When my daughter Ameli was born I was given a Medela Mini electric pump, which I used religiously a few times a day – even when she was feeding every two hours just to improve my milk supply. I would tuck her in at around 7pm, then go and pump and go to bed myself about an hour later. My husband would then feed her when she woke at 11, using my pumped milk, and then when she woke about at about 2am or so, I’d wake with her to breastfeed again.
This worked really well for us for a while – I was getting plenty of sleep and my freezer was quickly stocking up with milk which served as backup when we were driving or I needed longer stretches of sleep. At about five months, my daughter suddenly refused the bottle, which she has done ever since. I still pump after 11 months of breastfeeding, though, on average four times a week.
Although the Medela Swing is the flagship pump for regular use, the Mini is touted as being ideal for short term or occasional use. It is small enough to fit in any overnight bag and most nappy bags and can be used plugged in or run on battery power.
As much as I enjoy breastfeeding, pumping is not my favourite activity, so it’s a real plus for me being able to fill a 7oz bottle in about 10 minutes. The Medela Swing has fantastic suction and adjustable strength to suit your preferences.
The only downside to this pump, especially in relation to another I’ve tried recently, is that it is quite noisy. This isn’t a huge problem for me, as I pump at home and so don’t have to worry about who can hear me, but it’s certainly not the most discreet pump – a point a number of users have already made in online feedback.
Medela state that their pump is unique in mimicking a baby’s natural nursing rhythm in a two- phase expression simulation. Medela puts this down to the research it has put into studying the way babies suckle. From its website:
Medela commissioned Professor Peter Hartmann of The University of Western Australia to undertake a scientific study of a baby’s natural sucking behaviour. Professor Hartmann is an internationally renowned specialist in the fields of breastfeeding and milk synthesis. His research findings paved the way for the development of the revolutionary 2-Phase Expression technology that brings the breastfeeding mother all-round comfort and convenience.
The Medela Mini sells for £50 – £60 depending on retailer and comes with:
One Diary of a First Child reader can win a Medela Mini. In order to win, just leave a comment below sharing your best breastfeeding or expressing tip or favourite breastfeeding story or simply list two benefits of breast milk. One entry per person.
The competition will run until mid day (GMT) 27 September 2010 and the winner will be drawn randomly using Random.org and will be announced here. Entries are open to anyone, from anywhere
* I say for me, because as with most of these things, what works for one does not mean it will for another. For example, I know one person who found the manual pump more effective than the Mini whereas manual would drive me mad.
The winner of the breast pump is: Natalie Bradley – Congratulations!
Further Reading:
- Breastfeeding in Public: Through Daddy’s Eyes
- Another NIP Outrage and Why It Matters
- Nursing in Public or Just Nursing
- Breastmilk Enhancement Tea
- Comebacks on Breastfeeding Comments
- Five Great Things About Breastmilk
- Breastfeeding: It Would Have Been Nice To Know
- Lactation Biscuits and Breastmilk Smoothies
- For the Love of Breasts