recommendations for electric pumps in the UK?

[b0nni3]

Hi all,

Was wondering if anyone could recommend or had any experience with electric pumps? (I live in the UK so they would have to be ones that are sold here).

So far I have been using the Tommee Tippee Freedom manual pump. I love it. DS is a very strong sucker and I find that this pump has a very hard suction so I can get the milk out fairly quickly.

Because I'll be going back to school p/t and DS is going into daycare, I'd like to be able to pump from both sides. So I was thinking, one side manual and one side electric. I could probably do both sides manual but I think I will get carpel tunnel syndrome or RSI on my hands!

I am looking at the Avent Isis IQ vs. the Medala swing. My cousin loaned me her Medala mini electric and it's no good; the suction is hardly strong enough and it takes me 30 mins to get 4 oz (it takes me 10 min to get 4 oz with my manual pump).

In particular has anyone tried both the Avent IQ and the Medala swing and give me a comparison of the two?

Thanks!

[hemz80]

I have a mini electric plus (double pump) and can do 4oz in about 5mins... are all the bits together properly??  I find the suction really good, better than the avent that i originally had.  I'd totally recommend it =)

[lisi's mum]

Medela are the diamond standard. The pump in style is pricey but seems to be the one most working mums use (and still a whole lot cheaper than formula). As you're only doing p/t the swing would be a good alternative.

Have you thought through the manual + electric pumping at once thing? I wouldn't have enough hands!

[jobi]

I've heard the medela ones are the best.............

I only use the avent isis though.........

[Lolly]

I have a medala swing, I didn't get to use it much due to circumstances but did find it good. You adjust the strength of the pumping to suit your needs and it has a "let down" cycle at the start of the pumping session.

Laura

[shivi]

hi

I bought the Avent hand pump first....and the a second one with the storage cups....
then on going back to work as I was already in love with Avent, I bought the Isis Duo....the double electric. I love it, works well for me (have a fast letdown, small boobs (34 B at best).

A friend used the Avent Duo but HATED it, switced to the Medela pump in style (pumped for triplets for a year...).

I think it depends on taste very much.

I just love the Avent range and how the things go together even thro the toddler years...

good luck! My duo is still going strong second time around now, use it at 7 and 10am after feeds are finished. Will not need it as much in work this time as I will be off till DD is around 8 mths, whereas with DS I was back in work at 4.5 mths, so big difference!

hugs

Siobhain x

[ming2007]

maybe its not working because the horns dont fit properly. have a look at the medela website and i think it shows diAgrams. when i went smaller it was much better.
http://www.richardcassidy.co.uk/medela_pump_accessories.htm

i found him really good for stuff and fast delivery even for me in cyprus.

hth

[Mrs Coops]

Hi
I have the Avent Isis IQ. You can adjust the speed at which it pumps by doing it manually first then switching to auto. I found it to be very effective and quite fast when my boobs were full, I got 4oz in 10 minutes when I pumped first thing in the morning but fairly poor when they were low on stock last thing at night.  So I borrowed my friends Medela Swing. I found it excellent when I was low on stocks, but generally found it very slow. One day it took 40 mins to pump nearly 5oz.
  I tried them both again and concluded the Avent to be better for me. I sometimes use it manually when I am in a rush but the electric pump does most of the work so no risk of RSI!!

HTH

PS You can get a fairly good second hand deal on EBAY for most pumps, beats paying £85- £95 only to find out it doesn't 'suit' you!

x x x

[spanna]

I used the medela "symphony", has "let down" and variable strength,  and double attachment..... really liked it. Friend used the 'swing" and loved it too, very portable

[b0nni3]

Thanks all! Actually you all might be able to help me with another question - I'm not going back to school for another few months when DS is going to be about 9-10 months old. At that age they would be eating solids though milk is still primary diet, right? On average how often would an infant that age nurse? Just trying to decide whether it's worth getting an expensive pump or if I can just do it with a manual pump. If I'm going to be pumping only once a day 3 days a week then I might just not bother getting an electric one!

[juliec]

Sorry I know it sounds bad but I cannot remember with my first lo how many bottles she had at that time! However I use the medala mini and have found it no prob to pump 6oz in less than 10mins? So maybe it wasn't attached properly and maybe worth trying again?

[spanna]

Hey I'd definitely go with electric, unless you ahve very strong hands, the repetiveness could be a bit wearing even if only once a day, continuous pumping for 10-15mins = ouch ! in my book 

i also meant to say before that with the medela it did lose suction a  coupla times, but due to user error.... I went back and re-attached all of the leads/pipes and BINGO ! we were back in business
Sorry can't help about the howe many times do they feed at 9-10 mths,Eva only 6 and  a half now.....still learning myself

[shivi]

at 10 mths oscar was eating something like this

7am bf
8.30am brekkie solids
nap
11am ebm in sippy as snack
12.30pm lunch
long nap
3.30-4pm snack - bf i was lucky to be home before 4pm, worked 8-3pm
5.30 tea solids
7pm bf before bed

i pumped in work enough at this stage for the 11am feed in sippy and a little extra as far as i remember but it took two pumpings at 10am and 1pm to produce this. the extra i used with freezer stash for df which we only dropped at 10 mths and for mixing with brekkie cereal etc....

around 11mths o gave up the 4pm feed on welcoming me home, he was a too busy almost toddler...replaced it with cheese or yoghurt....

hugs, hope this helps,.....sorry for lack of caps as i am feeding!!!

s x

[*Liz*]

I brought the medela swing yesterday and it is FAB! I've been using a manuel avent 3-4 times/day and get 5oz in about 15 mins - only took me 7 mins yeasterday. And I do not miss the hand action!!!

Seems to suck strong enough for me, but then we are all different, but it does seem very adjustable.

[hemz80]

My Ds started nursery at that age too... typically he had a feed morning and night but sometimes would need a cup of milk at 3pm.  He didn't take much and by about 11mths it was totally gone.  He was a diddy baby though and generally took longer than most to cut feeds.