Breast pump advice

So babies due date is drawing ever closer and I really need to start thinking about a breast pump. It feels hard to buy such a thing in advance when you don't know how feeding/milk supply is going to be! I plan to attempt breast feeding from the start, and although expressing is not advised until around 6 weeks, I would like to start expressing as soon as possible to share the load with my partner as I'm not sure how I'm going to cope. We have agreed we're happy to combi feed if needs be. Would you recommend electric or manual? And would one pump be enough or do you think 2 would be better? Breast pump recommendations only please!! No advice required on our feeding plans.

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10000% electric and I’d also recommend hands free. More money but you won’t regret it x

I had the kissbobo one off amazon (I just had one as I mainly breastfed). It did the job and you can order different flange sizes to suit the size of your nips which will make it more efficient! Best of luck, don't put too much pressure on yourself, your mental health matters 🤍 x

Spectra S1 I think we had (the one that’s semi portable, so you don’t need to be by a socket) I pumped as soon as milk came in. Fed from one side and pumped the other. Benefits being if you get any damage (which you very likely will at some point) you’re not dependent on feeding both sides at each feed. Unless there’s a shortage of pumps you can buy from the hospital and get it delivered in a few days xx

If you’re not sure how your breastfeeding journey will go and don’t want to waste money, I suggest starting with a handheld manual pump, it’s quite strong and only like $20. You can always try to get a pump for free through your insurance as well!

I've said it on a few posts but honestly really recommend the Bellababy pump. I had to pump straight away because we struggled with my nipples and son's tongue tie and this was recommended by the midwives as a cheap option.

@Amber this is a UK group so we don't have health insurance (apart from a very very very small minority of people, who don't have it for birth and pregnancy anyway)

@Charley ahahah I should have noticed the flag 😂😂😂

Electric and 2.

Deffo electric pump! They all sort of do different things. The spectra is amazing (best hospital grade and for increasing supply) which we needed due to supply/tongue tie issues. I used numerous pumps and spectra was by far the best. Hands free is great but not a necessity and doesn't usually collect as much milk as other pumps. But makes you feel less trapped/like a cow 😅 I really like medela personally, but maybe get a mid-range priced electric pump for now, and once you know how feeding goes for you, you can then opt for a handsfree / different pump later on? You can also rent them if needs be too :)

Thank you all so much for your advice and recommendations, really is appreciated 🥰

I used the Elvie Stride and did a combination of pumping and breastfeeding x

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