Does anyone here "casually" pump?

amandagen

Right now I EBF and have only pumped once to relieve engorgement during a nursing strike using my hand pump. Recently I've been thinking it would be nice to have an electric pump around and using it to build up a bit of a stash. It's not something that's necessary as far as I'm not going back to work and I'm not planning on going to all bottles, but I think it would be nice to have some around when need be. So my question is this, does anyone have a single electric pump they would recommend? I'm not sure I want to splurge on a double electric. Or is it worth the splurge if I'm going to use it a few times a week? 

RachelM05

I don't pump all the time. Just a few mornings a week to have some on hand for emergencies. And occasionally I'll pump a bottle to take if we go somewhere and I'd rather give a bottle. I got a double electric pump early on, and easily coud have used just a single. And I recently got a manual pump, and that's all I've been using now. I still get just as much milk and I don't have to worry about being near a plug or having batteries. 

ohlordy

I religiously pump ... Lol. I have a friend who EBFs her DD and does just fine with a single electric, Philips Avent. I have the same in a double and Im Hooked to it 8x a day for 20min a session. Good quality pump for the price. 

ally2011

I am a casual pumper for sure.  I have been trying to be better about feeding only on one side in the morning and then pumping the other, but sometimes I am just too tired.

I use a manual and have for 4.5 months - the Medela Harmony.  It has been fine.  In the mornings using above routine I get about 2-3 ounces so I can make 3 or so bottles a week which is all I need.  I think I have 6 or so frozen right now. 

pitterpatter129

I'm not returning to work, so I've been refusing to pump.  I do hand express (into a bowl that I pour into a freezer bm bag) after morning and evening feedings.  I've got probably about 65 oz of milk in the freezer just from doing that.  I couldn't hand express well with DS1, but not an issue this time.  If you can, it's a great alternative.

 

 

jdilorenzo

I bought the milk saver. It's a plastic piece you put on on side while you feed on the other. It catches the milk. It worked great for me. I was able to save about 1015 bottles. I have never had to pump. I haven't used the bottles but I have them just encase

Ebee27

I casually pump with a double electric Ameda Purely Yours (love the closed system and the price. I think I spent $120). I bought it in case I would miraculously find a job after DS got a bit older, and figured it'd be good to have on hand in the beginning just in case. EBFing has been going well, though, aaaaand now he won't take a bottle =/ He's had 3 or 4 in his lifetime and took them well up until now. I have probably 40 oz in the freezer now.

I must say, though, that DS was sick this week with his first nasty virus. Rash, lost his voice, and nursed twice in a 36 hour period. Thank goodness for my nice pump. I was able to pump every 4 hours to relieve the engorgement and keep my supply up without much fuss.  If all I had was a hand pump, I could have gotten by but it would have been a bit trickier. 

musicalmama5

I pump once a day to give to a friend. I have the Medela Swing. It's a single electric, and it works great. Granted, I've never used anything else, so I don't have anything to compare it to, but I like it!