AVENT breast pump: Manual vs Electric

i've decided to buy a breast pump just incase i have issues with breastfeeding and am looking at the AVENT range of products. There is a massive price difference between the manual and the electric pump (the electric is twice as expensive as the manual!). Anyway... what is better? is it a worthwhile investment to get the electric pump for use after the newborn phase, especially when its time to go back to work? My intention is to 100% breastfeed for at least the first 3-4months and then introduce bub to the bottle with expressed milk with alternate breastfeeding sessions (a friend of mine had problems weaning her baby off the breast, he is 1 yr old now and still has problems bottle feeding and she is already back at work! so don't want to run into the same problem). Is it worth paying the money for the electric pump or will the manual pump do the same job as easily?? any advice would be greatly appreciated :D

i used teh manual. it was easy i could take it with me as it was only small easy to sterlize.
and i found i could ocntrol the suction and speed alot better. and its a good strengthening exercie for you hands.

i found it comfortable and an easu shape to use.

If you know the following information already please ignore it. It is best to exclusively bf bub until your milk supply is well and truely established, this can take up to 3 months. When introducing a bottle at an early stage you may find bub will prefer the bottle and you may not be able to express successfully, thus bub will end up on formula before you know it. I know it happened twice to me.


To answer your question: I have a avent pump and I thought it was ok. I think a better option is to hire an electric breast pump. You can hire them from the ABA (Australian Breast Feeding Association). This way you can try using a electric pump without the massive outlay. HTH

Electric all the way.

I found it relatively easy to express, mostly getting 120ml in less than 10 mins, but it hurts. And if you have to do it over and over again... ouch.

Hire a Medela from the ABA...

I was going to buy a breast pump (electric) but I'm glad I haven't as I was told to let my milk come in and establish in the first 2-3mths (like Bekz said!). Also scared that bub will prefer bottle over breast.

Looking at hiring one though down the track from ABA, how much is it if you are a member does anyone know please? Is it much cheaper hiring or buying one? I would have thought buying one would be cheaper ?

I'm considering my options on this one too - thanks for the info from all those experienced Mummies! Just thought I'd add... my friend bought an electric and was then given a manual. She said that the electric hurt like hell and she felt that it contributed to her mastitis as it drew the milk with too much force (and perhaps damaged ducts?). She swapped to the manual and said that she likes this much better as she can be as gentle as she needs to be and pause etc.

HTH

I am going to keep an eye on this thread as interested in knowing what everyone does.

A gf of mine says her advent manual one is excellent. Easy to use.

I've got an Avent manual and electric. I'm not really expressing anymore, but when I was I would switch between the two. I found I got better suction with the manual, the electric didn't seem to suction as good. I used the electric when I was having trouble letting down, I could just put it on and ignore it and sit on the computer. In saying all that though, I have never been a good expresser, never been able to get much out. Next time, I will consider hiring a Medela from the ABA.

I have the Medela Swing electric pump and ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!! My daughter was only born 4lb 5 oz so I had to express a lot (and still do) as she was not srong enough to feed entirely from the breast - I express at least 2 - 4 times per day and it is not painful at all - it's a little exy and retails around $300 but I picked mine up at chemist warehouse for $250 but sooooo worth the $$$ I initially hired the medela from the chemist but at $80 per month to hire I figured I would be better off just buying one! - The pump is really small, and can be battery powered or plugged in!!

I have the Avent manual and so far have found it very easy to use. In saying that, i have only used it a few times (when i had a cracked nipple) but it was very comfortable and i thought it pumped relatively quickly.

I agree with the others about hiring an electric one first to see how it goes for you.