Talk to me about breast pumps. I currently have a tommy tippee manual and its hit or miss. My positioning has to be just right and I have to lean forward to prevent expressed milk from leaking out the top of the boob suction area. I am sometimes able to pump 2 ounces total and sometimes nothing at all even though I can feel that I am full. Would I have better luck with an electric pump? Now that my son is on solids 3x a day and getting bigger I'd like to start storing a stash to make life easier.
What pump do you have and what do you think of it?
Do electric pumps work better?
I am looking at the Avent single electric pump if anyone has any experience with it.
Thanks!
Re: Pumping Ladies
I have a Madela Harmony and it has worked great for me. I've been pumping since DD was about 3 months to build a stash and for when I work on the weekends.
I've never tried an electric pump though, so I can't offer a comparison.
Everyone is different, but in my experience I get the same amount out whether I'm using a manual or an electric. The big difference is just that the electric is faster and my hand doesn't hurt!
That being said, what does affect my output is stress. If I'm stressing about LO crying in the other room or my work or what how little milk I'm getting out then I don't get a good letdown. Maybe your issue is that you're stressing about not liking your pump and therefore not getting a good letdown?
I work full time so I've only ever used an Ameda Purely YOurs and a Medela hospital grade electric. I have no advice on the Avent.
I have the medela harmony and its been great. I have never leaked milk, and it has 2 levels, one for stimulating and one for pumping that helps me get the let down quickly. I can pump a 5oz bottle in 6-7 min. I usually stop at 3-4oz because that comes really quickly. LO doesn't take bottles so I also don't want to deal with oversupply again by pumping too much extra. I just want a bit stored in case I get sick or have a supply dip (or want to go out). If you're only using it occasionally the medela harmony is cheaper than an electric. But like pp said, if you'll be using it a lot your hand will get sore. I only use mine once a day.
I have a single electric given to me that just needs new tubing and flanges, but they didn't have them here, and the manual has worked so well it wasn't worth ordering.
I have a Medela Pump in Style, and it has worked great for both kids. I've never tried a manual either.
This. LOVE my Medela electric pump, but I've never used a manual one. I've been EP for 3 months and my supply is higher than what my LO needs, so I have a good freezer storage that continues to build. (My husband keeps threatening to throw some out so we have more freezer space lol)
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I use an Ameda double electric and EP. I like it. I have to say I've put it through heck and it keeps going.
I also have an Avent manual. It works well, but I noticed I never know when to stop. I can keep pumping, and pumping, and pumping... But then I notice I have trouble with clogged ducts at the next pumping session.