Editorial: Breast Pumps

To all my pregnant or soon to be or someday will be pregnant friends out there.  Do NOT buy a breast pump (yet).  Yes it seems like a good idea to get it beforehand however, it is not.  Most hospitals allow you to rent a breast pump or if not the hospital, a local women's store (google your area to find one, or ask the hospital).  Here are my reasons:

1.  You do not know if you are going to breast feed your baby like how you have it pictured in your mind.  Yes you may have said NO WAY, I am going to be 100% committed...well a lot of people say that, and although at the time they may mean it, it doesn't always work out.  Mastitis happens, thrush happens, stubborn babies happen, inverted nipples happen, sleepless/endless nights happen.  You just don't know.

2.  You can rent a breast pump for a week/month/several months/year.  I recommend renting a breast pump for 1 month.  1 month will pretty much give you an accurate picture of whether or not you are going to continue on with breast feeding.  

3.  Hospital grade pumps are like Dysons and purchase pumps are like dustbusters.  If you need to use the pump in the first month to increase your supply, or build up a freezer full of stored milk, you want to do it with a hospital grade.  Those things would suck an apple through a straw.

4.  You are not going anywhere.  Don't fool yourself into thinking you automatically need a portable pump that you can sling over your shoulder and hit the mall.  Your butt will be firmly planted on a bed or a couch for at least the first month of your babies life, and your pump will be firmly planted next to you (I recommend a TV tray to keep it on). 

(Why yes, all post-baby women wear cute outfits with high heels, makeup, and great hair while out on the town having lunch with their girlfriends.  HAHAHA, this is why I hate baby and post-baby advertising, such a delusion)

5.  Even if you put it on your registry some BabiesRUs stores will not give you the 10% discount on it after your baby is born in completing your registry.  Check your store.

6.  It's cheaper.  Spend $300 on something you may end up throwing in the back of your closet (even unopened you can't return them), or spend 40 bucks for a 30 day trial.  You may end up saving you (or a fantastic shower gift giver) loads of money that can be spent on diapers.

7.  You may not even need one.  If you are going to be a stay at home mom, you may not even want to bother pumping or you can use a hand held cheapy one if you need it.

So that's my thoughts on that.  Rent one. Decide after the baby is born/breast feeding is established or not established to purchase one for your own.