Breast pump - when to buy?

[Saffra]

I am going to an NCT sale today and was wondering if it's trying to buy a breast pump there if there's any bargains? I am planning to breast feed and to start expressing when I can too. But, obviously, I don't know how I will get on.

Is it worth buying to have ready before the baby comes along?

I would say no. If you have a problem like a prem birth or another reason you can't get feeding established then the hospital will lend you a bad was pump.

If everything goes ok the suggestion is not to express too soon or you end up with over supply issues.

Breast pump can easily be purchased over internet once you need it.

I completely agree with Antidote. It's not recommended to express and give bottles until the baby is at least 6 weeks, and so that gives you plenty of time to wait and make sure you and the baby take to breastfeeding!

Saying that, if you spot a complete bargain at the sale then I'd probably grab it - you could always resell at another sale or ebay it. I bought a backpack carrier from ebay which my DS hated, but I then ended up selling it for twice the price at a nearly new sale at a later date.

Hi Saffra! When I had DD the hospital lent me a breast pump and said I could take it home if I wanted to. I left it in the end (it was a massive hospital grade milking machine) and bought a secondhand Medela Swing on eBay - ironically, from a lady who had bought it before her baby was born to be prepared and then ended up not breastfeeding.

There's no rush, but agree if you find a major bargain then why not?

Well, I bought one before giving birth and am very glad I did. After having an emergency c-section, I'm really struggling with my milk coming in late, and pumping is one of the things they recommend to help with that, to signal your body that there is a need for more milk. And this problem was only discovered after I got home from the hospital, so it saved us having to rush out and buy a pump. (Which is probably not a big deal if you can go and send DH, but I was glad that all I had to do was get it out of the cupboard).

I figured that if I didn't need the pump, I could always sell it again.

I agree with JBrd. I found it the security blanket I needed in helping to get feeding established with a very sleepy slightly early newborn and an incompetent mother.

I don't think you can buy breastpumps at nct sales actually.

I'm 30 weeks pregnant but a breast pump a few weeks ago because it was half price in Asda! I saved £15 and if I never use I figured I could sell it on

Sorry for the late reply. Although I did pick up some great bits and pieces, I didn't buy a breast pump and will wait now as some of you have suggested.

In fact, I didn't see any breast pumps there - guess you can't buy them there after all, like fifitot mentioned?

Oh, and hello emsyj!!!

Nct have a list of banned items they give to sellers. Includes bottles, sterilisers pumps etc I believe .

If you want a free pump check out nuby uk on facebook. You email them your 20wk scan and they send you a free pump or steriliser ( you specify)

BabiesRUs currently have 50% off tommee tippee breast pump sets (you get bottles and breast pads etc with it too), £47 instead of £94. I got one, and will just sell it on if I don't need it.

I got a tommee tippee manual breast pump at NCT sale for 50p. At that price doesnt matter if I never use it but it's there just in case.

allthefires - Wow, really? will take a peek at nuby UK

Generally though... Been looking at reviews though, and wondering if you get what you pay for? I do love a bargain but prize efficiency/functionality perhaps more!

No catch that I can see. Been watching for months. It is closing soon and I think they have been inundated with pics! Also my scan will be out of time - think I have a mam one somewhere.

Think a freebie pump would be a good start- then if you get into it you can always buy a upgrade such as a medula (thats my plan anyway!)

Hello again

I very nearly bought the Tommee Tippee electric pump when it was half price in Mothercare, but decided to check out the reviews etc first. I found the reviews were very crap for the TT pump and really good for the Medela Swing. I have a friend who has the Medela Mini electric pump and it has faithfully served her with 2 babies, including regular expressing for he milk bank.

Having said that, I did buy the Tommee Tippee manual pump for a tenner in the Asda baby event and was pretty happy with it, so may just be horses for courses.