Breast pumps

Mars · #1 August 22nd, 2008, 02:30 PM

Hi Ladies

I'm trying to research breast pumps to see which one would be best suited for me but so far the good ones cost a ton of money. I've read that the electric ones are better at expressing more and faster than the manual ones so I think the electric will be a preference.

I had found an Ameda that had good reviews but then I found out that the parts are not BPA-free.

Any one has any ideas on affordable/economical breast pumps and which ones are good?

Frozendesire · #2 August 22nd, 2008, 02:42 PM

With the Ameda one... are those parts in contact with the milk?

This time if I get one I'm not skimping. A double electric high grade one. I find you get what you pay for with pumps. I had a double electric one from, hmmm.... 1st years or something? and it did nothing. More then the manual mind you but hardly anything.

Good luck! I'm not much help haha

thepinkleprechaun · #3 August 22nd, 2008, 02:52 PM

I had an Ameda Purely Yours when I was pumping with Aden and it worked just fine, and it's about half as much as a medela. I don't think it would be a HUGE deal if the parts aren't BPA free...the milk won't be in contact with the plastic very much anyways. I found that any regular sized bottle would fit so you don't have to use the ameda bottles to pump into.

My only other thing is that I had a lot of trouble pumping because it was very painful, and I realize now that I needed bigger shields because I was getting major nipple chafe-age!

This time I'm getting a Medela one, they have tons of accessories for them at BRU so I can get bigger shields without having to order them online.

Just think about how much money you would be spending on formula vs a breast pump. One can of formula can be as much as $25 depending on what kind the baby is on, and they go through a lot of it. $300 is a very good investment!

Mars · #4 August 22nd, 2008, 04:04 PM

Thanks so much for your insight. Right now I've narrowed my focus to the Medela, Lasinoh and Ameda and I'm reading all the reviews I can find on them. The Lansinoh Double Electric and Ameda PURELY YOURS seem to be very similar in function, features, price and reviews (generally averaging 4 - 4.5 out of 5) and they are more affordable than the Medela.

I will check ebay to see if I can find a new Medela at around the same price as the other 2 and if so then I'll get that. Otherwise I think I'll have to go with one of the other 2.

thepinkleprechaun · #5 August 22nd, 2008, 05:04 PM

I did see that some people were selling new on ebay for a little less than you would pay in the store. That's what I might end up doing too unless someone buys it off my registry...not that likely though lol!

Also something you might consider is that the Ameda is a closed system, which means that there aren't any parts on the inside that need to be sterilized. I'm pretty sure it's okay to get a used pump like that, I just know that the Medela is not approved for multiple use.

Mars · #6 August 22nd, 2008, 06:47 PM

I'm not fond of using a "pre-used" pump even though I read reviews where people have used second hand ones. I may just be paranoid but I prefer to go new in this case.

lauren in hi · #7 August 22nd, 2008, 08:03 PM

Yeah, I'd go new, too. I loved my Medela...it was so easy to use and I sure did use that thing a lot.

Mjp121212 · #8 August 22nd, 2008, 08:27 PM

I have a Medela and I had an Ameda Handheld non electric. I could actually get triple the amount of milk with the handheld pump! I once pumped 8 ounces out of one side with that baby AFTER Brady had nursed! With my medela....and I even leased a hospital grade one too....I could get 3oz out of BOTH tops! But I loved my medela double pump in style more than the big ol bulky medela hospital one.

Oh and I had a medela hand pump too, but didn't care too much for it. It always hurt me!

ScottishBrit · #9 August 22nd, 2008, 09:25 PM

I was lucky enough to get my sister's Medela. It's old ( My niece Is 11 ) but It works good. I just need to make myself pump more often. My problem Is I dont produce alot...

**Jenn** · #10 August 23rd, 2008, 04:13 AM

Quote:

I was lucky enough to get my sister's Medela. It's old ( My niece Is 11 ) but It works good. I just need to make myself pump more often. My problem Is I dont produce alot...[/b]

I had the same problem with Liam--low production. I took fenugreek til I was smelling like a pancake house, at a ton of oatmeal, drank a bunch of water, and it helped a lot!

Just remember, what you pump is no reflection on how much you produce. Even with my great supply with Lochy I can barely pump any out (maybe 3 ounces out of both breasts combined) and I know he's getting tons more than that.

I have a Medela Pump in Style and I loved it at first. It was great. But then a few months ago the diaphragm cap inside got a huge crack in it and it's not something that can be replaced. I'm really annoyed because the thing was barely two years old when it happened and it was a lot of money. My mil did find an elastic glue (I think it's some sort of floral adhesive) that has patched the crack and it does work now but I never should have had to fix a hole in the first place.

Mars · #11 August 23rd, 2008, 06:19 AM

Thanks so much! I will look for a Medela as a first choice and see if I can get one at a decent price.

soImarriedAnerd · #12 August 23rd, 2008, 09:09 AM

The one everyone tells me is a MUST for electric-medela double pump in style

#13 August 23rd, 2008, 10:57 AM

I'd planned to get the Medela manual pump (we have them in UK too!!!), are the huge negatives with a manual compared to an electric pump? I wasn't sure how much use I'd get out of it and didn't want to spend a lot on it incase.

thepinkleprechaun · #14 August 23rd, 2008, 11:07 AM

Quote:

I'd planned to get the Medela manual pump (we have them in UK too!!!), are the huge negatives with a manual compared to an electric pump? I wasn't sure how much use I'd get out of it and didn't want to spend a lot on it incase.[/b]

Usually it is reccomended that if you are going back to work and you'll be pumping there you should get a double electric. If you're a SAHM and just need to pump a bottle here and there then it isn't necessary.

I also have heard of some moms pumping a lot from manual ones but the electric worked fine for me, and I think it's faster and I also think the manual would make my hands tired lol!

#15 August 23rd, 2008, 11:11 AM

That's what made me winder if I'll need a pump. Baby is due 30th Jan, and I'm not due back to work until November. So baby will be approx 10 months.

thepinkleprechaun · #16 August 23rd, 2008, 11:51 AM

You could just get a manual to start out with and then if you do end up pumping more or something you can get a double electric. I would at least get a manual so in case you and DH want to go out or something you can pump a bottle for the babe

Mars · #17 August 23rd, 2008, 12:20 PM

Quote:

That's what made me winder if I'll need a pump. Baby is due 30th Jan, and I'm not due back to work until November. So baby will be approx 10 months.[/b]

Oi??? Can I get your job?????

I agree with Katie that you could try the manual first and see how it goes and if it's not working out, then get the electric.

thepinkleprechaun · #18 August 23rd, 2008, 12:35 PM

OMG I'm bidding on one on ebay right now...NEW in box, and it's only $187 at the moment. This model is $329 in stores....19 minutes left I hope I get it