how to plan for breastfeeding

i plan to breastfeed my first child, i'm 37w 2d, i was given a medela pump, i just need to buy the tubing and accessories for it.  which is gonna be like 80.00.  i don't know if it is neccessary to go out and buy these things, since i am planning to breast feed exclusively.  in all your experiences did you still need your pumps while BF exclus.?  i am hoping that my son and i do not run into any problems with BF, and i will not have a need for the pump.  also if you believe i should buy all the peices what exactly do i need?  i literally have only the pump itself.

[tiredbuthappy]

i'd hold off- you can always send hubby out to buy the parts if you experience difficulties. most baby stores carry them, so it shouldn't be a problem getting them.

you would need the tubing, the horns (flanges); 2 connectors, and the membranes (little white circles).

i'm bf'ing and pump once/day to get some rest. a small manual pump is sifficient for that- i use the medela harmony.

[skepticalpeach]

I needed my pump while I exclus. breastfed my daughter. It helps you produce more milk, plus then you have some extra that you can stick in the freezer for the babysitter or for daddy. My husband felt a little left out that he couldn't feed our daughter so I'd put some in a bottle for her so he could help out. My mother had a manual pump that she hated. She said it was pretty difficult to use. I used an automatic one and loved it. It's also great for the first painful days when your milk comes in. I had so much milk my daughter didn't know what to do with it all. It keeps indefinitely in the freezer so I would get all the parts for your pump ready!

[nic2401]

I would wait although it is good to have a pump. I know when I had my first baby the lactation consultant gave me some of the parts and they also let me borrow a pump for a couple of weeks. You may need to pump when ur milk comes in bc it is usually a lot I felt like I had bricks in my breast and it can be a little painfull so u may want to give yourself a little break with a bottle. I know I needed a break my little one wouldn't sleep unless she was attached to and it hurt. Also if u ever want to go out one evening its always good to have a couple of bottles ready for the sitter.

[Diane1003]

I'm with Diva2317.  If you pump right away it'll help your milk come in quick and if you pump after feeding you'll be able to build up a storage. It's totally something that wouldn't be necessary to purchase the other parts and stuff if you don't want to. I was given a pump from a friend and it was great when I returned to work - I used it every day for MONTHS!  Sometimes up to 5x a day even if I had to work long hrs and missed feedings at home... I was able to build a supply and that was nice b/c then I didn't feel so attached to the house/baby and could go see a movie with my mom if I wanted to and just pumped before I left and when I got home.

Best of  luck whatever you decide.

[tiredbuthappy]

someone made a good point- that i forgot about. i have several sets of all the accessories because the hospital gave them to me. the parts are the same for the pump in style and the pumps used in the hospital. while you're there, ask to use a pump and keep the parts. also, keep the bottles and caps they give you- they're expensive too!

[nicole179]

thanks everyone for your input.  i love this forum because i always get lots of responses!

[JenLex]

i bought a pump while i was preg. to have "just in case" and it was an electric single.  Then after I had my baby girl I was prescribed a pump  by my doctor (also a lactation specialist) and i got a medela dual electric.. AMAZING it works awesome My baby girl had jaundice that is why it's nice to have a pump you can easily increase your supply and have milk in storage for when you are ready to go out or need to work..... whatever the occasion- my dr. told me to pump first about 30min before i bf my daughter she says there is always enough milk for baby and not to worry, i breast feed exclusively as well and have used my pump MANY times it is very time consuming to bf and also pump....... but is SOOOOO worth it.  Also- just because you are planning on bf it is very difficult and some ppl change their minds or the baby just doesn't want to cooperate and sometimes it just takes time.. so if you need to pump to feed your baby while you are prefecting bf it's nice to have your pump ready.  I wish you the best of luck- i would just get the parts it will ease your mind and be one less thing to worry about.  just ask your dr if she can prescribe you one- your insurance should cover it.  my pump was just about $400 I would not have had the money to buy a $400 pump but thanks to my dr its SOOO wonderful to have.  I am still EBF my 4month old daughter it's the best :) so many wonderful things about bf i wish you the best and just remember to RELAX it's easy to stress out over bf so just remember it's all natural and it will work out just fine :) .

[lmc2132]

You can always use/rent the hospital pump if it is necessary in the first few days.  I also received Medela accessories free from the hospital, as they can't re-use them.  The exception was the tubing.

[NicMom]

I would hold off. If you use a pump at the hospital they have to give you the tubing kit because it can't be used by anyone else. Most hospitals use Medela so you might luck out. I guess you could always call the L&D unit and ask what type of pump they use for new moms.