What pump would you recommend?

[St. Margaret]

I think this time I want to have an emergency stash of milk. I've had such bad luck lately and had to take drugs while pregnant for pain relief (luckily some that didn't cross the placenta supposedly, but still, class C)... just in case anything like this happens again, I'd like to have some milk saved up for this baby. Last time I just nursed, no pump or bottles or even cups of milk ever, it just never came up. One night at about 6wks PP I had a bad fever and the shakes so nursing was very hard, but I could do it for a few minutes and hand baby off... then it never came up again. If there were a serious emergency, I've got lots of mama friends who would bring milk over or even cross nurse for me, but I'd like to have some on hand.

I'm think a cheap but effective manual pump would be enough. I've heard good things about the Advent Isis I think. But for this level of need, what is the pump you would recommend? And what storage bags or what have you, too?

Thanks!

[sacridote]

I would highly recommend the Avent Isis. I used it exclusively for the first 5 months of nursing my daughter and I was working full time. It's really easy to use and really affordable. So far this time around I managed to find a couple of Isis pumps and have been using them exclusively... I haven't even gotten replacement parts for my Medela PIS yet.

I'm also using the Lansinoh milk bags, But I don't know why... it's just what I got from my shower, so it's what I'm using. Last time I used the Gerber bags. I'd think if you are only pumping for emergencies you might just get a couple of glass jars with tight fitting lids.

Good Luck!

[St. Margaret]

Thanks! I'm going to see if I can snag one on sale, then...

[allisonrose]

I originally purchased the Medela Harmony pump (it's a manual) for an occasional bottle with my son. I wasn't happy with it and bought a Avent Isis to replace it (once they came out with a BPA free version). So much better! Definitely go for the Avent.

I vaguely remember the Lansinoh bags being recommended over some other brands which occasionally sprung leaks....

[myk]

i HATED the isis, it wouldn't work for me at all. couldn't squeeze a drop. just about any Medela pump worked ok, but for me the best was the Ameda manual pump.

[Crazybean]

I used the Isis with my 1st and thought it did pretty good for a manual pump. I still have it in case I need it for my 2nd. I currently have an electric Ameda (awesome company) pump that I LOVE but I know you are looking for manual so I'll stop there.

[ann_of_loxley]

I quite like my Avent Isis.
I also really really liked the Ameda one - but those are terribly expensive and I borrowed that one! hehe But it was super great!

[trailblazerbarbie]

Love the avent duo electric. I got it on ebay for about $175. I'm a SAHM so I don't pump but once a day, but I have a really nice freezer stash now b/c of it.