Breastfeeding:Breastpumps

What kind of breastpump is best for my needs?

Milk will keep for 6 hours at room temperature, 48 hours in the fridge, two weeks in a little top-of-the-fridge freezer and six months in a deep freezer. Date each package and use the oldest milk first. You prorate exposure. That is, if the milk was at room temperature for two hours, it has used 1/3 of it's life and can only have 32 hours in the fridge now.

Most women use breast pumps to continue breastfeeding after they return to work or just to freeze some milk for emergencies.

Both your technique and quality of breastpump contribute to the success of giving your newborn breastmilk instead of formula. A cheap or avarage priced pump can be very rough with your nipples, causing physical harm and a premature end of your breastfeeding plans. Quality breastpumps can be very expensive. Some professional-quality breastpumps can be $1,000 or more. Renting a good quality breastpump may be an option. Also check for `breastfeeding support programs` in your area.

Which breast pump should I buy?
In general: Choose a pump that comes with a soft piece that fits to the breast, not a hard plastic one. Suction of electric pumps should be adjustable so it doesn't hurt too much. Electrical pumps should also have enough power. A weak pump might double your pumping time. Many people try several cheap pumps and end up with either an average or good pump. If you can, buying a quality pump from the beginning will save you time, money and hassle in the end.

You have several options:

Manual breastpump
Battery and small electric operated pumps
Larger electric operated pumps

Manual breastpump (Medela)></td>
<td><strong>manual breast pump</strong><br>A manual breastpump is probably your cheapest option. A good one costs about 40$.
(Medela Harmony or Avent Isis)
<br><strong>Advantages:</strong> Manual pumps are economical, light weight, quiet, and compact. They give you better control over suction,
speed, and your own comfort. Not depending on electricity.
<br><strong>Disadvantages:</strong> They often require two hands and it takes longer to pump.
You may also find it to be a lot of work (10-20 minutes of pumping each time requires some arm strength/endurance).
<br>Extra: There are dual pumps available ($90+) that get the milk from both breast.
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Electric breastpump (Medela)></td><td><strong>Larger electric operated pumps </strong><br>Electric breastpumps combine the portability of a small pump with the performance of a large rental pump. Ideal for moms who pump often. <br><strong>Advantages:</strong> Quiet, fast (and therefore less stressful), gives less pain, more comfort and quality, stronger, often more options and `smarter`. <br><strong>Disadvantages:</strong> Expensive ($250 and up), not portable (big bag) <br>Extra: You might consider renting a professional breast pump, for about 2$-3$/day </td></tr></tbody></table>

<img src='http://www.i-am-pregnant.com/img/menu/groen/2pijl.png' width=14 height=12><font style='color:#18813f;font-size:10pt'><b>How to encourage a let-down</b></font><br>a summary of suggestions from newsgroups misc.kids for encouraging a letdown when pumping: <ul><li>Relax (take several deep breaths and, if you know any relaxation,or meditation techniques, use them. Prop up a picture of your baby in front of you and stroke your breast, toward the nipple. Sounds silly, I know, but it works. (The relaxation is the big part, the rest is probably just dressing) </li><li>Look at a picture of your child, think about the child actually nursing and the milk began to flow. In fact I was pumping enough milk for her for the next day and even had some to freeze. </li><li>Bring in a picture of a child and a cassette recording of her crying and such. When you are having a hard time letting down, look at the picture, play the tape, and think about your child. </li><li>Call your doctor. There is a synthetic hormone that he/she can prescribe for you called Oxytosin (sp?) which will IMMEDIATELY cause the let down reflex. This hormone is administered by nasal drops and works great! It runs about $40 a bottle but if your insurance will cover it - go for it! (Warning: these can be habit forming, and increased dosages might be needed for continued effectiveness, so use with care.) </li><li>If your baby smells a particular way sometimes you can use that to trigger let down too (like baby powder or something; my first always smelled a bit like the infant sheepskin he slept on, and that always triggered let down for me). </li><li>It is REALLY hard to get the let down reflex at work especially if, like me, you have to pump in the restroom - frustrating! If there is a private office with a door that locks (so you can relax and not worry about `company` dropping in) use it! </li><li>Nipple stimulation (twirling them between my finger and thumb) until the letdown came. Or, if you have a one handed pump like the Avent manual model, do the nipple stimulation on one side while you pump the other. It may take several minutes at first but with practice the response gets faster. </li><li>pump at regular times (every day or every work-day). Whenever I take week vacations or somesuch, I have a harder time when I return to regular pumping. </li><li>be sure to sit in a comfortable chair </li><li>warmth. It

How much milk do you get when you pump?

Every woman will get a different amount of milk while using a breastpump. Because the pump does not have the same sucking method as your baby does, the flow of milk may vary.
Usually, you should pump each breast for 10-15 minutes. If pumping becomes sore, you should stop immediately.

Advice on how to pump successfully

Get comfortable and relax.
Think of your baby. Thinking of your baby can stimulate your hormones to secrete more milk.
Drink water while you pump. Pumping can make you very thirsty.
If the milk flow decreases, gently squeeze your breast and rub from the top downwards to promote the flow.

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Comments: Breastfeeding - Breastpumps

Comments 1 to 22 of about 22.
1

mfbrown - 246 days ago.
I pump usually around 10 oz in a sitting. (Usually 6 from 1 side, 4 from the other) In the morning though if I don't wake up and pump in the middle of the night I get closer to 15 oz. This morning was my record so far of 17. I thought this was normal but from what I am reading it sounds like it is actually a lot? I have been exclusively pumping though which I thought was more common than it seems to be too. I just find it easier on everyone in the house. Me, baby, and hubby.

lovinggod1111@hotmail.com - 610 days ago.
My lactation consultant told me it is not uncommon to have low milk supply when you pump. I got down to only producin g 1/2 ounce at a time. She recommended Breastea from http://www.breastea.com and it really works! I am pumping 5 to 6 ounces at a time now since I started it.

littlemonster - 944 days ago.
Has anybody been getting grief for exclusively pumping? I started doing it because my baby would get really frustrated trying to latch and wasn't peeing or pooing so I've been letting him decide when he wants to eat and so far it's ever 2-3 hours and he eats 1.5 oz and falls right to sleep so I feel like I'm doing right by him but I'm getting so much crap from friends/docs...it makes me feel like a bad mommy or something

Ashley Rae - 1103 days ago.
So, here's my problem. My lo will not latch on. I think it's because of my inverted nipples. I have tried pumping first and using nipple shields. At first when we were in the hospital, he would try and sometimes succeed and then just fall asleep at the breast. Since we've been home, I can't get him to latch at all. He gets really frustrated. I stay calm and talk to him but he just screams and cries. So I've been pumping many times a day everyday and feeding it to him through the bottle. Here's my problem: I only have a single manual pump. (The Medela Harmoy one.) I got it at a community baby shower. I know it's for very occassional use but I've been using it several times a day as I cannot afford to buy a nicer pump. Do you think if I called my OBGYN that she could write me a prescription to rent one? I really don't mind pumping at all. I don't even mind the fact that I'm currently using a single manual one. Butttt I know that it's eventually going to stop working because I use it so much. I'll probably call the doctor's office tomorrow and ask but was just wondering about your input.

Heather12 - 1164 days ago.
It could be the pump you are using. I used the Medela Pump Instyle double pump and really liked it. I have also heard that some woman just can't get very much milk out when pumping.

Maijulie - 1164 days ago.
Hi ladies! I am breastfeeding and now decided to use the pump so my LO can get use to drinking out of the bottle. I have a Playtex and it just takes forever to pump. I was told the more I use it the more my breast will get use to it. Is this true, because going at the rate I'm going, I'm just going to give up. I will be sitting there for 30 mins and only get about an once of milk out. Seems like the pump doesn't work on me. Help!!!

lisseth82 - 1364 days ago.
soonmommyof2boys- I have the double electric Lansinoh breast pump, and I LOVE IT. I use it 8 times a day. It's way cheaper than the Medela one and just as powerful, I used the Medlea one at the hospital and it was more technical. The Lansinoh is straight to the point and get's the job done. I use all Lansionh prouducts. It's high quality stuff.

mountainmama - 1372 days ago.
i work full time and use the avent purely yours. it's under $200 (have no idea what that is in pounds). i like it but wish i had spent more $ and gotten the medela. it does the job, easy to clean, etc....but there were days when i felt like i should pump more. after i take off the pump b/c no more milk was coming out, i could hand express some more. but overall it's a great pump that's lower in price then the medela.

Deanne2005 - 1372 days ago.
Hello there, If anyone can help me, i originally used a Avent Manual Breast pump with my first child and it was awful i could not keep up with the amount of expressing. I know at my hospital they use Madela Breast pumps and they recommended one to me when i had my first child. I am now going to concieve my second child and was wondering if anyone know what Electric Breast Pump is best considering it is not over priced at around £80. If you know of anyone come to my page and send me a message. PLEASE HELP!!!

soonmommyof2boys - 1375 days ago.
Anyone used the Lanishol electric pump?

1Byfaith - 1535 days ago.
barunka05- I just purchased the Ameda Purely Yours with carry all. Before making my purchase I did alot of research. www.breastpumpsdirect.com is the best website that I found. It gives comparision charts of all of the latest breastpumps out there and it even has reviews from women that have used them. The Ameda Purely Yours received the highest scores and the best reviews. Even above Medela. I was shocked because I was always told that Medela was the BEST pump out there so I am glad I researched before making a purchase. I have not used the pump yet because I am only 19 weeks pregnant. I was just in search of a better pump b/c the one I used when bf my son was horrible. I hope this helps :0)

kym22 - 1535 days ago.
Cindy C- If you are with your baby all the time you don't need to pump unless you want to increase your suply and then you pump in between feedings. I pump two to three times a day when at work (every time I miss a feeding with my baby).

barunka05 - 1536 days ago.
Anybody use ameda purely yours? thinking about buying it .Its about $150 so much cheaper than medela. I need to pump just cause my son prefer one breast and i don't want to lose my milk supply.

luvbeingamom - 1537 days ago.
i am not sure i understand the question. I pumped 6 times a day for the 2 bottles my son needed at daycare. But before he started daycare i never pumped.

cindy C - 1537 days ago.
i want to know how often should someone use a breast pump?

ibuna-nadine - 1585 days ago.
I use Pigeon's (Japan Brand) manual breastpumps. Its costs for IDR 300.000 (about USD 26), and it's good thing

smurfwxmama - 1585 days ago.
Grr just posted about a manual pump and the damn thing lost it! So shortened version here goes! Will be on a longish trip at end of Feb, bout 11-12 hrs away from babe and pump and looking at getting a manual pump to take with me. Looking for suggestions on which on to get, please message my page so I don't miss a great suggestion! thanks in advance ladies you guys are the best and some of the reasons I've been going as long as I have been, I really want to do a year and would hate if this trip diminished my supply too much and forced me to have to supplement. Ethan is already over 18 lbs at 6 1/2 mths, he loves his milk!!

kaddy - 1597 days ago.
Any one know if the Playtex petite dual electric pump is any good? Its a lot less than other pumps, and seeing as I want to use the Playtex drop-ins milk storage system I have been considering it. However, the reviews at both Babies 'R Us and Target are not so great....

lilmissk - 1629 days ago.
Can someone tell me a good breastpump to buy, that isn't too expensive? Basically anything less than $100 that actually works well! Please respond on my page.

gladek - 1632 days ago.
Does anyone have tips/advice or some good links that can help me get better at pumping? my milk supply is not an issue, but I still only get an ounce or less when I pump. Maybe I am stressing too much? Iam using the pump-in-style.

bella1281 - 1654 days ago.
I wanted to get a really nice breast pump but not pay too much. Keep a look out on EBAY to save money even Amazon. I got a brand new Phillips Avent ISIS DUO electric pump for $160 vs the $300 it retails for!

nich-vegas-mommy - 1656 days ago.
I have the Medela Pump In Style - it was quite a bit of money, but it has paid for itself!! Hurray! ($289) But, for me, I pump at work and need to pump as much as I can in a short amount of time - so this pump is perfect for that!