Advice on Pumps, Playmats & Carriers - I'm about to spend a lot of money! Help!

[LeeCee]

FTM about to buy a playmat, carrier and a breast pump.

My LO is currently 7 weeks old. We are doing a mix of formula and breast but I'd like to express/pump more and sub that in for the formula. Have heard good things about Medela and Ardo. Anyone here have any advice or recommendations?

Carrier wise I have a Boba wrap which is fine but I find stretches too much on a long walk so want something sturdier that will work as she gets older too - and she can sit facing in or out. Have the Tula free to grow sitting in my amazon basket - but it's pricey! So any advice would be great

Playmat wise - the price differences are huge! Are the pricey ones worth it? What should I be looking out for?

Please help before I spend a fortune on FTM mistakes!!

I have a Medala pump - & that has been fine. Unfortunately I can't pump much off (DC have been feeding fine) so haven't used it much.

I love my Tula's - I have 2 Standards & 1 Toddler size. I haven't had a Free To Grow but have heard some good things especially as they work from birth without an insert. I just used an insert in my Standard Tula till DS was big enough (around 5mths I think?) I tried a Hans Wrap but never felt happy with the knots & stretch, so a full buckle carrier has been great for peace of mind for me. Plus the prints are so varied - especially in the standard/toddler sizes. I know they're a bit more limited in the FTG & Explorer.

Can't help much on playmats - had a Mama & Papas one, but it was huge so didn't use it much.

Join a local Facebook parents selling page and as long it is not a mattress or a car seat and it comes from a smoke free home (ask) then it’s a great place to get loads of bargains. Things generally sell for 1/3 of shop prices and have often only been used for a couple of months. Don’t be afraid to ask if anyone has a play mat for sale.

As sling go to a sling library and try a few and then you can hire them for about £10 a month so you are sure which one you want. Then look on a sling Facebook selling page.

Our local midwifes had a deal with Mandela to get the swing pump for cheaper. It’s worth asking your HV or midwife.

I was pumping with a spectra 8 times a day to build my supply and it was getting smaller and smaller amounts - a friend suggested the haakaa, it's v cheap, about 12 quid and you just put it on your Breast and it draws milk off by suction. It's bloody amazing, for me easier than a pump and easy to use. Would highly recommend if an electric pump does not work for you.

Go to a sling library if you can, op. Or if you don't have one local, hire a Tula online. I hired one on itsaslingthing.com and loved it! Bought my own shortly thereafter.

Pump: Ardo Calypso. It's closed system (unlike Medela Swing which is open system) and it's quiet. Worked very well for me.

Carrier: I was going to suggest the Tula Free to Grow! Go for it

Play mat: Bright Starts 5 in 1 ball pit activity gym. Available from Amazon, Argos, Boots, John Lewis. We got it as a gift and DS (now 2) STILL plays with it as a ball pit!

I have used an arlo double & Tommee tippee breast pump. Arlo was better as it's hospital grade however if I were pregnant again I'd be buying the Evie pump. I found pumping a massive chore as it took me ages for a small amount & being restricted to the sofa was infuriating.

For a former sling we have loved both a babybjorn & the crazy cheap infantino!

The playmates I've had have always ended up annoying me due to being bulky & difficult to put away. My favourite solution was to use a play blanket with the Ikea wooden frame. When baby was done I'd fold the blanket & pop it over the frame.

Sorry I meant to say Ardo!

I have the tommee tippee pump which I like the three different strengths. However the air suction pipe comes off really easily - really annoying. Therefore I wouldn't recommend that one. Stay away.

we have a mamas and papas magic stargaze mat. My baby is now 5 weeks old and he loves it. I can honestly leave him for half hour happily. The lights are his favourite bit, the music is nice to have on not tinny sounding like a lot of musical mats (you can plug an aux cable in to play off your phone too!) For me, it's selling point is that there's pedals hanging designed for when baby kicks their legs and the music changes or makes a noise which he does and it keeps and refreshed his attention on it. Plus it's a modern clean design which I like compared to an overly colourful toy looking one.

I don't use a sling or carrier because of physical issues so can't help here :(