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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Breast pump recommendations please!

14 replies

Hoping87 · 11/02/2020 06:53

Hi all, as it says above really! First time mum, breastfeeding at the moment and going well but I do want to start expressing in a couple of weeks to give me a bit of freedom. What pump would you recommend? Thanks x

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Melbs6 · 11/02/2020 08:39

Following - I’d like a breast pump too so would like to hear recommendations

Pinkflipflop85 · 11/02/2020 08:43

With my first I had the medela swing which is fab. This time round I've discovered the haaka pump which is even more fab! It is a silicon pump that i can just attach and leave to do its thing without that horrible pumping noise.

Isbutteracarb · 11/02/2020 08:48

I started off with a Medela harmony manual which was fab for occasional pumping, then I moved on to the Medela swing electric pump for more frequent use. I was perfectly happy with the Swing, I didn't find it too loud and it was straightforward and easy to use, also perfectly comfortable. However I found that when I went back to work and expressed during breaks the electric one just didn't work for me, the milk didn't flow, but when I used the manual one at work it was fine!

How often are you planning on expressing?

Isbutteracarb · 11/02/2020 08:49

Oh and I haven't tried it myself but my friend loves the Haaaka pump mentioned by the previous poster

Hercwasonaroll · 11/02/2020 08:53

Hakaa is great but doesn't actively pump so doesn't get a lot of milk off for some people. I use this if I have got engorged to take the edge off.

Medela swing I use if I need to express for a full feed.

Queenofpi · 11/02/2020 08:56

Another vote for the Medela swing, I've tried 3 electric pumps and it's the best by far. The silicone suction cups are good for collecting let down while you're feeding /pumping on the other side, but won't collect the high calorie milk that a pump or baby would stimulate.

binkyblinky · 11/02/2020 09:00

I got a silicone one from amazon that I used on one boob whilst feeding from the other.
I also bought the Bella baby breast pump from amazon. Electric, double, absolutely fantastic and such a good price!

binkyblinky · 11/02/2020 09:01

Haaka was amazing for me, I used it while feeding and I'd fill it within 15 mins! It's a continual suction so super comfortable. There a cheaper options than the haaka though!

Original poster

Hoping87 · 11/02/2020 11:28

Thank you everyone! Seems the Medela is very popular! Think I’ll have a look on eBay!!
Isbutteracarb I’m not really sure how expressing works yet, something I need to look into before I start doing it! As not really sure when and how often you should do it! So any advice and experience is more than welcome!! Xx

OP posts:

Isbutteracarb · 11/02/2020 12:49

Definitely check out La Leche League's website for info, have you used the KellyMom site at all? I found that was the best by far for anything BF-related!

https://www.laleche.org.uk/expressing-your-milk/

https://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/bf-links-pumps/

I expressed a few times early morning and found a got a decent amount then, not sure you want to be up doing that at 6am though! I then started expressing regularly in the evening after DS went to bed and that worked pretty well, I think you're meant to try and do it at the same time each day and fit in a few expressing sessions around feeds to up your supply. It might take a few days for your body to adjust so don't worry if you don't get much milk when you first start, as you express more often your supply should increase. I definitely got better results with the electric while I was still on maternity leave, but then like I said it stopped working when I went back to work and had to express in a spare room at the office - I put it down to stage fright 🙈

As for storage and cleaning, I washed the pump parts in hot soapy water and rinsed them and stored the milk in sterilised breast milk bags from ASDA (in the freezer), think it was a pack of 50 or so and they weren't expensive at all

okokokthen · 11/02/2020 13:10

I used the tommee tippee electric breast pump and thought it was great, didn't bother to buy another type after using that. The price is much cheaper when on offer than certain other brands but I'd definitely say it's probably just as good. Just make sure you pump both breasts/ feed off one and pump off the other.

shinyblackdog · 11/02/2020 13:10

Using my Medela Swing right now - my DH finds the noise annoying but I think it's fine. It's seen me through nearly two years of very frequent pumping with no issues. Can't say the same for the Medela storage bags, after one too many leaks I gave up on those and switched to Lansinoh bags, which are fine.

sadtoday21 · 12/02/2020 13:08

Also following for recommendations!

MNHQ

JoshMumsnet · 12/02/2020 13:18

Hi,

We made a video which outlined our favourite five breast pumps of 2019 - real mix of prices and options.

Hope you find it helpful!

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