Do you need a breastpump?

[SunSparkle]

So, like many people, I'm hoping to breastfeed. I'm not naive and know that sometimes it doesn't work out for a wide variety of reasons.

I've seen lots of recommendations for Haaka style silicon ones to help catch let down which I get.

Do you need a manual or electric pump in the early days when you're still trying to see if it works for you? Will I end up wishing I had one on the first day my milk comes in?

Is it something you bought later on e.g. after 6 weeks or so?

They vary in price so much it seems a lot of money to spend if for some reason breastfeeding is short lived, but if they are essential to make breastfeeding a success then it's clearly well spent.

If you think a pump is essential, which one did you have?

I brought a £350 breast pump but took it back for a refund as was worried I wouldn’t use it. Bellababy double breast pump on amazon is only £50 so I brought this Instead it’s supposed to be better than all the expensive pumps. I haven’t used yet but tried it out and it’s so quiet and a really strong pump. Check out the reviews on amazon :)

• £40

@SunSparkle Worth keeping an eye out in shops OP - like you I’m hoping to breastfeed and I figured if I end up needing a pump then I will be able to get one delivered from somewhere within 24 hours so wasn’t going to bother buying one before baby arrives. Was in a local Boots store and they were clearing out some items (I believe to condense ranges to make space for Christmas) and I got the Philips single electric pump for £29 😳 was still on the Boots website for about £130. For £29 I’m not fussy if it doesn’t get used or if it’s a godsend and I decide a double would be better then I’ll get one of those at the time 😊
Also just noticed some on the Amazon Prime deals 😊

I EBF both my DS to nine months. I bought a pump but never used it. My let down was so crazy I could squirt someone in the eye from 20 paces so I happily filled freezer bags by hand 😂

My baby is now coming up to 12 weeks and has been exclusively breast fed. To allow my husband to care for him and me to have a little time to myself I am building up a bit of a freezer bank of breast milk.

We're lucky that our little boy takes a bottle as some babies won't if they are used to the breast. We introduced one at 5 weeks which seemed to avoid nipple confusion for us.

I had a tommee tippee electric pump which worked however meant sitting alone for hours holding a noisy pump to me whilst my husband had our son. We've now invested in an Elvie pump, not cheep but it's been a game changer! Fits in my bra, very quiet and allows me to go about my business whilst expressing :)

Congratulations and good luck! X

I bought one before the baby was born. Tried a few times post-6 weeks but couldn’t get anything out with it! Some women’s breasts don’t respond to the pump and it has no relationship to the milk your baby can get out. I EBF (apart from solids obvs) to 13 months, so it was a waste of money! I’m pregnant again and going to get a haakaa silicon one to catch the leaks/let down in the early days - lots of friends have used them for that and they’re great, and not too expensive.

Thanks everyone!

@lotsagossip that Bellababy breastpump is on Amazon Lightening Deals today for £28 so I've bought one and will keep it boxed and can always return it if I don't use it or gift it to someone as a present.

Lots of different experiences - I don't see myself expressing that regularly but I can see how it could be helpful to help boost supply or relieve engorgement too. I don't think I could justify a £300+ pump to be honest.