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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

advice needed on best breast pumps

25 replies

karmamother · 07/09/2005 21:58

I'd like to find out which breast pumps are worth the money before I shell out a substantial amount of money.
I didn't bother getting one with DS & just gave the odd bottle of formula. Now pg with DD, with a supportive partner who wants to help with feeds, so I'd like to express this time.
Is it worth paying extra for an electric one or will I be able to manage with a manual one?

OP posts:

misdee · 07/09/2005 21:59

i got an electric mini medula, best thing i ever bought. i can pump so much easierwith it. my wrists ache too much with manual.

Original poster

karmamother · 07/09/2005 22:07

Thanks, misdee. The last thing I need is another useless gadget which sits in the cupboard!

Did you find the electric pump quicker too?

OP posts:

mummydear · 07/09/2005 22:08

You can hire breast pumps via your local NCT branch, reasonable rates and the breast pump agent will show you how to work it etc. Worth trying before buying , so to speak.

If your local branch does not have an breast pump agent then they should be able to put you in contact with a branch nearby that does.

Kirstie76 · 08/09/2005 16:23

I went in blind and bought a manual - wish i hadn't as nothing happens when i try to use it eventhough i have plenty of milk. Now reluctant to shell out for electric pump and thinking of using formula as Rafferty's dad would like some qt and we aren't together .. mixed feelings tho as don't really want to see my baby go!!!!

Kelly1978 · 08/09/2005 16:28

I used avent isis, manual, and never had any problems. Wrist never ached. Expressed loads of milk, to feed twins, managed up to 40oz a day, only gave up when I got fed up with being tied to expressing.

Original poster

karmamother · 08/09/2005 20:34

Wow, kelly1978, that's quite an impressive amount!

I've had this reluctance to express for years when, as a student nurse, I watched a new mum struggle to get a few mls out of her boobs!!
I would imagine that once lactation is established the amount you can obtain increases. Did you find any particular time of day yielded the most milk? The Baby Whisperer recommends the morning, which a guess would be most convenient.

Note to Kirstie76, why don't you try hiring a pump as suggested by mummydear, to see if its worth using?

OP posts:

mummysmilk · 08/09/2005 20:39

I had avent isis but didnt get on at all! Mine squeaked aswell which didnt help!!!!I ended up borrowing an electric one from hospital. Everyone is different tho so wot works for one may not work for another!Like mummydear said you can hire electric ones but I was lucky and got loaned one from maternity (only cos I had a abscess removed tho) I dont know if all units would be the same.

misdee · 08/09/2005 20:40

i should state, that my wrists now ache all the time these days, nothing to do with expressing with a manual pump, but thats one reason why i find it hard to use a manual.

SleepySuzy · 08/09/2005 20:42

I used an avent isis - fantastic!! I might still have one, if you want to try. (and I was like getting milk out of a stone!)

orangina · 08/09/2005 20:45

Avent Isis definitely the best one for me (and I was like Sleepysuzy, not exactly the world's most effective lactator.... ).

SleepySuzy · 08/09/2005 20:46

Glad I'm not the only one!

Kirstie76 · 08/09/2005 20:50

Thanks KarmaMother I'd not thought of that but it's something I will look into now I know you can ...

orangina · 08/09/2005 20:52

Sorry Sleepysuzy, didn't meant to label you like that!

SleepySuzy · 08/09/2005 20:56

lol that's ok

pootlepod · 08/09/2005 20:56

I used the avent isis and got on well with it from about 2 weeks in. It did squeak a bit and I found I had to move it around to get the pump air bit on different milk ducts. But it was cheaper than an electric and I found I was able to express a good amount fairly quickly.

I would be quite tempted to try an electric next time, because I think it would save a bit of time and effort especially if you have another one to look after. I found expressing at about 10am good.

Best of luck!

mummysmilk · 08/09/2005 21:04

Must be just me with the avent isis I had just had an op on my boob tho so thats my excuse!!!

motherpeculiar · 08/09/2005 21:13

I couldn't get on with the avent isis either mummysmilk - you are not alone. I grew to hate the damn thing. This time around I'm using ameda lactaline and I LOVE it (thansk to MI for the tip, again ). Get loads out (agree that mornings are best) and it is so painless. just turn it on and have a cuppa. Noisy though. Wouldn't be great if you are somewhere where you are feeling self conscious about noise.

Kirstie76 · 08/09/2005 21:20

mummysmilk it's not just you the isis was the pump I bought too!

mummysmilk · 08/09/2005 21:27

Im glad Im not the only one!!I did love my electric one but dunno wot make it was. It was a rather large hospital one, good tho

likklemum · 08/09/2005 21:31

I've got an Isis. It took some getting used to, but it is effective for me. I produce enough to rear a herd of calfs single-handedly though.

Although I did find that it makes the old nips smart a bit. Are the electrics any better on that front (no pun intended!)

Passionflower · 08/09/2005 21:35

Definitely get an electric.

motherpeculiar · 08/09/2005 21:51

i meant a cuppa tea, not a cuppa ebm, just in case anyone was wondering

motherinferior · 08/09/2005 21:54

Having tested pretty well every model on the market (for work!) yep, I'd say splahs out on the lactaline. It's marvellous.

Original poster

karmamother · 08/09/2005 22:24

Thanks for the advice! Where can I get a lactaline from & how much are they?

I think if I'm going to do this I might as well get a good one. One of my problems is that my DP would actually prefer me to bottle feed. I know! In his defence, he doesn't want to miss out on that special bond you get during feeding. (he has 2 children already, which were bottle fed) We've had many erm, "discussions" where I try to educate him on the benefits of booby milk but he's adamant that formula is just as good. I think this is one battle best left to rest. Having said that, he is fully supportive of my choice to breast feed so I reckon if I can provide him with a bottle of EBM most evenings we will both be happy.

HA ha, the EBM would obviously be for baby....not DP!! Thats another thread entirely!!

OP posts:

chipmonkey · 09/09/2005 00:23

karmamother ameda lactaline
I have the Avent Isis IQ duo, which is the double electric version of the Isis handpump. I find it brilliant but it was very expensive, 250 sterling(sorry, my computer can't do pound signs at the moment!) I previously had the Isis handpump which I found good but I am pushed for time in work and find the Isis duo much quicker. Haven't tried the ameda lactaline myself but loads of MNers have recommended it in the past so must be good. I find my Isis double pump better than the Medela double pump I was given to use in hospital but everyone is not the same, what works for you might be the bane of someone elses life!

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