Breast pumps

[RC222x]

Hi, I exclusively BF my newborn and am looking for recommendations for breast pumps. I'm leaning towards a Momcozy portable but does anyone have any they would really recommend? Thanks

I have two, both electric. I have a Medela manual pump but I don’t like it; it’s quite uncomfortable and awkward to use for very little output.

I have a Kissbobo wearable for pumping while I’m doing something like cooking (have also worn them around the supermarket ), works well for pumping small volumes of milk at a time but not really designed for heavy duty use.

I use a Minbie hospital grade pump for proper pumping sessions. It’s a bulky setup and not handsfree, but I butchered an old sports bra to fix that! I cut two slits in the bra and use it to hold the pumps in place.

Pumping can be a bit uncomfortable when you first get started, go for lighter suction at first and make sure you measure your nipple correctly when ordering flanges for whatever pump you choose as if the flange is too small, it really bloody hurts.

Also recommend a Haakaa letdown collector so you can catch whatever letdown comes off the breast you’re not feeding from saves it going into your breast pad and being wasted! Final tip: try not to obsess over your output, I’m taking a little break from pumping at the moment as I was getting very anxious about my output and it was messing with my head as I started to get very worried about my supply, even though I know it’s absolutely fine. I also use socks to cover the bottles of my hospital grade pump so I don’t sit there watching every trickle

What's your aim with pumping? If it's occasional or just to get a little stash going then a manual is a cheaper option. Or a haaka as hereismydog said as you can do that while feeding on the other breast! If it's for regular bottles then a hospital grade one is best and often cheaper than the popular brands, I have a spectra 1 which I found good. To me wearable is only needed if you are pumping multiple times everyday and you can't be stuck to a pump for all of them. I had a wearable pump when I was triple feeding so I could go out and still pump but I never got as much from them

I have a Bella Baby which I’ve found brilliant. Hands free, does both at once and I can get 300ml (150 each side) in about 7 minutes when I’m full. It was recommended by my midwife and only £60 which I thought is pretty good as I’d been considering the Elvie.

My Elvie Stride is brilliant but it has soooo many parts, it's only for ocasional use (i.e. I use it in the car coming back from an appointment).

I have a spectra for pumping at my desk as going back to work. I don't find the output is better than the Elvie Stride but much fewer parts/faff.