Choosing a Pump - Occasional Use

[Stugroupie]

I am a SAHM of two with one on the way. The older two were exclusively breastfed but I have never pumped or used bottles. I think this time around I would like to pump a bit so that I can have some time away. This would be occasionally, like once or twice a week for a few hours. I have no idea what kind of pump to get. Any suggestions? Thanks!

[jessafina]

It's definitely nice to have the option to have a moment to yourself! I don't do much pumping, but I've used 4 different pumps: A Medela hospital pump (in the hospital), a Medela home pump (Symphony, it think?) a Playtex electric pump and an Avent single manual pump.
Unless you have a big budget, rule out the fancy hospitaly pump. It's nice becuase it has a "let down" phase, but you've done enough bfing that you'll be fine without that; just start on a lower setting until the milk comes down---quicker suction with less pull, then switch to longer suction, more pull--- like a babe!
The other Medela home pump that I have is pretty good, but it's an older model and i don't feel like it's that strong. My sister pumps twice a day at work and has been happy with her Medela, but it's the only pump she's ever used.
The Avent manual that I have is not bad, but I used it before I really had the hang of breastfeeding and didn't understand the importance of the letdown. It hurt SO bad the first few times, but then i tried pumping one side while ds nursed on the other side and it worked quite well.
Then I saw a Playtex electric pump on sale for $99 (usually $199) so I bought it for myself as an xmas present and I really like it! It has a softer pumping action using rubber air cushions instead of just tugging your nipple like the Medela. It's pretty comfy, as far as pumping goes--- definitely my favorite of the ones I've tried.
So---- if you're going to do minimal pumping you may want to get a manual becuase it's pretty inexpensive ($30-50 bucks?) but if you're going to get an electric, I really like the Playtex. Medela really has cornered a lot of the market, but it's not my favorite.
Good luck--- and enjoy a little free time!

[busymama77]

If it's for occassional use, I would probably suggest the Avent Isis. It's a manual, not much to it, and it's fairly inexpensive. I have one and I used it a bit more than I thought and it still turned out to be a great pump for me.

[birdword]

I have the Harmony manual pump from Medela and I really like it. I use it about 2-3 days a week about 3 times per day because I work part time. It's easy to use and clean and I think it was about $30.

[Oliver's Mama]

I used a Medela Harmony (their most basic manual, around $35) for 18 months and it held up well for once-a-day pumping. I could also walk around the house holding it with one hand, so I could multi-task. Here's the amazon link, with 114 reviews, nearly all of which are positive.
One thing I didn't like about pumps was that I spent just as much time cleaning it as I did pumping, so on lazy nights, I would forego the pump and just hand-express. It wasn't quite as productive and could get tiring, but hand-expressing is obviously free, no clean-up, no supplies... If dh and I were out for the evening, I could just step out to the bathroom/car, and squirt into a bottle for 5 minutes.. easy peasy, just need a rag handy.
For my new baby, I need a new pump, so I decided I'd try Lansinoh, since I didn't care for the Medela bottles. It looks fairly comparable.

http://www.amazon.com/Medela-Harmony...4389767&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Lansinoh-Manua...pr_product_top

[curious&eager]

I have the Medela Harmony for the same purpose, twice a week out of the house for a few hours. It hurt in the beginning to use, and then I started pumping while I nursed and it was so much easier, fast, and didn't hurt. It's a good little pump, easy to clean and quiet. I've heard cheap electrics are so noisy. Thankfully, I returned one before opening the box.
The pump will also come in handy to pump milk to mix with cereal. I've heard the ISIS has better reviews, but I didn't read much about that pump so I don't know.

[HungryCaterpillar]

I'm a pumping full-time WOHM and have a medela PISA. It has too many little things to remember and I'm paranoid that I'm going to get to work one day and be missing something vital, so I decided to buy a manual pump to have as backup. I bought a Lansinoh manual single pump and I LOVE it! I love the soft inner shield. I love the little flanges (they aren't finicky like the medela membranes.) I get comparable milk to my PISA, albeit one breast at a time and with quite a bit more effort. I even love the purple instead of the yucky yellow of the medela!

[Mulvah]

I bought a Lansinoh Manual on clearance and I'm very happy with it.

[earthmommy2]

I like the Medela Manual, easy to clean, small and easy to use...I have heard the Lansinoh is good too...that is actually the one I am looking at now for my next baby.

[marinak1977]

I am new to parenting and pumping and I love my Lansinoh manual - I didn't have any problems with letdown and it is very gentle on my nipples. If you don't have carpal tunnel or other hand issues I'd say manual pump is a way to go.

[GoldmanBaby09]

I actually did a trial for this pump before it came out: Simplisse Manual and found it to be comfortable and easy to use. I'm a SAHM mom who almost never pumps so it was good for a novice, for sure.

[Stugroupie]

This has been so helpful. I found a deal on the Medela Swing and thought I would get it, but it seems that a manual will work just fine for what I need. I think I will pick up a manual pump and save my money. THANKS!

[Lilly Milly]

I have the Swing and really like it, but I've never tried anything else. I do think it would be nice to have fewer parts, but the Swing is pretty portable which is why I chose it.

[JMJ]

I would try learning how to hand express before buying a pump. It's not too hard, and some women find that the skin to skin contact makes it easier to get letdowns. It's free, and there's no clean-up... well... no dishes... the milk sprays everywhere!

[Lil'Momma]

I have ever kind of pump ever made I do believe... DS2 was exclusively fed pumped milk and I went through multiple cheap pumps before I decided to spend money on a good brand.

The cheapest and easiest I've used is the Medela Harmony. I recommend it for occasional use. It's also amazingly sturdy (I have a two year old and a three year old who like to pretend they are pumping milk for their sister. lol.)

BTW: anyone know any good links that teach (and show ie:video) how to hand express? Sorry to threadjack...