BPA, breast pumps, and bottles

[SpoonyQ]

HELP!!!! Perhaps I am being WAY too sensitive about this whole BPA controversy, but I have some major issues and I can't seem to find anyone to help. I am pregnant with my first baby (due in April), and am looking for a nice feeding system to register for as a supplement to breastfeeding. I will have to return to work full-time and will need to pump on a regular basis. I was looking at the Ameda Purely Yours pump for quality and price, but it seems that the parts in the pump are not BPA-free. I wanted to use BPA-free (non-polycarbonate) bottles for nursing, but what is the point if the milk will pick up BPA in the pump. So that leaves the Medela Pump in Style or a rental. Are rentals typically BPA-free? Does anyone know? (FYI - all Medela products are BPA-free) I'm leaning towards the Medela, even though it is way more expensive than I had planned on.

What bottles are compatible with the Pump in Style? Any other than the Medela bottles? Where can you buy just the nipples? Do these seem to cause more colic or nipple confusion than other bottles? I was also looking at the MAM bottles made by Sassy as they are BPA-free and much less expensive than the Medela bottles. Anyone have any feedback on their nipples? What about MAM pacifiers?

I think I am just totally overwhelmed. I want the absolute safest product for my baby, but no clue what that is, and I just read that some milk storage bags stick to the antibodies in breastmilk and keep it from being ingested. Is this true? Any ideas which bags this refers to?

AAAACCCCKKKKK!!!!

P.S. Here is the best source on BPA I've found so far: http://zrecs.blogspot.com/2007/11/z-report-bisphenol-in-baby-bottles-and.html

[cbreeding]

Check with your insurance company to see if they cover the cost of an electronic pump. I was able to get a PIS covered 100%, but not all insurance companies do. Also, we don't use the Medela bottles for feeding or long term storage, but use other bottles instead. I've haven't used those that you mentioned. Good luck!

[Anastasia]

I was also scared with the BPA issue. The bad thing is that I found out about it first time after I have been feeding my baby with polycarbonate plastic bottle recommeded to me by lactaton specialist for 2 months. Horrified I ran into Whole Foods to check on safe baby bottles and found Born Free bottle. It is made of nylon, so it has no BPA and phalates and Whole Foods claims that they made tests on this bottle, so it is free of bad chemicals. The good thing abotu this bottle is that has a wide neck, so you can go on breastfeeding. It has a silicone nipple (safe material) and my baby did not have a nipple confusion. This bottle is sold with level 0 nipple (slowest one) which is good if you plan to breastfeed too.
As for storage, I would recommend glass bottles Evenflo. They are cheap, so you can buy a lot of them. Medela's is safe, but plastic changes the taste of stored milk.
I have been using Medela pump for 4 months. All its parts are BPA and phalates free. It works well.

[sferguson17]

I have read that some BM antibodies will stick to plastic in general regardless of the type. I haven't read any actual studies, and I can't remember the source. They did not mention how much of the antibodies stuck to the plastic. I've also read that the antibodies do not stick to glass, but I was more afraid of breaking glass than what I assumed was a small loss of antibodies. Gerber makes a very cheap bottle that fits right on the Medela flanges. It's a softish plastic as opposed to the very hard polycarbonate which contains the BPA. There are many different nipples that you can use with the Gerber or Medela bottles. I do not recommend the nipples that come with the Medela bottles. They are very fast flowing, and are not ideal for infants. When I was doing my research I decided that chemical-wise I wanted to go with clear nipples and pacifiers, and not latex. Polycarbonate is a hard plastic material, and would not be used for nipples or pacifiers.

[Stephanie]

Any standard size bottle will fit the Medelas PIS. I am not sure about the Ameda, but I am sure someone can help.

[SpoonyQ]

Thanks for the input. I found a Medela PIS Advance on clearance at Babies R Us and just bought it. I'm still not positive about the bottles I will use, but maybe glass? Can you freeze glass bottles? Do other nipple types work on the Medela bottles? SO MANY QUESTIONS! :) Thanks for the help!

[EllysLunch]

Our DCP doesn't allow glass bottles...

[madelsmama]

Playtex's drop-in system (NaturaLatch) is also BPA-free, as is the Adiri Natural Nurser (http://www.adiri.com/products_html/natural_nurser.asp).

I would go with the PIS. I hear it's an excellent pump!

Doesn't a lot of the BPA-releasing have to do with the heating of the container? Correct me if I'm wrong!

[tracylee]

don't freeze glass. the milk will expand and shatter it won't it?

[sweetpea]

The Adiri has a great bottle it is well worth the money IMO. I liked the symphony pump the best .

[Tufftitty]

Yes, you can use lots of other nipples with the Medela bottles. Just look for ones that are similar in size to the Medelas.

[cakeslegs]

I have the PIS it works great and practical for everyday use! Good luck

[mfirst]

The playtex drop in system has a kit that you can buy so you can pump right into the drop in liners. The kit sells for about $10 at Babies R Us. I also use the kit to pump right into storage bags.

[Shaunsmom]

Doesn't a lot of the BPA-releasing have to do with the heating of the container? Correct me if I'm wrong!

This is my understanding as well.

I use the Ameda Purely Yours pump. I have had this same pump for both of my children and it has been a fully functioning EXCELLENT pump for almost 8 years.

I use the Ameda bottles (polycarbonate) that came with the pump, as well as some Evenflo polycarbonate bottles for short term milk storage only. I also use Medela and Lansinoh milk collection bottles (both BPA-free) for short term milk storage only as well.

Every couple of days, I freeze the excess milk that DD has not used. I really like the Lansinoh milk storage bags:) The bags are not reusable; however, you can freeze them flat for easier storage in the freezer. This helps us out with freezer space.

[sealy]

I LOVE the MAM bottles for my EBF DD - she took to them right away, the teat is very similar to your breast nipple while nursing. Some complain that they have too many parts, but I've not used any other system, so I haven't found it to be difficult. I know that they aren't the "trendy" bottle, but I love them & DD loves them, so I wanted to give them props & encourage others to try them.

I have the Lansinoh pump which is the same as the Ameda & when purchased I was under the impression that it was BPA-free. This rating was changed after I was already using it, so long story short I kept it because it works great for me. I usually pump directly into Lansinoh bags (to freeze) which I agree with Shaunsmom are great OR I pump into the included bottles & transfer into the MAM bottles immediately to refridgerate. I feel comfortable with this, but to each their own.

[dalewhither]

I am using the Ameda breast pump (http://www.trusted-breast-pumps.com/shop-by-brand/lansinoh-breast-pumps.html) to feed my baby. One things which I love in the Ameda Purely Yours Breast Pump is that the motor is small so it is portable and can be carried away easily. Ameda breast pumps are easy to use can be used to express milk anywhere.

[reesechristi]

The Breast pumps are available in both manual and electric mode. I am using the Avent breast pump (http://www.trusted-breast-pumps.com/articles). The manual pump is more reliable and easy to use. It is portable to carry anywhere. The electric breast pump are also good but are more useful for working moms who pumps milk frequently. These come with adapters and chargers which is not so easy to carry.