Breast feeding - Breast pump

[Char2994]

Hi,
I’ve just reached 29 weeks pregnant and now the end is in sight I’m worrying about making sure I have everything I need ready for my little ones appearance! Could anyone help with what breast pump I should invest in? Some I’ve been recommended look great, but are really quite pricey just wondering if anyone has any recommendations for some which are slightly cheaper. Thanks in advance

Don't buy a breast pump until baby is here. They can end up being a huge waste of money if breastfeeding doesnt work out or they don't work for you.

At this stage, get a Haakaa type catcher. They are only a few quid and Aldi often do one in their baby event. They are good for easing engorgement and catching let down.

If you need something more then it can be got easily when baby is here.

I had a pretty cheap Philips avent one which did the job. I wasn't able to express much so didn't use it very often. The Haakaa was much better for me.

Side note, what you can express is no indication of how much milk you have

Don't bother until baby is here. If you want some peace of mind maybe order yourself a sub £10 haakaa.
Some people never pump, some people don't end up breastfeeding.
I breastfed for two + years. I bought a hakaa at about the 6 week mark, I bought a 'cheap' hand manual single pump at about 10 weeks and then I bought. Super pricy double electric pump at about 4 months. But I know so many that bought a pump and spent lots of money for no reason.
As a rule... it's best just to keep baby on the breast for the first 6 weeks. You'll both need to perfect the art and the best way of regulating milk flow is your baby telling your body how much it needs. So best to avoid pumping which can cause oversupply abs best to avoid bottles which can cause tear confusion for baby

Hi op I would say it depends on how u plan to feed baby, if u want to breastfeed then what the pp have suggest will be fine to catch the let down from the other breast, which u can then either put in the fridge or freezer and use to either feed baby at a later stage or even a milk bath. If you plan on exclusively pumping then I would suggest joining a fb group to chat with fellow pumpers.
I plan on exclusively pumping again and have just got a 2nd hand spectra s1 ( they are safe 2nd hand as they are a closed system) I also have a Medela swing. Also if/ when you do buy a pump you need to make sure the flanges ( bits that cover ur nipples) are the correct size x

As others have said wait to see.
I bought a haakaa style pump and I had a fast letdown and was generally quite leaky. This was more than sufficient when she was small and allowed my partner to do a bottle on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Then she started refusing a bottle. After a few months we got her to take a bottle again. Now the haakaa wasn't quite sufficient but okish so I knew I didn't need an all singing and dancing electric pump so bought a basic manual pump (laniosh) which suits our needs.

I'm a little ahead (31 weeks) but the advice I've had has been the same as PP, get a collector but wait before buying a pump. Another drawback of getting a pump in advance is it either ties you into a specific brand of bottle (which baby might not like) or means having to do twice as much cleaning/sterilising etc! Getting a few bottles baby doesn't like isn't quite such a wasted expense.

I went with the lansinoh collector over the haakaa because it comes with a lid and also a neck strap - so when you've got it on the other breast it can be 'attached' to you while you're feeding on the other side, so if baby decides to fling their arm about or kick at it you don't lose a whole milk collection all over the sofa! I haven't tried it yet obviously but thought it might be a feature worth considering!

As above, I would wait to buy this.

However I would really recommend to anyone the bellababy double pump on amazon - less than 50 for a double, I bought it and used it multiple times a day whilst exclusively expressing and it was brilliant. Way cheaper than most doubles, really effective and saved time too (because it was a double)

I’m 29 weeks as well and this thread has been helpful. Thanks all.

Don't get one till you've established breastfeeding and you know your going to use it.
I was loned a hand pump with my first which wasn't great (took ages to pump enough off) and dc1 wouldn't take a bottle. So I only ended up expressing to add to porridge ect (weaning was from 4 months so couldn't use cows milk). With dt I bought an electric one and it was great. Also dt2 took the bottle really well which makes such a difference.
I got recommended a pump by the breastfeeding coordinator for our area (this was 12 years ago so can't recommend) worth asking for their recommendations or if they loan them out.
A tip a midwife gave me when expressing was instead of doing it after every bf do it at a set time everyday and it will build up a good supply. I found that I didn't have time to express after every feed with newborn twins and a 5 year old so was easier this way.

Same as most posts. Don't buy one until baby is here. I bought one and used it a couple of times, I hated it and I would hardly get anything from expressing. My baby is 5 months now and I still breastfeed (apart from one formula feed at night) so the pump was a total waste of money