Electric Breast Pumps...opinions please

[Tannie]

I am wanting to buy an electric breast pump - I have a manual one and just find it too difficult and slow - my fingers get sore!

Can anyone recommend a particular electric one? I've heard the Medela one is good - but not sure if people mean the mini one or double one.........what other brands are there?

What about 2nd hand? do you think buying one 2nd hand would be okay?

Any recommendations / advice from experienced "pumpers" would be appreciated :D

Ta,
T

[lil monkey]

Hi Tannie,

I just bought an electric medela pump yesterday and it is brilliant! It's slower than using a hand held (i use the avent one) but the suction control is wonderful and I just sat there while it did the work for me.

I got the mini electric pump and it is 20% off at target until tomorrow! I was going to hire one form the ABA but when I called up to enquire about it I got the 3rd degree about why do you want to express etc so it was easier for me to go out and purchase one.

Good luck!

Taylas mum

[Lallas' Mum]

Tannie,

I have been told by many health care professionals that medela is the best brand you can get. I used one in the special care nursery after my last son was born. It was very comfortable and very effective.

I had trouble finding one to buy for myself and ended up buying a Nuk electric pump. It worked very well indead. You could use it connected to mains power or even run it on batteries. It cost around $90 if I remember correctly. It was also very easy to clean and sterilise. I bought my from a pharmacy but I have seen them in Target.

I'm not sure about second hand pumps. As long as it has no cracks anywhere in the system where bacteria can breed (as it doesn't clean as easily) and it can be sterilised I can't see why a second-hand one wouldn't be just as good.

Good luck finding a suitable pump.

Tracey
:) Mum to Alec (Lalla) bub due May 2nd

[cheeky boys mum]

Hi Tannie
I also used the Medela Mini Electric and found it to be fine although I have not used others so unable to compare . I think sometimes it depends on the individual as a girlfriend of mine tried it without success and found the hospital type ones more effective but she had a few problems breastfeeding with damaged nipples etc.
Unfortunately they are not the chepest to be able to experiment with then buy another one
Personally I would stay away from second hand pumps just in case.
Good luck.

[Tannie]

Thank you all for your replies. After much discussion and thought, I've decided to bottle feed my bub. But thanks for taking time to reply - appreciated.
T