For example: When I got "good" at pumping, I was able to pump 8-ounces at a time, up from a dismal and depressing ½ ounce the first time I ever tried to express milk using the breast pump.

• We are not created equal – there are different size flanges for different size nipples.  If something doesn’t feel right about the way you are pumping, make an appointment with an IBCLC* to have a “pump fitting”.  They can help you determine what size of a flange you should have, and teach you best pumping practices so that you can pump safely and efficiently for your baby.
• Pumps are not created equal – the law does not state what kind of pump they have to cover, just that they have to cover them or provide them.  If you are getting the “free” one from your insurance carrier, they can pay for anything from an inexpensive hand-pump to a top of the line $3000 machine used in hospitals that is designed for multiple users.
• Read up on the kind of pump you are getting.  If it doesn’t sound like the right pump for your needs, start advocating for something different in pregnancy before you need it to do the work.
• They are not the most effective device to empty the breast – your baby is.  The suction from a pump is different from the suction your baby creates.  It may get most of the milk, definitely not all of it.  Do not believe that the amount you can pump is the amount you are making and delivering to your baby – it is hardly an accurate measure, in part because…
• You have to learn to let-down to the pump – it becomes a trained response.  Do not be discouraged if you sit down to pump and you can barely reach the 1-ounce line the first few times.  It is plastic, hard, mechanical and loud to pump.  Much, much different than snuggling your Sweet Pea into your skin and smelling their soft skin – your baby and pheromones actually help you let down! They are not there with the pump, so until you get used to it, it will be a learning curve to fill up those bags or bottles. You can aid let-down by looking at a picture of your baby, playing music that relaxes you and/or reminds you of baby, doing deep breathing for relaxation, bring an item your baby wore the day before to "breathe them in" as you pump, use self-talk - there are definitely ways to remind your body of your baby to let down and pump more milk.

“The ACA requires non-grandfathered health insurance plans to cover the cost of breast pump rental and purchase at low or no cost to consumers.” 

• Request a different product.
• Ask for them to cover the rental cost of a pump that works while you wait for your parts to arrive.
• Ask for them to cover the rental cost of a pump instead of providing the equipment.
• Ask for them to send you the cost of the pump they provide so you can apply it towards the purchase of the pump that does the job that you need it to do.
• Get a note from your care provider that specifies the kind of pump that you need and send it in with a request to your insurance company.

• If you are an occasional user, pumping enough for a night out or an occasional day away from your baby, you may just need a simple hand-pump with less parts to clean and nothing electrical to keep track of.  
• If you are going back to work, you want the kind of machine that will maintain your supply, and you may want a dual-machine so that you can pump quickly and get back to your obligations at your workplace. 
• If you are creating and building a supply, you need a top-of-the line pump designed to mimic a baby’s suction (see the Symphony pictured above).  You might be in this category if you are building a supply to feed an adopted child, if you have a preemie and/or a baby in NICU or PICU, or if you are exclusively pumping for a child with physical impediments to breastfeeding that you may eventually switch over to breastfeeding (or not) and you want to exclusively pump for an extended period of time.

From the AAP fact sheet: “…breastfeeding benefits for non-grandfathered health insurance plans include pre- and postnatal counseling by a trained provider in conjunction with each child. Women may access comprehensive lactation support and counseling from trained providers. The benefits are available at no cost share to consumers.”

Disclaimer: 
The material included on this site is for informational purposes only.
It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation.  Krystyna and Bruss Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided.  This blog contains information about our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained on this blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®.