Breast Pumps--I need help!

I am so frustrated!  I have been looking for breast pumps all week...and I have found some really great deals.  I was going to purchase a used one (the medela pump in style) I found one for $75.00...but then after trying to locate new tubing and stuff for it I found out...that it can never become completely sterile.  AHHHGGGHH!  So you shouldn't reuse that one.  It is a 275.00 pump brand new.  I can't afford that.

So I am asking all the ladies out there...what kind of pumps are you guys using?  Do they work great?  I had a 50.00 one from Wal-mart for Tegan and it stopped working in like 2 weeks.  I don't want that to happen again!

So if you have any suggestions please let me know.  Also--the medela site said that there might be grants out there for women--do you guys know anything about that?

As far as a used one not being sterile.  That is true.  However, if you have a friend or someone you trust, I would get a used one from them.  My pump actually went to 2 different people.  They both just bought new parts.  They also know I am disease free and a clean person.  They got new tubing and new horns and all that stuff.  It usually only poses a problem if the person who used it before had their milk back up into the tubing which would mean that milk could possibly be in the unit itself.  Unlikely but does happen.

I bought a pump-in-style back in 2003 when my daughter was born for about 275.00, then I bought the backpack style one which was about 325.00.  I loved both of them. 

You can contact your local Le Leche League director and ask them about a local hospital that may rent them out.  I know a lot of people who did that also but its not very portable.  There are grants out there for very low income people.  I looked into that and didn't come close to qualifying for that.

I actually exclusively pumped for my daughter.  We had latch issues right away and I had a lactaction consultant tell me that I would never be able to pump as much as she consumes. I said to her, "Watch me."  And sure enough, I exclusively pumped my milk and my daughter NEVER received one drop of formula.  She has breastmilk for 15 months.  I had to throw over 2 garbage bags full of breastmilk away because I ran out of storage at my in-laws house.  (I couldn't donate because of medication). 

If you have anymore questions, feel free to PM me. 

I hope everything works out.  Good luck.

I guess if I knew the people it wouldn't be that big of an issue.  But I actually have been looking on ebay and craigslist...and these people I don't know anything about just that they have a really cheap breast pump! haha :)

Wow--two garbage bags full!?!  That is amazing!  I really hope that I am able to do that.  I want to breast feed so bad this time..it isn't even funny! But I know that I have to go back to work and will have to pump for sure.

Even flow has a really good dual breast pump for about 50 bucks at walmart. I got the battery/electric option one. It still works for me, so it's lasted about 8 months.

The battery option is nice too if you have to go on a trip or going to be out all day. You can just slip into a bathroom stall or office and pump away. I just recommend pumping both breasts at the same pumping time, so you won't get lopsided!

Huh you know I think that is the pump that I had before.  Maybe I just got a defective one?

I say Medela Pump In Style all the way!!!

My pump has been a champ. I bought it in 1999 when my first born was born.  (Due to some massive engorgement.)

I used it for all three of my children, working 12 hr shifts pumping 3-4 times a day.

It has also been used by at least 6-7 other people short term, they all got their tubing from the hospital, or the local wic  office, or maybe even your dr office.

I would never ever ever ever use any other pump.

Good Luck Nicole

I used the Avent pump and loved it, I also only pumped as my son would not lach on and I was determinded to give him breast milk. I used the manual one (I have strong hands now lol) But I would recomend the electric one if your going to be pumping only, but if its just for when you  going out without baby or something the manual one is great.

I rented a pump with both my kids. My OB office has a lactation consultant who rented mine the first time out and I rented the one I used for my son at a medical supply place. Hospital grade pump, it was awesome. Not the best at portability though, I used my Avent for that.

I think I am going to rent one from the hospital when the time comes.  I might get a manual one for those trying times when I just need to pump and pump fast.  Thank you guys for all your help!

I don't know if you're still looking for one but as for the "completely sterile" part I  think it's silly.  I fell for that & i think it's a ploy by the company to get us to buy new pumps.  The chance of milk getting all the way down that tubing, drying, meeting with new milk wehn used by someone later, reconstitiuting, & comming back up is really nearly impossible.  I've been pumping for 5 months & I've seen milk start heading down the tube 3 times so I rinsed them out.  Never, not once, have I seen anything come UP the tube from inside the machine & I abuse my pump in style pretty good.  :D

Go for the $75 dollar one... I wish I had!

I bought my pump in style used on craigslist for $50.  My midwife as well as the people at the hospital said that as long as you get new tubing, a used pump is fine.  Think about it--if milk got into the pump, the unit would probably not work anymore.  That's like vacuuming up water or something.  Just a thought :)