Pump advice

[Blanco]

I was going to but a pump and my SIL said to hire one as you can hire the hospital grade ones for about £40 a month but that does seems like alot of money. Anyone found a really good breast pump to buy? I've been told not to bother with manual ones. Also what are the breast feeding dos ans donts I don't want to dry up. Do I express just what I need for a feed or express to keep milk flowing. I really am clueless. X

 

[T84]

Hey hon I'm now exclusively pumping. I had the medela mini which broke after 2 weeks and now have the lansinoh double one which I really like, although I only do one side at a time cos 2 is just too fiddly for all I get out my right side which isn't much. I express every time Scarlett feeds which is hard going but keeps supply up. I tend to get 5-6 oz at a time but it's taken this long to build it up from the 3 I used to get at the start. She tends to eat 4-5 in a feed so I save the rest in milk storage bags which are great! I also looked at hiring but paid £120 for mine so made sense cos I knew I would do it long term. Hope this all makes sense but if you have any other questions let me know. 4 weeks down the line and i still feel like I'm learning! X x

 

[Natalilly1288]

T84 did Scarlett take the bottle well? I'm worried as I've expressed some today in the hope my oh can give it her tonight while I get some rest but everyone keeps telling me she prob won't take it. I feel at my wits end today she's been camped on me all day really feel like giving up Donna I've got the tonnes tipper closer to nature one and only used it this morn but its done the job! Xxxx

 

[T84]

Don't stress nat, she took it straight away no questions asked from about a week and then still went on to breastfeed for over a week too. (We were topping up with bottles as she wouldn't bf long enough) let me know how you get on. Ps we used the TT closer to nature bottles as they mimic breast as close as a bottle can I suppose x x

 

[Natalilly1288]

That's good then ppl tell you all sorts I just need some rest she's only going a short time in between feeds and I'm sure one bottle a day isn't going to mess the breast feeding up I just want to give her my milk but if I don't get some rest I'm going to go mad. I'm fed up of all my friends who have ff babies telling me how good there babies are and how long they sleep for I feel like I'm not enjoying her like I should everyone keeps saying it gets easier but I can't see the light at the end of the tunnel today xxxx

 

[T84]

You have days where you feel like that definately. You have done do well to go this far and to still want to persevere. One bottle defo won't make a difference. Scarlett was getting one after every bf. people tell you a lot of crap sometimes and their 'advice' really doesn't help x x

 

[Natalilly1288]

Thanks hunny just having a down day I think hopefully things are going to get better soon xxxx

 

[Sophie_P]

I have a ff baby and she doesn't bloody sleep!

 

[Natalilly1288]

All I've had all day soph is "advice " saying they will go hours blah blah not what u want to hear when your trying your best! Xxx

 

[Sophie_P]

People don't think! X

 

[T84]

People love to tell you the bad in a situation, I just ignored it! X x

 

[Sophie_P]

I've not had much unwanted advice, don't think people would dare haha

 

[T84]

Found this for you guys, I found it useful at the start x x
http://community.babycenter.com/pos..._exclusively_pumping_and_other_tips_-_updated

 

[Natalilly1288]

That's brill thankyou Hun just one more q I can't seem to find the answer to if I've got a bottle in the fridge how long can it be kept in there before I freeze it? Xxx

 

[T84]

I'm pretty sure it's still the 5 days (ideally 3 tho). I'm kinda wondering the same about fresh to fridge milk, how long you can leave it out fresh and then put it in fridge. I'm gonna phone hv and check later so will let you know x x

 

[Natalilly1288]

Ok Hun ty I've got Hv coming later so il ask too n let U no if I find out the answer so many questions lol xxxx

 

[T84]

Thanks nat, my hv gave me a table of times, maybe yours will have it too x x

 

[Glitter2707]

Hi, I have now been exclusively expresing for 18 weeks! My baby has has no formula since she was 4 weeks old while I was building supply.
I've had several pumps but what has kept me going this long us my medela freestyle - it's fab and double pumping has literally saved my sanity! I mainly give her 'fresh' milk now which just a couple stored in the fridge (and lots in the freezer!) if I need it. Keep at it, you will feel so proud of yourself - I can't wait to get to the 6 month milestone