which breast pump?

[dobedobedo]

I'm after recommendations. Ds is 10 weeks old and ebf. I want to buy a manual pump so I can express very occasionally, not often. I would like to get ds to take ebm as I have to do a training course for a day within the next month or so and I won't be able to take him with me! Also it'll be handy to have milk for weaning and to relieve engorged breasts sometimes.

Can anyone recommend a pump they've used or anything? Also I have big boobs, I'm not sure if some don't "fit". I'd also prefer as little faff as possible - I was looking at the medulla pump and it has all these extra valves and cones and stuff and I can't be bothered with that!

Tia

The extra valves and cones and stuff are basically for exactly the "fit" thing you mentioned - a lot of the higher end pumps come with multiple size breastshields (the bit that actually goes on your breast) so you can try different sizes and get one that's comfortable/works for your boobs (though the fit thing is usually to do with size of areola rather than size of boob, IYKWIM) - if they don't come with the pump and the default one is too big/small you might have to buy them separately or end up with a pump that isn't effective for you.

Otherwise they're all pretty similar in terms of the number of bits and bobs involved, they all come apart to a certain extent for cleaning, have some sort of valve, etc., so I can't think one would be any less "faff" than another. Main difference between pumps that I can think of is that some electric pumps are open system and some are closed system where the milk doesn't go anywhere near the motor, closed system is recommended if the pump is going to be reused and possibly makes the motor last longer (but tends to be more expensive).

I've never used a manual but I've heard good things about the Avent manual. For an electric, can't recommend the Ardo Calypso enough.

I've got big boobs and just use a manual pump for very occasional use. I have the Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature and 6 week old DD has no problem switching between Breast and bottle.

I bought the Ardo Amaryll hand pump as an 'add on' to my Calypso. It's great, I found it as, if not more, effective than the electric pump and it has the benefit of being a 'closed system' so is far more hygienic than a Medela and you can sell it on afterwards with a clean conscience. And it comes with 3 different sized 'shells'.

Here's the link www.ardobreastpumps.co.uk/breastpumps/amaryll-manual-breastpump

I've got the Avent manual and I think it's great. Comes apart so easily for cleaning. And not too many bits either. I pump usually once a day every day and feed from a bottle when I'm out as not he's bigger he likes to faff around and see what's going on so I just find it easier now with the bottle.

I have large boobs and use a tommee tippee manual pump it works great (though my lo refuses a bottle now!!!) X