Author Topic: Manul Pumps? Help please! (Read 2944 times)

Superman'sMom · « **on:** February 14, 2006, 17:15:16 pm »

Has anyone ever had any luck with a manual pump? I need to get a pump but I have no money. Aiden is teething and he won't eat. Anyone?

Harvey and Theos Mam · « **Reply #1 on:** February 14, 2006, 17:29:23 pm »

I had an Avent pump on Harvey and i pumped quite often as he was bottle breast and bottle. I didn't have any problems with it, but it can be a little fiddly putting it together.
I think the trick with a maual pump is to just relax and no rush, but then i had a good supply of milk.

I have used it a couple of times and still had no problems and this time my ds is exclusively breast and has only had 2 bottles.

HTH

Liam's Mama · « **Reply #2 on:** February 14, 2006, 17:38:22 pm »

I also have the Avent manual pump and love it! It doesn't take long at all (ten Min's usually - although I have a pretty good milk supply) and I have used it quite often. I didn't find that it hurt or anything (my sister hated her manual pump although I don't know the name of it).
Good luck with the pump and the teething!!

Samuel's mum · « **Reply #3 on:** February 14, 2006, 17:43:09 pm »

I also have avent pump and found it worked much better than the too expensive electric medela pump I was initially given. I don't pump so much any more but when the double electric job did nothing - the hand pump was a star.

maggieruth · « **Reply #4 on:** February 14, 2006, 18:24:34 pm »

Another avent pump user! i got the transportable kind and its great because i take it to work! initially when i started pumping my nipples were tender but now am feeling no pain and taking about 15 to 20 mintues to express anywhere from 4 to 8 ounces from both breasts.
HTH!

JacobMarksMummy · « **Reply #5 on:** February 14, 2006, 18:38:52 pm »

Yes, I used the avent pump too, it is highly recommended has won loads of awards. Would you be able to get one second hand?

Superman'sMom · « **Reply #6 on:** February 14, 2006, 18:53:39 pm »

Wow looks like it is unanimous! Is it the Advent Isis? That is the only one I know of. Thanks you guys, I am going to go to Target today cause my little man is hungry! Thanks again!

daisymelan · « **Reply #7 on:** February 14, 2006, 18:56:51 pm »

Chelsea, I have a gerber one and I really don't like it. I never use it anymore because I just can't get anything. I wish I was asked before someone went out and bought it.

I just get too frustrated by seeing how little is coming out. The only time I find it really useful is when I have to miss a feed and I'm really full. There are lots of tips once you start pumping, but I won't bore you with them now. In my classes at the hosptial for bfing they suggest avent as well.

Anyway, I think you can rent really nice electric ones for a decent price. I know you can in my area anyway. You may want to look into that.

If it's just short term that you need to pump, really try and rent a good one for cheap. But do yourself a favour and skip the gerber.

annamum · « **Reply #8 on:** February 14, 2006, 22:23:41 pm »

I really really liked my manual Medela, it is called "Harmony". It has two modes: a let-down mode that simulates your baby’s initial rapid suckling to initiate let-down and an expression mode that simulates your baby’s slower, deeper suckling.
It is also easy to wash and put together.

Superman'sMom · « **Reply #9 on:** February 15, 2006, 02:24:47 am »

Hmmm well I got the Advent today and I just used it. i only got an ounce but I am not sure if it was the pump, my supply, or my inexperience. I am really getting worried, it has been a few days and I feel like I don't have it coming back. I am not sure if they are ever full anymore, unless they are too full. I don't feel my letdown. Grrr I am really stressed ladies! Any tips on how to get more from the pump? Thanks, I really appriceate it. This board is always so great!

Idahomom · « **Reply #10 on:** February 15, 2006, 03:58:27 am »

I also used the avent isis and didn't get much on my first try, but did well after that. Good luck!

Harvey and Theos Mam · « **Reply #11 on:** February 15, 2006, 11:29:31 am »

like i said, you have to relax when using it ro i think you could get a mental block. Like Stacy says, try doing it whilst your baby is around you (at least until you get the flow).

Maybe you could try utting a warm flannel over the breast before and to try and loosen up your milk ducts and relax the fatty tissue. This hekps us with engourgement so i thought it may help with expressing.

milliesmaw · « **Reply #12 on:** February 15, 2006, 22:43:52 pm »

Yes like the pp suggested I found it easiest an hour after first feed of the day sitting somewhere nice and relaxed.

I know it's odd but I actually found it offputting to do it with ds around. I need total privacy

Liam's Mama · « **Reply #13 on:** February 15, 2006, 23:29:11 pm »

not sure if anyone else said this as I haven't read all the posts, but I always find that I have the best milk supply or results in the mornings than I do in the afternoons or evenings.... like a few other people have said u may need to use it a couple time before you get the results you are looking for....

Good luck and let us know how it works out for you

Superman'sMom · « **Reply #14 on:** February 16, 2006, 16:00:28 pm »

Thanks everyone! I tried to post this a few times but my computer would lock up everytime I hit reply! I have been pumping and it is getting better. My supply is back up, except for night time but I don't know if that is going to get better. Everyone says that the have more in the mornings. I am still have trouble getting the hang of the pumping. I can't keep a flow going. It will get some milk for about a minute and then I have to reposition it. Not to mention I have to really concentrate to get it to keep flowing. I don't know how I can relex in a chair...maybe I am doing it wrong but I have to lean forward a bit or the milk leaks on me, plus I have to stare at a picture of Aiden and concentrate on him to get any milk. Repositioning every minute....I only got 1.5 oz last night and I pumped for 45 minutes. I try to pump in the mornings but I can't get a second to do it. His highness only takes 2 45 minute naps and that is all the time i have to eat, various chores, make dinner, BW, whatever I need to do.

I really want to thank everyone! Hey does everyone with the advent pump get milk stuck inbetween that plastic thing on the horn part. Do you even know what I am talking about?

Liam's Mama · « **Reply #15 on:** February 16, 2006, 17:30:26 pm »

yes! the milk gets stuck behind the plastic massaging petal thing for me as well! I have to change positions as well but I definitely doesn't take me 45 Min's to get milk out... hummm... When I went to the breast feeding clinic when Liam was only a week old, they taught me how to pump... maybe you can try what they told me which was to pump like a baby would suckle before the flow comes down - so not to hold the pump down for long at first but to use quick pumps to get the flow started - 3 quick pumps and then hold it for a couple seconds, then repeat until your flow comes in strong. not sure if any of this makes sense

Hope it gets better for you!! (I can totally relate to the 45 min naps ARRGGG! Thankfully dp is home today due to bad weather

)

Samuel's mum · « **Reply #16 on:** February 16, 2006, 19:26:23 pm »

If you're getting 1.5 oz in 45 minutes it sounds very much like you not getting ANY 'let down'. This was a problem I used to have especially when Sam got a little older. It's harder if you start using a pump when the babies are older. Our boobs are too intelligent to be fooled! The 'intently looking at baby photograph' stance doesn't work for everyone and can make you feel more stressed! The key is to relax so that might mean having a bath or shower (you could pump in the bath - can't do that with a fancy electric one!) or reading a magazine or watching a TV programme. Try sneaking in while he's asleep and thinking loving thoughts and if 'let down' happens you can then sneak out. Some people hand express at first. I've heard of someone who practised pumping while their baby was on the other breast and got a lot of milk. One more thing which you may know already - not everyone feels 'let down' happening. Good Luck.

Oh... and definitely do what the last poster suggests with mimicking the baby's quicker 'flutter' suck to start off.

LisbonMom · « **Reply #17 on:** February 16, 2006, 21:01:38 pm »

I know exactly what you're talking about! With my Isis pump, I also have to express in the mornings or I can't get anything out. Have to lean forward too, which makes for a tiring pumping session. And i do get the milk stuck between the horn and the silicone piece, but I've actually found that it's when I express better, as that milk helps to create the vacuum that allows the pumping. Also, I think it makes some sense that you have to reposition, because the massage petals are placed differently and then you're squeezing different ducts, which your baby controls on his own.

Sara

Mum of girl, boy, boy · « **Reply #18 on:** February 19, 2006, 20:41:43 pm »

Hi ya, with my first child I went mad a bought an electric medala pump. I wish I hadn't because I couldn't get on with it. Before I finished breast feeding I decided to buy a manual pump because I wanted to find out if I would be able to express any better with my second child. Of course this is only my experiene but I found a manual pump worked better for me. I could control pumping much better and try to replicate the feeding of my baby. The electric pump just seemed to empty me and I never got a let down. With the manual pump I can do lots of little pumps to start off and then once the let down is there I can go into a slower rhythym. Hope this helps.

J

crazycanuck · « **Reply #19 on:** February 21, 2006, 21:00:02 pm »

Hi Ladies,

Thought I would check the site and answer some of what your discussing.....I used the Avent Isis, and yes I know what you mean about getting milk intbetween the plastic petal and the horn part!!!!
One question, are you pumping like they suggest in the book it comes with???
They suggest you do 5 short pumps and then 1 long one, this is supposed to mimic the way the baby sucks. I did it this way, 12345short and then 1 long- I would hold it until the pressure and the handle eventually starting going down on it's own. Now, I did have allot of milk (10ozs in like 15mins) but the key I found is to make sure the stuff is all in place......sometimes the little star small peice that you can't lose because it won't work, sometimes it isn't all the way in and if this is the case it won't suction properly, Also make sure you always keep good suction happeing.......I found I would sometimes get distracted and let some air seep in the side, and I could feel the suction go right away. I had to reposition sometimes but not to often.

Are you feeling your letdown???

Logans Mom

Good Luck to you All!!

Superman'sMom · « **Reply #20 on:** February 22, 2006, 00:55:30 am »

Thanks guys. I can't get a letdown feeling. I haven't been able to just sit down by myself either though. Aiden is really needy right now and I can't seem to get a free minute to think! But when I try it is really hard. I thought my supply was back up but I lost it again. Grrr. I really appreciate everyone's advice. I wish I could find the time to just do it! I believe separation anxiety has come into play as well. If I don't do it at the same time everyday will that make it harder? The suction is really hard to keep too!

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Author Topic: Manul Pumps? Help please! (Read 2944 times)

annamum