Back to work...Electric Pump security risk!

[Mommy2Austin]

I need a recommendation for a good sturdy manual pump for everyday use. I work in a prison and can not bring my electric pump in for many reasons (all of which I completely understand.) I plan to keep the electric in my car for pumping before going on shift and once I get off shift (its an hr.+ long drive home) but I need a manual to use on shift (I found a way around the issue of the electric ) This eliminates the need for me to leave my post to go to my car to pump. So any recommendations would be lovely! I respond well to my electric (PISA) but the hand held attachment I don't respond well to (It will take me far longer than I have time for to get enough milk.)

[kbins]

I used the Avent Isis (manual) exclusively for work for my three boys. I didn't start using an electric til DS#3, and then only at home. I preferred the quiet and portability of the manual handheld at work. It also was more comfortable, probably because of the soft silicone shields inside the horns and because I could control the speed. I do let down pretty easily, so I never felt like I got tired or struggled to produce (could get about 9 oz at a sitting).

The Avent Isis I bought when DH wrecked one of the parts to my first pump, came with a small carrying case/cooler which was awesome. It was smaller than a kids' lunchbox. All black and totally discreet. I took this pump on planes overseas three times, too.

ETA: If you want the one with the carrying case, freezer packs, you should look for the "On the Go" kit. Target has it for about $68. Just the pump is about $39. You can buy direct from Philips Avent cheaper. The first two kids, I didn't have the carrying case kit. I just bought a small softsided insulated lunchbox to carry the pump and the milk home with me. Completely discreet (I was still very shy about pumping in the early days).

I have an older Medela PIS and use it at home in the mornings but continue to use the Isis. I pump into the Avent Via cups (hardsided) for storage.

[averlee]

At WIC they showed us a pump that had a foot pedal like a sewing machine.

[Mommy2Austin]

Originally Posted by averlee

At WIC they showed us a pump that had a foot pedal like a sewing machine.

That would be really cool!

kbins- Thank you for the recommendation! From what I keep reading the Isis is the most popular manual. I have everything I could possibly need except the pump itself lol. I'm hoping I can scrounge the money together to get one.

I also plan to call WIC tomorrow and see what they will do for me.

[Xavismom]

I also love the manual Avent Isis! I bought it as a cheap option to use until I could afford to buy an electric pump, but it works so well for me that I dont plan on getting an electric now.

I dont use it that much, and so far DS wont take a bottle of BM anyways, but when I do use it, I have no problem. I can fill the little bottle (4 oz) up in about 10 min. It works a lot easier than I used to imagine a manual working. I always thought you would have to sit and pump and pump the trigger, but you dont. Pump 5 -6 times, then hold the trigger down until your flow stops, and then pump a few times again to get the flow back. Its super easy.

I have had some light bruises from it though, but they werent painfull, and I didnt even notice til DH pointed it out to me.

[doubledutch]

i used the pump in style at work but also had a medela harmony single manual pump for . . . well i don't remember why i bought it, lol. but i used it a lot on the weekends if ds wasn't interested in nursing and i was becoming engorged. (oversupply, and then when he got past 6 months he was sooooo distractable.) i actually liked it better than the electric pump. if i had two, that would have been even better.

i'm wondering if the medela freestyle would be allowed though?

[boobs4milk]

the medela harmony gets twice the amount out for me that i get with my electric.

[Mommy2Austin]

Originally Posted by doubledutch

i used the pump in style at work but also had a medela harmony single manual pump for . . . well i don't remember why i bought it, lol. but i used it a lot on the weekends if ds wasn't interested in nursing and i was becoming engorged. (oversupply, and then when he got past 6 months he was sooooo distractable.) i actually liked it better than the electric pump. if i had two, that would have been even better.

i'm wondering if the medela freestyle would be allowed though?

I'm not sure about the freestyle. Its one of those things that I don't want to make too big of a stink because I'm just happy I can pump at work without a big fight.

Local WIC will provide a Medela Harmony (if they deem me worthy LOL) so I'm thinking of splurging and buying the Avent Isis so if one doesn't work I'll have the other.

[bajamergrrl]

Originally Posted by boobs4milk

the medela harmony gets twice the amount out for me that i get with my electric.

[Aufilia]

I have a Medela Harmony and it's really nice. I get good amounts of milk out of it when I use it, and it's really comfortable.

I think my concern would be, are you going to have time to single-pump each breast? That's the real flaw with a handpump, I think.

[feminist~mama]

Medela makes a pedal pump that attaches to the same stuff that you use with the PIS that would allow you to double pump without electricity. It's wooden and a bit clunky, so it would be nice if you could just leave it there and not have to bring it in and out every day. I do think that double pumping is your best bet by the way, especially if you don't have tons of break time!

I work at a hospital, so I have access to our Symphony pumps, but I wanted to pump and store at home ahead of time (obviously!). I thought this was a great solution that was less expensive than the PIS and not as likely to break. I haven't used it yet, so no actual reviews from me... I did take a lactation course and heard from the instructor that it was great, and reviews seem to like it too...

Here's a link!

Good luck!

[Mommy2Austin]

I went and bought the Avent Isis at Walmart yesterday ($42.00...ugh I was bummed because I went to Kmart first and they were $39.00 but out of stock ) and took it as well as the Medela handpump I was given when my first was born (the one with the slide back and forth...ridiculous on your arms/wrist!) just in case because I know I can get *some* pumped with that.

I only managed to pump two times on shift once at 6:30 ish and once at 9:00 ish. My first session I tried the Isis, but couldn't get it to suction right. I was in a time crunch because I couldn't leave the officer's station for long, so I gave up on the isis for the moment and pumped at little with the crummy medela one. The next time I went to pump I re-read the manual to make sure the parts were put in right and noticed the little blurb about wetting the parts! Makes sense. After I did that I saw what everyone mentioned about not needing to constantly pump with your hand Hopefully today will be a little less hectic and I can get more that I did last night (5-6 oz total)

I added in a first thing in the morning pumping session to make sure she has enough to eat for the day. The Isis got me 4 oz

Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions and advice!