Expressing - where to begin!!??

[JennyOwens]

Hi ladies,

This is a very broad post, but I've been breastfeeding for over 5 weeks now and am starting to think about expressing so that I can do some things on my own... but I just don't know where to begin.

I think I want to get a pump - but which one? Electric or manual? What are the plus/negative points of either?

Then it comes to the bottles and the teats... and then the sterliser... its so complicated I'm beginning to wonder whether doing things on my own is really worth the effort!!

I'd really appreciate hearing any reviews or tips you've got... thanks a million!

 

[Margerle]

Well start at the begining... the pump.

I think in your case, where you aren't pumping 'full time' but just for extra milk for those days you need to be away for feeding a cheapy manual one would work fine.

Electric ones are very expensive but are very good. I have the Medela Pump In Style. Medela is a great brand.

Storage. I use the plastic storage bags that Lansinoh makes.

Bottles. This will depend entirely on baby. I am using the adiri nurser because it's most like the breast.
https://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2968120

But there are a lot of great bottle systems out there. Though I have the adiri, I also have one playtex/dropin bottle, and one Nuk brand just in case she'll take one over another.

These bottles have economy packs and they ahve sample sizes. I've gotten some coupons in the mail for $2-$3 off a 'sample' bottle and got it nearly free. So that gives you an inexpensive way to try a couple different brands. Once baby pics a system and is eating good, then you can get a couple more.

I just wash the bottles and nipples in very hot dishwater.

Hope that helps! Hang in there!

 

[Carley]

For me, I'm a huge fan of electric. manual did nothing for me, so I'd say if you were pumping long term, go for an electric!!!

 

[marley2580]

Why not try doing it by hand first?

 

[smartie]

I use a tommee tippee manual pump and closer to nature bottles and teats and find that Hannah has no problem going between both bottle and breast

 

[Mamafy]

I used a medela electric pump and it was amazing!

 

[JennyOwens]

Thanks for all the useful tips. I've read a bit about the Medela electric pumps and they do seem really good, but also expensive. I think I'm going to try the Philips Avent Isis manual pump first to see how LO gets on with the bottle first...

I did think about expressing by hand as i tried a bit in the first few days after my milk came in but my boobs are too painful for me to think that would be much fun!

As for sterilser - I've set OH the task of researching that!

Thanks so much for all your useful posts!

 

[sam's mum]

I've got the Avent Isis manual pump and it's great - I don't pump much (just had to build up a stock of frozen EBM for a day of work, and try out a few bottles to make sure he'd take them first). Was worried about spending lots of money in case he didn't want to feed from bottles so I actually bought one from ebay for about £5

I pump in the mornings when I have time and it doesn't take long to fill a bottle. I also got an Avent microwave steriliser on ebay and it's so easy to use (i'm not always cheap, honestly ..just addicted to ebay!)

Good luck with it

 

[JASMAK]

I used Manual, Avent. I also used lansinoh bags that someone else mentioned. You might not get much the first few times. It can be hard to relax! But, if you try it a few times, it will get easier. Getting out is so wonderful...enjoy!

 

[Mango]

I used a medela electric pump and it was amazing!

I have this pump as well and it's the best thing ever! Would really recommend this one if you plan to breast feed/pump long term!

 

[JennyOwens]

I used Manual, Avent. I also used lansinoh bags that someone else mentioned. You might not get much the first few times. It can be hard to relax! But, if you try it a few times, it will get easier. Getting out is so wonderful...enjoy!

You're not wrong! I tried it at the weekend and got about a drip out! And it was pretty painful - it seemed to be pulling my whole boob down the suction tube. I haven't had the courage to try again yet!

We are also going through a bit of a growth spurt (I think - v. grumpy, hungry and sleepy - ??) and I just don't want to risk expressing only for LO to get hungry and demand the empty boob!

I know everyone says that you will produce enough milk but I just don't feel like I have any going spare to be expressed!!

 

[Margerle]

You're body has regulated perfectly with baby's needs. You're doing great stimulating your breasts to make more

And you do that exactly how baby would. Keep the breast empty! OFTEN.

You can normally express a little more in the morning hours. That's when I'd feed baby, then try to pull a little more off to completely empty the breast. You won't get hardly anything the first couple times, but eventually the stimulation added with the empty breast will cue more production.

Think of it just like when baby goes through a growth spurt... they want the boob ALL THE TIME (which is exactly what will trigger more production!) You need to allow baby to be on the breast and allow the breast to be drained for production to increase.

In 24-48 hours you should see/feel an increase in production.

 

[smartie]

I have now just bought a medela electric pump and wish i had it from the start!