Manual or Electric Breast pump??

[bethftm]

Me again!

First time mum-to-be!

Wanting to breastfeed but not sure what's best to help with night feeds etc. Would a manual pump or electric be best?

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Hello!

We've noticed this thread is quite old and some of the recommendations may be a little out of date. We've tested a whole host of products to find the best breast pump on the market right now.

Hope this helps!
MNHQ

Electric all the way! I have the Medela swing which is great and comes with their bottles which have tears that apparently mimic the bf action. I didn't get on with the manual at all. But don't buy until your lo is here and you have established breastfeeding as they are expensive. You most likely won't start using it until 6 weeks at least. We picked ours up from kids r us, but they're available from loads of places 7 days a week.
I think you can hire them also but. Of convinced that works out any cheaper if you plan on exoressing for 6 months or more.
If you do get one I highly recommend getting a pumping bra (Amazon sell them) so you can pump hands free with a cuppa and mumsnet!

Teats not tears!

Electric, definitely. Pumping is a pita, but useful. So you need to make it as easy as possible.

Electric. Without a doubt.

I used a medela swing which was good.

I had a medela swing but struggled to express anything even though breast feeding was well established. Got most out with the basic tommee tippee manual pump so ended up using it more often than not - might be worth going with that until you see if pumping is for you and save a few £££s

Again deffo electric. I used a Philips Avent it was brilliant.

I'll second what Sophie said, definitely wait until you've established feeding before splashing the cash. Unless there's a specific need for you to express you're so much better letting your LO establish your supply and feed on demand.
Pumps can be a PITA so feed when you can.

kellymom.com is your friend for all things related to breast feeding.

I'm probably missing a trick but I find manual fine. I use lansinoh from mothercare. I only pump 1 bottle per day or even 48 hr.
I pump in the morning and get 3-4oz in 20 min. Though it was harder work at the start.

Don't get one until you need it I reckon. I used both electric for expressing for bottles and manual for expressing for comfort when out and about without the baby.

I use a manual one. Boots own brand. I find manual ones quicker than electric ones and quieter!

I totally agree with don't get one until you need it, but I'd recommend you do your prep and know which you want and where to get it before the baby arrives.

I had to express while still in hospital as DS wouldn't latch and making pump decisions would have sent me over the edge! Luckily I'd already got one.

The reason I say don't get one until you need it is because I have ended up full time pumping with my last 2 DC and ended up first renting a hospital grade pump and then buying a €300 double pump so the advance purchase of a less suitable pump would have been a wasted investment. So lastone is right have a few options in mind so you are not researching on the hop.

I got a medela manual one just to see if expressing worked for me, before paying ££ for an electric one. And I've just kept on with it, it has been fine for me and I can pump 4-6oz in about 15 mins in the mornings if DD didn't wake in the night. Generally I pump a few times a week. But DD did go off the medela teats that we used so we had to get some different wide neck bottles.

I have an ameda lactaline double electric which is great and second getting a hands free pumping bra. I also have a an avent comfort manual which is works a treat. I couldn't get on with the Tommee Tippee manual or the Nuby manual.

I made a pumping bra using a €3 penny's sports bra with 2 cut holes in it. Hands free pumping is as convenient as pumping can be which is not very convenient imho