Advice on a Portable Breast Pump

Updated on April 26, 2009
A.K. asks from Santa Monica, CA
8 answers

I am going out of town for a few days and need to pump during the day to have enough milk for my daughter at night (I have low supply in the evening and no amount of fenugreek will help).

I don't want to bring my big giant pump with me, but rather get something portable--either battery operated or manual.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

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So What Happened?

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think I'm going for the Avent.

As far as the supply issues are concerned... my daughter will REFUSE to suck when nothing is coming out. She cries and cries. Now, there may be SOMETHING there, if she tries, really really hard, but she won't. I end up, almost every night, feeding her expressed milk from a bottle. I know this is a double edged sword. If I don't have her nurse, I will eventually have less; however, I don't know what else to do! A screaming baby at the breast is not a way to end the night.

Also, I have gotten my period twice already, even though I feed her throughout the night. Right now, I am totally low. I don't even have anything to pump at my usual good times. Right now, in fact, I usually can pump a few ounces on each side. I got less than 1 combined. It's really scary to me and I just don't know what else I can do. I take supplements and I pump when I can during the day (so hard to do when you're alone!)

I will continue to feed her with breastmilk, if I can, but I am worried about what will happen this weekend when we are away. I only have a few ounces in reserve.

Thanks again for the advice.
Sincerely,
A.

More Answers

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

I used the Avent, manual pump, which I liked a lot....after having tried the Medela, which I did NOT like.
The Avent one was the most successful for me and easy to use.
I just got it from my local drugstore.

But, it depends on what kind of bottles you are using... back then when I had the Avent pump and bottles, the bottles were made with a plastic that had the BPA's in it. Yikes.
I don't know if by now it is different.

If anything, just hand expressing your breasts, can release the engorgement you might get while away and not able to nurse.

(You mentioned in your "a little about me" that your baby being a "non-sleeper"....is this because of your lack of milk supply... or her not latching on properly thus she is NOT getting enough intake daily? For some babies, this can be a reason they are not sleeping....because they are basically always hungry. Never satisfied. Perhaps, check her latch and your milk output. At night, is also a time when a baby feeds heavily, and wakes more. As she approaches 6 months old, this will be a "growth spurt" time and her intake needs will increase...) Sorry if I got ahead and "answered" that which you did not ask for.

Good luck,
Susan

1 mom found this helpful
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D.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

I used an Evanflo one that was battery operated and was fairly inexpensive, I think like $40, for when I had to travel for work.

I bought it at Rite-Aid on a whim and it was great a simple.

1 mom found this helpful
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R.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

A., ditto on the Avent Isis (can get it at Target). It's the best manual out there and I ended up liking it more than my Medela. Here's another piece of advice you didn't ask for -- :)
Why do you think your supply is low in the evening? Is it because you pump less then? Of course you do. Most moms get the most by pumping on the unused side when their nursling feeds for the first time in the morning. Pumping is a very different activity than nursing, so your child is getting a vastly different result than you do.
If your child pees and poops regularly (Gosh, I am SUCH a mom of 4 -- I don't even remember the adult words for bodily functions anymore -- I once was travelling alone and asked the flight attendant for the potty!) and is active and healthy and growing -- they're thriving on your milk. Don't judge it. And kids and bodies adapt. I had a friend who was a flight attendant who nursed on a three days on, one day off schedule. And another, a cancer survivor, with one working breast. Both fed their babies.
Also, if you're working or gone during the day, your baby is smart enough to get his/her time with you at night. Darned baby geniuses -- mine did the same thing!
Okay, I'll be quiet now. Have a great trip!

1 mom found this helpful
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A.A.

answers from San Diego on

I use Medela battery operated single pump. Its loud but effective. I use it at work everyday. It takes about 10min on each side. I bought the disposable storage bags to go with it. I also drink Earth Mamas Organic milkmade tea about 45 min before pumping because I have a shortage problem. You can purchase it at babies r us. Good luck!

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J.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

i bought a medella. i bought the in style but didnt care for it because i didnt feel it pumped hard enough to fully drain me. so if you get a medella pay for the better model. i have heard great things about the avent pump so maybe try that one.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

I really liked my medela hand pump. I think it was 30 bucks.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

The avent manual pump worked great for me.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

Excellent choice! I loved my Avent pump!

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