Help required with breast pumps!

[vickymc1]

Hi there, I've just found mumsnet after a friend's recommendation. I'm expecting twins mid May (nasty shock but think I'm over it now!) I've been having a look at the threads on breastfeeding but can't find any breast pump specifics!! Is it better to hire an all singing all dancing one (dual one) or buy one (dual or single)? Anyone else out there living in NW London and expecting twins around this time?

Vicky

Cost wise, you are better off buying a second hand dual pump than renting one look on eBay or the ads on here.

Congratulations !

I expressed a lot with my twins as they were in hospital for a couple of months. Initially I spent about £100 on an electric pump from Mothercare and it was hopeless. It took forever and the noise left me traumatised - DH thought it sounded like a rowing machine .

I then hired one of these SMB pumps which was amazing. It was super quick and enabled you to do both sides at once. They delivered next day and it cost less than the one I bought!

I'd suggest contacting your local twins group if you're looking for mums-to-be in the area. I run the Stoke Newington twins club in N16 and I'm always putting the new mums in touch with each other. Have a look on the TAMBA website for your local group.

I used an ameda lactaline for my twins - you can hire them through the nct I think.

However, I would wait and see if you really need to express before you get one - because honestly having newborn twins enough without having to express as well unless you have to (it really isn't easier than breast feeding in my experience).

If they are early and you need to do it for a while you can usually use the hospital ones to begin with.

If you do end up doing serious expressing then go for a dual pump one - so that you can do both sides at the same time - it really cuts down the time and helps to stimulate supply.

Thanks for the helpful messages. Think I will wait and see what happens after the birth. Cheers for the tip about the local TAMBA group, will definitely be contacting them.

Vicky