesn't do anything to prepare you =)
Also, I'd get a good nursing book that has pictures of different nursing positions (or find some pictures online), b/c I know I was unaware of all the various positions to nurse in and it was helpful b/c I had to try a few different holds to get my daughter to latch on the first time.
Other than that, relax, nursing comes naturally to babies, they know exactly what to do =)

Ditch the extra clothes and baby decor and get an electric breast pump! Ok, I know that's not practical but that is how strongly I feel about having an electric breast pump. With a manual you will get so frustrated and tired that you will want to give up. Trust me, you feel that way sometimes WITH an electric, you don't want to add more frustration to it by having to manually do it. I had my third child 3 months ago and wish I had invested in a Medela Electric with the first one. I don't know if anyone has told you yet but when baby hits the first few growth spurts (while your milk is still regulating) you could be feeding every 30 min to an hour for a week or so. Do you think your hands could handle pumping that much manually?
I agree with the others on the nipple stimulation thing. There is NO NEED for you to try that...trust me, it doesn't work if your body is not ready. I had my two sons at 37 weeks but my daughter was not wanting to come. I did the nipple stimulation for 2 weeks straight and came no closer to labor, just more frustrated! I stopped doing it and two weeks later they had to induce me. It is not a tried and true method until you are already on the verge of labor. (I did it at the hospital with my youngest son to bring more consistency to the contractions that had already started and I think it helped then.)
It sounds like you are getting great advice from experienced mommas. Please trust us, breastfeeding is so much more important than the pretty clothes or anything else you could buy them. Invest in a good pump as soon as you can, especially if you plan to have more children. The hospital actually gave me a manual medela pump that I keep for back up or travel purposes, you can buy them pretty cheap too. Breastfeeding is something you have to work at and you don't want any strikes against you to start out! Good luck and congratulations on the upcoming birth of your little one!

Just wanted to let you know that practicing with your breast pump will NOT put you into labor unless your body is ready to go into labor and your baby is ready to be born. This is the same reason so many artificial inductions in the hospital fail. Your body must be ready to start labor or nothing will work. Many mothers breastfeed other children all through out their pregnancy and it does not put them into pre-term labor. And since you are already 37 weeks if you went into labor now it is because your body and your baby are ready.

Lisa

I didn't know very much about breastfeeding when my son was born. I didn't take the class and only read a few things on the internet and what they gave in the birthing class. I was so nervous about it but he came out and my nurse helped me out some but it came so natually. I agree with the others on not "practicing" bc it can put you in labor. I also had the medela manual bc we couldn't afford an electric either. It worked fine for the occasional bottle and to get my supply up. When I have another I will invest in an electric though. Your baby will know how to do it and your nurse will help and take advantage of the hospital lactation consultant. Do get some lanolin for your nipples! Good luck, congrats, and happy breast feeding!

i am having my 3ed baby at the end of apirl and with my other kids i breast feed them for 2 months.i really not think i could have done it with out a electric pump but there are a few tips i have for u try to breast feed the baby within a hour of being born and dont give the baby a pacifier or bottle and the hospital should have a lactation consultant if you have any problums with the baby latching on oh and try to feed the baby ever 2 hours before the baby starts to cry because if the baby starts to cry its much harder to get them to latch on well i wish u good luck...

Contact your local la leche leauge. also our hospital gave breast feeding classes. ask your doctor. i ended up renting a pump but never produced. i pumped every 2-4 hours around the clock. after six weeks i decided to give up. i never made over an ounce for the entire day. later i was told no peppermint but to eat lots of oatmeal. good luck. and congrats on your new baby.

glad to hear your breastfeeding! i agree w/ the other two ladies. don't try before the baby. however, if you don't want to invest in a pump, consider renting a hospital grade pump. (usually can get at the hospital, from lactation consultants, babies r' us, special addition etc). you can rent by week/month etc. i did this even though i bought a nice electric pump. they are much nicer, and get much more milk in a shorter period of time. i also have a hand pump and it was a lot harder to get milk than i realized. (let me also mention that i did have breast surgery on one side and had other issues with breastfeeding).

as far as being successful, i went to the classes and i don't think they were as much help as i wanted. as soon as your baby is born (or right before) ask for the on staff lactation consultant to visit your room and they will help you get the baby to latch, make sure you're doing it properly etc. they were in my room 3 times b/c i had issues with flat nipples and she couldn't latch properly. or call a lactation consultant and they will usually visit the hospital or your house. good luck! let me know if you have more questions.