Difficulties using a manual breastpump - should I buy an electric one?

[Marabou]

So I've recently started going to the gym again and I mostly take exercise classes that unfortunately coincide with my 17-week-old DS's bedtime. I would love to pump milk so that DH could feed him his last feed before I get home, but for some reason I can't get anything out with my manual Tommy Tippee one anymore:(! I used to pump quite regularly so DH could feed LO in the evening, but stopped doing that about a month ago, when I established a different bedtime routine for him that otherwise works better.. Now it takes me 45 minutes just to get a mere 2oz! I was wondering if I should get an electric one, because for one my hands are getting really tired and it's quite frustrating and time consuming with the manual one..? What do you guys think?

[LilRedWG]

Try different times of the day first. I find as the day goes on I can express less and less.

[Marabou]

Aww, yes that is true actually! Thanks, I don't know why I had forgot that:)! Will try that, as the electric ones are quite expensive..

One thing though I've noticed is that the milk is quite "thin" in the morning, especially if I've gone a long time in the night without feeding him (which doesn't happen very often recently as he's going through a growth spurt:/...). I wonder if this milk is still going to be satisfying enough for him?

[Marabou]

Oh, and in case trying to pump at a different time of the day doesn't work, should I look into the electric pump, or is the only benefit with them that I'd spare my hands?

[Mimmee]

I would definately say get an electric one - I used the Tommee Tippee manual one (which kept breaking!) and eventually got a medela mini electric pump which is so much easier. I also didn't get one at first due to cost but found this one for £40 ish in Mothercare and I wish I'd got one earlier tbh.

I dont think you need to worry about the milk being thin - that's probably just the foremilk.

I agree try different times of day - I can only ever get any significant amount out in the morning. You may have already done this but I find pumping while feeding baby yields more - this is also much easier with an electric pump as you still have a hand free!

[Marabou]

Oh thanks for your responsies ladies.

I just saw the Medela Mini one in Boots today for some £40 like you mentioned and thought I'd give it a try, as it seemed to be one of the more affordable models and I had read good reviews about the Medela pumps previously.

Yeah I had bought the Tommee Tippee one, as got it on sale at Wilkinson's for £5 :)! I guess it's served it's purpose and paid itself back manyfold..

I hope I will be able to pump again so I won't have to resort to giving him formula the few times a week I go to the gym. For some reason I'm always so paranoid about the formula and I'm sure it's responsible for his exzema, which started ever since he's been getting something other than breastmilk... But at the same time I'd hate not being able to go to the gym, as I've missed my classes so much!

[Marabou]

I seem to have real luck with breastpumps: just grabbed another bargain on Ebay and bought the Medela Mini unused for £30:)... We'll see how it goes...