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Pregnancy

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Original poster

Did you buy a breast pump before baby was born?

27 replies

BeesKnees9 · 30/08/2018 15:22

Hi everyone, as the title asks really! I am a FTM and planning on breast feeding. Is it worth buying a breast pump to have on stand by? My thoughts for yes are:

I might struggle with breast feeding, getting a good latch etc and knowing I could express might take the pressure off a tiny bit as I could offer expressed milk in the first instance and then if all else fails go on to formula knowing that I tried (assuming my supply is ok!)

in the case of the above, give sore nipples a break and a chance to heal

the potential for my partner to give a bottle of expressed milk to give me a break/rest if required

I was looking at the medela swing single pump, quite pricey but thought if I didn’t use it I could resell it?

OR is it a total waste of money to buy one in advance and I should just wait to see what happens?

OP posts:

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nomorespaghetti · 30/08/2018 15:28

I did, for two reasons... I was one of those people who assumed that all the shops were going to shut the instant i had the baby, and because the medela swing was significantly reduced on Amazon and too good a bargain to miss. It is pretty good, BUT if you do think you might express a lot (which is difficult to know before baby is here) then i would say better to get a double pump, it'll halve the time taken expressing, and it can be very time consuming and soul destroying to express. My DD was very clingy, so i really struggled to find time to express. And then she didn't take a bottle, so it was all a bit futile! I also found that the pump didn't really give my nipples to much of a break when they were sore... they were still sore when pumping unfortunately... That may be down to the pump though, as i only used the one.

Depending on when you're due you might be able to pick up a bargain in black Friday sales. You can also hire pumps to try before you commit to anything.

squiglyline · 30/08/2018 15:28

Hi, I’m a FTM also and plan to buy a Breast pump this weekend, I’m due soon.

I want my dh to feed and bond with the baby as much as I do. And for your other reasons listed x

beenandgoneandbackagain · 30/08/2018 15:32

I didn't and ended up dashing out on day 5 to get one. The Tommee Tippee hand one did me find for months until I treated myseflf to a Medela one. I found breastfeeding very painful at first so having one pain free feed a day saved my sanity and gave me an extra boost.

Expressing is a bit of an art so don't panic if you don't get the hang of it immediately. Also double wrap breast milk bags if you freeze them. Freeze 2oz at a time if needed.

Read up on the magic qualities of breastmilk. It isn't like cows milk and keeps fresh for ages because it is a living substance.

LisaSimpsonsbff · 30/08/2018 15:32

I did buy one in advance - but only because it was mega reduced in Babies R Us just before it shut down. I wouldn't bother buying one unless you see a huge bargain - none of the scenarios you describe happen on a day's notice so you can always buy it from wherever you're thinking of getting it currently if you need it.

Reader1984 · 30/08/2018 15:35

Got an electric one off ebay for 15 pound.

LisaSimpsonsbff · 30/08/2018 15:39

As someone who is finding breastfeeding my seven week old quite straightforward (though draining/tiring) but who is currently struggling with expressing, I would also just say that it isn't the miracle solution it's sometimes sold as - it's loads more hassle than just feeding (all the washing up/sterilising) and you have to figure out how to keep a baby quiet while doing it! If it wasn't for needing the baby to take a bottle when I go back to work in a few months I'd knock it on the head. The gain of someone else being able to give the baby a bottle (if they'll take it!) isn't worth it in my view, especially as it's not recommended that you miss any night feeds early on as they're so important for building supply. I also wouldn't assume you'll get more pumping than feeding - most women don't. Definitely try it if you want to - it might work brilliantly for you - but it's sometimes suggested that pumping is the answer to all a breastfeeding woman's woes and I think that's a bit misleading.

RicStar · 30/08/2018 15:39

I wouldn't or would get a manual to start with - I have used manual and electric and much prefer manual - which is quicker for me than electric. I am only an occasional pumper as it is a bit of a faff and am lazy but am hoping to keep dc3 taking a bottle as dc1 and dc2 wouldn't.

Patienceofatoddler · 30/08/2018 15:45

I've used a manual Madela pump and it's fantastic.

First few days before milk came in I used small syringes (provided by hospital) to collect colostrum and use it to top up baby (got us through the blood sugar tests in hosp lol) but then didn't bother using the pump until 5-6 weeks later once had established feeding and I was more comfortable.

I found expressing a huge hassle though when I didn't 'need' to - Hubby never did give her a bottle BUT he took care of evening meals/ provided cups of tea whilst I fed baby with my feet up

I did in later months build up a nice freezer stash ready for returning to work and it's great for using with food when weaning.

beenandgoneandbackagain · 30/08/2018 15:49

Another poster just reminded me - you don't need to sterilise when using pumps and bottles for breastmilk, just wash well with hot soapy water and rinse well. It's another of the amazing properties of breastmilk that it kills a huge number of germs and viruses.

www.laleche.org.uk/storing-your-milk/

itallhappensforareason · 30/08/2018 15:54

I'm due my first baby next week and I've bought a Medela swing. I got a second hand one off ebay so made a massive saving and if I don't get oh with it then I'm confident I can sell it on again for more or less the same price. I like to feel organised and it makes me feel so much better knowing I've got one. In an ideal world I want to start expressing at around 4 weeks so that my husband can also get involved with the feeding.

LisaSimpsonsbff · 30/08/2018 16:00

Another poster just reminded me - you don't need to sterilise when using pumps and bottles for breastmilk, just wash well with hot soapy water and rinse well.

Presumably this is me? This would save me lots of time but it isn't the advice the NHS gives, and I'm nervous about messing around with it as he's so small still - they say:

Always make sure that the pump and container are clean and sterilised before you use them.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/expressing-storing-breast-milk/#expressing-milk-with-a-breast-pump

OutPinked · 30/08/2018 17:33

No, I waited until DC1 was a couple of months old then bought one. A manual one at first, soon realised what a PITA that was so invested in an electric one. I didn’t need to pump before then really.

rollonoctober · 30/08/2018 17:38

I wouldn't - you may not need one and if you decide you do, there are supermarkets open 24 hours that will sell them, plus amazon prime next day delivery if you want a specific one.

lrwe · 30/08/2018 18:07

I didn't bother with my first. My DH went out the day we came home from hospital and I was in tears about how I couldn't get the baby to latch and bought me one. A manual one. I used it every day because he had a bottle a day of expressed milk.

For DC2 I bought a medela swing and when I used it it was fab but I never found the time with two at home with me. Plus he never fancied a bottle.

This time I have bought new tubing and new bottles but we will see.

Every one and every baby is different. If you're happy to do it and then sell it on/take a loss if you don't get on with it then great. If it's a choice between a pump and something else you want for the baby then I'd wait and see.

Sandstormbrewing · 30/08/2018 18:11

No and didn't need one. DS wouldn't take a bottle anyway!

Notquiteagandt · 30/08/2018 18:13

I plan to hire a medela from the hospital 1st. Judge how much i actually use it. Before purchasing one.

Bluebelltulip · 30/08/2018 18:15

I didn't but did end up sending DH to get one when DD was 3 days old due to latch issues. I got the Medela freestyle as I needed to exclusively pump for a bit. If I had got one before it would probably have been a manual and I still would have ended sending him out to get another. If I hadn't had the latch issues it would have been a waste of money to get the freestyle. I would recommend getting one after the birth when you have a better idea of what you will use it for.

BigBlueBubble · 30/08/2018 18:28

I want my dh to feed and bond with the baby as much as I do
Be prepared for baby to have other ideas! Mine wanted to be snuggled into a warm breast and smelling my smell, sometimes more than he wanted the actual milk. Breastfeeding isn’t just about food. And sometimes I had to feed just to relieve the pressure in my breasts or to keep my supply going. Your boobs don’t have on/off buttons.

I bought a hand pump which was useful because my baby struggled to feed and was losing weight. So I was able to feed him milk from a bottle which meant he was expending less effort to get it. Glad I bought it in advance because I really couldn’t be bothered to go shopping two days after a c-section. It was also handy for pumping milk for his breakfast cereal when he started weaning.

Tilliebean · 30/08/2018 18:35

I did, but I got a manual one to start. In my case it was a good thing, DD had no clue how to latch. I then bought a Medela swing once it was clear I’d be needing one. I actually preferred the manual and got more milk with it, but I couldn’t have only used that, too much work for the 11+ weeks it took to get DD fully established on the boob!

No harm in getting a manual one, I think it was about £20.

stressedma · 30/08/2018 19:18

I bought one then couldn't breastfeed for various reasons so mine was a total waste of money.

I'd wait, if you need one then you can buy them from pretty much anywhere. Good luck

Fuls · 30/08/2018 19:19

if you really want to breast feed find a good support group in your area and go and meet them. They can talk to you about positioning and attachment from the beginning and then when baby comes along they’ll be there to help you. Breast feeding should be pain free and you shouldn’t get sore nipples if you have the correct position. My ds1 had a little stay in NNU and they helped me establish feeding and get him in the right position before we went home. I then didn’t express until much later when I wanted a night out with my girlfriends. My OH did all the other nice things like bathing and having lots of cuddles and skin to skin.

Praisebe · 30/08/2018 19:21

I've bought a twin pump and plenty of nipple sheilds and lasinoh balm. My midwife said you should always use nipple shields for the first few weeks while you get the hang of it otherwise it can be quite painful and horrible

LisaSimpsonsbff · 30/08/2018 19:25

I want my dh to feed and bond with the baby as much as I do

I thought this too ahead of time, but expressing just so dad can feed is turning one job (you feeding the baby) into two (you expressing, him feeding the baby) and there's already enough to do with a newborn without duplicating work. It might work much better for you, but don't worry if not - there's lots of other ways for dads to bond with baby.

Original poster

BeesKnees9 · 30/08/2018 19:26

Hi all, thank you I didn’t expect to get so many responses! Really interesting to hear your experiences, thoughts and tips - I am 40+4 so my brain is going into overdrive with all this waiting!

I think I am going to hold off for the time being but do some research into manual pumps too so if I do decide to buy one I won’t have to engage my brain.

OP posts:

DryHeave · 30/08/2018 19:28

Yes. When it was between 1am and 7am on the 25th December and I had a blocked duct that wouldn’t shift, I thanked the heavens I had it. Similarly at 11pm on 31st December when I had raging mastitis, I was also glad of it.

I will admit I was very unlucky with my timings & baby never actually took to the bottle at all. Worth it for the relief, though.

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