Breast Pumps.

It depends on how often you plan on pumping. If you are going to pump everyday like I had to then an automatic is a necessity. Manual pumps take a lot longer. But if you just plan on pumping once a month to go out or get a break then all you will need is a manual one. I loved my Medela electric pump. I used it for 2 years and it still works great.

I really liked the automatic pumps. I couldn't get as much milk with the manuel pump.I have used the Madella pump it style avg cost is a little above $200. It is a double pump. It was wonderful. It seemed to extract more milk than any other pump that I used. I am pregnant now and thinking about trying the playtex pump. I am undecided though. Madella also makes a single pump that is a little less expensive.I is called the Swing and costing about $150. I am still researching reveiws on the Playtex pump. Hope this helps.

You absolutely want automatic. There is no joy in manual! Trust me! It's still going to be tiring to sit there and let it do its thing. Manual will be more stressful and aggrivating for you (in my opinion).

J.

I’ll add my quick 2 cents and agree with the women who posted about the Ameda Purely Yours double electric pump. I paid $149 for it (it's now $175 at breastfeedingexpress.com) and it was worth every penny.

I pumped 3 times a day (went back to work after 3 months) from when my daughter was 3 weeks old right up until her 11th month (I had enough in the freezer to last her the 12th month). She weaned herself when she was 10 months, so for 4 weeks I exclusively pumped. I never had any problems with it, and when I had questions about the product or how to use the pump (what my breasts were supposed to ‘look’ like in the contraption – turns out I needed the bigger flanges) the support staff was phenomenal!!!! The always took the time to talk with me and guide me, and the lactation consultant, whom I spoke with a few times, was so nice and returned every one of my calls.

I have been using the pump again, 2-3 times/day since September with no problem. I Love this Pump! It's cheaper than the Medela and the motor is NOT connected to the bag, which is alot better.

~J.

well...I tried the Medela in the hospital and thought that it was very painful. I bought an Avent IQ Isis breast pump that has the ability to go auto or manual. Unfortunately, I went in to have the baby earlier than expected and did not have it ready to bring to the hospital with me, so I rented one while I was there and it was a big mistake. I was sore and bleeding after only 3 days, a problem that stopped when I got home and used the Avent pump. It has a nice rubber cushion that goes into the pump that makes it much more comfortable. You can get it for a decent price at Burlington Coat Factory, it was about $50 cheaper than anywhere else. I think I pain $150 for it. Good luck!

Hi C.,

One I do not recommend - the WhisperWear hands-free automatic pump. It did not work for me very well at all.

So glad to hear you'll be breastfeeding! It was the hardest thing for me (I had low supply), but we BF'ed exclusively for 6 months, and still do for naps & nighttime at 17 months. It's such a beautiful gift for your little one!! :)

AUTO!! AUTO!! AUTO!! My first I did manual and my arm literally froze up! I had to get massages to work out the tight mussels. Medela is the top of the line in pumps. There are several models to choose from. Medela is the model that hospitals use and recommend. Here is their website http://www.medela.com/products/breast-pumps
I was fortunate enough to have a friend offer me her pump and style and loved it!! Look around their website they have alot of great information on breast feeding. You won't have time to be pumping manually with a two year old. Think about how long it takes to feed the baby, pump, take care of the house, your kids, feed, pump, over and over. A auto pump is much more efficient use of your time. Good luck and congratulations!! #1 tip for second baby...rest every chance you get!!

Automatic, double pump for sure. My experience is with Medela and it was great - not painful if you place it right. I also recommend a pumping bra that can hold the cups in place during pumping so you are hands-free. Can get it thru lactation specialists at Shands. Also, I rented a hospital-grade pump for a while - the lactation specialist at Shands can also make referrals to venders in the area that rent them - I can't remember exactly how much, but was very reasonable. More powerful and so faster than retail pump. Best wishes and congratulations!

GET AUTOMATIC! Even if you're only going to pump intermintantly.
I'm afraid I can't help you with the exact model name, but 10 years ago there really was only one brand of breast pump. My now 10 yr old twins were born 8 wks early and in NICU for several weeks to gain weight. (They were just over 3 lbs. each.) Because they were too weak to nurse, they were "hooked" on the bottle by the time they got home from the hospital. But I still wanted them to have breast milk for the next year. So I pumped, every drop, 5 or 6 times a day. I had to quit after 6 months because I needed to start taking medication for my thyroid. I'm glad I did it, but it REALLY accelerated the process of sagging breasts. J. N

Medela. Expensive, but worth the price. Lasted two kids for me and still has life.

C.

IMHO manual breast pumps are junk! I bought the Medela Harmony and hated it. I then bought a Medela Pump in Style Original and it worked like a charm. I got it at Burlington (Baby Depot) for around $180 on sale. I would definitely recommend getting your pump early so you can build your supply up in those first few weeks. I have seen others that are interesting (Ameda and the Isis IQ) but I've never used either. Maybe next time around!! :)

Medela, medela, medela. It's the best!! Even one pump (cheaper) is probably fine for what you want to do at home. It's great to have your hubby help, so I highly recommend it. Check consignment shops too - great one in Brandon called Once Upon a Time on Lumsden/Kings.

I have been exclusively breast feeding my 7 month old daughter since day one. I have been using the Medela Pump in Style Advanced Backpack so others can help feed and I LOVE IT!! It is an automatic pump. I tried doing the manual and it takes way too long. Being a mom with no time as it is, it is worth every penny to get this pump because I am usually done in less than 10 minutes. It does not hurt and I always get more than enough milk every time. I've never had any problems with it. It travels very easily by car or plane and is no hassle when I have to use when out in public (like a restroom or some other private place). Here is a link to the Babys 'R Us website to read more on this.

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2815290

My two cents - Medela Pump in Style Advanced. It's a big large (so I'd recommend the backpack style), but it pumps like crazy in a short amount of time.

And for those who mentioned that it hurts. Yes, it hurts. But any pump is going to hurt until your breasts get used to it. It's just like learning how to breastfeed - your nipples will be sore for a week or so, but with lanolin and setting the pump to the proper setting, it goes away and you hardly notice it.

Good luck!

Definitely go with the automatic and not the manual. I used both. For child #2 (I have 3), I bought a Medela on e-bay. Best thing I ever did. Not only that, I only used if for a few months...since then, 3 other moms have borrowed it from me. So...talk to some of your friends see if they have one they will let you borrow. If not, my experience buying a used one was great. Good luck!
T. (kids - 11, 4, 11 mo)

i liked the avent hand pump. it was very comfortable and did the job. i think it has a good system of pumping and storing and my baby seemed to be able to use the bottles if i was letting my oldest son feed is little brother. i used an electric on yrs ago (13 yrs ago) it was painful.

ps. like the other lady's said with the avent. it pumped quickly my hands never tired, sometimes with one pump and release i could get 1/2 oz.

Ugh don't even bother with a manual pump - you can't do anything else. Auto is the way to go. At least you can be hands free. I know that sounds gross but it's a must to be hands free. I'm told you get more milk with auto than manual too.
Best of luck to you and congratulations.

I was asking the same question when I was pregnant - Here's what breastfeeding/pumping Moms told me. IF you plan on nursing for at least 6-mo's to a year, then definitley invest in a good pump. Everyone recommended the one that the hospital sells (St.Joe's Womens) - they have a materinty shop and bought mine there with all accessories. It was expensive ($300 or so?)but worth it! I nursed for 2 years and really needed it the first 3 months. I was pumping so much that I could store it and freeze it (in case I got sick or for sitters, or for trips to places where nursing isnt so conven. (like a trip to Disney). PS: If your hospital offers a nursing class, you might want to take it. I did and was SO glad I did. They gave me great tips like - dont let the nurses give your baby a bottle in the hospital. Most moms dont know this, but right after you deliver, and they take the baby away to clean them up, they give them a little bath and a bottle with sugar water (they say its good to get something in them right away??) Anyway, some babies get nipple confusion and it makes nursing so much harder. I gave my nurses instructions NOT to feed a bottle and my little guy latched on so well the rest was a breeze! Good luck and good for you for nursing if you can! K..

I used the Avent Manual pump. Great and inexpensive, I used it for my first child and nursed a year and I now have a newborn and am using it again I loved it so much. I would say if you do not have milk supply issues it is a wonderful choice:)

automatic for sure. You can rent them from the hospital too which is great and not so expensive. Although you feel like a dairy cow after awhile, it's so much better than manual. I used a manual with my first and then tried the automatic with my second and WOW that is sooooo much better and easier and you get more for your effort.

To help with milk let down take a hot shower or put warm as you can stand it moist wash cloths on your breasts before you pump. I also massaged them a minute before, like when you roll a lemon on the counter before you juice it so that the juice comes out easier. Same premise.
I was so huge that my 3rd couldn't get my nipple behind his gums because his mouth couldn't open wide enough. I swear it was the size of the end of a cigar. So, I had to pump with him all the time and give it in a bottle. I did that for about 3 months and retired the girls after that. I felt like all I did was pump and feed and pump and feed.
good luck and have fun with the new one.
I have 5 friends all due in Feb.

Automatic all the way. Manual belongs in primitive times. I've breastfeed all three of my children. But even the automatic became tough with my third, & I just ended up -- no bottles......just the breast. (How lucky are you? My husband did not believe in the helping in the night scenario since he had to go to work......he is a great and awesome dad though.)

Hi C.,
I am new to this mamasource thing and this is the first time i am responding. I have an almost 3yrs old and a 1 mth old. The first time i used a manual pump but the second time around i bought an electric one. The manual one does its job but is was very tiresome (i pumped until my arm hurts). I would highly recommend an automatic one. Its bit more costly but worth it. Good luck in your choice.
N.

I successfully breastfed for 10 mos with an auto pump. I personally could never get as much milk with a hand pump. I returned to work when my daughter was only 6 weeks old and was able to fully breastfeed because of my auto pump. I unfortunately could not afford the more expensive pump, and used the double auto pump offered by First Years from Wal-Mart. It did the job. I was able to keep up with her demand and freeze my milk. She did not get an ounce of formula till she was almost 11 mos old. Oh and before you ask...I quit because I was ill. I couldn't take medication and continue to breastfeed. Good luck and if you can, invest in the good one!

Hey C.!

I have 2 kids and pumped with both at work. With the first, I used the First Years cheapo, use any 4 oz bottle and it worked GREAT!!! It even goes from battery to electric. (I had to use it once in the car so the battery made it convenient). It was a little loud, but as long as I was near an outlet it was no problem. It sort of resembles the Starship Enterprise from Star Trek which makes it funny too. Then with #2, I went manual with the Avent. That worked well, but had alot of parts which I did forget at home sometimes and that REALLY sucked (or didn't, forgive the pun) because it becomes painful if you wait too long. Either one works well, and since you're at home, you don't have the added pressure of having your office neighbor hear the whine of the electric one. Personally, I wouldn't spend the money on the Medela, but if you have a friend that has one you can borrow or if you can get one used (all the parts that touch your milk are replaceable so you can get all new of that for sanitary reasons) Whatever you choose to use good luck breastfeeding :)

I've had great success with my automatic breatpump; Its the Ameda dual breast pump. You can pump out 6-8 oz. within minutes and has attachments for car battery use and more. My sister (mother of three) purchased it for me, and her advice to me when I asked (she also strictly breastfed) was that rather than spending a little a cheap automatic of manual every fews months because they only break down to do ahead and purchase the more expensive one (if its economically feasible) and save yourself time, and future money. With her first one she made this mistake and not only was she always frustrated but had to by several within the period of a year. My automatic allows me to easily pump so that I have plenty frozen or could do it just before a feeding its that quick and after 15 months of regular use it still works great. I would suggest though to only pump one breast at a time because it goes much faster this way, and as you know with little ones every minute of time saved counts. Congratulations and good luck!!

Medela is what I suggest. Expensive, but well worth the money. I had very low supply (due to latching on issues and me drying up before I knew it), and no other pump could get anything out. Medela allowed me to breastfeed for a month and I plan on using it for the next baby right away. Because I could only breastfeed for a month, I rented it from the hospital, because it was cheaper for me (I think it was $30/mo). If you plan on using it long-term, you probably want to buy. But at least if you are unsure, you could rent it first before buying and see how you like it.

C.,
I had a $400+ Medela automatic and have had 2 different Avent manual pumps that were less than $50 each. The Medela was nice/fast but caused a little more pain than I would have preferred. The Avent handhelds were MUCH gentler, much more natural, and at the peak of breastfeeding... when it's all routine and the breasts just KNOW what to do (!)... incredibly fast. I never spent a lot of time pumping, pumping, pumping my hand away like I did with at least one other handheld that I owned (cannot even remember the name). I have purchased Avent handhelds for 2 of my new-mom friends who had rented Medelas from the hospital. They both preferred the feeling of the Avent as well. Again, they both liked the Medela at the beginning, but as soon as pumping became routine they preferred the feeling of the Avent as much as I did. Also quite a bit more convenient if you are out somewhere. Good luck and congrats!

I have a medela breast pump, I used it for just a month. It worked awesome while i was doing it..however, post partum hit me big time and i decided to quit. But yeah, It is a great pump. If you stick to manual you will be there all day...especially when your milk comes in full blast. But anyways, getting back to my point ( I do have one ) I have a pump that I kept hoping to find to get rid of it, You can buy all the accessories really cheap at babysrus...But i will sell it to you for 50 bucks, if you want it....Its a double pump automatic. Really cool. Only used it for a month.

Here is the pump on babysrus:
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2409073

my email is: ____@____.com

and my # : ###-###-####

Anyways, regardless if you buy it or not, i would def. recommend going automatic, it will make your life a whole lot easier, and that first night that you sleep through the night, when you give your husband the bottle, you will be so happy!!!!

M.