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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

HELP! Breast pump emergency!

28 replies

YanknCock · 21/04/2010 23:09

I'm due to start back to work Friday, and my Medela Swing is in my fucking suitcase somewhere in fucking Amsterdam because fucking KLM wouldn't give us our luggage when we got stranded there on our way back from the states!

After 6 days being stuck we finally made it home today (combo of busses, ferry, and trains that took nearly 36 hours). I am supposed to start back to work full time on Friday and was planning to pump so DS could have EBM at nursery.

No problem, I thought, I'll just have to buy a new pump. Was thinking about getting a double one anyway. So stopped at Mothercare on the way home from picking up the car at the airport and got this Lansinoh Affinity. It doesn't fucking work at all! I have done everything according to the instructions, and it is a stupid fucking piece of shite! It is just loud and vibrates, the suction is shitty (but have checked and everything is correct). I've got only about 5ml from one boob to show for 10 minutes of pumping. By now I'd have at least 1-2oz minimum from my Swing!

What am I going to do? Mothercare won't take it back, will they? Can I say its defective?

I tried to build up a stockpile in the freezer but a bunch got used before the holiday when I was ill and puking, so I've only got maybe a day's worth in there.

How am I going to get enough for his first full day on Friday? I don't even know how to express by hand! He's sleeping so soundly in his own bed for the first time in weeks, I hate to wake him to feed but am going to have to as I can't go to bed like this.

I don't want to stop feeding him!

OP posts:
KickArseQueen · 21/04/2010 23:16

Yank, it will be fine!

I'm sure Mothercare will have to take it back if its not fit for the purpose IE doesn't suck!

Can you ring your HV in the morning ( they normally have loan pups available )or go and buy another swing?

Still have time to pump enough for friday, it'll be ok....

KickArseQueen · 21/04/2010 23:17

sorry pumps not pups! ( would be great if they had a spare set of pups tho wouldn't it )

babyOcho · 21/04/2010 23:18

Do your local NCT do pump hire? Ours do, try to find out.

wastingaway · 21/04/2010 23:19

Have you hand expressed before?

I can type out the instructions from 'Bestfeeding' if you like?

KickArseQueen · 21/04/2010 23:19

Also hand expressing is quite easy - takes a bit longer till you get he hang of it but do-able!

I'm sure there are some you tubeclips on expressing....

Original poster
YanknCock · 21/04/2010 23:19

I could very much use a pup on loan, that would cheer me right up

As I left Mothercare though, I asked them about returning in case I was able to borrow one from someone, and they said it had to be still sealed. But surely they have to refund me if the thing doesn't bloody work at all!

OP posts:
NotanOtter · 21/04/2010 23:20

take mothercare one back - if it doesn't work they should take it back

can you hire one?

thisisyesterday · 21/04/2010 23:21

yep your local NCT probably hire them out.
I used to get a LOT out with a regular hand pump. kills your hand if you're doing it every day, but might just tide you over?

whereabouts are you? i have mine just sitting here if you;d like it and happen to be local

Original poster
YanknCock · 21/04/2010 23:24

I'm in Warrington if anyone is near. I was going to ask if I could borrow one from a MNer but decided not to because I probably won't have my car tomorrow as it needs to go in due to the gearbox is playing up again (was replaced only 6 months ago!).

am looking for video on hand expressing and keep coming up with videos of people milking cows

not funny and not helpful!

OP posts:
Original poster
YanknCock · 21/04/2010 23:26

argggh, that was not directed at KickArseQueen, it came out wrong.

what it should say is 'when one is looking for videos of human milk hand expression, being presented with a series of videos about milking cows is not funny or helpful'.

OP posts:
KickArseQueen · 21/04/2010 23:26

yank i'm sure that if it isn't "fit for purpose" then they have to refund.

There are quite a few videos available online.....

KickArseQueen · 21/04/2010 23:27

pmsl! I found some, hang on a minute, ....

BertieBotts · 21/04/2010 23:27

Are you wanting to express to relieve yourself or to collect milk? Hand expression is easier in the bath or into a towel ie not worrying about collecting it.

Yes you can return it if it's faulty.

I also have a manual breast pump somewhere which I doubt I will use again if you are local to me (Leamington Spa)?

thisisyesterday · 21/04/2010 23:27

ahh sadly i am nowhere near you otherwise you could've had mine

BertieBotts · 21/04/2010 23:28

Ah OK a bit far to come then (sorry xposted)

KickArseQueen · 21/04/2010 23:30

here

and here

Original poster
YanknCock · 21/04/2010 23:32

Bertie, I need to collect, and I need to collect a lot! Thanks for the offer anyway.

Have found a video on hand expressing that seems helpful, but don't see how I'll ever get the volume I need from this.

OP posts:
wastingaway · 21/04/2010 23:34

It might put you on til you can get a replacement, just to help with engorgement.

Original poster
YanknCock · 21/04/2010 23:37

I know I shouldn't be panicking, usually I am very calm and practical with stuff like this, but my calmness and patience is completely gone after a week of being stranded. Really feel like I'm losing the plot. Any solution to this will be fine, so long as it WORKS and I can get it early tomorrow and get enough milk pumped for Friday. Then at least I've got the weekend before he needs more.

OP posts:
KickArseQueen · 21/04/2010 23:39

Yank, on the expressing vids I was looking at it shows it dripping out, I get a spray ( like a mini shower head if I was to hand express, you can get the volume you need, but you need to sit a gaze at your boy, put all stress out of your head and think happy thoughts, When I used to pump I could get nearly double the amount by doing the happy thoughts bit!

At least if you have go tonight you can get another pump in the morning???

NotanOtter · 21/04/2010 23:40

those isis hand pumps are good - i used one after hiring the egnell (ameda) and thought it would be rubbish bit could get a nice bottle full off a full breast - not hard work...

KickArseQueen · 21/04/2010 23:41

Also, you have every right to be stressed to bits after the week you've had, but it will work out ok honest!!!

KickArseQueen · 21/04/2010 23:42

Off to bed now hope you get a new pump in the morning, have a nice 1st day back yank, and try not to stress, it will work out.

Original poster
YanknCock · 21/04/2010 23:58

Right, okay....I'm going to try to feed DS without waking him. Or given the couple of weeks he's had, he will probably wake to feed at 3am anyway so I might just go to bed.

Will go straight to Mothercare in morning and demand they take it back (nicely at first, not-as-nicely if they refuse).

I don't think a hand pump will be much good for me. My hands are quite weak from a repetative strain injury and tendonitis and carpal tunnel during the pregnancy (I still don't seem to have recovered completely, grip is very weak). So another electric I think....they didn't have the Ameda dual one that has all the good reviews on MN, so will try to find somewhere I can get it tomorrow, or maybe just buy another Swing because at least I know it works for me.

Thanks for the support everyone, will give myself a slap and go to bed now.

OP posts:
CMOTdibbler · 22/04/2010 08:42

If you call ExpressYourselfMums, they can deliver pumps next day, and are really good. The Lactaline by far the best imho

FWIW, I couldn't use a hand pump as my hands are v weak as a result of arthritis, but I could hand express - not for a long time in a session, but an easy way to build up a quick stock is to keep bottles in the fridge and hand express straight into them after every feed, and inbetween if you really need the milk - you can just do it for a few minutes then leave it