Medela mini electric pump...but no instructions!

[Essie3]

Can anyone tell me how to use it? Or direct me to some instructions please?!

Baby's not born yet, but I have visions of damaging myself by guessing. (I do know where it should fit, but beyond that...)

Hi Essie3,

I don't think you will find the instructions that it comes with much help either. I spend many a days puzzling over the instructions that came with it!

Let me try and direct you...

The 'horn' bit is the bit that goes on your boobie. One end screws onto the pump and the other end goes on the bottle (you should be able to tell which is which by trying it on as it should fit if you have got the right end to the right attachment). On the end that goes on the bottle, there is a smaller fitting in the middle and that's where the bit with the 'membrane' (it's a white rubbery type of flap) goes on. And that's it really.

You put the 'horn' bit over your boob (make sure there's no air escaping) and turn on the pump. There is a dial on the pump that helps you control how hard the pump works. It's just trial and error how hard you need the pump to be to get the milk out. Also, I find that if no or little milk is coming to keep moving and re-fitting the horn over the boob as it needs to be applying the right pressure in the right place to really get the milk out. Then the milk should drip through the membrane into the bottle. I hope I've explained it clearly enough!

Ax

Great description Angel1976.....you should have written the brochure... One thing to add-sometimes the heavy bit where the dial is and where the wire comes out doesn't attach well to the bit the boob goes into, so you get no suction. Just take it out and re-screw it and it will work.

Good luck!

Thanks, Angel! I'm currently in dunce corner here, so another thickie question coming up. I assume I'll know when to stop pumping?

VERY important: Make sure that the suction is set to its lowest point before you switch the machine on, or it almost rips your nipple off when you do. You can turn it up gradually during the expressing session (though anyone who can take full power is a better woman than I).

Yes, when the milk stops coming! Give it a couple of minutes in case you are going to have another let down, then stop if nothing else comes.

if you go to their website you may be able to be sent a copy

Thanks all! {Retreats to seriously thick duh-brain corner}

Hi Essie3,

Sometimes if you reposition the 'horn' when the milk stops coming, you will be able to get more out as it presses on different milk ducts... I don't get much out so it required some serious re-positioning and pressing hard down on my breasts to get the milk but you might not have that problem! It's all trial and error! GL!

Ax