Breast Pump - Do I need one??

[carls]

I have an Avent Breast Pump on layby which is due to be paid tomorrow (its part of a huge layby). I am wondering if it is really necessary, or is it one of those things that I should wait and see if I need and save $70? :confused:

[the_queen]

IMO, if you've got one in the house, then you've got one if you ever need it.

Hypothetical situation: Bubs is a few weeks old, it's 7pm, you've been trying to feed bubs for about 2 hours and s/he just won't take it. The longer you wait, the more your boobs become engorged. By 9pm they're starting to feel like giant rocks. Which makes it even more difficult for bubs to latch on. If you can go to the cupboard and grab that pump, get your boobs feeling a bit more comfortable, there's no harm in that. You don't have to give bubs the milk, if you don't want her to have a bottle. But it might be easier for him/her to latch on once you're not so engorged. Plus you will feel a lot better, and you might have just stopped yourself from getting mastitis.
Having said all that, if that situation ever happened you could just have a hot shower (when I used to have a hot shower, my milk would start squirting out all over the place!!!)

So you might never use the pump - but at least it was there if you ever needed it. I think the Avent one is a pretty good one (my DD had a cleft lip, and while we did breastfeed from the breast, I also pumped a lot. We tried just about every pump on the market!!)

:)

[meshan]

If you do find that you need a breast pump you can hire them from Chemists or the Australian Breast Feeding association.

[mum2ryan]

I couldn't live without my Avent breast pump. From around 4 months, Ryan didn't wouldn't attach properly during breast feeding. I didn't want to put him onto formula, So i began expressing milk. He's now 10 month old and I still express around 4 times a day, i've become a bit of a pro at it, :)

So to answer your question, get the pump you never know what might happen down the track with feeing your bub.

[strawb]

I agree....my avent pump is used everyday.

Until you use it, keep it in the box - you never know what will happen and money can get tight :| oh so tight.

If you do use it, dont be discouraged if it takes a few goes to get the milk flowing, it took some practise for me and I still cant get heaps out (maybe 100mls tops)

[AM]

I used my breast pump very little, but in the very early days, when I was really engorged, and in pain, it was a lifesaver, and i do not regret purchasing it for a moment!

[Jaileth]

Question - are we talking electric or hand pump here? I've been thinking of getting one too, and just don't know which one would be easier.

[AM]

The Avent Isis is arguably the best manual pump out there.

[*Sal*]

I would not have been without my Avent breast pump either. It was the best money I spent on baby stuff.

My SIL swears by the electric one you hire from the chemist though. She found that much easier, and it is the same as the one she used in hospy. Maybe you could try that first and leave the manual one in the box just in case ;)

[Jaileth]

Thanks Apprentice Momma - will have to give it a go!

[Rainbowbrite]

I've never used one. I borrowed one off a friend when i started MJ on solids to express for that but had no luck at all. I find its easier to hand express for small amounts.

Also depends on if you want to go out & leave bub (which I don't).

I also had one on layby while pg but cancelled it just incase i couldn't bf.

RB

[mea]

When I got home from hospital my nipples were so sore I got an Avent pump (the manual trigger type) and expressed a few feeds until they settled down.

I now express one feed per day which DH gives at night so I can get a good sleep. I don't bother with the pump anymore. By the time I had sterilised it and washed it afterwards it was taking longer than expressing by hand.

It now takes me about 25 mins to express 120mls but it was pretty slow at first. Initially I could only get about 20mls at a time.

Let me know if you'd like any tips. The midwives can show you how.

Good luck!
Mea.