if i struggle to express with a manual pump will an electric one be any better? quick responses much appreciated

[gringottsgoblin]

as i need to buy a pump and cant decide
tia

How long have you been trying to express? (ie how often, for how many weeks)

It took me a long time to manage to express a reasonable amount - at first I was lucky to get 1/2 oz, although had plenty of milk.

The main thing I found was that I needed to be relaxed. I only used an avent manual pump, so can't advise re electric. However, sometimes I could spend 10mins before let down (then, normally, fine!).

i didnt have a problem with the avent isis.. but i then got a medela pump in style and was able to pump double the amount in half the time..

thats interesting about the medela

i have tried to express with each of last 3 kids but it was a struggle so i gave up quickly and used formula occasionally. but this one went all scabby last time i did that so cant, but i dont want to pump a lot, just enough so i can have a few hours off every now and then.

thanks for replies, very helpful

the electic mini medula is fantastic, i use it all the time and you get so much more out more quickly than with a manual

I had crack for a significant % of time bf, and, when it was really bad, found expressing better than bf - so expressed one side and expressed on cracked side (and, yes, was scabby)...

thats great, thanks ladies

I found the medela mini crap compared to the avent manual, I guess different things work best for different people!

It takes a while to build up the amount you can express. At first I could only get an ounce or so, but now I can get 7 oz in one go.

My top tip is to not look at the pump while your expressing. If you do something else then it seems to work better.

personal experience
Boots electric was rubbish
Avent manual is fantastic

argh!

am going to end up spending as much on pumps as i have on slings! can feel dh disaproving already

thanks again

I found the Avent Isis electric good this time.Didn't like the manual one last time and the Boots electric one was rubbish(luckily it also stopped working so they gave me my money back).
I think it is worth investing if you will be expressing significantly - it is a pity that they cost so much.

It took me a while to get going with it all too. 1/2ozs here aswell for a couple of weeks or so and then a slow build up until I could get 4oz from each side in one sitting.
I used the tommy tippee one, but felt I had to keep pumping, I even got cramp in my hand!!
Have bought an avent one, don't really express much anymore, but do feel it is better though. Apparently, once you are in flow, you can just hold it on and it will suke away? Then a wee pump and suuuke

I could only pump at 4am though sitting on the loo (lid down!!)
I just couldn't ever get anything going at any other time!!
Pos just too distracted?

fs - that's true about getting a flow and just holding it -I often do that - saves getting a tired hand (Avent Isis btw)

Have tried Avent manual, and double and single medelas. The electrics I found quicker but never got quite so much out. I expressed a lot because I was giving expressed milk to dcs when back at at work. If I was doing it less regularly I think I would go for a single electric for ease's/time's sake.

I found the electric pump worked so much better for me.

i bought a manual pump 'just in case' but as ds couldnt latch on i then needed to express permamently and founf the electric one much easier and quicker. i hired one from Medela, worked out much cheaper than buying one (the one i hired was hospital-grade double pump with all the extras to make life easier!) would recommened.

Just out of interest do you get more with an electric pump or the same amount as a manual but quicker?

i hated the medela felt like vacuum nozzle stuck to boob.

avent isis manual took some getting used to but then could 4oz in one sitting, always found it better to stimulate let down (with a bit of nipple twiddling) before starting to pump as it worked alot better then.

if you live in surestart area, or have breastfeeding support group near by it is worth asking if they loan pumps out to mum's then you can try before you buy.