Conference moira::parenting_v3

    I have used Gentle Expressions and Mag-Mag.  I preferred the Mag-Mag. 
    It had a few more options, and seemed to express more easily for me.  I
    went through 2 Gentle Expressions before buying the Mag-Mag. 
    Definitely invest in electric adaptors!
    
    Kristen

    I have used Gentle Expressions, and a "White River" electric pump. 
    Both worked well once I got used to them...although I "burned" out 6
    Gentle Expressions in the 8 months I nursed Katie (used one for each
    side).  I had the battery operated model Gentle Expressions.
    
    Susan

    
    My sister found the pumps to be so severe....she expressed her milk
    with her hands and was very successful....I think I may try this
    method, too (maybe the base noter might benefit)....does the 'manual'
    method work for everyone?
    
    thanks,
    Kristen

    I have both the Magmag battery pump and the Gentle Expressions, also
    battery operated. I found the GE useless in terms of suction/pressure,
    and only used it as a last resort. At least with the Magmag, I could
    adjust the pressure level.
    

    I'm not sure about brand names, but the pumps I used for all three of
    my kids were the "tube within a tube" type.  I used these pumps when I
    returned to work and filled two bottles a day for the babysitter. 
    There is an adjustment period to "toughen you up" but one trick I
    learned was that once a good stream of milk was coming out I stopped
    the pumping action and just kept the pressure on.  There's alot of
    frustration in the beginning with these pumps but once you get the hang
    of it they work great.
    
    Good luck!

    
    
    There is a lengthy discusssion of this in the Parenting V-2.  
    
    I had better luck with a manual type pump than the small electric
    one.  Both times at the hospital I asked for a breast pump and they
    brought me a Kaneson (sp?) cylinder type pump.  It was a lot gentler
    than the Gentle Expressions pump I had borrowed from a friend and
    yielded about the same amount of milk.
    
    When I returned to work, I found that I couldn't pump enough
    milk, it took too long to get what I did get, and I didn't always have
    letdown. Based upon [excellent] advice from the notes file, I rented a 
    Medella Lactina breastpump.  What a difference!  Its very gentle but 
    powerful, and simulates an infant sucking. It was expensive (about $1
    per day) but worth the cost and cheaper than formula.
    
    I recommended it to a neighbor who had a 700 gram preemie.  She 
    bought the adapter which allows her to pump both breasts at the
    same time.  She's been pumping for 3 months now, and is providing
    all her baby's nourishment, which is remarkable considering that 
    she has never actually "nursed" her baby at the breast.
    
    Rochelle
    
    P.S.  John Hancock picked up the cost for the pump I was given at
    the hospital!
    
    

    Where/how does one go about renting the Medella pump?  I am expecting
    twins and have heard about the adapter for pumping both breasts and am
    very interested in this.  Any help would be appreciated!
    
    Thanks,
    Jennifer
    

    re -1
    
    I rented my pump from a hospital/medical supply. The kind of places
    that rent wheelchairs and such.  My neighbor rented hers directly
    from the hospital.
    
    Rochelle

    I got mine by calling the local chapter of La Leche league.  They will
    put you in touch with a representative near your home.  Then they will
    also show you how to use it.  We also have a Mothers Milk Bank center
    here in San Jose and they were helpful.  They get and store milk for
    preemies and ill babies who cannot take formula and cannot breastfeed
    but need mothers' milk.  
    
    However, from what I have been seeing in notes, it you can rent it from
    the hospital, insurance may cover it.  Mine was not covered.
    
    Michelle
    

    
    re .10
    
    Thats's a big negative on John Hancock covering breast pumps - can't
    say I didn't try though...
    
    Rochelle

    I used the Keneson pump by sunmark for 1 year.  In fact, I actually
    kept two, so one was always clean.  The electrical pumps never worked
    for me, but with a little time, effort and practice the manual pump did
    the trick.  
    
    Meg

    Getting back on my own feedback.  I ended purchasing the MagMag
    battery/electric from New Hampshire Buyers for $41.?? and I really like
    it so far!  After 20 minutes I do get soar but I would expect any pump
    to do that!
    
    Thanks for all the replies!
    Sonia (mother of Heidi - 3 wks early!)

    I am currently renting an electric White River portable breast pump.
    I am paying $1.50 a day for the pump.  I purchased the extra flange
    so that I can pump both sides at the same time.  I am very happy with
    it.  I can get about 9 oz. in ten minutes with no soreness at all.
    It is on the heavy side.  About 15 lbs. I'd guess.  I tend to leave it
    at work and only bring the attachments home to clean at night.
    
    				Mary