Will a new breast pump change my life?

[nina_yyc]

Just had my first week back at work after DS. Life is good, but the drop off/pickup/child care arrangement I worked out with DH is going to involve taking transit 1-2x a week, at least once with kids. Me: 2 kids, daycare diaper bag, work bag, plus older Medela Pump-in-Style, transferring busses downtown. I bought the PIS secondhand 3 years ago and I think it's probably about 6yrs old or older. The compartments don't really allow for carrying much other than pump parts and milk, even though the thing is heavy and gigantically bulky.

I am eyeing up the Medela Freestyle. Thoughts? Love? Hate? Place to buy in Canada for less than $350?

I know it seems kinda frivilous to buy a new pump when the one I have works perfectly, but I am planning to pump for the next 8 months and I don't want a lot of negativity attached to the object that feeds my baby. OTOH, I'm only going to spend the $ if it's really truly a lot better than what I have.

[poorlittlefish]

I love my Freestyle. You can use the bag that comes with it and still have a ton of room for other things OR the pump and the bottles/horns fit right in my purse.

I travel for work and it has been a great investment. Totally worth it for me.

[Anna Phor]

Not sure if you have the kind of job that's conducive to this, but I bring my pump in on Monday morning and take it home Friday afternoon. On a daily basis I just travel with the milk in the little cooler and the attachments in a tupperware container, all in my work bag.

[Skippy918]

I loved my Freestyle when I was using it. Lightweight, portable and handsfree.

[eclipse]

Originally Posted by Anna Phor

Not sure if you have the kind of job that's conducive to this, but I bring my pump in on Monday morning and take it home Friday afternoon. On a daily basis I just travel with the milk in the little cooler and the attachments in a tupperware container, all in my work bag.

This is what I did when I was pumping, too. If you have your own office you can leave it in, or even if you have a locker or other secure place you can use, that would be my best advice.

[nina_yyc]

Originally Posted by Anna Phor

Not sure if you have the kind of job that's conducive to this, but I bring my pump in on Monday morning and take it home Friday afternoon. On a daily basis I just travel with the milk in the little cooler and the attachments in a tupperware container, all in my work bag.

That does make sense. I have to think about it. Last week I didn't have my pumping routine perfected so I had to pump a couple mornings before I left. Definitely something to try before spending $.

[merryns.mom]

i would leave my pump at work; i used an avent hand pump at home and honestly love it just as much. good luck

[Caneel]

I have no personal experience to back this up but don't the motors tend to wear out/lose power after a while?

I would leave the pump at work and only take the stuff that needs to be washed home. Or not, if you have a good place to wash and dry at work. I left the pump and bag at work.

[cchrissyy]

Caneel,

sometimes PIS motors go strong many years.Other times, they give out after just a few. for instance, when I was losing my supply nursing DD, I borrowed my SIL's pump to try to get my supply back up. she'd used it briefly and kept in in the garage a few years. It didn't work out and it wasn't until way after the fact that I learned pump motors do weaken in time and hot california garages are no help. Having not pumped with an electic before, I had no way to judge at the time that the pump was weakened.

There is a Medela program to trade in old or broken pumps for new ones. That's definitely what I should have done!

[smeep]

Originally Posted by nina_yyc

I don't want a lot of negativity attached to the object that feeds my baby.

If it helps any, there COULD be a difference in milk flow in this case. Stress/negativity can hinder prolactin and oxytocin response therefore resulting in decreased output, sooo.....

If you have the money, I say go for it. If money is tight, then carefully think about it.

[nina_yyc]

Well I went into BRU and took a look at the Freestyle...didn't really look quite as revolutionary as I had hoped. Ultimately still the hated breast pump . I'm probably going to keep my old pump but upgrade most or all of the accessories...got new bottles (will get an opinion on those tomorrow from DS) and a tupperware to hold the pump parts in my bag, still need to pick up an insulated bag and possibly new breast shields. Supply-wise I am doing better than I ever did pumping for my DD, so it's still working fine. Pumping just *is* awkward, there is probably no way around it

[carmel23]

I've used the same PIS for over 9 years.

[rsummer]

Originally Posted by nina_yyc

Pumping just *is* awkward, there is probably no way around it

I hate pumping too... Love breastfeeding. Hate carrying around large black suitcase of a pump through my school, to beg for a room to pump in and hope that no one enters cause there is no locks on the door. ARGH. I could blame the pump too, but its the pumping for me.

FWIW. I have a home pump and a school pump. I have 2 PIS, but u could totally leave your good pump at work and get a cheapy manual for home and then NEVER have to carry your pump.