Breast Pumps

[magie73]

I would like to buy a electric breast pump and was wondering what your experiences are with them.

I would like to pump so that others can feed (gives me a break to sleep).

Anyone know the answers to the following:

1. What's a reasonable cost?
2. Single or Double pumps - which is better?
3. How noisey are they?
4. How long do they take to express?
5. What accessories are good/bad?
6. Is cleaning easy/hard/etc?
7. Can you express whilst feeding on the other breast?
8. Would you buy second hand? If so, what advice do you have?

Sorry for the questions but I'd appreciate any help.

Hi bought the medela swing before I had DS for exactly the reasons you stated (also helped initially as well as DS really struggled to latch on and the breast pump helped my milk come in).

I had a really positive experience with it, easy to use, not too noisy, easy to clean. Only accessories you would need are a few extra bottles or bags. It only would take me about 10 minutes to express around 100 - 150ml after a feed. Never fed while using it but depending on your position I think it would be possible. It was £80 - which I thought was quite expensive - I did look into second hand ones but they were all selling around £60 - so thought I might as well get a new one. But mine got quite a bit of use but is still in good order - although it can discolour a bit. I think the double pumps are more expensive.

Hope this helps

Another vote for Medela swing! I bought it from John Lewis at £89 although you can get it at Boots and get points. My baby was born prem so had to use it every 4 hours day and night for 8 weeks until I could wean him onto the breast. It is still used occasionally now and is still going strong. Very easy to take apart and wash and sterilise. It has a little noise but you soon get use to it and watch the TV! I was expressing around 15 minutes per side and it was very efficient.

The only advantage of a double pump is that you save 15 minutes per express but they are very expensive.

Can't remember the names of the various brands but with my first child I borrowed and enormous breast pump machine. It was really enormous. Second time around I managed to borrow one again (sounding really tight I know!) - this time from my sister and it was a small hand-held thing which was just the job. Whichever you go for, just get a little one as they are far more manageable.

yes another vote for medela swing, very fast and efficient. i bought mine on ebay for about £20 and sold 6 months later for a few pounds more!

please don't bother with a manual one, life's too short!!!

Hello there.

Sorry for the delay. Thank you all very much for your advice.

I am now searching for the best prices.

Thanks

medela swing - worth every penny! The midwife told me that you should only express for 15 mins (each side) because you won't be getting anything much else out after that.