Electric breast pump advice

[Polly D]

Is the swing pump for a single boob, and the next one up is the double pump? I def want an electric one but don't feel the need for the double one. Can anyone advise me on which to get? I had an Avent manual pump for first son and though it was okay I want to speed things up this time, and make life easier, ha ha ha...

Also can you use avent bottles on the Medela pump?

Or can you use Medela bottles in any steriliser?

Thanks!

[crystal7]

I think you can only use Medela bottles on the pump, though on mini electric Medela you can pump directely into a storage bag. Hopefully someone will have some more useful advice, never did it very often!

[cashewnut]

I pumped quite regularly (at least once a day) and used the Avent electric pump (basic single one). It was OK but someone then lent me the Ameda Lacteline dual pump and it was amazing. Quite a lot more pricey but it would have cut my pumping time down to about a third. I regret not having one from the start. It's quicker because you can do both sides at once (and I think it's just more effective), and it's easier because the heavy motor doesn't sit on top of the funnel - easier to relax.

On the other hand if you already have the manual one the Avent motor sits on top of that so if you buy one you have the advantage of a spare cup/funnel etc - and you may not have to wash up and sterilise as often.

[Fmm]

I used the Avent electric single one more or less every day for 6 months (twice) and found it very easy to use and quick for me. I don't know if you can use other bottles with it but I used to pour straight from the Avent bottle i pumped into (which came with it), into the freezer storage bag or bottle, which you could do into any brand of bottle. It might be useful to know that the Avent electric one comes with key spare parts included so if you buy one cheaply second hand you could try to find one with the spare parts unopened (I sold mine like this) and then you get more or less a 'new' one if you use the spare parts.

[Salsie]

Hey Pol!

I have checked this out and I don't think you can use the Avent bottles but as it comes with one Medela bottle people have said to me you can just transfer the milk to the other bottle. Do you want to borrow mine until I need it? Then at least you can see how you get on with it?

x

[chica9]

For me, switching from the Swing to the Freestyle was completely worth the cost. It was quicker, more convenient (especially as I also 'invested' in one of the special bras they sell so you can comfortably go hands free) and my supply definitely went up. I sometimes cleaned the bottles in non-Medela sterilisers although I preferred the Medela microwave bags as things seemed to dry out quicker. They're much cheaper to buy from the US though!

[SparkyUK]

I was just logging in, as I posted a Freestyle for sale last week and am reducing the price (so sorry if this seems self interested) but the medela bottles are a standard size at the neck so you can pump into another brand bottle. Like the poster above, I sometimes pumped straight into a storage bag.

I used a mothercare "pod" sterliser which worked great. But all sterilisers have different methods and some are size specific so best to look at the one you had in mind. The medela bottles are quite small though so you'd probably be okay.

[mrs f]

The Amelda lactaline was amazing, I had it & it's super quick & strong, I lent it to a couple of friends who then went out & brought one. I mostly used it in single mode to be honest as was often with the baby too & couldn't be totally hands free.

I pumped so much I ended up donating to the milk bank as well as for my little fattie!

[SR]

I was happy with my medula mini - my tip is to pump in the am when you wake up. Agree that you pump into the medula bottle but transfer into another bottle or bag. Also not sure what age your baby is but my supply definitely increased around the 3 mth mark so don't panic if you cant pump much at the start.