Breast-Pump Advice from BTDT Moms?

I was told recently that an electronic breast pump was a waste of $$, and that a manual pump would be fine.

I will be home with DD for 6 months, and I plan to BF. I would like to pump for some bottles do DH can feed her, too. I will (hopefully) mostly BF her.

Will a manual be good enough? I have my eye on the Avent Isis. It's really reasonable priced with great reviews. Should I look into this one or an electronic pump?

Thanks!

Re: Breast-Pump Advice from BTDT Moms?

my g/f did both manual and electric and she told me electric was much better.
Based on her experience I just went with the electric- medela advanced. I had no luck BF though. good luck to you!

Re: Breast-Pump Advice from BTDT Moms?

I waited until DS was born to buy a pump---the way I looked at it was why bother to have a pump if BF didn't work for us----I ended up renting a pump the first month and then bought the Ameda Purely Yours electric pump (I love this pump)----I never had a manual, so I can't compare, but my pump has saved me a few times (clogged ducts, a bout of mastitis, I even took it in my bag to a party in the city)----it has paid for itself over and over again.

Re: Breast-Pump Advice from BTDT Moms?

With an electric pump you can cut your pumping time in half by pumping both at once.

I use my manual to release engorgement as I am trying to dry out now.

Re: Breast-Pump Advice from BTDT Moms?

I don't know who told you that. But this is not what for most BFing moms will tell you.

I had a manual pump for the first few week that was given to me by the hospital. It was "good" for quick relief but it's totally inadequate to pump milk. It will take you forever to exact milk. And when your hand gets exhausted, you can then switch to the other breast and do it again. I used the electric pump for 20 minutes. I can't imagine how long it would take for me to exact that much milk with a manual pump.

Unless you plan to BF DC all the time, you might need some backup BM in your freezer for "just in case".

I got the Medella Pump In Style Advanced. Some women have the regular Pump in Style and were very satisfied too.

I suggested a good pump. One that pump both breasts at the same time.

Let's just say, the most efficient, the easiest and fastest the pump, the best for you.

Re: Breast-Pump Advice from BTDT Moms?

No way! First check if your insurance will cover a breast pump, many will. If not and money is an issue, check out the Ameda Purely Yours. Its cheaper than the medela and I personallly found it more comfortable to use.

Re: Breast-Pump Advice from BTDT Moms?

my mom bought me the medala pump in style, good thing because DS never latched on so I needed a good pump. it takes 15-20 minuets and does both breasts at a time. I don' tthink the manual will be too good if you plan on using bottles to feed DC

Re: Breast-Pump Advice from BTDT Moms?

I think the electric is totally worth the money. My DD is almost 8 months and I am still BFing. She never took to a bottle, since I was the major feeder & she only wanted me, but I do pump daily to add to her cereal and in the hopes that she will someday drink it from a sippy cup.
I can't imagine manually pumping.

Re: Breast-Pump Advice from BTDT Moms?

I totally disagree with that. I would recommend an electric breast pump. You don't really need to spend a fortune on the Medela Pump In Style if you're only going to be pumping for the occassional bottle. In my experience, a manual pump is practically useless for pumping full bottles.

Re: Breast-Pump Advice from BTDT Moms?

I don't know what I would have done without my electric pump. At 7 months DD weaned herself and I then I pumped exclusively for 4 months. I was pumping 5x a day and I can't imagine having done that manually. It will save you a lot of time.

Message edited 11/20/2008 9:51:05 PM.

Re: Breast-Pump Advice from BTDT Moms?

yeah.... I had a lactation consultant tell me that too.... I sooo don't believe that a manual is sufficient.... (although I've never tried it)

I also bought the ameda purely yours... it's wonderful. In 20 min everything is pumped. I recommend the ameda over other brands becuase it's the only pump (outside of hospital pumps) that is approved by the FDA... this is becuase all other pumps could have their tubes contaminated with milk... they're also apparently more difficult to clean than the ameda.

there's a conversion kit with BPA-free parts.... I got the kit for free with my purchase as an internet promo in late august.....

Re: Breast-Pump Advice from BTDT Moms?

manual is a pita if u are sure u will pump then invest in the medela pump in style

Re: Breast-Pump Advice from BTDT Moms?

I had both a manual and an electric - both from medilla. I got the manual free from the hospital. I still purchased the PISA in the bag. I loved the eletric. The manual was good if I needed to travel somewhere and could not bring the eletric. However, for regular daily pumping I would go with the electric and get dual with the bra for hands free.

Re: Breast-Pump Advice from BTDT Moms?

I loved my manual Avent Isis. I ebf for 7 mo & the pump was fine for me but I didn't pump that much.

It also was great when I first went back to work & I just needed to pump once a day. It fit in a small lunch bag & only took 15 min to get 6-8 oz.

Re: Breast-Pump Advice from BTDT Moms?

I used the manual when I went on long car trips. It did the job but took forever!! It was a good thing I had nothing better to do than ride in the car.

If the $$ for an electric pump is an issue for you, maybe you can rent one from a lactation consultant. I believe I rented mine for only about $35 a month. I realize that in the end you don't have anything to keep for your investment, but it really did the job (I especially needed a hospital-grade pump since I was exclusively pumping).

Re: Breast-Pump Advice from BTDT Moms?

Thank you so much for the advice. It looks like I will look into electric. Did any of you find that your insurance covered a breast pump?

Re: Breast-Pump Advice from BTDT Moms?

Yes, for both of my girls on two different insurance plans, an electric pump was covered with a perscription.

Re: Breast-Pump Advice from BTDT Moms?

I'm doing fine with the Medela Harmony