Elvie pump?

[meredithgrey1]

I'm back to work in a few weeks and DD (will be 8 months) is breastfed. I've had mastitis several times (including quite recently) so very wary about going back and not being able to pump frequently enough. I currently have an electric pump that is great and I can get lots of milk but obviously that would require a private room and half an hour away from my desk several times a day.

I've been thinking about getting an Elvie as then maybe I can pump more easily at my desk or on my way to/from work on the bus. But I feel like it must make you look very lopsided? I've read some good things but I don't really want to be in the office with one breast double the size of the other. Has anyone used one? Is this an issue?

I’ve not used one of these sorry OP.

I was going to ask though how long you will be away from LO for? I went back the last time at 9 months and DD had cow’s milk from a cup if she wanted it and I expressed once for 10 minutes.

The elvie looks great. Could you wear a looser top like a blouse so it's less noticeable.. or put something in the other side to even it out!!

I’ve just got the Elvie pump... fantastic for efficiency, it takes around 3mins for me to get an oz where my other pump took around 10! It’s not particularly discreet and depending on what kind of top you’re wearing you can see the light. But for quickness, cannot fault it!!! X

I have one and have been using it for 8 weeks. I think it’s brilliant. When you are wearing it you do look lopsided, and there is a light you can see through some tops (I’m on mat leave so this hasn’t been an issue for me so far). I can’t really think how to explain it other than to say if I’m using it and am likely to see people (eg. Answering the door) I tend to wear it with a hoodie as you can’t tell, but if I’m on my own or with people I’m happy to go into not with it will fit under most clothes fine but you can definitely tell you’re wearing it. They also aren’t quite as “silent” as advertised, they have a light pumping sound but it is quite quiet.

@ElectricMistofelees- can I ask some advice re pumping? Do you still keep pumping even when you don’t hear the “slurp”?
I tend to only pump when I can hear it going in then I stop. How long do you pump for? X

I might not be the best person to ask as I have been predominantly BFing. I tend to pump once a day for about half an hour on each breast to make sure I have a bit of a spare supply, but I haven’t been doing it for maximum productivity if you see what I mean! I do go a bit after I stop hearing the slurp as it does return shortly after I notice it has gone. I hope this makes sense! I’ve been having a few problems recently so it may be that I need to change how I go about it to make sure I’m getting as much as possible shortly.

I used the Elvie pump for helping establish my supply when my LO first arrived so used it multiple times a day for about three months. Have then used it for KIT days.

I would say that the pump does make some noise so will be detectable if you are at your desk if your office is quiet. If it’s a noisy office you are probably ok. Bus will be fine!

Also, there is a light around the on button but lots of mummies put some tape over this.

It will make you look a bit lopsided. I have huge boobs but I just wore a thick wrap cardigan and it was undetectable.

It did leak once during a kit day which was embarrassing! You have to make sure it doesn’t overflow and be careful when bending over.

One hub did stop working, which seems quite common but customer services sent another one when I called them.

Hope that helps. I would Defo but again despite what I have said above, it’s a remarkable pump, worked way better for me than a medals and made pumping feels much more easy and normal.

I got the Elvie when I had my second as I didn't have time to pump with a toddler.

It's more efficient that the medela pump for me. 10 minutes pumping each side is more than enough. Can get on with my day and the app tracks time and the amount expressed.

It is less discrete than advertised in terms of size, noise and a flashing light so it would depend on your job. Office based I would but customer facing would be different. I'm sure the postman was wondering why one of my boobs was lit up!