DON'T MISS OUT - FREE Breast Pumps, Pregnancy Support and Postpartum Recovery Products

As a PSA to all the first time mama's or really anyone who may not know, your insurance should cover breastfeeding support in some way, partially or fully. Breast pumps for example, are expensive, and most insurances cover one per pregnancy or up to specific amount of cost. I exclusively pumped with my first baby and I plan to do so with my second so taking advantage of this part of our health benefits was something I have done both pregnancies so far. Through some conversations recently, I learned not everyone knew a pump and other services were covered under their prenatal insurance coverage that you already pay into. So here is how I claim mine below!

There are lots of websites that can help you get your pump, but this is the one that I have used and would recommend to my friends. It was so easy to complete, all you need is your insurance card info and you can be approved in less than a minute.

Aeroflow Breast Pumps Through Insurance

Once you complete the form to find out if your insurance covers these services the site will open up to show you all your options in multiple categories.

My insurance covered:

1. Breast Pump

2. Motif Compression Socks

3. Postpartum Healing Kit

4. Pregnancy Belly Support Band

5. Breast Milk Storage Bags

6. Replacement Pump Parts

I used a different site to get my pump last time and was only made aware of the pump, not these additional services and support items so I was so surprised to see all the things that my insurance covered.

In addition to pumps, they also check against your insurance to see if you qualify for:

• Lumbar Support - Belly Bands, which helps take pressure off your lower back and core with a growing baby and belly

• Motif Compression Socks - to help with swelling and vein pains

• Motif C-Section Bandages 1 & 2 - to help heal, protect & restore

• 20+ Classes and Resources - They had breastfeeding, pumping, parenthood, return to work, balancing schedules, mental health support and more classes offered by professionals as resources to guide you through postpartum, which I think is amazing!

• Accessories for Breastfeeding - Breast milk bags, coolers, storage, parts, etc. that you could add on to your order to ship together. You could also use your HSA card to cover these pieces at an additional cost through the same order.

If you are looking for some personal experience on selections or pumping tools here is some more insight on what I selected and what has worked for me in my own pumping journey.

For reference, I exclusively pumped. As it was my first baby, I by no means had any idea what I was doing. It is a very much learn on the job type of roll. I asked so many pumping mamas questions as I went and am so grateful for their support. I knew being a working mom that my baby was going to need to be able to take a bottle and be away from me during the day when I went back to work. So pumping was always part of the plan. I did feed her off of me the first week until I learned that pumping was going to be my personal best option for getting her breast milk like I wanted, and my lifestyle needs. Everyone's needs and lifestyle vary so there is no right or wrong way to feed your baby in my book. This is just what worked for me.

I had a great journey and EP for 6 months, with enough in storage to make it close to the 1 year mark. Which my goal was 6 months so I felt accomplished with that. I am shooting for the same this time.

My pump from my first pregnancy is still working, and I paid a little extra for the step up on the Spectra S1 Breast Pump, as it had a light on it, and I knew that would be handy for night time pump sessions. I would recommend this pump to anyone, it worked really well for me and the light was used nightly. I did have to pay about $60 to cover the upgrade last time, but it was worth it. You can use your HSA card to cover the costs of any upgrade selection, if you have one too. That is what I did. I loved that it had a handle, long lasting battery life, the light, and great suction.

One big thing I learned about pumping is that the flange that comes standard with all pumps, rarely is the right size for your nipple. Which, I will never understand, but the lactation consultant at the hospital did measure for me, and I was able to buy the right sizes for me on Amazon and they got home about when I did from the hospital.

That being said, measure your nipples, as silly as it sounds, it makes a huge difference in how much milk you get out each session. If you don't have the right size you could be wasting your time, and not helping your body out. Which when pumping, you don't want to do either.

This time, I selected the Spectra S2 Breast Pump, since I plan to use it as a backup, and have all the parts, bottles, and bags for the Spectra pump line already to reuse this time around too.

Since my last pregnancy, I noticed an increase in wearable pump options added to the list of covered or upgrade options as well, including: Elvie, Willow, Lansinoh, Medela, and Motif.

If you are looking to add a wearable pump, which are much more expensive than a traditional pump into your line up, using the insurance first paired with the small upgrade fee may be the best bang for your buck! Don't forget you can use your HSA card on this too if you have one.

I personally have the Elvie Double Breast Pump as wearable option, and I love them! I wore them every day. I expect to wear them even more this time around with a toddler. They were super quiet, and got about the same suction for me as my main pump. They were also much easier to use in the car, where I did a lot of pumping, IYKYK. Was even wearing them when I got pulled over once... my first time driving with my newborn in the car... and it was far less embarrassing so I stan these alone for that purpose. No wires is a huge bonus.

(for sake of the story, oddly my birthday was linked to my husbands license plate and our tabs expired the same day our daughter was born and clearly our brains were not thinking about the tabs. The officer was super nice and understanding, he let me go, and my husband paid for new tabs before I even got home, so all was good.)

One of the nice features too though Aeroflow, is I found out my insurance also offers replacement parts, every 6 weeks to ensure my parts are working properly for best suction. Which I plan to utilize this time around.

Other tips I have for pumping or bottle mama's is to have a separate container with a lid that you can store under your sink. I put all of my parts and bottles in the bin throughout the day and then would hand wash each night in the same tub. This way they were not exposed to the germs that are in the sink, and nothing went missing down a drain. Plus, if you are traveling you can easily take the whole tub with you.

Last tip i'll leave you with is the freezer bag approach. Some mom's don't love it, but it worked for me. I would reuse my pump parts for the day by putting them in the fridge in a freezer bag between uses. Then I'd have a fresh set for the night pump and a fresh set in the morning.

As an exclusive pumping mama, I know personally the accumulation of bottles and pump parts that need to be washed. A system that worked best for me was to order multiple sets of pump pieces for both of my pumps to ensure I always had one clean without having to wash during the day. Here are some links to extra sets of parts for the pumps I referenced I use below:

Spectra Replacement & Extra Parts:

• Replacement Pump Parts for Spectra - Tubes, Bills, Backflow

• Flange Replacements - All Sizes

• Spectra Extra Bottles for Pump - Fits Flange

Elvie Replacements & Extra Parts:

• Pump Storage Bottles - Fits on the Pump

• Elvie Pump Spouts & Valve Kit

• Elvie Shields - All Sizes

• Elvie Seal

Pumping Accessories I used:

• Larken Pumping Bra - this was what I lived in, changing bras to pump was too many thing to remember when you are already maxed out. This was so comfy, and worked well holding my pumps so I could move around while I pumped and even drive. I have multiple of these.

• Kinderly Brave Pumping/Nursing Bra - I also have a few of these in my rotation for a little more support days

• Haakaa Breast Milk Collector - Great if you are combo breast and pumping for the second boob. I used this for my second boob when I was hand pumping the other. I liked the lid cause I've spilled this and yes, you really will want to cry over spilled milk. Save yourself

• Haakaa Colostrum Collector Kit - Ordered this one to use before this next delivery. I had so many extra IVF syringes that I used a spoon, then the syrine to suck up and save for baby last time, but this would be easier. I plan to start trying to collect colostrum earlier this time.

• Medela Hand Pump - I used this sucker so much! Everyone said I didn't need one, they were wrong. I used this at night a lot since I was so full I could empty faster with this than putting my whole pump on, on the go when I needed relief or when I was trying to fix my supply with a double pump session. So useful and cheap!

• Nursing Nipple Pads - I tried the reusable ones and still leaked though, so I am all for the one time wears. I used these daily on my journey.

• Baby Bottle Soap - I used this for cleaning my bottles and my pump parts

• Breastmilk Storage Bags - These are good design with the tear away being straight. I had the worst luck with the Lansinoh bags because of the cut of the top when trying to pour from them, lots so spilt milk.

  • These were my favorite bags from Target

• Freezer Storage bag - Lay your bags FLAT, just trust me. This helps if you have room, if not just lay them in your freezer slats.

• Breastmilk Glass Pitcher Storage - I would pour some milk into bags, and some into a pitcher with a date marked and would pour into bags as it aged or I had too much supply.

• Dr. Brown's Breastmilk Pitcher - This one is a little larger, and being an overproducer, it is the one I used the most.

• Igloo Leather Insulated Cooler Bag - I use this as my carry bag for my pump parts, & milk.

• Ice Packs for Cooler - Keeping your milk cold is essential. Though controversial, I used the freezer bag method for my pump parts. So I could reuse my parts throughout the day by putting it in the fridge between uses.
  

• Mini Bedside Fridge for Milk - I bought this to use this time to store my night time pump sessions verse going all the way downstairs. Sounds silly but when you already have to be up at least twice, to feed and pump in the night, anyhting for more sleep is worth it!

• Drying Mat - This was a game changer. I would stack bottles and parts on here, let dry overnight and put away in the morning. Plus it looked nice enought to stay out all day
  

• Bottle Scrubbers - This set had all the right size brushes for my bottles and pump parts