Electric Breastpump advise effective 1's and would you consider a second hand one as you will sterilise it?

Question

I'm breastfeeding my 2nd child, have a manual pump but find hard work get hand cramp!!
Would like to purchase an electric one as always said I would. There are cheaper versions out there for around £25 mark but how effective are they? Would you consider a 2nd hand one as it is going to be sterilised, i'm not sure I like the idea but some of the known branded ones are £50-£85 and i'll probably only use for about 3months, my 3 year old son is desperate to feed his baby sister as is my husband, and it's not always appropriate, to get my boobs out, in certain places, as I feel uncomfortable with peoples reactions.
So help on brands that are effective to please without breaking the bank please, thanks:)

Answer 1

I used the Meleda mini electric breast pump which was recommended by the neo natal unit at my hospital and used by the hospital also.
It was £50 but well worth it. So easy and no effort needed at all. You could tell it was in place by the sound of the pump.(I was new to all this!)
I sold mine after I had finished with it for £23 on ebay and I fully sterilised it although to be honest, I wouldnt have bought mine used.

Answer 2

Hi
I am breastfeeding my 2nd child too (he's 3 weeks old) and have spent some time researching electric pumps....
I have ended up hiring the 'symphony' from Medela. It cost £49 for the first ten days and is £30 a month thereafter.
Sounds expensive, I know, but they take the money monthly so you get to spread the cost.
This is the newest, quietest, and according to reviews BEST on the market. Unfortunately, they are £1200 to buy.
It has 2-phase expression (with short sucks for 2 minutes then long sucks thereafter) and controlable intensity.
I've had mine for a week now and when I send it back I get to keep the kit that comes with it so if I hire it in the future it won't cost me as much (£24 for the first 10 days).
I have had a look at other electric breast pumps available and the cheaper ones aren't as efficient or compact and VERY noisy whereas this one is silent.

Having said that, I would't have a problem buying a 2nd hand pump at all as long as I could see it in action first, and gave it all a good clean and sterilized it etc first. I wouldn't buy off eBAY - look on breastfeeding websites for advice.

Call Medela on 08709505994 - they're really helpful and full of expert advice. This is also the number to call to hire any of their pumps.

Answer 3

the only good ones cost about $250- $300 US Dollars..

the cheaper ones are just that cheap!

The expensive ones feature , super quiet operation, where the cheap ones can easily wake up the family...

the expensive ones offer double breast action, so they do both boobs at the same time, where the cheap ones only do one at a time.

then the expensive ones come with a carry case that makes taking it with you a breeze..

Finally, the expensive ones can actually last a few years, while the cheap ones, start breaking down after say 4 or 5 months...

In the end the expensive one will save you money, time, noise pollution, and everyone will thank you! the cheap one will definately cost you more in the long run,,,

To get a second hand from a family member is bettr, but if no one has, then its ok,,, just run alot of water through the lines... not sure you should use chemicals, cause it might infect the milk to a degree..

good luck.

Answer 4

I use the Avent isis IQ. You start off hand pumping then press a button and the electric takes over and does exactly the same pumping pattern that you just started. So you can adjust the strength and length of the pump action.
It's pretty expensive at £85 but I think it's well worth it as it's kept me sane!
2nd hand is fine. Like you say, you sterilise it.

Answer 5

I bought the best brand of pump, which was very expensive. It broke after three days, was slow, and painful. I bought a cheaper brand that was a double pump. It was awesome, It was 4 times as fast. Was very massaging, didnt hurt at all.
In my opinion when you buy an expensive one you are just paying for the name.

Answer 6

I don't think there is a hygine issue, it's quite safe for you to do that.

Maybe contacting La Leche League would be useful to you- they may be able to advise you on hiring a pump. Also your midwife or health visitor may be able to get you a pump. If I were you I would consider hiring one because you will not need it for all that long. Also if you hire you will be able to get a better more expensive pump for a fraction of the cost.

http://www.poshmums.com/breastfeeding/breast-pump-hire.htm

http://www.nctms.co.uk

2 places you can hire, though ask your midwife who may be able to arrange something less expensive

S
x

Answer 7

Would completely consider a second hand one. You could always just get new attachments too.

Also if you or your husband work for a business, check with their Human Resources department if they have something called a lactation program - these are often sponsored by Medela - and can get you great deals on pumps..


Good luck!

Answer 8

yeah im constructive 2d hand would be wonderful, as you're saying it truly is going to likely be precise steralised. i offered an electric pump from my interior of reach chemist think of it replaced into around £35, regardless of the indisputable fact that it replaced into truly the terrific ingredient i did, in basic terms conect each thing up and away to bypass (and it provides you with a robust excuse to have a lie in while your husband can see to the toddler interior the early hours)he he xx

Answer 9

check with department of human services or the health department. when i had my 3rd child, the only one that i breastfed, the pumps were so expensive, but i contacted dhs and they assigned me not only a breastfeeding coach, but "loaned" me a pump. it didn't cost anything and once i was done using it, i simply returned it. when i returned to work, earlier than i had planned, the pump was a godsend! good luck!

Answer 10

hi

i used a manual one too & the first one i had was awful ( tommee tippee) i ended up swapping it for the avent one & it was great so mayb consider changing the brand instead of spending a fortune if ur only gonna use it a little while.