Posted by
Nicher
19 yrs ago
I have a Medela single electric pump. Wondering if it's efficient enough for pumping at work. I will have to pump twice in office. Thinking if I need to buy/ rent the dual pump as many mentioned here. But I may have to pump in the toilet. Any experience to share pls?
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crj
19 yrs ago
I would go for the Medela Pump In Style ADVANCED - it has the same 'dual action' function as the hospital grade pumps, but it more portable.
I ordered mine from the USA as it wasn't available here a few months ago.
HSBC, Goldman Sachs, and lots of the top end companies do have 'lactation rooms' for pumping with small fridges for milk storage. One friend pumped in the 'executive toilet' of another international bank.
Most companies in HK are NOT set up for pumping at all, or for milk storage - so do check both things out early on so you can make appropriate arrangements.
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is it sterile enough in an office toilet - do you pump and throw away (just to keep up supply) or pump and put it in the office fridge? how do you steralise things at the office?
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Thanks ladies. I'll check my company on the location they can provide.
Just curious - do you really get more milk when pumping both sides at the same time? And how long usually does it take for each pumping session and how many ounces do you get?
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MayC
19 yrs ago
Hi, I've tried both. Pump one side, then the other right after and I've tried pumping both at the same time. Generally I find that if I pump one side, then the other, I tend to pump less because of the time factor (being at work) and also when I'm pumping one side, the other one leaks. But when I pump both at the same time, I cut down on the time I take to pump because I could do both for 20 minutes and spend the rest of my lunch hour eating. The medela hospital grade is really good if you have access to a power point in the loos. You can just sit on a chair to pump.
If not the double electric pump (medela) is okay... only problem is, it doesn't pump as much milk as the hospital grade one but still better than nothing. A spare room during the lunch hour is great, if you can.
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crj
19 yrs ago
I was told so by a lactation consultant, and it does seem to be true - double pump, more milk... who knows why!!
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crj
19 yrs ago
I took some photos and videos on my mobile phone... but I have to say, I guess I am not that emotional as it made no difference for me...
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Sky
19 yrs ago
Hi,
I pump in the office too. I take two sets of sterilised pump kits(i.e. what comes into contact with the milk) in two disposable food bags and use one for each pump session (so I don't sterilise anything in the office). But I don't pump that much about 5-6oz a time (both sides). Mind you my baby (5.5 months) doesn't drink that much either (about 4-6 oz). I have the medela swing pump and found to be ok. I usually finish pumping both sides in about 20 minutes.
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:-))
19 yrs ago
It really depends on how your breasts respond to the pump. Some women can get lots of milk from any kind of pump. Other women's breasts (like mine) stubbornly hold on to the milk unless their baby is present! For the latter group, getting the best possible pump is important.
It also depends on how intense your work schedule is. If you are only working part-time, or have plenty of break time, a cheaper pump might do. If you are full-time, you will want to use the pump to maintain your milk supply, in which case the double pump is much better. You might be able to find an empty room that you can lock (even a store room!) instead of the toilets - be bold in trying to work out your best possible solution!
If you do end up getting a double one, no need to get rid of the one you already have. I find it useful to have more than one pump, so that I can pump at home before I go to work without having to wash the pump before leaving.
I have found it also helps to have some relaxing music, and have put on my iPod the lullaby music I play my baby while breastfeeding at bedtime!
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Just asked company HR. They said I can book conference rooms to express every day. At least I don't need to pump it in toilet :P I will see how intense workload will be and how efficient the single pump is before I decide on getting the double pump.
So apart from the pump, milk bags, reusable ice packs, ice bag, baby photos, ipod, what else do I need to prepare? (btw, where can I get the reusable ice packs?)
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lasez
19 yrs ago
I bought a medela ice bag and it comes with an ice pack + 4 storage bottles from Celki.
www.celki.com
Tsim Sha Tsui:Tel : 2191 9122
Causeway Bay: Tel : 2915 3388
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The Medela single electric pump is more suitable for occasional use only. Mothers who go back to work will need a faster more effective pump to maintain lactation and provide expressed milk for their babies.
We usually recommend a hospital grade bilateral pump for moms who continue to breastfeed while working.Research has shown that double pumping yields more milk and can increases prolactin levels. The pump in style (battery or electric powered ) is one option that can be purchased from Meridian .
Matilda International Hospital
Well Baby Clinic 2849 1500
Hong Kong
http://www.matilda.org
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I hired a medela lactina electric plus and have it plugged in below my desk at work. Luckily I have an office and can close the door to pump. I put the pumped milk in Lansinoh milkbags and in a nice concealed silver avent bag in the fridge at work. The pump is a god-send, and it has allowed me to keep my supply up quite nicely, and stock our freezer for the next two months if I decide to stop feeding how.
My bubs is 8 months now and he still gets four full breastfeeds. Last week I started him on karihome goats milk formula ONLY for the night, which he is tolerating well. Unfortunately (or fortunately) he refuses to take it from the bottle or his sippy cup so I have to give it to him slowly directly from a cup. For three days in the beginning, more went ON him than IN him, but now he is getting the hang of the cup and gulps away, but so far only 2-3 ounces, and then I followup with a full breastfeed. This has allowed him to sleep from 12pm to 6pm, so now at least I'm getting about 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep, FINALLY!! However, I will not stop the breastmilk during the day and after the formulae, since he eats 3 solid meals a day, and quite well.
I take the lactina home on weekends, but during the week I have a small medela battery operated single sided pump, which is noisy and not even half as efficient as my lactina. However, when I'm on training I cannot get access to a private room with a plugpoint, so I have to use the battery operated one. Its better than nothing, and I use it at home in the night if bubs has not emptied the breasts completely.
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Thank you all for your kind advice. I will see how it goes with my current pump and I'll get a cooler bag as soon as possible.
Just posted a thread regarding breastmilk storage. Do you pump out at work and feed the expressed milk within the next few days? OR you do store the milk in freezer like what I do? Really appreciate your advice.
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layla
19 yrs ago
I've been pumping at work twice a day and one thing I find REALLY helps is to put some heated pads on the breasts for a few minutes before starting. I bought mine from Mothercare they're called 'breastfeeding bliss'you put them in hot water for a few minutes, dry, and put them inside your bra. Let-down is so much faster - using these I can get 200 ml(7oz) (both sides) just using the Avent Manual pump, in 10 mins. Takes me much longer if I don't use the pads first.
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