Two years ago, after giving birth to Mr. Boy, I struggled with breast feeding.
I worried about supply. Worried about his latch. Worried if I was doing it right.
I never relaxed and just let my body do its thing — what it was made to do. I stressed, supplemented, and ate a ton of lactation cookies.
(and then cried when he got his first two teeth at 11 weeks!)
I alternated between breast and bottles, before switching to formula full-time when he was around 7 months old. At the time, after months of questioning myself and feeling inadequate at the whole nursing thing … and after six and a half months of nursing round the clock every 1.5 hours … switching to formula seemed the right thing to do.
And, looking back, I still believe it was the right thing to do, but that doesn’t make me feel any less a failure… which frustrates me. Formula feeding isn’t “failing” your child. You’re feeding him/her, for goodness sake! But, at a time when the line between breast-feeders and formula feeders is so deeply drawn, it’s hard not to feel as though you have failed if you struggle with breastfeeding.
With Barney Kneeknuckles, I want to do better. I want to be more confident, knowledgeable, and (yes) be successful when it came to breastfeeding, although (as Hubby put it) reserving the right to bring out bottles if we decide that is the better option this time around as well…
This time, I started preparing early and purchased a GREAT breastfeeding resource book, Breastfeeding Made Simple. I know most people recommend the Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, but I needed a more concise book — one I could easily read before the baby arrived. Breastfeeding Made Simple was an easy read, covered everything, and cleared up many misconceptions I had about breastfeeding (all of those old-wives-tales I had been told while nursing Mr. Boy).
I also began looking for a breast pump — an easy to use pump that could be utilized if needed — and through an email exchange this past summer, I was offered the chance to try the Evenflo SimplyGo Single Breast Pump.
I have been exclusively nursing for seven weeks now. Yes, Barney Kneeknuckles is nearly two. months. old.
(time flies when you’re sleep deprived)
Exclusively nursing. Unlike with Mr. Boy, I haven’t needed to supplement a single ounce. The second time around, my girls KNOW what to do and they are DOING IT!
(woot, woot!)
And, unlike last time, *I* know what to do. Go, Mama!
But, I have had to pump a few times; Barney Kneeknuckles has gone through two monstrous growth spurts in his short life — days and nights ruled by a voracious appetite. At the end of each feeding frenzy, I’ve been left with a day or two of engorgement as my body has worked to adjust to his new needs.
(engorgement is NOT fun, my friends)
Enter my little friend, the Pump.
Thoughts on the Evenflo SimplyGo Pump
This pump is not meant for Moms who need to pump at work or those who choose to exclusively pump (round the clock) as opposed to exclusively nurse.
Both the Evenflo site and the packaging state the Evenflo SimplyGo Single Pump is really only meant for occassional daily use (no more than twice daily).
If you plan on pumping more than two times a day, this isn’t the pump for you.
But, if you are a full-time breastfeeding mom who will only need to pump every now and then, this pump — which retails for under $45 — is an option.
- I love that this pump has very few parts compared to other pumps I have tried, and it can run on batteries or an AC adapter, making it very portable. In fact, the pump and all of its pieces fit into a compact black bag that is similar in size to most make-up bags. With such a small size, it’s easily fits into a diaper bag or purse.
- While the size of the pump makes it discrete when carry it around, the noise level is not. The motor is VERY loud, which I suppose is another factor making it more ideal for home use than “out and about” use.
- The pump is fairly easy to assemble — a “twist and lock” approach. But, you do have to make sure to get every thing lined up just right — the first several times I used it, it took more than once to fit the bottle/flange into the motor base.
- Unlike other pumps I have used, there is not a “let-down simulation” option. You have to manually simulate the let-down phase of pumping/expressing.
- The suction on this pump is VERY STRONG. For me, I have to keep the vacuum’s dial on the low spectrum or I’m dying — very, very strong suction!!!
- The storage bag for the single pump does not come with a built in cooler, so if you are away from home and using this pump, you will need to have a cooler/ice-pack on hand to store the pumped milk.
The Official Specs
- All components are made without BPA
- Features an AC adapter so mom can pump using an outlet at home or on the go using three AA batteries
- Comes with a 5 oz. bottle size to allow more milk collection
- Adjustable vacuum for customized comfort
- Soft silicone insert that is removable to accommodate different nipple sizes
Includes:
Breast pump unit, 2-pack SimplyAbsorbent™ breast pads with coupon, 5-ounce collection bottle, nipple, hood, sealing disc, soft flange insert, additional overflow valve and carrying case
To Purchase:
The Evenflo SimplyGo Breast Pump can be purchased online or in-store from retailers including Target, Babies -R-Us, Walmart, and Sears.
Disclosure: I received an Evenflo SimplyGo Single Breast Pump to facilitate this review; all opinions expressed in this post are my own and were not influenced by anyone else or the Evenflo company. No other compensation was received.
