Breastpumps/France

[FlyingReindeer]

Maybe I should post this on the BF thread but just wondered about the experience of ladies living in France.

I am planning on BF, all being well, although it was taken as a given by my gyneco that I would only do this up until returning to work, so at 10/12 weeks. I would like to continue as long as possible so I am looking at buying a breast pump. I have been wholeheartedly recommended the Medela Swing Electric by nearly all my overseas friends.

It turns out that you can't buy electric pumps here and they are only available on prescription, when I asked my consultant about this, he told me that I would only get a prescription if I needed one due to a problem. When I said I wanted to continue BF after returning to work he looked at me like I had announced that I was going to raise my child a devil-worshipper and that the stress of the last trimester must be getting to me!

So - should I just go and buy one from Amazon, with an English plug or should I wait until I can get a prescription after the birth? Or should I persevere with a manual?

Does anyone have any experience of this?

Thanks so much.

I bought an electric Medela breast pump from Aubert. Have you got an Aubert near you?

I also borrowed a hand operated Avent one from a friend. I got on much better with that.

HTH

Thank you for your reply Otherside. I went to my local Aubert and they told me they don't sell them and I would have to go to a pharmacy. The pharmacy told me I would have to get a prescription.

I bought mine 6 years ago so I guess they are no longer stocking them.

I have just looked online and the one I had was the Medela Mini. I see you can buy the one you want online, although have no experience of any of the shops I have just come across. eg www.allaitement-shop.com

Do they have La Leche in your area? They may be able to advise you.

If you want to pump at work, a double pump is much better - I'd recommend the Ameda Lactaline (pumped for a year at work with mine), plus you can get EU plugs for them - I had a US transformer for business travel. Express Yourself Mums are really helpful with pumps, and got me the transformer

Thanks so much for both replies - very useful. Yes, did wonder if a double pump would be better.

I will ask my (English) mid-wife next time I see her.

I had an electric pump that I bought from the Vertbaudet catalogue. They had a few if I recall correctly.

I have just remembered that it was a Tigex pump, and it was brilliant. Vertbaudet do an Avent electric one, I just had a look. But really expensive. Otherwise you could hire one from the pharmacie.

If you get a prescription is the pump free/very cheap?

another vote for the Ameda Lactaline for long-term double pumping - worth every d IMO

I hired one and it was very reasonable prices, far cheaper than buying and much better pump/mark than I could afford to buy. They were available to buy as well. It was a shop in Paris that specialised in hiring of baby equipment. Are you in Paris?

Thanks - as mentioned the (my local) pharmacy wont give you one without a prescription, and yes, they are covered by health care so free if on prescription.

Thank you too FarFarAway - I will go to Paris after christmas, not too far away - can you tell me the name of the shop or where it is?

Hi,
Just to say my généraliste had no problem giving me a prescription for a breast pump, so it's free from the pharmacy. My baby is 3 months old, and apparently, you can get a prescription for up to a year.

Hope you find one soon!

Sounds like it's worth talking to your doctor about what criteria you'd need to meet to get a prescription, as it may be very easy.

Otherwise, I had a Medela Pump in Style that I bought secondhand from someone in the UK, and then just used a transformer plug.

I would do your research before the birth as you will be exhausted afterwards, but wouldn't actually buy anything until you know how the breastfeeding goes for you.

Thanks so much everyone.

Thanks Weta for the advice.

I had an Avent pump which was great. Bought originally in Australia but when we moved to the UK (and had DS2), I simply called Avent and they sent me the UK plug free of charge (simply a matter of clipping out the Australian one and replacing with UK).

Also worth checking out ebay - I ended up selling mine for about 1/2 it's new value and it was still in excellent working order + all parts are easily sterilised.