Can anyone suggest a reasonably priced breast pump? Slightly urgent....

[ReturnOfTheMunx]

Hi there

I am sure this has been done before, but I am looking for some quick answers for a pal who has been sent back to hospital.

I have suggested the Medela Swing but this is out of her price range, so I was hoping that you lovely lot could help.

If you have links and prices so much the better..... I would be very very grateful for any advice given.

She can have my old one if you PM me your address. It's manual, but I figure that won't be an issue if she's in hospital. Only problem is that it won't arrive until Monday - hope that's not too late.

(I know you're not supposed to share, but I think that only applies to sharing when both people are BF, IYSWIM.)

I'm sure someone has posted a thread today about a manual avent one being on sale somewhere for 6 quid. Sorry not particularly helpful.

Mothercare and NCT hire them out. You don't have to be a member of NCT to use the service. I don't think every branch has them, but Google the NCT website and search under postcode.

Hi, this may be no help but in certain circumstances either the hospital, or if the area has it,a breastfeeding support service may loan your friend a hospital grade electric pump. It wasn't something I was aware off before I needed to use this service. I also got on okay with the avent manual pump which cost around £30 from boots. HTH

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/breast_pumps_chat/1531958-avent-manual-breast-pump-6-in-tesco

Ah there we go. Might be of some use.

Cinnabar I have PMd you, thank you. I have managed to get a steriliser and so on for her and have some left over expressing bags and bottles.

Thanks everyone for the posts, I really appreciate it.

I have an electric one you can have if needed. Its 8 years old, good condition and still in original box.

The neonatal unit or the paediatric wards should have portable breast pumps that the mums whose children are patients use. Your friend should be able to use one of these - she should speak to her nurse and find out if there are any that can be brought to her. If she is mobile, she might be able to get to an expressing room, there was one in the neonatal inky where my son was.

There might be a breast feeding advisor based on the postnatal ward or the neonatal unit who should be able to help or let your friend know the options.

brooking for your pal

I bought a manual avent for half price ( was 30 originally) and find it better than huge hospital electric one. Much gentler and get more! Tesco stock it

Second the suggestion to ask for a breast pump from the hospital and to not take no for an answer.

She also should be allowed to have her baby with her especially if her baby is very small - this might mean transferring her from a general medicine ward to the post-natal ward and her having a side room BUT she is within her rights to ask for this (PALS may help if the Matron isn't having it). If she isn't well enough to care for her baby by herself then visiting hours can be waived and her partner/mother/friend can bring baby to her and look after baby in between bfs and take baby home at night or bring baby in for as many feeds as is logistically possible.

She is currently experiencing a normal physiological process that happens following the birth of a baby (producing milk and breastfeeding that baby), if something happens to interrupt that process (e.g. ill health that leads to hospitalisation) the hospital need to facilitate that physiological process by having her pump as often as she needs to (ebf baby would normally = 8-12 expressing sessions a day).

If she was too ill to go to the loo or breathe by herself - also normal physiological processes - she would have a catheter or be on a ventilator - they wouldn't leave her to wee on the bed or suffocate - lactation is just the same!

Really hope your friend is home very soon.