Which breast pump?

[iamreginaphalange]

I am hoping to BF but have started to think about breast pumps.

Which Ones are the best?
Which Ones are easy to use?
Manual or electric?

I don't even know where to start looking....😤
Please help

Has your baby been born yet?

Depends on your need to pump. If you are thinking about a "Just in case" I'd recommend waiting until baby is born and work on positioning and technique.

It's a really hard question because different pumps suit different people.

Personally I like medela pumps because you can get different size flanges (the bit that goes on your breast) so they're more comfortable. If the flange is too small or large it will hurt you.

Medela do manual which are quite gentle, easy to carry around, etc. I get a lot more expressed milk when I use the electric one though.

Some people never manage to express (but can still breastfeed fine). The hospital will have electric pumps available so you could try those and see how you get on.

I used a spectre. I have tried lots of different ones but liked the spectre best. You can often borrow or try one in the sure start centres.

I bought the Tommy tippee hand pump and used that at first but if you end up feeding long term them i would strongly recommend you get an electric one. I am planning on trying the medela one this time and didn't get on with the Tommy tippee. Good luck with breastfeeding.

I've had loads over the years, manuals, electric, singles, doubles Nuby, Tommee Tippee (?), Medela, Avent...

Nuby did a great manual mini one which resembled a rubber bulb and a funnel. Fantastic for relieving engorgement when out and about but my favourite was the Medela Swing electric (double). It's different for every one though. Also it doesn't help that they change things on their products yearly. My manual Avent was great at first then when I broke it and replaced with the same one, the design had changed and it nipped like mad. Ouch.

My advice would be to buy 2nd hand at first to try, (providing you can replace the parts that come in contact with bodily fluids with completely new parts). It'll save you wasting too much money if you don't like it.

You should definitely try Medela electric though. (The Swing). It is one of the best brands out there. The sucking motion is not constant and unnatural. It mimics a baby's suckling.

Medela swing. Handheld ones are good for emergencies but if you plan on pumping regularly an electric one is way faster and more efficient. I second not buying till baby is here.

Thanks for all your replies. Loads to research before little one comes, what factors to consider etc.

I shan't be purchasing until I need one but it's good to be prepared should I need it.

Thanks again 🙂