Do I buy a breastpump before bub is born or do I get one after?

[~Hestia~]

I just got a manual one before DS was born and I did get a bit of use out of it. You can always sell it!

[NaeNae]

Personally I'd wait.

I just happened to have one from when Nikita was born (medela swing) but I never really used it. Everyone told me to express to keep my supply up in the early days but I could never see when or how I could when I spent as much of the first 6 weeks sleeping as I could. Plus it would take over an hour to feed DD between burping and what not so I simply couldn't work out WHEN I should do it.

I was stressed out opf my mind because I thought I had supply issues, the MW would tell me to express so Dh could feed the baby too but I would get very very little (between 20-50ml only after 30 min BOTH sides) long story short I gave up ... I mean what was I trying to express for? just because everyone else said to do it doesn't mean you have to, providing you bub gets adequate time at the breast why put that pressure on yourself to express as well? (this was my rationalising for nopt expressing) ....... I also DID NOT have a let down at a pump therefore could not express enough.

So bottom line, WAIT.

You can hire them if you need too but they are not an absolutely essential item UNLESS you don't want to do all the feeds but you will still need to stimulate your supply.

Nae x

[MrsBexie]

I have been given a manual one from my SIL who only used it twice with 3 children.
If she hadn't have given it to me I would have waited to see if I needed one or not. It is going to be handy to have one though just so if I need to go somewhere bubs can still be fed etc...

but I would maybe wait to see if you need one?? Really it's up to you!
Would you feel more comfortable buying one now and having it there just in case or would you feel better waiting and not spending the money if you don't have to?