breast pump advice

[twoboots]

I have the isis uno, can generally get 3-4 oz in 20 minutes (after dd's morning feed) with lots of body position changes. The suction and vacuum seal seem ok.
Its not doing my back much good, do you think its worth buying a different pump or is contorting your body in all sorts of directions normal?

It sounds a bit like you're sitting badly! I used to make this mistake. It won't matter what pump you use, if you're having the same experience as I did.

My midwife said to find a supportive chair, put small cushion behind lower back, put copy of yellow pages under feet to raise overall thigh height. Put pillow on lap, preferably v-shaped one around body. Raise pump to your height by resting it on pillow and try to relax. Drink plenty of fluids.

I also used to be able to get 1 oz or more just by catching drips in a breast shell as I fed on the other side.

Hope that helps! Let us know how you get on.

Have you tried expressing while (rather than after) DD is feeding? I find it much quicker that way (even though it's a bit of faff trying to do both at once).

Good idea, whiteorchid. There are even those vest top things that have little holes for the pump, which would make it handsfree on the pump side whilst feeding out of the other breast. I think the NCT sell them.

thanks guys, will try adjusting my position. dd gets fussy and distracted if i try to pump whilst feeding her.

thanks so much Boffin, i never realised that the lower the pump is resting, the better the flow. makes sense know why avent provide the big bottle with the pump. graviy anyone?

I just bought Medela Pump in Style. I used to use Avent ISIS Uno. Medela works much better - you have more control over speed and strength of suck and it's just more gentle on the breast overall. I can also get more milk from it. I'm going to try the sitting position idea now.