What's the best breast pump to buy? Or should I rent? Or should I express by hand?

Question

I'm only planning on using it for occasional use. Has anyone had success expressing by hand?

Answer 1

It's not that hard to express by hand, but it can be tedious.I only pump infrequently, too. I like a double pump so that I can get it done quicker. I have an electric pump because I need my hands free to eat dinner while pumping (only have a 15 minute break on the days that I work) but I know many people who like a manual pump because you can simulate the sucking pattern of a baby which encourages let down.

And congratulations on continuing to feed your baby breastmilk- so many people give up because of working. You can do it!

You might consider renting just to try it out. I know that Avent and Medela are the best (Avet for hand pump, Medela for electric) and I would avoid any pump that is manufactured by a formula company. I bought a cheap hand pump to travel with and it is really bad, so it's worth investing in a good one.

Answer 2

After a goo dhot shower, I can express by hand about 3 oz each side. That is since my son sleeps all night (every other night acctually). I feed him at 7:30 pm and take the shower at about 10 then express when I get out. I pump during the day with a Medela In Style pump. I usually get two or three times in a 9 hour day and get around 12 to 15 oz each day. When I nurse him I nurse for 15 each side. He is four months old. When I am done pumping each time I continue to express by hand & still get about half an oz that the pump does not get. It takes me about 15 minutes each session with the pump. It can get very tiring to do it by hand but if you are only going to do it like once a week or so that would be my choice instead of investing in a pump. I had an evenflo pump that the motor wore out within 2 months of use.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

All my work colleagues said Avent so that's what I registered for. We never got them and when my milk came in I DESPERATELY needed a breast pump and the public health nurse recommended Avent too so I went and got all Avent stuff.

I pumped once every day or two to keep my milk supply up and the pump was easy to use and clean. As for the bottles we never had any problems with nipple confusion or anything. Even when we gave my daughter a bottle once very early... (at 4 weeks instead of the 6 weeks the hospital and the public health nurses recommend) because we were going out to a Christmas concert one night and my parents were babysitting. After that my hubby gave my daughter 1-2 bottles a week for 5 months just to make sure she'd keep taking them when necessary.

They say they're closest to the breast and I guess they're right!

Plus a friend of mine had a problem where a part of her pump fell in the dishwasher and got wrecked. She said Avent was fabulous about shipping her a replacement part really quickly (because when you need it you NEED it!!!)

When your child switches to cups, you can purchase the cup spouts and handles that will fit onto the bottles you already have! The spouts are spill-proof and are available in a variety of fun colors.

Avent also makes pacifiers, spoons, plates, bowls, etc.

Also, I hope you never experience this, but a manual pump is handy to have if you ever get a plugged milk duct. (OUCH!!!) This happened to me twice and all you can do is breast compressions/massage and nurse like crazy to try to work it out before it turns into a Mastitis infection. I'd nurse my baby on one side and take the pump with me into the bath. I'd lay on my tummy in nice toasty warm water for a few minutes and then pump while still in the bath and it got things flowing smoothly again in no time at all.

I only ever expressed by hand a bit in the shower to relieve some of the pressure if I started leaking all over the place because of the warmth. It seemed like a pretty messy time consuming arrangement with a lot of margin for error. You can't miss the bottle with a pump. :-)

Good luck!

Answer 4

Expressing by hand was very difficult for me. Think about it, your breasts are sore at first, filling with milk and getting used to being sucked on and pulled at by a pump, trying to figure out the expressing move was just too much for me to handle. You don't just squeeze and milk comes out. You have to do this rolling thing with your hand....The pump was much easier. I used a manual one, but I wish I had an electric one, and a double pump at that! Because when you're pumping one breast, the other one leaks! So I figured, might as well have a pump on that side too! I heard the Mudela pump is the best. It is also the most expensive, though...

Answer 5

I can express by hand easily but boy would I get a hand cramp if I tried to get a whole bottle that way...

The best pump available is the Medela Pump-in-Style. The equal to that would be teh Ameda Purely Yours. Those are both expensive - in the 200-300 range though, so may not be best best for occasional use.

My hospital actually gave me a manual pump and I use that sometimes to pump - but I know people that love the Avent Isis manual pump - its easier to press it then my pump would be cause my pump is like pumpng a bike tire up... arm gets tired fast.

Answer 6

not particular why there are such diverse thumbs down the following, LOL, might want to be the artwork of the astounding trolls... My daughter became born with a cleft lip/palate. I rented a breast pump, and in my case, because it became considered a "clinical necessity", coverage lined it. Oh, and for the list, it is a superbly high quality component to do, not something unsanitary about it, if you're renting an electric powered one from both a clinical institution, or from, like I did, a consignment save it really is administered by technique of an RN who takes position to be a lactation representative, you'll locate that the pumps are sterile. :)

Answer 7

I tried 4 different pumps and every one of them left me disapointed because there was only a little milk and it would come gushing out at first and then very quickly after it wouldnt get anything out. I expressed by hand most of the time. It was difficult for sure but I found that I got more out that way because I could massage different spots and I felt way more comfortable with my own hand then a thing like pump hanging off my boob making horrible noises and looking very silly. But every women is different so maybe try the hand expressing first, its cheaper and if it doesnt work...apparently the avent isis has very good reviews, so ive heard lol.

Answer 8

I have a Medela Pump-In-Style, and have used it for both of my kids. I've been really pleased with it, considering that there's not much way NOT to feel like a dairy cow! While the Medela people get crazy about people reselling them on eBay, that's where I bought mine for a fraction of the cost of a new one, and you can get the bottles, pump shields, container stands, tubing, etc., at the hospital when you have your baby. Just ask your nurse and s/he'll grab a kit for you.

As for expressing by hand, this was a last resort for me, if I was away from both my baby and my pump and simply need to relieve pressure. It's monotonous and can cramp your hands!

Answer 9

I used the Avent Isis IQ Duo and really liked it. It is very quiet and comes in a very discreet case. Also, you can set the pressure to where it is most like baby, and the soft petal liner of the cups is great! Comes with all sorts of accessories too!

I used a hospital grade rental for a while, and it killed my nipples, but the ISIS was very comfortable and I was able to pump a lot more because I was comfortable.

I definately thought it was worth the money.

Answer 10

hard to express by hand or manual pump.......
you have to pump 15 minutes for each boob.....
a total of 30 minutes each time.......and you have to do this 3, 4 5 times day?????

best pump is any of the double breast pump from MEDELA.

you can rent from the hospital if you AREN'T planning to do long term pumping......it's just temporary....
costs between $70-$80 a month to rent....

might as well just buy your own........