Philips AVENT Comfort electric breast pump feedback thread

[AnnMumsnet]

This thread is for the 20 Mumsnetters who are trying out the Philips AVENT Comfort electric breast pump (RRP £115) with their baby/ LO. This pump will be sold via Mothercare from January before becoming available at a wider selection of retailers later on.

Philips would love to know your breastfeeding or expressing story as well as your feedback on the pump, and whether it helped you express in a more reclined and comfortable way.

Please also add your review to the breast pump reviews section of Mumsnet.

Please let us know the following:

~ The age of your baby/ child
~ Whether you'd used a pump before and your general opinions of breast feeding and expressing
~ Your overall first impressions of the Comfort electric breast pump
~ How it was to use - first times and subsequent uses.
~ How would you rate the feeling of the pump on your skin? Would you say it felt "warm and natural on the breast"?
~ How did the pump help with the flow of milk? How long did it take to use?
~ Where did you use the pump? What sort of occasions did you use it (or express for?). Did the pump make this easy/easier?
~ How did you find the four settings - stimulation, low, medium, high suction?
~ The pump will hit the shops (firstly in Mothercare) in January - is this a product you could recommend to other mums who want to express breastmilk?
~ The RRP is £115 - do you think this represents value for money?

Any other comments about the pump or about how breast feeding in general - all comments welcome - questions etc also welcome from non testers.

Thanks
MNHQ

[DoingTheSwanThing]

~ The age of your baby/ child

My twins are 22 weeks (17 adjusted).

~ Whether you'd used a pump before and your general opinions of breast feeding and expressing

I tried a TT manual with my first child with very little success, threw it in the back of a cupboard and splashed out on a Medela Swing - I found the swing to be excellent and used it on a daily basis for 18 months first time, and a few times a day when I returned to work part time. My eldest was 5 months at this time it helped me to continue exclusively breastfeeding past age 2.

The swing is still going strong 4 years later and I've been using it again since the twins were a few days old.

Overall I found breastfeeding to be pretty straightforward, and much easier than I was expecting with the twins... Still very hard work, particularly in the early days but we quite quickly got to a stage where I felt BF would be easier than the alternative because I'm too damn lazy to get out of bed in the night. With the exception of 35ml for DT2 (prem and low birthweight) we've been able to avoid using any formula at all. I find expressing is useful for my sanity and doesn't take much time - I prefer to use the pump hands-free while doing other jobs or feeding. It's helped us keep going through two bouts of thrush when it was too painful to feed direct.

~ Your overall first impressions of the Comfort electric breast pump

I couldn't wait to try it! The unit looked well designed and I felt the soft comfort cushion would be a nice change from the Medela. The pump unit is attractive and looks fine left lying around but was heavier than I'm used to and not as portable.

~ How it was to use - first times and subsequent uses.

Very easy to assemble, few more parts to put together but still quick. No way of contaminating the tubing or pump unit so a massive bonus there. I searched through the manual to see if it could be microwave sterilised and couldn't find any mention (but a very helpful lady at Philips said it was safe). I thought the bottle was a bit small but is compatible with other AVENT bottles.

The first use was really disappointing, I got about 40mls first thing in the morning when I'd normally expect 150ml+. I checked all the parts were connected but still had minimal success so thought I'd give it a go without the cushion because I'm an idiot. DO NOT DO THIS! It hurts - but did demonstrate that the was no problem with the suction!

I tried again the next couple of days to get a better seal and had more success but felt I was causing my supply to dip so switched back to the Medela in order to build up again. I'm now using it most days and getting around 60- 100ml in 20 minutes, quite a bit less than usual. I find I have to keep the pump rammed pressed very firmly against my breast and alter the angle a few times while pumping to keep the flow going but it is still more comfortable to use than a hard shell. As long as I'm paying attention it's reasonably efficient, but it's far too easy to break the seal and hence loose vacuum.

I'll keep trying and update in a week or so.


~ How would you rate the feeling of the pump on your skin? Would you say it felt "warm and natural on the breast"?

Uum... I'm not sure I could ever describe a pump as feeling "natural", but I reckon it's the closest it'd get! It's comfortable and certainly not cold. As mentioned above though the pressure I need to exert is the overwhelming sensation so I'd imagine if it fitted me better it'd be much more natural.

~ How did the pump help with the flow of milk? How long did it take to use?

The stimulation mode takes about 30 - 60 seconds to get a let down, slower than a baby but equal to my other pump. When tightly held on maximum the flow once it starts after a few minutes is very quick indeed, perhaps 2 minutes for the first 50ml of so - but because of the problems with with needing to adjust after this point to keep the flow going the total time for 100-130mls is more like 30minutes - I haven't given up before. I'm afraid it's often quicker to hand express whilst feeding.

~ Where did you use the pump? What sort of occasions did you use it (or express for?). Did the pump make this easy/easier?

I now leave this pump upstairs next to my bed to and use it at the same time as feeding one of the babies to take advantage of being able to recline.

I usually express twice a day, once for the milk bank and once to get enough for the babies to have with their daily vitamins. I also like to be able to throw a bottle in the changing bag for the times they demand simultaneous feelings in public!

~ How did you find the four settings - stimulation, low, medium, high suction?

Stimulation worked fine, would've preferred it a bit stronger. The rest of the time I use the high suction, which is still comfortable.

~ The pump will hit the shops (firstly in Mothercare) in January - is this a product you could recommend to other mums who want to express breastmilk?

Judging from the other reviews I seem to be very much in the minority so I certainly wouldn't discourage, but I would have to recommend a competitor.

~ The RRP is £115 - do you think this represents value for money?
The price is pretty comparable with other good quality pumps so if it works then absolutely. If I was spending that money I'd probably go for an alternative double.

[HeffalumpsAndWoozles]

~ The age of your baby/ child
DD2 has just turned three months old.

~ Whether you'd used a pump before and your general opinions of breast feeding and expressing
I am a very keen breastfeeder, have always intended to bf my DCs and have been lucky enough to find it easy and enjoyable. DD1 was fed for a year, I hope to be able to do the same for DD2. With DD1 I tried a manual pump first which didn't work at all, then bought an electric one from Boots which I tried to get on with but for lots of reasons never did so gave up expressing with the impression that perhaps it just wasn't meant to be. It was hard work to get even the smallest amount out, uncomfortable and the pump itself was very fiddly.

~ Your overall first impressions of the Comfort electric breast pump
Nicely designed, simple, not too many parts, clean looking and not too big.

~ How it was to use - first times and subsequent uses.
Ive just used it for the first time and found it much easier to clean, assemble and use than my previous electric pump.

~ How would you rate the feeling of the pump on your skin? Would you say it felt "warm and natural on the breast"?
It felt perfectly comfortable, I could probably agree with 'warm' but natural isn't a word I would chose.

~ How did the pump help with the flow of milk? How long did it take to use?
I've just expressed 40mls (between both breasts) in half an hour. I'm really happy with this I've never managed more than 20mls in a single sitting before! It took a little while to get going with the first side but then settled down, second side was a bit quicker. It took about 20 minutes on one and 10 minutes on the other before the flow seemed to stop and I had a good 40mls in the bottle.

~ Where did you use the pump? What sort of occasions did you use it (or express for?). Did the pump make this easy/easier?
At home, I've come upstairs to watch Miranda in bed while the DDs are asleep. Being relaxed I think has definitely helped. I've got tickets for a concert at the end of January so I have to express enough to leave her with at least two bottles whilst I am out. Without the pump I wouldn't be able to go to the concert so it has definitely helped!

~ How did you find the four settings - stimulation, low, medium
, high suction?
I used the medium setting this time, it seemed to be working so I didn't change it, although tried the high briefly and didn't really notice a difference.

~ The pump will hit the shops (firstly in Mothercare) in January - is this a product you could recommend to other mums who want to express breastmilk?
If it continues to be as effective as it was tonight then yes I will definitely recommend

~ The RRP is £115 - do you think this represents value for money?
It is a comparable price, perhaps slightly expensive but then I think that all pumps are quite expensive. I couldn't afford this much if I hadn't been testing the product (so thank you again!) but as I I'd above if it does continue to be this good I would probably say yes it is good value for money.

Any other comments about the pump or about how breast feeding in general - all comments welcome -
First impressions are very good, I was all set up for a failure and am over the moon with the results. I will try and fit expressing into my routine most days now and will certainly return to add to the thread after a few more goes.

[FreelanceMama]

The age of your baby/ child
11 months ol
~ Whether you'd used a pump before and your general opinions of breast feeding and expressing
I had used a couple of pumps - a manual medala pump (which gave me tendonitis!), and the Avent electric pump that could be used manually and that you set the rhythm you want for the pump. This latter one I have been using on a weekly basis to store milk for when I am not around to do a feed e.g. out for an evening. I really don't like expressing - it can be very random as to whether or not much milk comes and sterilising all the parts is a bit of a faff. It's also v anti-social so I don't like doing it if anyone's at home. I had planned to breastfeed to some extent during my baby's second year, but last week he suddenly refused to feed (or take milk in a bottle) and still has no interest in breastfeeding. So now I am expressing three times a day to express milk to give him in a cup, or in his cereal. I usually manage about 7 or 8 ozs in total a day. It's very upsetting not being able to feed him but I'm very glad to have a choice of pumps to use now. SOmetimes I find the Avent comfort is better and other times I find I need to be able to control the rhythm in order for the milk to flow.

~ Your overall first impressions of the Comfort electric breast pump
There were fewer pieces than other pumps and it looked simple to use.

~ How it was to use - first times and subsequent uses.
I didn't notice much difference between first and later uses - I needed the higher setting all the time. I liked being able to sit back more comfortably although you still have to be careful not to lean back to far. It came apart more easily than the Avent electric pump - i.e. not having to remove the motor off the top; normally it's hard to do that.
But the major downside is the noise. It has a much more "milking time at the farm" sound to it which my partner said he could hear through two closed doors so I would never want to use it at an office, for example.
~ How would you rate the feeling of the pump on your skin? Would you say it felt "warm and natural on the breast"?
It felt fine - not pinchy, or hard, but I don't think even the highest setting was enough for me.

~ How did the pump help with the flow of milk? How long did it take to use?
I can only use for a few minutes on each side, and then maybe a minute again, before the flow stops.

~ Where did you use the pump? What sort of occasions did you use it (or express for?). Did the pump make this easy/easier?
I used it at home sitting on the bed, or on the sofa. It was easier to use in both places because I could sit comfortably and not have wires to worry about.
~ How did you find the four settings - stimulation, low, medium, high suction?
stimulation was fine, the other two were ineffective.

~ The pump will hit the shops (firstly in Mothercare) in January - is this a product you could recommend to other mums who want to express breastmilk?
I would recommend they have a go of one first to see if the suction is enough for them. If it is, then yes.
~ The RRP is £115 - do you think this represents value for money?
I'm surprised that it's more expensive than the Avent electric one I already have which allows you to use it manually if needed, and to set your own suction rhythm. I would only buy it if it were discounted as I paid about £70 for my last pump through Amazon. And it's an expensive risk to take if it doesn't work.

[newbielisa]

Aaaargh just lost my whole post, starting again.

My daughter is now 8 weeks old

I have used a Tommee Tippee manual and a Medela Swing electric, despite everyone assuring me I'd be really successful with the Medela Swing I always fared better with my manual Tommee Tippee. I also really hated the loud noise of the Medela, it really sounded like a cow being milked - the irony!


I liked the look of this pump and found it very easy to put it together.

My first use was very successful, easy to put together, I like how the milk doesn't go near the tubing, hadn't really thought of that as an issue but in hindsight it was/is. I love the fact that I could sit back on the sofa and not lean forward like I've had to do with other pumps.... Full marks for that, it really does live up to that claim.

Once I'd mastered getting my nipple central (to get the seal) it felt absolutely fine. I wouldn't say it felt warm and comfortable but not sure I would ever use those terms to describe apparatus to express milk. It certainly didn't feel cold or uncomfortable.

I pumped for 10 minutes on one side and got a good amount (more than I have in comparable attempts with other pumps)

I pumped at home and was expressing milk to hopefully encourage my constant feeder to take a bottle and disembark from me for the odd 10 minutes!!

I found the four settings very easy to use, the stimulation seemed a little too gentle for me but that wasn't an issue I just went up a gear and found it was still gentle but powerful enough to really get the flow going.

I would and already have recommended this product to other Mums. To be able to pump so quickly, easily and comfortably can definitely encourage prolonged breast feeding.

I think the unit price is good value for money and having tried it and found it to be "good for me" would pay more for it. Thanks to Avent I of course get to keep mine and don't have to - hurrah.

Overall I found this pump to be better than the 2 other pumps I have used and was impressed that it wasn't another noisy electric that didn't live up to the hype for me. Obviously we're all different and different products work well for different people, so far this works really well for me.

[MimsyBorogroves]

Just checking in again.

I'm still on the whole pleased with the pump. I can get more out than I can with any other pump, though it's still not enough for a whole feed. The main feature of this pump for me over any other is the comfort factor - being able to sit back on the sofa is lovely after spending so long hunched over my old pump with little to no success.

[IveNoIntentionOfMakingCupcakes]

Firstly, very many thanks for the pump. I was thrilled to be selected for this.

I am so sorry that it has taken me a long time to add my feedback. We were hectic over Christmas and my DCS have both been on sleep strikes since so finding time to sit down at the computer has been tricky. Sorry though.

I also wanted to test the pump a few times and compare it directly with my Medala Swing, which I have been using up until now.

~ The age of your baby/ child

5 months (breastfed and just starting solids as he's a very hungry boy)
21 months (no longer breastfed, but she has any leftover expressed milk if it's going begging)

~ Whether you'd used a pump before and your general opinions of breast feeding and expressing

I tried a hand pump (can't remember which brand) just after DC1 was born. I didn't get on with it at all so the first time I used an electric pump (during a short stay in hospital -a great big Medala thing) it was quite a revelation and I went online to order the Medala Swing.

I breastfeed 99% of the time but with both babies I suffered with mastitis when I first started feeding so I found a pump helped me to rest my cracked and sore nipples. Now, with mastitis a distant memory, I tend to use a pump to express milk so that my partner can occasionally bottle feed DC2 while I spend some time with DC1 (i.e. if DC2 wants a feed while I'm putting DC1 to bed). I demand feed and don't really have a feeding schedule so having a bottle of expressed milk available is always handy. I have to be honest and say that I find expressing tedious in the extreme so I don't do it particularly willingly!!

~ Your overall first impressions of the Comfort electric breast pump

Nice looking, very sturdy. Very easy to use. I like the fact that the valve isn't a tiny, flimsy bit of rubber that could easily go astray (as with the Medala valves). I also liked the cover, it felt like it kept it clean when not in use. That said, overall the pump is quite bulky and there are lots of bits to it so I might be more inclined to take my Medala one away with me.

~ How it was to use - first times and subsequent uses.

I thought it was really comfortable to use. I likes the fact that I didn't have to hunch my back over and could sit comfortably on the sofa to use it. However, it was a little too noisy to watch TV as was my original plan. Compared with the Medala, I'd say the noise levels are similar.

~ How would you rate the feeling of the pump on your skin? Would you say it felt "warm and natural on the breast"?

I felt that the pump worked more efficiently without the massage cushion and I am an impatient expresser most of the time. However, it did feel nice and I would have found it invaluable when I had mastitis and engorged breasts so I think it's a fantastic optional feature.

~ How did the pump help with the flow of milk? How long did it take to use? I guess it averaged at around 3oz / 10 minutes, which is slightly less than the Medala Swing (prob more like 4oz / 10 mins)

~ Where did you use the pump? What sort of occasions did you use it (or express for?). Did the pump make this easy/easier?
Just at home. As I mentioned before, it was nice to sit comfortably as I only ever pump when my babies are asleep so during my rest (?!?) time.

~ How did you find the four settings - stimulation, low, medium, high suction?

I went straight from stimulation to high suction and didn't bother with the other ones as I have nips like leather these days. However, I would have used the gentler settings when I had painful breasts and nipples.

~ The pump will hit the shops (firstly in Mothercare) in January - is this a product you could recommend to other mums who want to express breastmilk?

Definitely. TBH I think the Medala is more efficient for experienced breastfeeders. However, the comfort features of this would be great for first-timers or anyone experiencing discomfort -either of the breast or back.

~ The RRP is £115 - do you think this represents value for money?
Yes I do. I think I paid around £100 for my Medala one nearly two years ago. This one offers more features and can be used with Avent bottles and teats, which are widely available (the Medala came with a funny little teat, which I chucked out as I didn't like it so I always tip the milk into a different bottle for use and storage). We don't have a Mothercare near us so I hope they'll be in Boots before long too.

Any other comments about the pump or about how breast feeding in general - all comments welcome - questions etc also welcome from non testers.

If I were to buy another pump in the future I'd definitely buy a double one.

[IveNoIntentionOfMakingCupcakes]

I was just thinking that it would be really great if the pump had a carry case, perhaps something that could double up as a sterilising box for sterilising all the bits afterwards. It would make it uber-transportable and very handy.

[NikkiCrick]

Sorry for delay, life keeps getting in the way. Must do better ;-)

~ The age of your baby/ child - 6-7 months
~ Whether you'd used a pump before and your general opinions of breast feeding and expressing - I bf my baby, but after issues with not gaining weight ended up combination feeding, which I hated. I had tried a Tommee Tippee & a Philips Avent manual pumps, both without much success. I wanted to express so a) I could see what baby was getting & b) as I was trying to encourage cup drinking.
~ Your overall first impressions of the Comfort electric breast pump - I though the pump looked nice, I liked the muted lavender, it didn't look clinical. Although I have to admit I was a bit confused by the instructions as to what needed to be steralised.
~ How it was to use - first times and subsequent uses - having never used an electric pump before I thought it was relatively quiet, but can't say how it compares to others. I was quite nervous of it, so didn't get much the first couple of times I used it. I knew I could get more from manual pumps, but after trying different settings a couple of times, I was more relaxed.
~ How would you rate the feeling of the pump on your skin? Would you say it felt "warm and natural on the breast"? - it was warm and relatively comfortable; not sure natural is a word I would use.
~ How did the pump help with the flow of milk? How long did it take to use? The first couple of attempts I gained very little. After I relaxed more, I managed 40-60ml in between 10-25 mins.
~ Where did you use the pump? What sort of occasions did you use it (or express for?). Did the pump make this easy/easier? I only used pump at home, but could see it being useful for mums returning to work etc as relatively compact.
~ How did you find the four settings - stimulation, low, medium, high suction? Stimulation mode was good, but I mainly used high setting.
~ The pump will hit the shops (firstly in Mothercare) in January - is this a product you could recommend to other mums who want to express breastmilk? I would recommend but suggest getting well before the need to express to get used to it.
~ The RRP is £115 - do you think this represents value for money? - as it's a lot of money, I suggest trying it first if possible (i.e. friends), but it will save money on formula & can be used with any subsequent children.

[Pinkpiglet]

~ The age of your baby/ child
Dd is 9 months old, first child

~ Whether you'd used a pump before and your general opinions of breast feeding and expressing
I have been ebf Dd but have expressed a few times. I have a manual Phillips avent pump which works ok but dd was previously a bottle refuser so I stopped expressing. She has now started using bottles occasionally and it's something we need to encourage as I am returning to work later this month. I love breastfeeding as its been very successful and convenient for us.

~ Your overall first impressions of the Comfort electric breast pump
Nice and compact. Feminine l
~ How it was to use - first times and subsequent uses.
~ How would you rate the feeling of the pump on your skin? Would you say it felt "warm and natural on the breast"?
~ How did the pump help with the flow of milk? How long did it take to use?
~ Where did you use the pump? What sort of occasions did you use it (or express for?). Did the pump make this easy/easier?
~ How did you find the four settings - stimulation, low, medium, high suction?
~ The pump will hit the shops (firstly in Mothercare) in January - is this a product you could recommend to other mums who want to express breastmilk?
~ The RRP is £115 - do you think this represents value for money?

[Pinkpiglet]

Whoops, posted that too early!

~ Your overall first impressions of the Comfort electric breast pump
Nice and compact. Feminine looking packaging. Lots included in the box.

~ How it was to use - first times and subsequent uses.
The first time it felt unusual. With a manual pump you can stop when it starts to feel funny but with the electric one it keeps on going. It didn't take long to feel comfortable. I was surprised to get a "let down" reflex as I haven't had that for a while. It works best in the morning when my supply is greatest.

~ How would you rate the feeling of the pump on your skin? Would you say it felt "warm and natural on the breast"?
It feels comfortable especially after the first use when you're used to the sensation.

~ How did the pump help with the flow of milk? How long did it take to use?
I could get a good amount of milk in ~15 mins when using in the morning. It took longer in the evening but that's when my supply is less.

~ Where did you use the pump? What sort of occasions did you use it (or express for?). Did the pump make this easy/easier?
I have used the pump at home on the sofa whilst reclined. This is much better than my manual pump where I have to be leaned forward and often loose some of the milk that hasn't filtered into the container. The pump collects every drop.

~ How did you find the four settings - stimulation, low, medium, high suction?
I found it necessary to use the highest setting to get the best milk collection

~ The pump will hit the shops (firstly in Mothercare) in January - is this a product you could recommend to other mums who want to express breastmilk?
Yes I would recommend it to anyone that wished to breastfeed for an extended amount of time. I think I would have expressed much more if I had this pump at the start.

~ The RRP is £115 - do you think this represents value for money?
It is value for money. I'm not sure I would have bought it prior to having dd as it is a lot to pay if I hadn't been successful at breastfeeding but now I've seen how easy expressing can be I would happily have paid the price.

Thank you for including me in the product test.

[FreelanceMama]

I'm really getting on well with this pump now I've been using it longer. It's definitely less hassle to put together and less effort to hold i.e. Easier to relax which is the point! In fact I'm managing to read a book at the same time which is nice. I'm also finding I need to use the medium setting rather than high sometimes as I think I'm getting more sensitive after so much use!

Thank you for sending me the pump. It's making the present tough situation a lot easier to deal with.

[cleanandclothed]

The age of your baby/ child

Nearly 6 months (DC2)

~ Whether you'd used a pump before and your general opinions of breast feeding and expressing

Yes, I have a Philips manual pump which I had used with DC1. I never really did very well with expressing - I had to wait for a let down to happen naturally and then go and grab the pump.

~ Your overall first impressions of the Comfort electric breast pump

Small and simple

~ How it was to use - first times and subsequent uses.

Easy to put together and simple to use.

~ How would you rate the feeling of the pump on your skin? Would you say it felt "warm and natural on the breast"?

It felt fine - warm, not really 'natural' but more natural than the manual one.


~ How did the pump help with the flow of milk? How long did it take to use?

Well. I was impressed with the setting marked by the 2 drips because it need feel like the baby starting to feed. But it didnt start my let down reflex. It was quite soon after a feed so I need to use it more times, but the only way I could get milk out was firstly to go and look at my sleeping baby, and then to get some photos to look at, and then pump when the let down happened.

~ Where did you use the pump?
At home

What sort of occasions did you use it (or express for?). Did the pump make this easy/easier?

Just general back up milk. I want to go out for dinner next week so am hoping to pump more then.


~ How did you find the four settings - stimulation, low, medium, high suction?

Stimulation felt natural but hasn't worked for me yet. Low and medium are fine, high is a bit much.

~ The pump will hit the shops (firstly in Mothercare) in January - is this a product you could recommend to other mums who want to express breastmilk?

Yes, but wouldn't really be able to compare it as I haven't used other electric pumps.

~ The RRP is £115 - do you think this represents value for money?

I am not sure. If you knew you would express lots then maybe, but otherwise it is quite expensive - and you don't know whether it will work for you till you try.

Would you be able to hire it for a trial period?

[Panzee]

Is this the one you all tested? www.mothercare.com/Philips-Avent-Breastfeeding-Set---Exclusive-to-Mothercare/409264,default,pd.html

Bundled with some other bits for £129

[AnnMumsnet]

panzee - that's not it - it's not on line yet I think. You can see an image of it here

[Panzee]

Thanks Ann :)

[MummyWeatherwax]

Sorry for the delay, Christmas is not conducive to reviewing! On the plus side, I've had a thorough test now...

~ The age of your baby/ child
My DD is now 12 weeks old

~ Whether you'd used a pump before and your general opinions of breast feeding and expressing
I'm very keen to keep exclusively breastfeeding, and had been using a Medela Swing pump (inherited from my sister) when I had too much milk. I think expressing is really useful to help make breastfeeding manageable

~ Your overall first impressions of the Comfort electric breast pump
The electric unit is a nice colour, and idiotproof to use, clear icons on each button. The pumping section is bulky compared to the Medela pump, and had more pieces to it.

~ How it was to use - first times and subsequent uses.
It took me a little while to work out how to assemble the pump section, but that's because I had inadvertantly dropped the big instruction booklet, and was trying to do it without instructions. When I found the instructions, it was easy!
The actual pumping was very straightforward, efficient. It was also easy to wash, as there weren't any little crevices you couldn't get at. (Although there are 6 bits to wash). I like the pump, and feel it's better at getting milk comfortably than the Medela.

~ How would you rate the feeling of the pump on your skin? Would you say it felt "warm and natural on the breast"?
It was comfy, and easy to get a good seal. It didn't feel too plasticy, so yes, quite natural, and the silicone funnel bit was warmer than without!

~ How did the pump help with the flow of milk? How long did it take to use?
I get about 4-5oz in 20 minutes (one side), which is quicker than previously. I haven't been trying to increase my supply though, just take off what's there.

~ Where did you use the pump? What sort of occasions did you use it (or express for?). Did the pump make this easy/easier?
I use the pump during the night, as DD is a good sleeper, so when she wakes, she can't drink all the milk I've made overnight, so I take off the excess with the pump. That way, I can stay in bed in the morning while DH gives her the extra milk - and the extra sleep makes everything easier! Before I was doing this, I felt pressure on me, as I was the only one who could feed her, but this helps prevent that, so I think it's made me happier with keeping feeding.

~ How did you find the four settings - stimulation, low, medium, high suction?
I actually don't use the stimulation setting really, just straight to the low setting, which is enough for me - I feel it's fast enough, and I feel its comfortable on my nipples at that setting, so I have never gone higher

~ The pump will hit the shops (firstly in Mothercare) in January - is this a product you could recommend to other mums who want to express breastmilk?
Yes, I'd say it's a good product, effective and pain free.

~ The RRP is £115 - do you think this represents value for money?
It is expensive, but it works really well.

[monkeypuzzeltree]

Please let us know the following:

~ The age of your baby/ child

6 months

~ Whether you'd used a pump before and your general opinions of breast feeding and expressing

I pumped a lot with first dd, feeding was a nightmare and by the time we realised it was tt, we were a mess and she wouldnt latch, so i pumped with a medela mini for 4 months. I still have nightmares about the hee-hawing noise it made! But i did it as i wanted her to have benefits of bfing.

~ Your overall first impressions of the Comfort electric breast pump

Neat, very simple to put togetherband clean, its avent, so works with my normal bottles. Reminded me of hospital ones with the tubes atherbthan having to hold a motor.

~ How it was to use - first times and subsequent uses.

Its bloody brilliant. Im using it now, ipad on lap, baby sleeping through it! Quick to set up and long lead reaches to plug behind sofa! Gets milk going really quickly, doesnt feel like its yanking my nipple. Actually couldnt beleve it was working when it felt that gentle!

~ How would you rate the feeling of the pump on your skin? Would you say it felt "warm and natural on the breast"?

I guess, its certainly softer with the rubber bit, i have huge nipples, i do find i have a line around the base is by the end, would be helpful if a larger tube was available. I would expect that to be in the box given the rrp.

~ How did the pump help with the flow of milk? How long did it take to use?

Really good, job done in about 20 mins for 4oz, would have taken longer with old pump and then id have knocked it over, this one stands up on its own even befor you detatch it.


~ Where did you use the pump? What sort of occasions did you use it (or express for?). Did the pump make this easy/easier?

Used it when i had a night out at xmas! Made easier for dh as son will take bf better than formula from a bottle for some reason, he knows the difference! Also using at the moment when he goes on strike because of teething. I tend to use either in lounge or kitchen, sitting on the sofa. Easy to move it, easy to sit on arm of sofa.


~ How did you find the four settings - stimulation, low, medium, high suction?

I tended to use high at first, probably because i was used to the yank of the medela, but ive realised that actually the lower settings work just as well once things are going! The stimulation setting is fine, but i tend t just start on high and then go down. It is good for making sure you have the right position though.


~ The pump will hit the shops (firstly in Mothercare) in January - is this a product you could recommend to other mums who want to express breastmilk?
~ The RRP is £115 - do you think this represents value for money?

It works and its simple to use, i still think its quite expensive given that its really a fairly simple piece of kit, would be nice if you got a voucher for money off bottles with it, but given that when you need a pump, you need a good reliable one, its worth paying for a decent product and this is certainly one of those.

Any other comments about the pump

Just a huge thank you for making my life easier!

[DoingTheSwanThing]

Still persevering here, with moderate success! I think it's just the shape of my boobs causing problems with getting a good seal... They're not exactly pert. I'm pretty convinced its me rather than the pump. Waiting to hear if they make different size funnels

[Panzee]

How is it for those who are large of nip?

[DoingTheSwanThing]

I believe mine to be fairly average and there's plenty of room left. I find the funnel a bit loose if anything. Suspect you'd be fine :)

[AnnMumsnet]

Thanks for all the feedback and reviews.

A couple of responses for you:
Q: Could you ask if there are different sizes of funnel please? I'm struggling to get a good seal at the moment.
A: Philips say "A larger funnel size will be available in retail from March onwards"

Q: Do you know whether there is a double one of these pumps and if so, what it's going to retail for?
A: Philips say "There is a double it retails for £265"

thanks again...MNHQ

[ScaredySquirrel]

Thanks Ann, that was my question ( re double breast-pump - I'm very happy to test it if they'd like )

Have just used pump again at the end of the day when I don't usually get much milk and it was very good - I was impressed. Also impressed by comfort thingie - it is more comfortable than my medela

One issue I've found - the battery power was v disappointing, and this is a big issue for me as I need to express at work in a room with no plug.

[MummyWeatherwax]

Panzee - I have big boobs/areolae, and I found it really effective, the actual nipple doesn't really get involved, it just sits in the middle of the pump, which is a good inch wide, so I think most nips would never touch the sides!

On a different note, I forgot to say that I find the low setting just right in terms of power/suction, despite having had to go high with the Medela, which led to soreness.

[Panzee]

Fantastic! I am going to buy this when it comes out.