The Breastfeeding Focus

A Pumping Primer
(Focus on Medela but is applicable to Ameda and Whittlestone too.
Medela Pump In Style Model Primer
If it has the black turn button in front and no speed control ... it's a 1998
It if has the gold snap closure and no speed control .. it's either 1999 or 2000
It if has the white face AND black speed control knob at top middle .. it's 2001-2002
It if has the YELLOW face and large instruction book with mom and baby on cover.. it's 2003 or early 2004
It if has the YELLOW face and small yellow instruction book .. it's 2004 (and should also come with the battery pack if complete)

For the one's in the Blue Bags (blue bags are either through WIC or through prescription health plans)
Blue leather like cover, no speed control - 1999-2000
Blue leather like cover, with white face and speed control - 2001-2002
Blue Canvas cover with yellow face and speed control - 2003 and beyond (battery pack is always optional)
For Travelers and Companions:
If it has a yellow button on right side for off/on - it's 2000-2002
If it does not have a yellow on/off button (speed control button is the off/on) - it's 2003-beyond

Advanced models ARE ALWAYS in fabric shoulder bags with SILVER buckles and separate cooler carriers.
Some Pumping Basics:
1.) Don't lean forward while pumping
2.) Inspect your valves and membranes before every pumping session. If you see any cracks, breaks or places that look worn, replace them. Valves should fit snuggly and membranes must lie FLAT against them to provide proper suction (all the pump diaphragm does is move air!)
3.) Replace your white membranes on a regular basis. Medela recommends every 6 weeks .. personally, I do every 12 but I don't exclusively pump. At less than $2 each, they're not a major expense
4.) Keep an eye on your breastshields while you're pumping .. if you see milk starting to back up in the breastshield, break suction quickly by inserting your finger between your breast and the shield. Breaking suction will allow the milk to drop into the bottles. Closely inspect your valves and membranes if this happens - it's usually a result of worn membranes.
5.) Should you have a backup, pop the diaphragm cover off .. wash everything in warm soapy water and allow to airdry. Don't forget to pop the vacuum control knob off and clean the ridge in the back well. Use 10 parts water, 1 part bleach. Use a disinfecting solution on the diaphragm itself and make sure it dries before you put the cover back on. If you are concerned that milk may have gotten behind the diaphragm cover, use a hospital type disinfectant (I use Sporicidin - learn more at www.sporicidin.com). You can also run it in your lines ... run the machines and put a drop at the tip of each of the tubes and let it run into the machine. Theory on this being that it will go anywhere any other liquid went too :-) If you're still worried, take the pump motor out of it's case. In older PIS, the compartment for the AC adapter is velcro'd on three sides. You can break the seal and the pump motor will be exposed below although you will have to move a cardboard bridge to get to it. (I know about this because I inspect every pump before I consent to sell it. I turn away about 20% of the pumps that people try to consign due to signs of wear and occassional mold)
6.) Also, if you are concerned about mold, be sure to keep the lines clear of condensation by running your PIS for a few moments without being attached to shields.
8.) Personal cleaning note ... I don't like using the dishwasher to clean my accessories or bottles for that matter. What the heck is "sheeting action" and how do they accomplish that without leaving junk on my dishes etc? I prefer to hand wash. A great disinfecting solution (and CHEAP too) is 10 parts water to 1 part bleach. Allow to soak for 10~20 minutes, then rinse well. Any residual solution after thorough rinsing will not harm your baby .. after all, we use chlorine to keep our tap water fresh! My favorite sterilizer is the Avent microwave one. The Medela bags are cool too, but I have a total of 4 kids .. 3 of which are 9 - 11- 13 .. do you really think I can keep a bag safe for 20 uses?? Of course, the most economical way is to use the old pot of bioling water on the stove!
9.) Always have at least one hand pump available, best if it is a one hand pump and even better if you have two if you are exclusively pumping. I love the Isis .. haven't had a chance to use the Harmony but it looks pretty similiar and I have a harder time with the Ameda one mainly because my breasts don't fit the shields as well as they should and on a manual pump, that's pretty darn important.
10.) If you're planning on breastfeeding and pumping for the long-term, invest in extra breastshields, valves, membranes and tubes. Even at $40~50 a kit, they're a bargain compared to what you'll save long-term over formula and you're doing the best for your baby! And having extras means you won't be cleaning and sterilizing every time you turn around.
11.) While breastmilk does have strong anti-bacterial properties, please don't be tempted to skip sterilizing, especially if you are storing/freezing your breastmilk. The extra 5-20 minutes it takes is worth every second to provide your baby with the best!

MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL....

RELAX!!
Your breastfeeding experienced will be enhanced if you keep the following in mind:
Most women do produce enough milk for their babies - while it is a "natural" thing to breastfeed, that DOES NOT mean that it "comes naturally". Breastfeeding is a learned experience for both mom and baby -sometimes it takes time to "feel right".
In the early weeks, it may very well seem that your baby NEVER stops nursing. If he/she is gaining weight well, don't worry .. and I assure you, it WILL get better and easier! If your baby is not gaining weight, CONSULT a Lactation Counselor or Certified Lactation Consultant. DO NOT ASSUME that your pediatrician knows it all about breastfeeding .. many do but many others in this country do not. IBCLC certified consultants can be found at
http://www.iblce.org/US%20registry.htm for the US
and at http://www.iblce.org/international%20registry.htm for the rest of the western hemisphere and Israel.
Do your research. Great internet resources can be found at
http://www.kellymom.com
http://www.parentsplace.com/
and
http://messageboards.ivillage.com/
There are many others, but I happen to love and know these very well. Medela and Ameda also have resources available at their sites at
http://www.medela.com and
http://www.ameda.com

BEST WISHES TO YOU AND YOUR LITTLE BUNDLE OF JOY!
Please let me know if you find this helpful. If you are a lactation professional and would like to add to this or amend, please contact me.

Recognizing that sometimes people change their minds about purchases or that I may make a mistake, I have adopted the following return policy:

1.)   MY MISTAKE (applies to new or used items and means I shipped you the WRONG ITEM... ie. - you won an auction for a bulldozer and received a vase)

a.      Please contact me within 3 days of receipt of package to let me know what went wrong.

b.      Please allow me the opportunity to correct the error by shipping the correct item and paying for the return shipment of the incorrect item.

c.      If we cannot work out a timely exchange (I ship daily Monday through Friday and max delivery time for continental United States is 5 business days so hopefully we can make it work!), I will refund your money (including original shipping fees) upon return of the item in the original packaging and in the same condition as originally shipped

d.      Item must be posted for return NO LATER than 7 days after return authorization is issued and must be sent using a traceable posting service (such as delivery confirmation, UPS, Fedex, Airborne or DHL).

e.      Buyer must email me with confirmation/tracking number (this is for your protection as well as mine!)

f.        Paypal payments will be refunded the same day product is received and condition verified.

g.      Money order payments will be refunded with a postal money order within 72 hours of product receipt and verification

h.      Check payments will be refunded via check within 24 hours of product receipt and verification.

2.)   NEW ITEMS

New items are returnable under the following conditions:

a.)   You must email for a return authorization within 3 days of receipt

b.)   Item must be posted for return NO LATER than 7 days after return authorization is issued and must be sent using a traceable posting service (such as delivery confirmation, UPS, Fedex, Airborne or DHL).

c.)    Buyer must email me with confirmation/tracking number (this is for your protection as well as mine!)

d.)   Item must be returned in the original packaging with all seals still intact and in the same condition as originally shipped

e.)   Returns are subject to a 10% restocking fee

f.)      Return shipping is responsibility of buyer

g.)   Original shipping charges are non-refundable

h.)    Paypal payments will be refunded (less 10% restocking fee and original shipping charges) the same day product is received and condition verified.

i.)      Money order payments will be refunded with a postal money order (less 10% restocking fee and original shipping charges) within 72 hours of product receipt and verification

j.)      Check payments will be refunded (less 10% restocking fee and original shipping charges) via check within 24 hours of product receipt and verification.

k.)    New Items that have been opened ARE NOT RETURNABLE under any circumstances.  If necessary, please contact manufacturer for warranty support.

2.)   USED ITEMS

I take a LOT of photos and I answer all questions asked promptly in order to ensure that you KNOW what you are getting.  Used item listings ALWAYS show the actual item and condition; therefore returns on these items are generally buyer remorse or the result of a duplicate gift.  Recognizing the work I put into each listing, my policy must be a bit more restrictive:

a.)   You must email for a return authorization within 3 days of receipt along with reason for the return

b.)   Item must be posted for return NO LATER than 7 days after return authorization is issued and must be sent using a traceable posting service (such as delivery confirmation, UPS, Fedex, Airborne or DHL).

c.)    Buyer must email me with confirmation/tracking number (this is for your protection as well as mine!)

d.)   Item must be returned in the original packaging with the original packing materials and in the same condition as originally shipped

e.)   Returns are subject to a 20% restocking fee

f.)      Return shipping is responsibility of buyer

g.)   Original shipping charges are non-refundable

h.)    Paypal payments will be refunded (less 20% restocking fee and original shipping charges) the same day product is received and condition verified.

i.)      Money order payments will be refunded with a postal money order (less 20% restocking fee and original shipping charges) within 72 hours of product receipt and verification

j.)      Check payments will be refunded (less 20% restocking fee and original shipping charges) via check within 24 hours of product receipt and verification.