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My twins are due to arrive in a few short weeks (gulp!) I also have a three year old so need to get a good twins/ DD1/ life/ sanity balance! I'm hoping that a breastpump will be part of that solution! So far, the Ameda (?) Lactaline seems to keep cropping up- does anyone use this? I'm assuming that a double electric is the way to go, that could also be used as a single. What works well for you?

Hi and congratulations! I have 7 month old twin girls and my eldest daughter was 21 months when the twins arrived. Double breast pump was the best investment I made. I bought the Avent one (already had the single electric Avent pump from DD1). It's brilliant but pricey. You can often pick them up on eBay. The Lactaline suction is supposed to be a bit weak (depends what your let down is like). I'm sure someone on here will be able to give you more info. I've used the double Medela which was good but the Avent pump worked best for me (my two had poor latches so would express every three hours and bottle feed them for the first couple of months). In fact, just finished expressing now.. oh the glamour!

For what it's worth, don't listen to what people say about how difficult it will be having three and how they wouldn't want to be in your shoes etc. Twins ARE hard work. It is MUCH harder having an older child. BUT it's amazing watching all three interact. Knowing what I know now, and given the option, I would choose twins over a singleton every time (maybe that's the glass of wine talking?!).

I had a medela double electric (can't remember exact name) also bought on ebay - it was brilliant and is used a lot in/by hospitals - I think medela's main business is cow milking equipment

on a more serious note: i think you can rent them, so maybe try one out before spending a lot of money?

Renting- good idea, Instant Family- I'll look into that. I don'y fancy splashing out a small fortune on one pump to be disappointed with the results, so that would sort that one out!
LondonMum, thanks for the advice and reassurance re having 3 kiddies. DD1 says she's really excited that the twins are coming soon- that's just priceless! Makes all my worry evaporate (let's see how she feels once they are here!!!!)

Not a hand powered one! The electric one I had was brilliant, medela swing I think I had.

I had a Medela Swing - it was ok but wish I'd hired a double one for the short period when expressing was worth the hassle for me.

I would definitely look into renting. You may not need one if your babies are full term and good feeders. You will need one if they are early, small or sleepy as they may not be able to feed efficiently enough to get enough milk.

If your babies end up in scbu, your hospital will probably lend you one Most hosps do this

I had an Ameda Lactaline and was very happy with it. I used every feed for 3 months with no problems at all (I expressed and bottle fed so was easily pumping a litre a day by the end). In fact I found it just as good as the big pumps they had in the hospital (Medela I think). At my hospital it was £40 a month to rent so for me it worked out much cheaper to buy new then sell on eBay (got about £50). If I was doing it again I'd probably buy off eBay, get new bits for it (so all nice and fresh!!) then hopefully sell on eBay again for the same price I bought it for

I've got the double medela one. It's great. It comes with straps so that you can attach it to your bra and be hands free.

I hired a Medela Symphony pump back in April when DS was born direct from Medela. £40 per month and it was hospital grade. I would recommend doing it that way. I did buy a second hand Medela swing for the days when lugging a big pump around wasn't possible and it was good too, but just a single pump.

This is their customer services number 0870 950 5994

Thanks again everyone, lots of good info there- I'd better get a move on, not long to go now!!!

Hi. I'm new to all of this. I've just started expressing a week ago. Do you need special bags/containers if you want to freeze breast milk?