Tip Tuesday: How I Got A New Breast Pump for Free

If there are any male readers stopping by the blog today, I'll let you off the hook for this post since it's geared slightly more towards my fellow females. If you're expecting, planning to be expecting, or know someone who's expecting, you may want to pass this link along. I received my brand-new Medela breast pump for free (in a totally legit way!) and today I'll tell you how you can hopefully do the same!

I thought I'd share a little bit about my breastfeeding experience, and why I think it's important for new moms to have a pump.

When I was expecting my first baby, I didn't even consider registering for a breast pump because I didn't think I'd need one. The birthing class lady said it was totally natural and while it might be a little uncomfortable at first, it would be easy. I read some books, because we all know that books prepare you for everything baby-related...hahaha...I'm sorry, I couldn't even finish typing that thought. Anyways, I thought it would be a doable thing for us.

Yeah, not my experience. At all.

After multiple sessions with the hospital lactation consultant, visits to the breastfeeding support group after I went home, and lots of tears, it just wasn't working. I tried everything from shields to a special freaking spoon and it just wasn't happening. I was completely stressed out. I was keeping my supply up with a Medela breast pump on loan from the lactation consultant, and the thought of giving that back made me nervous.

A nurse anesthetist friend of my mom's knew how much I wanted to be able to make breastfeeding work and suggested that I try pumping exclusively (pumping and storing breastmilk for baby's bottles, rather than formula feeding or breastfeeding). She gave me her old (sanitized) Medela Pump in Style double electric breast pump and it was all downhill from there.

I pumped exclusively for six months with Natalie, and, when breastfeeding went the same route with Michaela Byrd (plus a week-long stay for baby in the NICU due to an infection), I pumped for seven months.

While it was tough to be tied down to a pump several times a day, I felt like I was making the right choice for our family. I was less stressed out, I knew how much my babies were eating, and my supply held up great with pumping. We had no problems whatsoever!

Fast forward five and a half years, and I find out I'm expecting baby number three, on his way in a few weeks. Medela is a fantastic brand, but my pump was on its last legs after months of constant use, plus the time its former owner had spent using it as well.

What was I to do?

I did a little research and read online that there is a new law requiring health care plans to cover breastfeeding support and supplies. 

Women in many of the online forums I googled said that their plans covered a brand-new breast pump. Some noted that a few health care companies gave them the run-around and had loopholes like "we'll only cover a manual pump" or "we'll reimburse you" or "you have to order it within two weeks of your babies birth and it must be xyz model."

I decided to be brave and contact our health insurance provider. I was expecting to be met with some red tape, but my rep was more than helpful. She pleasantly looked up our policy, noted that a breast pump would be 100% covered under our plan and gave me the numbers of several supply providers in our state.

All I had to do was:

1. Call my insurance to see if my plan covers breast pumps.

2. Ask my OBGYN to write me a prescription for the breast pump (she was more than willing to do this, and was also sure to specify the exact model I wanted, a Medela Pump in Style Advanced on the Go Tote)

3. Have my doctor's office fax the provider of my choice the prescription, along with my info.

That's it.

The pump arrived on my doorstep about a week and a half later via UPS. No charge to me. Free. I paid nothing. Zilch. Nada.

It couldn't have been any easier. Instead of paying $300+ for a new pump, I spent some time on the phone and let my insurance handle it.

If you are expecting, I highly recommend calling your insurance to look into this benefit. Breastfeeding, unfortunately, does not work out for everyone...no matter how much you want it to. I came to the realization that, for me, it was better to pump and stop stressing than to be frantic about it. If you really want your baby to have breastmilk, even for a month or two, pumping might be an option for you! I know there are women who are not able to maintain a supply doing it, but my relatively healthy 7 and 5 year old are proof that it worked for me.

I know what it's like to feel judged and pressured because you can't breastfeed the "normal" way. It makes me angry when I see or hear others look down on moms who choose not to breastfeed or pump, for whatever the reason. Frankly, it's none of my business (or yours) how a new mom decides to nourish her child. Yeah, "breast is best," but I know plenty of healthy, happy, well-adjusted adults who were raised on formula. And my girls are no less bonded to me because I chose to give them breastmilk in a bottle.

Off the soapbox now. I hope today's tip helped you! After baby is here, I hope to show you the "pumping station" I'll be setting up in our bedroom. So stay tuned!

Did you struggle with breastfeeding or did it come easily to you?

*Don't forget to enter this week's Giveaway for a Swiffer Bissell SteamBoost!*

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