Friend needs some help, newborn questions..

Isn't there something in the Affordable Care Act that makes it so that insurance companies HAVE to pay for pumps now?

I've loaned my pump out to friends. I have a Madela Pump in Style double. When I get it back I open up the insides and check for mold or anything in there that needs cleaned. From everything I've read that is where the issue lies because it's not a closed system you can have issues with milk getting INTO the innards of the pump and molding. Of course, this issue confuses the crap out of me because couldn't that also happen in between me having kids?! Anyway, when I loan out the pump I just have them buy their own tubing and attachments for it and I keep my own.

Erin's suggestion on the SNS is the way I'd go as well. She needs to just keep trying. It will be worth it in the long run even though she probably feels like she's being put through the ringer right now.

I am trying my best not to try and be too pushy about the bf stuff. I can tell she wants to bf but since she has never came to me and told me that she wanted info/help.. I didn't want to push it on to her. If she asks me, I will def tell her everything I have learned. I kinda am worried that the nurses there did not help her out very well... they said the baby needs to develop muscles to be able to nurse but everything I have read says that after the tongue was clipped that the baby nursed just fine. She said that she has some sores and such from the bad latch. Everything she is telling me reminds me of my bf experience with Chloe. I had so many issues with her latch and her tiny mouth. I want to help her out but I also don't want to push her away but telling her about everything I know about it. I figured if I let her borrow the pump maybe then she will ask if I have any tips. OR I could be like.. hey I have heard this, what do you think? She really just asked for advice on a double pump.. I will mention that you guys hardly ever used both at the same time and that she needs a hospital grade pump.

Did I mention that I am horribly sick and so I have had to stay away from her and the baby? It is killing me! I had planned to make her a few meals and visit with stuff at the hospital but now I doubt she wants anything out of this germy house! lol.

I just checked and (as of Aug 1st) YES her insurance has to pay for breast pump rental from the hospital. I don't think they HAVE to reimburse her if she buys one but they absolutely have to pay for her rental. Tell her to get on that!

((hugs)) They pretty much covered it. I'd check with insurance (mine you need an actual prescription for one from a doctor for it to be covered) and with the hospital. A single should be better than nothing though. :)
Is there a local LLL group? Contacting a leader would be useful since they may know what other moms in the area have done. If nothing else, they can be good support through this frustrating time.

I used the same pump that Christa used. Also, she can get some 20% off coupons from babies r us and use that towards the pump. It's what I did.

I got to speak with her today when I gave her my pump and got to see her cute baby, from far away of course since I am sick lol. I stayed outside. She said the LC at the hospital was great and told her to just come by her office on Thursdays for free breastfeeding advice and to meet with other bf moms in the area. She also usually charges for her services but since she knows this is a extreme case she is waving her fees until she can get the bf going normally. I thought that was pretty cool. She was happy to get my pump because the one she has now is a rental from the hospital for $25 a week! OUCH! I will tell her about the insurance rules.
Her tongue is still very tongue tied. It is heart shaped.. she showed me a pic from after it was clipped. You can totally tell it was not done enough because my dh has the same issue and it looks just like his. I can't wait to get better so I can actually hold her, she is a cutie! If yall have any other tips let me know. I told her to pump about what the baby was eating and always on the baby's schedule so that was she wont get too much of a over supply. She said they gave her hardcore pain meds for the stitches she got (why the dumb hospital didn't give her bf friendly pain meds is beyond me) so I told her to still pump but just to dump it out.
Thanks everyone! :)

They seriously gave her non BFing safe meds?! WTF.
Have her check her meds here just in case. And she should bug them for something else ASAP. *sigh*
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Just wanted to add that I was also told about the insurance thing. And if she ends up buying one it is tax deductible but the insurance company likely won't reimburse just cover the rental.

I used an Ameda pump in the NICU when I brought my milk in with DS2 and it worked just as well as my medela. I don't know if they are cheaper.

Also she should demand that they re-clip the tie. Both DS1 & DS3 were tongue tied at birth and clipped. Both with heart shaped tongues that didn't push out past the lips. After clipping both nursed really well and the heart shape was gone. A supplimental nursing systems helps a lot until then. It makes me wonder if her LO has a small mouth on top of the tie as well since she is having problems using nipples as well.