Breast pump and bottles - compatability?

[thomasina1]

I'd like to get a breast pump for occasional use in emergencies and to enable DH to help with feeds as baby gets older (she's not here yet - due next week!).

So... I am thinking of getting maybe the Avent manual pump (cheap option), the Avent IQ pump (recommended by a friend) or maybe the mini-medla electric (I've seen many recommendations for this one).

My question is though, once you have picked a brand do you then have to use everything from that same brand? Ideally I'd like to use Avent bottles as I have been given an Avent steriliser and bottle-warmer, but do these fit with the Medela pump? Or do you pump into a separate container then transfer the milk to a bottle later? I'm not sure how it all works so if anyone could enlighten me that would be great! Thanks x

I have avent pump & bottles but pour into tommie ones. You just need 1 or 2 compatible bottles, not even the lids/teats - just pour into whichever you want to use. Avnt is good because everywhere sells the bottles/lids so is quite handy. I love my isis pump

avent warmer & steriliser take most bottles, although the closer to nature bottles in the warmer are a squeeze!

Thanks Ladyofrobamaffle, so your baby prefers the tommie bottles? I had heard they were good - was only going for Avent because I had the other kit but if the tommie bottles fit into the bottle warmer then that's great.

Do you have the ISIS manual pump or the one that's semi-electric?

You can do either of the options you've identified! Different brand bottles rarely fit each other's pumps, but as you say you can just pump into the relevant container and then decant into your prefered feeding bottle. For longer term freezer storage, decanting into milk storage bags is the best option. I use Boots own and they're fab. For sterilising, most bottles will fit most sterilisers, though you might not get a full load in. I've used an Avent steriliser with Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature bottles & teats with no problems for example.

For occasional expressing only it's prob not worth shelling out a lot of money on an electronic pump. I love the Avent manual and use it most days.

I used avent at first with DS1, then when I next expressed months later I used the tommie ones, he took both OK, and both fitted the equipment. I have the manual one. Very very handy. Say if you were on a car journey etec., you can express and give bottles in a traffic jam etc.