Pumps--to rent or buy?

[honeybadger]

DD was born a few weeks ago. She came a bit early (36 weeks, 5 days), and due to her "preemie" status, the hospital sent us home with a pump (Medela Lactina--I also used a Symphony at the hospital) which we are allowed to keep for a month. We were initially pumping and then using the breastmilk to supplement her breastfeeding, but will wean off of that in the next few weeks (she is gaining well).

I am going back to work in either mid-January or early February (DD will be in daycare). I am going to try and keep her on breastmilk at that time, so I need to get a pump. My FSA will cover it.

I'm trying to decide between buying a Medela PISA or renting a hospital grade pump. DH leans toward renting because we have heard that the hospital grade pumps work faster (I currently get ~ 4-5 oz after each feeding in 15 minutes of pumping). However, I had initially planned to buy a PISA because we plan on having a second child and I think the PISA may be easier to transport to/from work.

Cost-wise, I think renting is ~$50/month.

Advice? TIA!

[Deleted]

I'd just buy if you plan to keep breastfeeding. Especially if you plan to have more than one baby.

I'd only rent if insurance covered it.

[Brie]

Nov 2, 2012 19:48:43 GMT -5 @tokenhoser said:

I'd just buy if you plan to keep breastfeeding. Especially if you plan to have more than one baby.

I'd only rent if insurance covered it.

ITA.

It sounds like you're getting plenty of milk, and from what I've read, the difference between hospital grade and the regular PISA is really only a big deal if you have a low supply.

[Ashley&Scott]

I would probably buy too. (the hospital pump is probably too heavy to lug to work every day isn't it?)

[huskymom]

Buy. And look into the Medela freestyle, loved mine.

[Ashley&Scott]

Nov 2, 2012 20:49:29 GMT -5 huskymom said:

Buy. And look into the Medela freestyle, loved mine.

Me too. My insurance covered the cost of a PISA so I paid an upgrade free ($130) to get the Freestyle.

If the first medical supply store you ask doesn't offer an upgrade & submit to insurance call around. I checked at 2 stores before I found one that would do it.

[niki]

I would buy. I love my Freestyle. Have you checked to see if your insurance will cover one? If not now, perhaps in January (or whenever your plan renews to reflect new legislation)?

[atouchofklasse]

I wish I had rented instead of bought.

[CloudBee]

Nov 2, 2012 20:49:29 GMT -5 huskymom said:

Buy. And look into the Medela freestyle, loved mine.

What's the difference between the PISA and Freestyle?

[huskymom]

The freestyle is smaller and much more portable (doesn't need to plug in or use a separate battery pack, and is not attached too bag). I could just throw it in my work bag with my laptop and cooler for bottles, very easy. BRU let me use two coupons on it so it wasn't that $$. It also doesn't have the tiny white valves that I've heard other people complain about, but I haven't used the PISA to compare.

The hands free attachment is garbage though, so I highly recommend the pumping bra.

[pugz]

the symphony is NOT portable whatsoever. It's in a hard case (it is a thousand+ dollar pump so gotta protect it). It would be like hauling a french horn in a case to work every day.

I vote get a PISA

[UnderProtest]

My lactation consultant said my freestyle was as good as the hospital pump. Too bad my supply sucked ass. Get the freestyle and the hands free bra thingie....best thing ever if you have to be attached to an effing pump.

[holly116]

Lol at the French horn reference. I agree with everyone else, buy the pump. I didn't use my pump in style all the much with DD but have used it more the second time around. Still worth it.

[MamaMaui24]

I'm lucky that I work in a hospital and have access to hospital pumps but I also bought a PIS and use both PIS and Symphony.

I have a pretty healthy supply, but I notice a big difference when I use a hospital pump. I often have to do manual breast compressions with the PIS and don't with the Symphony. (My favorite was the Lactina, but my hospital got rid of them.). I'd say I get ~ 2 more ounces per session.

But, I would not rent a Symphony to cart around to/from work.

I think it Depends on your pumping/work situation. I don't pump at home/weekends and I have a private office where I pump. I could totally get by with renting a symphony, locking it up at work and leaving it there. But otherwise, buy one.

I rented a symphony during ML and bought my PIS the week before I returned to work.

FSA is awesome. Don't forget you can use it to buy breast pads, freezer bags and other stuff for pumping.