Breast pumps - which one?

[bigbadmom]

I breastfed my DD but had to mixed-feed from 12 weeks as my milk supply was simply too low to stop her from wailing. I know what the health visitors / midwives say about supply and demand, but genuinely I simply couldn't satisfy my daughter on my milk alone. She grew extremely quickly and is now 17 months but the height / weight of a two and a half year old.
Anyway - last time I would express for ages to get a couple of ounces, and never seemed to have enough to satisfy her. She is a very big babe like I said (born on 75th percentile 10 days early, quickly shot up to the 91st and left the growth charts behind many months ago...). Last time I had an electric breastpump that I picked up in Mothercare (the Whistle-something?? It was around £60) but it didn't really help me.
I was wondering whether anyone out there could recommend a good breastpump for low milk supply? I have various engagements quite soon after no.2's birth (in April) that I can't get out of so I am going to have to get someone else to give the newborn bottles during this time. Any hints on building up milk supply also much appreciated! I'm definitely not going to have my large glass of wine every night that I had last time, I don't think that helped at all!
A quick look online seems to suggest that the Medela Symphony is the best one out there. Any hints? Thanks.

[HaventSleptForAYear]

I hired an Ameda double electric and it was good - not sure if you can hire them in the UK? It was good because you could set the speed and the suction IYSWIM - to start with you pump fast but with low suction, and then once you get let-down you slow it down and up the suction (mimics baby apparantly).
Certainly it worked to help me get let-down - if you were only getting 2oz you might not have been letting -dow?
Otherwise, glass of wine is tempting but apparantly alcohol does reduce supply (see Kellymom site) - I do drink now but DS2 is a year.
Choose your time of day for pumping carefully too. I could never get anything in the evening but got loads in the morning with baby latched on one side. That way you get the let-down for sure and you usually have fuller boobs first thing.
Remember that what you pump does not equal what your baby is getting - when flow slowed on pump in mornings I used to put DS2 onto that breast to "finish" it - he still got lots of milk.
hth???

[LiegeAndLief]

I had a manual Avent Isis which I thought was brilliant - I had been expressing for ds in SCBU using a huge electric hospital pump and found the Avent just as efficient. I have heard good things about the Medela (Swing?), but not used it myself. Good luck this time round!

[HaventSleptForAYear]

Why can't I spell apparantly (is is apparently?)

[bigbadmom]

Thanks - interesting that manual was just as good as electric, maybe I'll just try to persevere with the manual intially and cut out boozing instead and see if that helps! . I was prob drinking at least a large glass a night with n.1 so presumably that plus the stress and lack of sleep with a first born can't help.
Anyway useful to know about Ameda double electric - there are similar things here I think like the Medela Symphony is meant to mimic actual feeding as you say by changing sucking motion etc.
cheers all! big bad mom.

[bigbadmom]

ps it's apparently!

[patiencemostwanted]

Medela pumps are very good and have won lots of votes I think. I have been using the mini electric version which is around £50. It works well for me. I bought this one as it was recommended by a breastfeeding councillor. The swing is meant to be the daddy of pumps (but it is £90!),,,
Honestly, I think expressing is about how you are feeling- relaxed, let down, time of day, tiredness levels etc. I find getting it on, sitting down with a magazine relaxed produces better results and I try not to keep checking the amount... after 10 mins- have a peek, and hey presto, more than you thought!

[dal21]

medela swing is the one i have - worth its weight in gold! absolutely fantastic.

[thaliablogs]

I would rent a hospital grade pump. I started with a medela pump in style, but hired a symphony when I realised how much I was going to have to pump, and it's made a huge difference. You can rent via www.expressyourselfmums.co.uk.