Not exactly a question you'd expect from a guy

[sraun]

kosmickitten is about sixteen weeks along now. She's starting to think about dealing with a baby - they're doing baby registration, and she's pondering breast pumps. She thinks she'll be an occasional user - she's not working, and by the current schedule she'll be done with college. So, what she wants is the capability to leave enough milk with bernesemntdog, a sitter, or a relative, that the baby will do fine and she can go do something away-from-baby for a few hours. So, she's looking input. Electrical vs. manual. Any specific brand/model recommendations or dis-recommendations.

If you really want to write a monologue in comments here, go ahead and I'll forward it to her. If you'd like to have a dialogue with her, leave me contact info and I'll have her get back to you.

Comments

[dek9.livejournal.com]

Don't bother with a manual even if it's only occasional. In fact, if it's only occasional, then your best bet is the electric kind that they sell at places like Target, et al (Medela, etc). I don't remember the exact model I had, but with new tubes and collection devices, several moms have used it (you really don't want to reuse someone else's collection stuff, but the nonsense people give you about the pump not being usable by other is, I am told, just that - nonsense).

The manuals aren't really worth it, unless you have a LOT of time on your hands, and strong hands. The electrics they sell "over the counter", as it were, are really meant for occasional use. They aren't for heavy duty pumping.

When I had Aidan, he refused to latch on, and as stubborn as I was, I was determined he was getting breast milk anyhow, so I pumped for 5 months. In a case like that, it's best to rent one of the industrial pumps they have at the hospital for $50/month. But, again, if it's just occasional, the electric ones you can pick up almost anywhere will do.

Hope this helps!