Hi, everyone!
I am due with my 2nd baby in November and am already thinking about the whole breastfeeding thing. I wanted to start my research early this time since I bought a cheap electric pump with my first baby and, needless to say, didn't have much luck with it.
I posted a question several weeks ago re: hand expression, but I'm not so sure that's the way I want to go, especially since I didn't really get the hang of it last time.
Anyway, I've heard a lot about the Avent Isis manual pump and how it's just as good as an electric pump, but I've heard mixed reviews about just how good it is. I will be pumping 3 times/day at work, and probably once in the evenings as well. So...that's a lot of pumping. I need something that will hold up to all that work.
We can't afford a "good" electric pump and we don't qualify for any government programs so that's why I'm not too excited about going in that direction (although I will if it means breastfeeding longer). I know hospitals will rent electric pumps, but does anyone know how much this generally costs?
So, if anyone has had a good OR bad experience with a manual pump, please let me know! TIA!
I use the Avent Isis & like it alot. It was given to me 4 years ago with my son. I used it for 6 weeks for him. I now use it with my daughter. I was using it 3-4 times a day. It did break & I had to replace a part. But, I found out that they have since redesigned it & that part won't break again. I use it 3 times a day. My daughter is 6 months old & I have used it since birth, except for about 4 weeks. During that time I used the Evenflo electric. Hated it! I think that might be the reason for my supply diminishing. Since starting back with the Isis, I have been able to bring my supply up a little. I have also (thanks to you) been manually expressing. It's not something that I think that I could do full time, but in coordination with my pump, I am able to supply enough milk for my daughter. I don't believe what people say about using a "hospital quality" pump. I don't think that you have to spend a ton of money to get a good supply.
Maybe you can troll e-bay and find a used Medela Pump-In-Style or an Ameda Purely Yours. Naturally you will want to buy your own tubing/accessories because, quite frankly, to do otherwise - i.e. use someone else's tubes and shells - is not hygenic and gross.
I used the Iris with each of my two kids. It worked very well for me. Once I returned to work I pumped 2 or 3 times a day. For 7 months with my son, for 5 with my daughter. The pump held up for me, but I bought a new one with each kid. I did not feel like the one I had with my son would have lasted though what I needed with my daughter. But for the price, I didn't have a problem with buying two.
I expressed after my twins were born with an electrical one we rented from the hospital (Riverside). The cost was approximately $125.00/month. The tubing was free and there was a case with a handle for easy transportation.
Hi Katheryn,
Do you have medical insurance? Most insurance carriers will cover the cost of the breast pump rental from the hospital. But, they usually get rented quickly, check with the hospital and your insurance company. I breastfed my daughter (now 2), and I was not found of the manual pumps. I don't know if it was just me not being able to make the "pumps" consistent or what it was but it didn't work for me. My friend bought a Medela electric pump, it wasn't expensive, but worked excellent. She said the only downfall was you could only do one side at a time. Hope this helps and congrats!!!
I don't remember what brand it was, but I used a manual pump when I had my daughter 3 1/2 years ago. I pumped about 12oz. per day. Once I left it at work, so my husband went out and bought an electric one for me. I hated it. I didn't work at all. No milk came out!!
Now we are due with our second baby in Aug. and I will be getting another manual pump for sure.
I had an electric evenflo it wasn't the best but it did the job and kept my supply way up, to the point that I thought I was producing too much! Anyway, with each "pump" I hand expressed, it went alot faster and worked great. If manual is the way you want to go try hand epressing with the pumps to speed up the time.
Hi, I too did not want to spend a lot of money and a pump especially since I was only going to need it occasionally. I bought the medela single electric pump. It was $60 at Babies R Us. I pump now about three times a week and the pump works great. Also with Medela they replace the motor without hassle or questions and this is nice since it is not the most expensive and could possible burn out. Good Luck.
I hand a singl hand pump and it worked for me but I normally only had to pump once a day. Many many people LOVE the good electric pumps. They keep you more "wet" than a hand pump or cheap pump. The hospitals tend to rent at like $22/week. It could get costly long term but it could work if you wanted to try one for a week or so and find out if it will really work for you or not. Best of luck!
I would recommend the Avent Isis pump. I have used it with all three of my children. My youngest is 4 months and I currently pump 2 times per day, unless he is in a growth spurt and 3 times is necessary to make it through that day comfortably. I own an Ameda pump... tried several times to use it, but I couldn't let down with the sound of the motor... in fact, it is nearly brand new. I like that my hand pump is quiet and faster for me - I can express 4 ounces in 8 minutes now! Save your money and go manual... you won't regret it!
Have you thought of renting a breast pump? That will allow you to use a really good one without needing to find the money to buy one. OSU Med has a rental service, or you could ask a doctor for a recommendation.
I received a manual pump from the hospital when I had my daughter. Granted that was almost 7 years ago. I actually found the hand pump very comfortable and easy to use. The pump was small and only came with one bottle, but I would just fill a container after I was finished pumping. It may not have been the newest thing on the market, but it was free, comfortable, and got the job done.
I'm sure if you called the maternity ward they would be able to tell you if this is something they offer.
I know you said you cannot afford a "good" electric pump but Please take some time and check out ebay and craigslist.com. I got my Medlea Pump in Style for $50, and honestly what is more expensive 5 - 12 oz cans of powder formula or 1 breast pump.
I have always used the Medela Pump In Style and love it! Highly recommend it.
You may want to check with your insurance company... some will pay for all or a portion of your costs for a pump. Also, check with your employer and your husband's employer for any programs they may have (check with the Employee Assistance Program - EAP) - that is how I bought my last PIS and my company paid for a large portion of my pump!
I liked the Avent Isis pump and got pretty good results (amount of milk), but I had carpal tunnel syndrome so it KILLED my hands. I definitely wouldn't want to use it 3x a day on both sides. It took a little longer than the Rented electric one, also. But then again, it sure was quieter and easier to tote around.
I rented one for a month, I don't recall it being $125 though. I was going to say $22 for the month but maybe I am thinking of a week, it's been a few years.
A GREAT person to talk to is Pat Bucknell, BA, IBCLC. She is a lactation consultant that I used and believe me they are NOT all created equal! She is super nice and very experienced and was able to help me when others weren't. I got my pump from her, so she'd be able to tell you current rates also. She has a business called "Mother's Helper." The number is (440) 933-2023 or check out www.mothershelper.com
She also has a free breastfeeding support group at St. John Westshore Hospital, used to be Wed. mornings...great to go at the beginning especially.
Hope that helps!
Lynn
Edited: I looked at the website and it shows the Lactina pump (the one I used) goes for $50 a month, or $40/mth with a longer term commitment.
Also, I recall using some device that made it hands free (tucked into the nursing flaps on your bra).
I used a Ameda Purely yours pump that I bought for most of my pumping until we had my son. We were going out of town and I needed to pump but didn't really want to take my machine with all its parts. A friend of mine had the isis and she wasn't using it so she let me borrow it for the weekend and I was shocked at how awesome it was for a manual pump. I like it just as much as my purely yours...If not better since it travels so much easier. So I bought it since it was cheap and I used both depending on where we were. I actually found myself using the isis more. Those days are gone but we haven't decided we are done and hubby hasn't had surgery..so I'm not getting rid of them yet. I would get the Isis..I think you'll like it.
I use the medela pump in style electric pump and love it, I pump 4 times a day since I work full time and it only takes 1/2 hour out of my lunch from set up to clean up. I'm not sure what hospital you will be delivering at, but I'm pretty sure that Aultman hospital in Canton rents pumps for $1 a day.
I LOVE my Avent pump. I got is almost 8 yrs ago and after going thru 3 kids it finally had a piece beak. I went to get a new one,(we just had another baby) and the store I went to didnt carry it. So I bought the Gerber manual pump. I hate it. I am like the pumping queen with the Isis, but am lucky to get 3 oz with the Gerber. Thats pumping both sides. I will be going out and finding me another Isis very soon. I would definately reccomend the Isis. I have had cheap electric pumps, and the Isis was a replacement for them. Hope this helps.
I am getting ready to have my 3rd child. With my 1st child I bought the avent manual pump. It worked okay for me, it also hurt my hands and I had problems with the suction on it becoming loose all the time. I ended up borrowing a Medela Pump in Style and it was amazing. When I got pregnant with my 2nd (which I thought was going to be my last) I went ahead and spent the money and bought the Medela. Honestly it is SOOOO worth the money if you plan to pump for awhile. I was able to pump 3 times a day at work and continued to breast feed my son for 8 months while working full time. After using both, I know there was no way I would have been able to pump 3 times a day at work with the Avent Isis and get as much milk as I did with the Medela. I know many people resell them afterwards too on Ebay and such so most likely you will get your money's worth and then some money back. Definately consider the Medela!