Which breast pump do you like best or least...

[NoviceKnitter]

...and why?

And any other tips for a first time expresser?

[popsycal]

avent isis hand pump (have also tried medela mini electric and a couple of 'own brand' ones - boots and mothercare i think)

Easy to use after a few goes at assembling. Bits and pieces easy to replace if you plan on 'hard core' expressing () and it 'fitted' me nicely too. Also it is a good one if you plan to express at work as I did - bits of pieces to store the pump and the bottle are good.

hth

[zebedee1]

Hi Novice, I started expressing this week and like Popsycal I use the avant isis hand pump. There are quite a lot of parts to assemble but I like this pump because I seem to get a fair bit of milk quickly and it doesn't hurt! My HV suggested expressing in the morning when you have more milk and to look at your LO (or a photo) when you do it. Seems to be working so far! I'm only expressing 4oz each morning - my DS is so far refusing to drink up so there's no point in doing any more! I do 2x 2oz bottles so he can have a taste twice a day. I made the mistake on day 1 of offering him a 4oz bottle which i had to chuck away after he spent 1/2 hour just licking the bloody teat. Oh yes, and I've found more milk goes in if DP gives him the bottle when I'm in the garden and DS can't see me or my boobies!
Good luck with your expressing, let us know how you get on.

[mezzer]

I think it depends on how often you need to pump. I pumped a few times a day at work and used an Medela-pump-in-style electric pump and LOVED it - electric ones are generally quicker (same milk for less time) than hand-held ones. I tried using a isis hand pump and couldn't get it to work for me. That said, it was used so I don't know if it was the pump that was broken or me!

[LelsandZaffy]

I used the electronic medela pump, no problems with that, although the one i use is quite noisy, everyone knows what i am doing in the house upstairs

[trixymalixy]

I hated the medela mini electric, was too noisy and took forever to get half the amount I could get with an avent pump.

I really liked the avent hand pump and have just boughtthe electric version which is just as good, but your hand doesn't get sore!

[mezzer]

Is there a BF clinic at your local hospital? You might be able to go there and test some pumps. That's what I did.

[HelloMama]

Another vote here for avent isis hand pump. Also found it very quick and painless. Quite fiddly to put together but no problem once you have the knack.

I tried the mini medela electric pump too but hated it because it a) was very noisy b) made me feel like a cow - the pump was very strong and it hurt and c) the reservoir bottle attachment was tiny so it was a real pain as i'd fill it in a few minutes and then wonder what to do with the rest of the milk. You may be able to get a bigger attachmenet, I don't know, but I just didn't like it so never bothered to look into it.

[NoviceKnitter]

Thanks those are really helpful thoughts. I'd expected more of you to say you liked electric pumps as I'd heard hand pumps could take a while and felt like more of a palaver, though I also imagine the electric ones make you feel like a dairy cow! Seems like the Avent Isis gets the Mumsnet vote - unless anyone else has other thoughts?...

[trixymalixy]

I haven't found electric pumps to be any quicker, just less sore on your hand!!

I would buy a manual pump first and see how you get on rather than buying an expensive electric pump first.

[2Happy]

I've used both the electric and manual versions of the medela and far prefer the manual. As has been mentioned () the electric is embarassingly and off-puttingly noisy, and I found it much less gentle.

Other tips include - beware the milk storage bags - they often leak on defrosting. So either use another container, or double-bag them and be careful when defrosting (you can defrost by holding the bags under running water; clearly if the bag splits, this is juuuust a little irritating!). And Kellymom says you should never shake breast milk, only swirl it gently if it's separated. I never knew that.

[trixymalixy]

Hey 2happy . I haven't posted on the Jan thread for ages although have been lurking a bit. I just can't keep up with the chatterboxes!!

sorry for thread hijack!

[2Happy]

Ooh come back, trixy, I need the Northern support

[trixymalixy]

Will pop back on. Just always feel like a shoddy excuse for a mum when the rest are all on 3 solid meals a day and toddling around at 7 months!!

[MyMILisDoloresUmbridge]

Love any of the Avent pumps, electric or manual
Have to say, I HATED the Boots/Whittlestone Manual expresser, NOTHING came out even though my boobs were quite engorged.

[2Happy]

Trixy - ds2 has no teeth, doesn't crawl, has just learned to sit unaided, and ate 2 teaspoons of baby rice today and that's the most I've ever been able to get into him. I may not always be the best mum in the world, but most of the time I don't think I'm shoddy, and I certainly don't think ds2's milestones have a jot to do with my mothering skills. ds1's tantrums on the other hand...

[saltcod]

Avent isis manual for me too. Will be using it when I return to work as well. Tried the medela but hated it - too noisy & you have to sit near a plug socket (worked better on mains rather than battery). Also, medela bottles aren't wide neck ones & can't be sterilised in a mircowave steam steriliser!

[saltcod]

< also waves to fellow Jan 07 group members >

[2Happy]

My medel ones are microwave sterilisable....or at least that's how I've been sterilising them...oh crap, better go check I'm not doing it totally wrong

Hi, Saltcod, where've you been?!

[Sterny]

I borrowed the Medela Lactina Electric Plus from the hospital while my ds was in intensive care and it was noisy but fab for getting my supply going.

I bought the Medela mini electric and hated it with a passion. In my opinion it was noisy and ineffective.

[Jojay]

Another vote for the Avent Isis hand pump. Does everything you need and doesn't cost the earth - less than £30 IIRC

A friend lent me the electric version, but it was noisy, and the hand pump was just as effective, so I stuck with that.

[Pannacotta]

Also like the Avdent Isis but have only tried that one, but it does waht it needs to and isnt too pricey.

[RainingCatsandDogs]

Had avent ISIS manual last time and invested in the electric one this time which has been great.Easier to use if you are doing a fair amount of expressing,not particularly noisy and comfortable.Got more milk with the electric.

Boots/Whittisone electric was rubbish also - struggled to get anything then it broke - swapped for the ISIS electric.

My tip is not to worry if you don't get too much milk as it can vary from day to day and at different times and when you first begin.

[RFCMummy]

I have the bruin manual one which is ok but aches your hand! I also bought the mothercare electric one this time around and it's rubbish! Spent £55 on it and have used it twice as it's so useless it's easier to express by hand!

[trixymalixy]

Hi Saltcod - long time no see!!

2happy I microwave sterilised my medela stuff as well. I did a search on here about it and apperently someone phoned the manufacturer and they said it was ok.

[2Happy]

Thanks Trixy!