As a rental station, I refuse to sell "parts" to the borrowed Pump In Style,
and explain the FDA regulation about the pump being only single user.
People are not too happy with me sometimes, but I have felt that ethically I
must inform them of the facts and let them make their own choice. I have
spoken to Customer Service at Medela about this issue, because initially I
felt that I was doing the mother a breastfeeding service by providing a new
"kit." However, I now feel that I am doing her a disservice, and I don't
care if she got it from her twin sister. I am not comfortable with the
hygiene issues, and have also heard the groans of those borrowed motors. A
new Pump in Style has features re speed control that older models don't
have, so they are not really comparing apples to apples anyway.
Hopefully, in prenatal BF classes, moms are being told to wait until the
baby arrives before purchasing a pump, because then they will know what
their true need is. That way, they avoid buying or receiving as a gift, an
inexpensive and ineffective pump for whatever purpose.
A side note--I am sure you other renters do the same, but when I get that
call that says "I want to rent a breast pump", I start with the questions
because this is the red flag to self-diagnosis for me, and I want to be sure
that I fully understand what they want and need. They may indeed need a
pump, but I am not a revolving door, and I need to know the whole picture
before I rent. It would be quicker to just say o.k., but there is always so
much more going on than they let on at first.
I do not see myself as primarily a pump source, but rather a breastfeeding
resource who uses pumps as tools when needed. Even pumps can give an
undermining message to the mom who is having difficulty with breastfeeding,
and should be used judiciously and when truly necessary. There is a new
wave out there that believes that pumping and feeding breastmilk from a
bottle is a whole lot easier than actually putting the baby to breast, and I
am sad about this cultural phenomenon. I am not a purist, but I like to
remember my roots!
Sincerely,
Patricia Ellis, RN, MA, IBCLC
----- Original Message -----
From: "Susan Johnson" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, May 27, 2001 12:47 PM
Subject: matching the right pump to the need
> Jane brings up an interesting point:
> "The one factor many people do not consider is the age
> and use of the Pump In Style. I have seen more moms
> who borrow or buy a used Pump in Style."
>
> Absolutely! A related issue I have run into is a
> mother re-using a kit (with a hospital grade pump)
> that she has used w a previous baby or (horrors)
> borrowed from a friend. Sometimes the tubing appears
> clear to the eye but purchasing a new kit is the
> difference between a drip & a flood of milk. The
> problem is not with the change-able membrane over the
> valve, but with the suction/vacuum effect through the
> tube. Perhaps some mechanically minded type will post
> a more cost efficient solution.
>
> Personally, I favor the Medela Classic or the Ameda
> SMB for any mom who is serious about maintaining &
> increasing her milk supply when her baby is
> unavoidably away from her breast. More cycles per
> minute & more mothers telling me anecdotally that it
> simply "works better."
>
> On the issue of hand expressing vs pumping:
> Mothers generally come to me with the expectation that
> hand expressing doesn't work ("Oh I've tried that & it
> doesn't work for me..") and that a hospital grade pump
> will work "automatically." No doubt it has to do with
> cultural attitudes, perhaps even my own. Still, if
> the woman comes to me with faith in equipment, I go
> ahead & build that faith. My attitude in all things
> lactation is "find what's working and build on it."
> It's a positive approach & always propels me, mothers,
> & babies forward.
>
> And now for the "venting portion" of my post:
> It is frustrating that money sometimes gets in the way
> of a mother simply nursing her baby. Mothers
> frequently contact me after purchasing, borrowing, or
> renting equipment elsewhere. It is late in the game
> for me to influence her choice, particularly if cost
> was the deciding factor. Insurance rarely covers
> costs once mom & baby are home, and sometimes not even
> when baby is in NICU & mom is discharged. Best I stop
> now before my vent becomes a rant. Perhaps insurance
> savvy lactnetters will post on this angle. Hope so!
>
>
> Susan Johnson MFA, IBCLC
>
>
>
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