Firstly well done on wanting to continue breastfeeding your baby
while you are returning to work.
Expressing milk is a bit of extra work that's for sure, but
once you get into the routine it will just be normal.
The thing with expressing is that you have to continue doing it
as if you were breastfeeding. So on the days and weekends before
you start work, you should breastfeed your daughter and note down
the times that you do it. (you probably can tell
anyway!).
Then when you are at work, you will need to try and express at
those same times, which will keep your milk supply up.
It's a great idea to continue to feed at breast in morning and
night, and then you still get special cuddles.
As for a recommendation, we highly recommend the Medela Swing Breast
Pump or the Avent
Electric. These are both comparable pumps (well
Avent has a few extras like the storage bag etc) but the key for me
comes down to the service and availabilty of spare parts.
Medela have a full technical team in Auckland, so if something
did go wrong with your pump, it would be covered under warranty.
The Avent pumps are under warranty too, but they don't have a
service department. And spare parts (like tube, or valves etc) are
quick to get. Not that that happens very often, but just something
to think about.
The Swing is also a bit quieter than the Uno, which is something
to be aware of if you are pumping at work. You'll have to find
somewhere with a closed door.
You can store your breast pump in a normal backpack, or one of
those chilly bags that guys carry their beer in is really good.
With some icepacks to keep your milk if you don't put it in the
fridge at work.
We also recommend that in preparation, you start your baby off
on a bottle with the Chu Chu
teat. This works the SAME as a nipple, baby has to push down
and suck to get the milk out.
A lot of babies get really fussy and wont drink from a teat when
you are starting out, and that adds to all the stress. So do try
the Chu Chu first, - we have the worlds fussiest baby but as soon
we tried these ones he took it.! (and thats why we sell them
now)
These ones fit narrow neck bottles, and are compatible with
Medela.
You will also need some bottles to store the milk in, when you
express it.
Medela have the 150ml or 250ml size, but the 250 ml is actually
better value for money. As you can still use this when your
baby is older and drinking larger volumes. The 150ml only has
a limted span due to the smaller size.
You will also need a brush to clean the bottles.
And a steriliser for the parts, bottles, and teats. You can boil
them in a saucepan, or use those sterilisation tablets too (but I
tend to think the tablets leave a heavy chemical taste).
We at Breastmates are happy to help you so
please let us know if you have any more questions.