Industrial strength electric breast pump needed - what to buy?

[tigerbear]

I bought a Medela Swing a few weeks ago but after only 3 weeks it has broken, and also I found I didn't get huge amounts from it anyway (took over an hour to get approx 90ml). Was disappointed as I'd heard such good reviews of this product.

Can anyone recommend an electric pump that is more hard wearing and efficient? Is it worth getting a double pump? Thinking about the Medela Pump In Style, but at approx £220 it's a bit of an expensive purchase unless it gives amazing results...

you can hire hospital grade ones. Think they are about 30-50 pounds a month

have you tried pumping at the same time each day or pumping whilst feeding? A lot of people get 2oz in a 10-20min session which is normal. That combined with a express later is enough for a meal. (OK babies can take more than that but there isn't often a need for it, it's just easy to consume a lot from a bottle)

The reviews on here are also good for the Ameda Lactaline (I have only used a Medela Symphony, which is a hospital-grade one, and very good).

I bought the ameda lactaline (second hand for £30) and I think if I hadn't also been loaned a hospital grade medela symphony I'd be very impressed.

The thing with pumping is that many people (me included) just cant pump that much. If I miss a feed I'll get about 4 oz but usually I'm lucky to get 2 out. 4oz is about a feed for my little girl though. Any more and she will take it but it will return later....

I used this and found it brilliant, I have twins though

I've got a medela pump in style and used it on full blast right from the start, which makes me think that maybe the pump is not as strong as it could be. Also I think I get more milk per pump from my hand one, but that's just my perception, could be wrong.

I've never pumped both sides at the same time as I've usually got baby on one side. Even when baby isn't feeding from the other side I feel I should leave one side full for his next feed.

I really liked my Lactaline, and it certainly lasted

Hi,

I exclusively express for my DD who is now 7 months. I use the Medela pump in style and it is by far the best one I have ever used bar none (and that includes all the hospital grade ones I used while she was in there). I would buy it brand new though as I borrowed a different pump from someone and it was really pants - I think that the motors do wear out. I now pump 4 times a day, for 10 mins a time and pump about 900mls a day, and my pump is now 5 months old for an idea about how long it will last.............

It really does work much better if you pump both sides at the same time though in my experience - and of course the more you pump the more your body reacts to it. I use mine on Level 7 of 9 most of the time unless I am a bit sore........

But I have also heard of people who don't get on with them so I guess it really is a personal thing..............

Hmm, thanks for the replies everyone.
I'd like to exclusively express, so really need a pump I can use approx 10 times a day. I'm now in two minds about Medela Pump In Style, Medela Symphony and Ameda Elite.

Anyone used the Ameda Elite?

ameda lactaline, used by local hospital and so effective i bought one.

tiger , am thinking of heading down the exclusively expressing route too. Had heard the ameda elite was very good.. But was thinking of hiring one rather than buying (£600 to buy)...

Has your area got a branch of 'Pink Ladies'? Ours hired me a pump for £10. Might've worth talking to them to see what they have?

Crikey, the Symphony is $100 a week (about 60 quid) to hire here in Sydney. But we get ripped off left, right and centre so I shouldn't be surprised.

I had the Swing too and found it rubbish.

I bought an Avent and it's a workhorse - absolutely brilliant, hasn't had a hiccup and gets loads out.

tiger, which avent do you mean?

Sorry, that should be addressed to ninedragons (getting my animals mixed up!)

Hmm, there doesn't seem to be a model name written on it. It's just the bog standard electric one. Not the hospital-grade one - I just got it from the chemist.