For all the mothers that used a breast pump.....?

Question

I am getting ready to have my first child. I have been searching for the right breast pump. I want to buy a manual one. Since they are cheaper. Plus I will only be using it while I am at work. What pump did you find the best and why?

I do not have that large of boobs either. Does that make a difference?

Answer 1

Try Walmart.com they do sell a electric one that is less than $45. Using the manual one is fine at first but as the baby gets older you will need to pump more and a manual one hurts your hand and takes longer. Breast size doesn't natter since your body produces milk as needed.

Answer 2

You really don't want a manual for work expressing. It would take you FOREVER. About an hour to an hour and a half, and it would still not give you enough.

I would highly recommend you invest in a double electric pump. Medela has the "Pump In Style" (the one I have) for around $200. If you want to pump at work to continue breastfeeding your child, this is the way to go. If you're worried about saving money, spend a little on a good pump. That way you won't have to spend money on formula because the manual wasn't working for you.

I exclusively pumped for 3 months, and I have tried a manual pump. It is not even worth the $40. If you are only planning to pump once or twice through your entire breastfeeding career, and you have the time to sit there and do it by hand, go for it. But doing it every day on your lunch break, you need something efficient that will do the job in 15-20 minutes, as well as something that will help maintain your supply.

The Pump In Style is very portable, it looks like a briefcase, you can hang it on a coat hook if you need to, you can plug it into a wall or use rechargeable batteries, it comes with a little cold pack to store the milk in, it's perfect for working pump moms. I bought mine five months ago, and I cannot imagine life without it.

Answer 3

What is your work schedule like? How often/long will you be away from baby? How frequently will you be pumping? All of that makes a difference in what will work best for you.

The Avent Isis is a very highly recommended manual pump - BUT - if you are a full-time working mom, I really think you're going to need a good double electric pump in order to keep up your supply and get enough milk for your baby when you're apart. I usually only recommend manual pumps for occasional separation, not 40+ hours a week.

If you qualify for WIC, you may be able to get help getting a pump through them. If your doc will write a prescription for a pump, you might get your insurance to pay for at least part of it as "medical supplies."

Keep in mind that, while a good electric pump is an expense up front, it's FAR cheaper than a year's worth of formula.

ETA:
The size of your breasts doesn't matter. The size of your nipples MIGHT matter if they are large. Good pumps, such as the Medela, have differnet size horns you can order to fit your nipples better if that is your case.

ETA again:
Some pumps are closed systems and can be used by multiple mothers (rental pumps and the Ameda Purely Yours). Other pumps have an open system (Medela Pump In Style) and are NOT recommended for use by mulitiple users as milk can back up into the motor which can NOT be steralized. These "open system" pumps are considered single user items like a toothbrush. So if you're considering a used pump, know what you're getting and know the risks. Personally, I'd only buy a used pump from someone I know really well and trust to be clean and disease-free.

ETA once more:
Don't buy a pump make by a company such as Playtex or Evenflo that primarily make stuff to support formula feeding mothers. These pumps don't work as well and can sometimes even damage your nipples. (I've personally used the "Evilflo" pump before and it stinks compared to a good Medela pump!)

Answer 4

Size doesn't matter.
I'm using the first years electric that has a double pump. Its okay. The medella are the best but also cost an arm and a leg. I thought about getting a manual pump to see if I could pump faster than the electric, but after seeing the prices I was blown away...they are only 10 bucks cheaper than the double electric pump I have.

Answer 5

The best way I've ever found is to pump or nurse more often! As you probably know its a supply and demand system. That said, your milk supply is still becoming established at 1 month in. So be careful about going so long without pumping this early on! Later once your supply is more firmly established it won't decrease your milk supply to go a little longer on occasion. :) See if you can talk to a lactation consultant in your area...or call La Leche League. Google the phone number. They should have some advice for you and they are there specifically to help moms in their breastfeeding journey! It may not be too late you help your son learn to latch on...if you want that. But it will likely take some pro help! :) otherwise...you are doing a great job just providing breastmilk any way you can and you should be very proud of that choice! Congrats on your new son!

Answer 6

I used the Avent brand. It works very well but manual pumps take longer. It took about 15 or more minutes and each breast to get all my milk out. And you'll proby want to wear a nursing pad on one breast while you're pumping the other because it WILL leak! Just make sure you have at least 2 bottles with you to make sure you have something to store it in and throw away old bottles after prolonged use because they will start to leak when used for a long period of time (a few months). I guess constantly twisting them on and off the pump weakens themor something (the ones I had would leak from where you put the nipple on after a few months).

Answer 7

I pumped for about 10 months after returning to work after maternity leave. I used a battery operated dual pump and that worked out pretty good. The manual one would have taken a really long time and your hand will probably start hurting. Just about any of the battery/electric ones will be fine. You shouldn't pump until your milk supply has been established which is a month or two. Good luck to you!

Answer 8

I used an electric breast pump w/ my 1st child and I didn't really like it. It may have been the pump that I had that made me hate pumping so much.. I'm going to get a manual and a different electric pump this time and see which 1 I like best.

Answer 9

The size of boobs dosent matter. They come with attachments if needed. This pump is made by medela and they are great. I had a electric one so Im not sure about a manual one.

The Harmony™ Breastpump

Preferred by 9 out of 10 moms! Feels more like your baby than any other manual pump. The only manual pump with breakthrough Natural Expression™ pumping for maximum milk flow. First researched and developed for hospital breast pumps, Natural Expression is an advanced pumping pattern that mimics your baby’s nursing rhythm by pumping in two distinct modes:
Let-down Mode—Simulates your baby’s initial rapid suckling to initiate faster milk flow or “let-down.”

Expression Mode—Simulates your baby’s slower, deeper suckling for maximum milk flow in less time.

First and only manual pump with Natural Expression pumping designed for faster let-down and milk flow
• Soft Fit™ Breastshield massages while you pump
• Ergonomic swivel handle for maximum comfort and flexibility
• Easier assembly and cleaning—fewer parts than other manual pumps
• Compatible with most standard baby bottles
• No batteries required

Answer 10

If you are going to use it on a regular basis while you are at work, a manual one most likely won't be good enough.
You want something efficient, light, quite and one that could do both sides simultaneously.
I recommend Ameda Purely yours.
BTW, some insurance will pay some of the cost for breast pump