Hospital grade pump advice

[akwafunk]

Hi mamas,

So the big day for number two is drawing close, and I'm starting to panic a little about nursing.

Briefly, my first son about tore my nipples off, leaving me with mastitis, that rapldiy turned into an abscess, for which I was narrowly able to avoid surgery, but spent many an hour with a breast specialist getting syringed and poked and prodded. I weaned early, nd tried to reestablish supply, but never really did.

This absolutely broke my heart, and I can't let it go so badly again.

I had a Medela PIS and never let down for the blasted thing and the noise drove me absolutely crazy. I will never own one of these again. But I am thinking of going for broke and having the best help I can on hand and getting either the Symphony or the Ameda Elite.

Anyone used both/either?

Many thanks in advance.
Alison

[joy7s]

I did use the Ameda while I was at work. I found that yes hospital grade pumps do work better. The only pump I'd ever get a full letdown with was a Medula lactina I think?? (also hospital grade) they had a letdown button that worked.. Don't know if that helped or not ??

[mom23girls]

When my daughter was in the NICU I used the symphony and it had the letdown feature. I built up a pretty good supply. After she came home I used the Ameda for work and it is working okay.

Most hospitals will let you rent a symphony (because they so expensive) and some insurances will cover the rental charge as part of your durable medical supplies. For example, my insurance paid for the rental while dd was in the hospital and after I would have had to pay on my own.

[odentonmom]

I have used Medela Classic, Lactina and Symphony. For me the Symphony was not really any better, but it definitely is more gentle and eases you into pumping.

I have a new PIS Advance that has a letdown mode similar to the Symphony. But, you can accomplish the same things yourself with a regular PIS by starting with low suction and fast speed until you have letdown.

Some mamas are able to pump better than others. I have never been a super pumper, but I have managed to do enough to get by. When my youngest was in the NICU for almost 5 weeks, I researched every trick in the book for helping with letdown and I found some things that helped me.

[ChunkiBunz Diaperz]

oh i loved the symphony i used that while my son was in the nicu. it was amazing!!!!!!!! i wish i could have bought one. i almost did off of ebay lol!

i use a medela double

[fish3737]

I had the older style blue hospital one. Since my babe was in the NICU (for like 4 days) insurance covered the rental for 3 months. I used the PIS advanced after. It was good, but definitely not as good.

[akwafunk]

Thanks, mamas.

My husband is self-employed, so we're self-insured without maternity coverage... Oh yeah. It's special.

So whatever we get, will be ours to pay for.

Perhaps I'll rent one for the first month, and if it's great, consider buying. At least it's a multi-use, and they resell for $700+ on e-Bay.

[BeckyP]

With Lilly we rented the Symphony and I loved it. It didn't hurt and it was really quiet.