i've only ever used the electric ones and I find it great - it's a medela symphony (yellow). It's fairly expensive to hire ($115 a month) but it mimics a baby's sucking patterns (i.e. start with the little shallow sucks then go to longer/slower pattern). To start with I was getting 20 - 50ml but now I've got up to 190 ml, averaging 100ml (but I've been expressing a fair bit for many reasons too). I find this pump great.

I also tried a medela lacta something? Blue one.. but it was faulty (it's the older more basic one $80 hire/month) so once I realised it was faulty (first night home ARRGH!), I rushed out and just got the same yellow one that I used at hossie. There's also little more portable electric ones too that Medela make but i haven't tried 'em.

Also, I think you can hire through Mother's Direct/ABA at a discount if you've joined ABA.

Georgi, great suggestion on the chux wipes - our little man LOVES to pee as soon as his doodle is free! (haha that rhymed! Ahem! ).

Re nappy rash my friend uses Lucas PawPaw ointment (and her little girl did have very bad nappy rash) - X's bum was briefly a bit red, used some of that and it cleared up in no time!