Breast pump

I was never very successful using a breastpump although had no trouble bfing at all. The few times I tried I was more successful hand expressing. I suppose it depends on how often you intend to express.
SIL expressed alot with her #1 using a handpump, I think she hopes to get an Advent electric pump next time as it will be faster

Medela is supposed to be good. I say supposed to because my experience didn't quite gel with the hype. LOL

I had an Avent Isis hand pump from when I had DS1 6 years ago............when he was a baby I couldn't pump to save my life. It went in a box, came half way round the world with us when we moved here from the UK and came out again when DS2 was born when DS1 was 4. Pumping so not an issue this time. hehehehehehehe

Long story short, I was expressing using my hand pump in anticipation of going back to work. Though it worked really well we thought I'd get on better with an electric pump because I was going to be pumping at work at least once a day and it would be 'quicker'. So we invested in a Medela Swing, which had fabulous reviews and it was a nightmare. By nightmare I mean that I got MORE milk in LESS time with my hand pump than I ever did with the expensive electric pump.

I also agree with a PP, just because you can't pump milk doesn't mean that you can't be successful at bf. I know plenty of women with more than adequate milk supplies who can't pump to save their lives......one has NOTHING to do with the other..

I got the Medela swing pump & found it really good. I bought it from Birthcare-apparently they have really good prices on medela stuff.

I'd advise waiting till bubs is born first though. Get breastfeeding established & then if you feel you need the pump get one. I have a gf who swears by manual pumping (by hand). The thought completely wierds me out though , but that's just me.

I would say wait.. after all they are everywhere! Kmart, baby shops, chemists... if you need one it wont take long for someone to duck out and get you one.

I have an avent hand pump and it works well for me, takes me about 20 mins to express 80-140ml (I express before bed and dont always get the same amount). and thats with a settled supply. In the early days I could get 100ml in about 5 mins

I know the hospital I work at sells a medela double pump. And its cheaper than from the shops. So check if your local hospital sells them.

Hi everyone, thanks so much for the advice!

mybeautiful3 - I'm wanting one mainly so that DH has the chance to feed as well as other family members where possible. I fully intend to BF from the start, but would like DH to bond as well.
I'm thinking I'll just get one before the birth as I think I'll use it quite often. And if for some reason I use it only a couple of times then I can sell it to a close friend or something.

I've gotten one too. I can always sell it on trademe if it doesn't work out for me. I am planning to BF in the beginning to get it established but I want DH to bond as well. And I won't be someone that could BF in public and I dispise public BF rooms, I'm a bit of a germaphobe. So I need to be able to feed him when we are out and about and I don't want to do formula.

Jax may not be the same everywhere but last time I was in hospital they gave me a pamphlet on where I could rent Medela pumps so that could be an option too.

I have an Avent Isis and used it to express for night feeds so that DH could do one feed a day. It was lovely having just a bit of extra time out.

Also I had flat nipples and was using shields for the BFs and had no probs with the pump. In fact my MW said that pumping once a day was helping keep my milk up.

Edited by Bobbie

I have the Avent IQ Electric pump and love it. It also came with a manual handle so I can do both electric and manual.

I bought it when it was on sale while I was pg. Could you hire one or perhaps get one second hand off Trademe instead?

Wait - you may not need one. Andthen it is a big waste of money.

By all means do your research now, but don't buy yet.

The best one for you will depend on:
how often you use it, once a week, every day, or every feed.
where you find it easiest to express
whether you will need to express away from home
how good your supply is
whether bubs will drink from a bottle
what is most comfy
the type of bottles you have (widfe mouthed or narrow necked)

I have been there done that - exclusively expressed for five months as my boy was a premmie.