breast pump brand advice

[Peanut2011]

Hi I'm gonna be a 1st time mum in May & want to start looking into everything I will need to buy.
I really want to breast feed, using a breast pump inbetween so that DH can also help feed. What are the pros & cons of electric/manual pumps?
What brands are best? ?single/double pump?

Any help would be great, K x

[rubyslippers]

I would hold off buying a pump - it's not something you need straight off the bat IMO

Hand expression can be v good as well and is free

IME the tommee tippee closer to nature manual pump was good

Never got on with electric pumps

You can hire them via the NCT as well

FWIW, I expressed a lot and DD never took a bottle

[CMOTdibbler]

TBH, the best thing your dh can do to help feed is to spend time with your baby by bathing them, wearing them in a sling, cuddling, and making you meals and drinks, rather than by you expressing milk for him to feed the baby which means you have to wash/sterilise everything and it may compromise your ability to bf long term.

But there may be times you need to express to go to work or be out, and in that case I can't recommend the Ameda Lactaline highly enough - its a double electric and let me bf for 23 months even though I went back to work when ds was 4.5 months old

[bluebump]

I preferred my Tommee Tippee hand held one to the expensive electric one I had at home and used in the hospital. I used mine from very early on as I struggled to get DS to feed well.

[Blatherskite]

Another who loved her Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature manual pump.

As CMOT says, I'd caution against using it unless you really have to though, at least for the first few months. Regular suckling is really important to make sure your supply matches what your baby needs and in the first 3 or 4 months your baby will have so many growth spurts your milk will be constantly adjusting. Pumps are great for if you need to be away from your baby or if you really need a few hours off to sleep (days are better as the hormones you produce at night feeds are really important for supply) but regularly using them can cause problems.

Much better to get him to help you with nappies or winding etc

[Peanut2011]

Thanks for all the advice, think I will hold off buying a pump until my little one arrives then x