Manual breast pumps question

[jasperc163]

Hi - just wondering if people do find them as effective (or more so) as the electric ones? Also is it generally possible to pump one breast while feeding on another (does this help output)? I have a basic medela electric one from last DD but it isnt that effective for me, noisy and takes up too much time in addition to the feeding. I would like to try to feed and express at the same time if that isn't too ambitious?

DD only 3 weeks atm so not planning it for another 2-3 weeks but want her to be able to have odd feed of ebm or so from bottle.

I bought a Dr Brown manual pump but haven't decided whether to keep it yet (not opened it) so if anyone has tried one I would be grateful for feedback?

thanks

I found manual pumps pretty useless tbh.
I also never managed to pump and feed at the same time - but then "no hands feeding" never worked for me.
I did a lot of pumping with both dss and did it all with a medela electric one while watching telly or reading a book

i've gotton the knack for hand expressing this time round.... much better, quicker and less washing up.

I bought a manual Avent Isis pump and found it worked really well. I also borrowed a friend's electric Isis pump and it was much less efficient and I got much more out and more quickly with the manual one (maybe I've got strong wrists!)

I occasionally managed to feed and pump at the same time, but it was too difficult to coordinate, especially as DD got bigger.

HTH - and congratulations on your DD

I have a Medela Harmony (I think) manual pump and I find it brilliant. I tried the Tommee Tippee one and it really hurt I borrowed an electric Isis and find that it's quite slow - I just use the manual which cleans me out in about 10 mins on each boob. I don't feed and express cos DD wants both at the mo!

thanks everyone. Sounds like manuals are ok for some and not others (I don't have a particularly massive supply of milk so bit worried about that). For those who do manage to feed and pump - can you pump with one hand (i assume therefore its generally much easier to pump right breast than left)?

i used the avent one with dd and it sucked... way too many fiddly little bits and the ruber thing on the bit that goes on your boob kept slippingoff and losing suction so i'd have to start over.

i got a free medala one from SCBU when ds2 was born and found it much better, easier to use, adjustable suction, less bits and pieces and at the hospital i could hook it up to the electric thingy but it was manual for at home.

still prefer hand expressing now though, although i can only do that from one boob weirdly

I have an Avent one and like it. Never tried pumping and feeding though, not sure my co-ordination could cope!

A friend gave me her Avent Isis manual pump and it's been a godsend - I've always found it really easy and effective to use, although I've not got anything to compare it to. Not sure if supply comes into it but I have always had loads of milk/fast letdown so perhaps it does make a difference.

Feeding and expressing at the same time works for me as long as I lay DS on loads of cushions in the rugby hold position. I do find that I get a lot more out when feeding at the same time; expressing on its own is pretty variable.

Pumping with one hand not a problem - I can even assemble the thing one-handed while bouncing DS on my hip I think he now knows what it is though as these days he tries to wedge his fingers under the suction pad while he's feeding

pinktulips - aren't breast pumps supposed to suck?
I didn't have a massive supply, and still don't but boobs never run out of milk...I think it's funny cos in the Medela instructions it says to pump until the breast is empty...I once sat there for 30 mins and there was still milk coming out!! Awesome!

Feeding and pumping I still haven't mastered so I can't advise on that!

I have a Medela swing (electric) which was fantastic when DS was small. I left a piece of it at home when we went to my parents for Christmas and because I wanted to express and be able to have a few drinks, I bought a manual TT one to tide me over. I haven't used the Medela since!

I'm glad I had the Medela to start with, it did it for me when I had no clue about what I was trying to achieve. Several months on, I get much better results with the manual because I can mimic DS' sucking and so encourage repeated let down.

avent isis through 3 dcs. used electric double cup industrial thingy in hosp when dd2 was in scbu but tbh it was a bit, erm, milking shed for my liking (and you needed four hands). borrowed an electric medela from a friend once but gave it back after 2 days.
i heart avent isis.

thanks everyone. Does sound like the manual one i bought might at least be worth trying....