I am 35wks and just ordered the Spectra2 breast pump through insurance. I'm planning on bringing it to the hospital to have the nurses show me how to use it.
But I feel totally lost on what to have on hand for it. Looks like Avent bottles will attach directly? Should I have a few on hand?
Also, every other forum I have read moms seem to talk about purchasing separate parts. What parts do I need to buy? Does it not come with everything included? I'm so confused by this whole thing!!
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Are you exclusively pumping?
The Spectra is what I have and it's not difficult to use. You won't need a nurse to show you how to use it, and honestly, they might not be too familiar with it because most hospitals use true hospital-grade pumps from Medela or Ameda.
Extra parts: Yes, you want to have more than one set of parts on hand. I like to have a complete set of extra parts (tubes, duckbills, membranes, flanges, etc) so I am not washing everything every day. You should also purchase extra bottles. The pump only comes with two and you are going to need more than that if you are EPing or pumping at work.
Other: You can use Ameda parts. They attach directly into the tubing and it is a lifesaver for me. You can find Ameda parts at BRU more easily, there are more off-brand parts on Amazon, and generally it's been easier for me to find Ameda. I also used an Ameda last time so I had tons of bottles for it and it was so nice to not have to purchase additional extra bottles to fit the Spectra.
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It comes with parts. I wouldn't bother ordering extra parts until you actually start using it, unless you are planning to exclusively pump. Avent botttles should work, or else you can buy other compatible bottles on amazon (there is a company called nenesupply that makes lots of compatible parts).
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@avivoca: Thanks for the insights! I have no idea what I will end up doing. I hope to EBF, but all of my friends who've had babies recently make it out to be too difficult and have all given up. I'm taking a class, reading books, etc. but I want to be realistic as to what may happen.
The baby will mostly be with me, but I will work part-time out of the house beginning around 8 weeks. Plus I'd like DH to be able to do some feedings too.I guess I'm just feeling discouraged since everyone I talk to makes it seem that EBF is just not feasible....
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@catlady: Thank you! This makes me feel a lot ether that I can just hold off and get things as I may need them. Thank goodness for 2-day Prime
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When I was pumping every day at work I bought a second set of flanges so I'd always have a clean one. Other than that I only needed bottles and milk storage bags for freezing.
I have a spectra now and it does fits avent bottles so I pump into those or directly in a storage bag. Agree with @avivoca: it's very easy to use! Don't bother bringing it unless you're planning to EP from the start- you probably won't want to pump in the early days of nailing down nursing. I watched this video to get me started:
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There's no need to bring it to the hospital. If you need to pump they will let you borrow the hospital pump. It is far better just to nurse.
The avent bottles screw right in, but your pump comes with 2 bottles already. My kiddo preferred the spectra bottles to all other bottles (note, the spectra nipples are not for sale in the US, but you can order them from Korea via eBay if your kid is stubborn like mine). I had 4 avent bottles for storage/pumping.
The pump is super easy and the parts don't need to be frequently replaced like Medela (the membranes are entirely different). Mine lasted 16 months. When it comes in you'll be able to see how it goes together.
I only needed extra parts when mine got eaten by the garbage disposable. I amazoned them. Everything you need is in the kit.
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@annem1990: I EBF my first until 12 months and my second still nurses at 10 months but my supply tanked and I send a bottle of formula/breast milk to daycare every day. She just eats more than big sister did. EBF is tough, it's hard but after six weeks it got so much easier for me with both babies and I do love nursing them.
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@annem1990: don't feel discouraged! Breastfeeding does come easily to many people. Yes there are many snags that some people face by you won't know until you try and if you do have trouble there are so many resources to pursue (incl right here!) so I say go into it with the attitude that it will be a success and then deal with any challenges as they come.
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@annem1990: No problem! Don't get too nervous about EBF. I EBFed both my LOs. It is very hard at the beginning, I won't lie. It will hurt and you will be engorged and some babies have issues with latching. But you will hopefully get the hang of it and by the end of a month or two, it should be easy. My tips would be to definitely make sure to talk with a lactation consultant while you are in the hospital and also afterwards if you feel that you need it, and also to give it at least 6 weeks if you can manage before making a decision (I found that around 6 weeks was a turning point for both my babies).
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Do you have a hands free pumping bra? I agree that you can hold off on ordering the extra parts until you get into the swing of things and see what you need, but the hands free bra is a game changer!
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@annem1990: No real guidance on the Spectra since I just got mine as well. When I pumped with my last (sooo long ago
) I ended up pumping into milk storage bags directly using a convoluted system I dreamed up. It was so much easier not to have to transfer or clean extra bottles. But I agree with others to see what you might want first. Just a warning that I think the Spectra only comes with one size flange (the part that goes on your breast), so if you're not that size you'll want to get one that fits properly. But that's for later down the road. Try not to stress about BF or pumping! For some it comes easily and for others not. For some it works and for others not. You basically won't know until your milk comes in and baby is here. Either way, go easy on yourself. I had the LC at the hospital showing me proper holds and how to get a good latch, and how to disconnect baby from me if there wasn't a proper latch. It'll be a learning curve for the both of you.
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I'm using a Spectra - take it out of the box and put it together now as opposed to waiting until you need to start using it! I bought some extra duckbills that are not Spectra brand and I prefer them - easier to get them off.
I wholly recommend finding a breastfeeding support group led by a IBCLC. My hospital hosted one every week that they allowed all mothers to attend until the baby was 8 weeks - I went every week I could. It was so helpful to see evidence that my daughter was growing (they do a weight every week and would weigh before a feed and after a feed if you asked them to) and to get advice (and also HEAR advice that other mothers were getting). A lot of the big problems you think you're having are very common.
Also research Wonder Weeks and cluster feeding - this could drive you crazy and make you doubt yourself if you don't understand what might be going on!
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Just one hint that might help EBF... Insist, INSIST on skin to skin and try to nurse within 15 minutes of birth. I had a preemie boy and nursed without pain or problems for 15 happy months. Think positive and watch some videos on getting a good latch! Xoxo
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I've been using the spectra 2 for 10 months now (I work out of the house). The only extra thing I bought was a hands free pumping bra so I could pump both sides at once. I never purchased any extra bottles or parts until about 6 months later (I probably should have replaced the duckbill flanges at 3 months because they do wear out. Frequent sterilizing makes them wear out faster).
I did bring it to the hospital so the on-site lactation consultant could tell me if I had the right flange size. She also gave me some tips on pumping in general. I mentioned that brand of pump in my breastfeeding class (that class was worth it, I highly recommend looking into one), and the lac consultant asked me to bring it in when I gave birth because she had never seen one and had heard good things! I used it to build my supply, so I pumped after nursing.
Still using it every day (I bring it back and forth to work) and still only use the original 2 bottles (I prefer to use the lansinoh storage bags). I never produced enough to use a separate bag for each breast, so I just poured both bottles into one bag for storage.
As for latch and getting a good start, don't hesitate to ask if something feels "off." Turns out my son's great "latch" was actually his little jaws clamping down so hard even the nurse was surprised when I said something and immediately brought me a nipple shield. Used it religiously for the first few weeks until I taught him to latch properly without "biting".
) I ended up pumping into milk storage bags directly using a convoluted system I dreamed up. It was so much easier not to have to transfer or clean extra bottles. But I agree with others to see what you might want first. Just a warning that I think the Spectra only comes with one size flange (the part that goes on your breast), so if you're not that size you'll want to get one that fits properly. But that's for later down the road. Reply
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