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Post by PyleansDontLeaveMe on Jul 7, 2005 15:20:25 GMT -5
See how many times we have to mention something before it's reflected in the adverts at the top of the screen.
I'll start off with....
breast pump.
breast pump. breast pump. breast pump. breast pump.
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Post by PyleansDontLeaveMe on Jul 7, 2005 15:20:44 GMT -5
breast pump.
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Post by PyleansDontLeaveMe on Jul 7, 2005 15:21:00 GMT -5
Still nothing...
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Post by PyleansDontLeaveMe on Jul 7, 2005 15:21:50 GMT -5
breast pump.
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Post by tjaman on Jul 7, 2005 15:33:12 GMT -5
I was terribly distracted because all through the meeting she was using a breast pump and really I didn't think of her that way.
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Post by tjaman on Jul 7, 2005 15:33:43 GMT -5
breast pump breast pump breast pump breast pump breast pump breast pump breast pump breast pump breast pump breast pump breast pump breast pump breast pump breast pump breast pump breast pump breast pump breast pump breast pump breast pump breast pump breast pump breast pump breast pump
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Post by tjaman on Jul 7, 2005 15:35:17 GMT -5
Seriously, working with her breast pump all through the meeting, like Rebecca Demornay in "The Hand That Rocked the Cradle"
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Post by AlyWay on Jul 7, 2005 15:39:15 GMT -5
I am looking into purchasing a breast pump. But I'm wondering if it should be an Advent or Medela?
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Post by tjaman on Jul 7, 2005 15:50:00 GMT -5
Any quality brand name breast pump should serve, I would imagine.
I wonder what other companies might be offering breast pumps for sale?
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Post by PyleansDontLeaveMe on Jul 7, 2005 16:07:41 GMT -5
If only the Breast Pump industry had better client contact.
I hear that the Advent Breast Pump is a slightly superior Breast Pump to purchase
If one was looking to purchase a Breast Pump.
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Post by PyleansDontLeaveMe on Jul 7, 2005 16:11:38 GMT -5
Now it's doing personals ads.
Gettin' closer...
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Post by quantumcat on Jul 7, 2005 18:28:09 GMT -5
we could ask the la leche league.
they generally say try both as a rental from the hospital before you buy. insurance might pay if medically indicated.
hand pumps are more work but electric ones are noisier.
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Post by quantumcat on Jul 7, 2005 18:30:04 GMT -5
you could buy a nanny goat to act as wet nurse if you needed an additional supplement to your breast pump.
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Post by quantumcat on Jul 7, 2005 18:32:51 GMT -5
toy boxes are good. ....
Accessories can help you use your pump more efficiently and more comfortably. For example: • Microwave bags: Let you steam-clean pump parts in the microwave. • Lanolin ointment: Helps prevent and relieve sore nipples. • Soft breast shields: Help increase milk flow by stimulating the breast and nipple as you pump. • Pumping band: Wraps around your chest and holds a collection bottle at each nipple to free your hands while you pump both breasts. • Storage bags or containers: For collecting, storing, and freezing the milk.
A breast pump can take some getting used to. It's not uncommon for new moms to feel awkward or uncomfortable pumping at first. Once you become familiar with the feel and the mechanics, though, you'll likely do just fine. Moms who have been there offer these tips:
• Be patient. You may not get milk for a few moments. The first few pumps create suction; milk flows after that. If you're using a manual pump, you can squeeze every few seconds, like a baby nursing, after the initial few pumps to get started.
• If pumping is painful, pump more gently and slowly. Or try another kind of pump.
• Try switch-pumping. As in switch-nursing, changing sides can stimulate letdown, resulting in more milk.
• If you seem to be leaking milk when you pump, lean forward just a bit, to help the milk flow into the pump.
• If your pump doesn't seem to be working well, make sure that all the parts are in the right places, fitted snugly together. Dig out the directions and double-check everything — one valve that's too loose or a rubber pump piece not pushed in properly can make a big difference.
• If you have large nipples (bigger than a nickel) or your nipples swell along the sides of the pump tunnel, you'll want to try a larger kit. Call the company that makes your breast pump and ask for a large or extra large kit.
• Invest in a good pump from the get-go. Sometimes moms can get plenty of milk at first — even with a mediocre pump — but then get in trouble after three or four months, when it takes a more sophisticated pump to stimulate letdown. A good pump should continue to work for you.
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Post by quantumcat on Jul 7, 2005 18:34:39 GMT -5
Some moms breastfeed their babies without ever needing to pump their milk. Others rank a good breast pump right after a car seat when it comes to essential baby care items. Whether you're returning to work or you'd just like your mate or your mother to feed and bond with your baby while you get some rest, a pump lets your baby have the benefit of your milk even when you're not around.
Electric vs. manual pumps There are many styles and models of breast pumps, but they fall into two main categories: manual (which you operate by hand) and electric (or battery-powered). While some women use both — one to pack for short trips, the other for the bulk of their pumping, for example — most moms strongly prefer one or the other. Which you'll like better is hard to predict. To help you make an educated guess, here are some pros and cons from breast pump users:
Manual pumps Moms who prefer pumps powered by hand point to their simplicity and convenient size. Many also say that manual pumps feel more natural and more closely mimic a baby's sucking. And they like being able to control the suction manually. Hand pumps are generally more affordable, smaller, lighter, and quieter than electric pumps. And if you like to pump on one side while your baby is nursing on the other, he'll probably prefer the quiet of a manual to the noise of an electric.
On the downside, while some moms get the knack of speedy manual pumping, others find manual pumps maddeningly slow. (It depends to some degree on how fast the pump handle can be squeezed.) Some moms have trouble getting any milk at all with hand pumps. Others say that hand pumps don't completely empty their breasts, which can lead to a lowered milk supply. And some moms say their hands get tired pumping, too.
Electric pumps Ease and efficiency are the strengths of these models. Moms who pump often — to provide breast milk exclusively after returning to work or to feed twins, for example — usually opt for the increase in production offered by an electric or battery-powered pump. Most offer the option of pumping both breasts at the same time.
The drawbacks? Electric models can be more cumbersome and noisy than most manual pumps, though some models are surprisingly compact and quiet. As for the noisy ones, well, it's hard to be discreet with an electric motor roaring at your breasts!
Whichever kind of breast pump you decide on, it's a good idea to get it well before you plan to return to work or leave your baby with a sitter. In fact, because many babies will refuse a bottle offered later, it's best to start pumping and introduce a bottle as soon as breastfeeding is established, when your baby's around 3 or 4 weeks old.
Rent or buy? Most hospitals will give you the option of renting a top-of-the-line breast pump. It'll be efficient, with a rapid cycling time (sucking 48 to 60 times a minute, which is really pumping!). If your baby was born prematurely, if you have twins, or if you plan to do a great deal of pumping, a heavy-duty hospital-grade pump might be a good choice for you. Keep in mind that it'll be heavy — as much as 18 pounds — and bulky.
Be sure to estimate your rental costs, too. You'll pay around $1 to $3 per day to rent a model that costs about $1,500 to buy. You'll also need to purchase an accessory kit, which includes breast flanges, tubing, and collection bottles, for another $50 to $60. (If your baby was born with a disability that makes nursing difficult, ask if your insurance company will cover the cost of a breast pump.) You may find that a similar purchase will be worth the investment, or you may decide to buy a less expensive model.
What to look for when you buy
• Adjustability: A level of suction that's comfortable for one woman can be torture for another. Choose a pump that allows you to adjust the vacuum for your comfort. Some manual models come with adjustable pump-handle positions.
• Efficiency: If you're time-crunched — and what mom isn't? — it might be worth paying a little more for a pump that sucks more times per minute (known as the cycling time) and has a double-pumping capability. A model that allows you to pump both breasts at once will cut pumping time by more than half. Pumping first one breast and then the other takes roughly 30 minutes, but pumping simultaneously takes an average of 12 minutes. Double pumping also boosts milk production by completely emptying both breasts.
• Ease of use: Look for a pump that's easy to use, easy to clean, and easy to assemble. If you'll be lugging it around, you might want to choose one that's compact, with a nice case, or buy a case you like separately.
The different options Top-end electric pumps These combine the best features of hospital-grade pumps and more portable models. Top-end electric pumps are fully automatic, with quick cycling times, adjustable suction levels, and double-pumping capability. Some newer models are even designed to mimic your baby's sucking patterns. Weighing in at 8 pounds or less, some of these come in attractive carrying cases with accessories — storage bags, labels, clips, bottles, and nipple ointment — included. Most top-end pumps can be run on a car lighter with an adapter that's sold separately, and some even come with a built-in battery pack. Pump prices range from around $200 to around $320.
Mid-range electric pumps The models in this category take a little longer and require a little more effort to use than the top-end electric pumps, but they're more portable (most weigh less than 2 lbs.) and more affordable. Most moms who use them find them perfectly adequate. They have medium cycling times, adjustable suction, and, usually, double-pumping capability. Some mid-range electric pumps can be run on a car lighter with an adapter. Prices range from around $75 to $180.
Inexpensive electric or battery pumps Some women are perfectly happy with these pumps, but others find that they're not such a great deal. Most will allow you to pump only one breast at a time, and slowly at that. Some models are semiautomatic, which means they tend toward long cycling times (some produce only about 12 sucks per minute). The batteries need frequent replacing, and the suction is often too strong or too weak. While there are some double electric pumps in this less expensive category, the motors may not last as long as those in the more expensive models. Some women find they can't get much milk out with these pumps; others say they hurt their breasts. Prices range from $30 to $80.
Nonelectric, manual pumps Manual pumps require you to pump a piston or squeeze a lever to empty your breast. These pumps empty only one breast at a time and usually require two hands to operate, although a few are designed for one-handed use. While most working moms who need to pump exclusively (and bottle-feed with breast milk rather than nurse) opt for a more efficient electric, some women rave about manual pumps. Stay away from the models that look like bicycle horns — the rubber balls can harbor harmful bacteria. Prices range from $35 to $50.
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