What kind of pump? Likes/dislikes about it?

[jenmm]

What kind of pump do you have? What do you like/dislike about it?

I have a Medela Pump in Style Advanced. I use it everyday at work. I don't like the fact that the zipper broke on my bag so now everyone sees what I'm carrying around. I like that I can pump straight into my Playtex nurser bottles (by using the pump adapter).

I also have an Avent Isis manual pump. I like that it's quick to put together when I'm at home. I also like that I can pump into their Avent cups.

[Chey]

I used to have a decent electric pump, cost about $100, but I loaned it out since I was done having kids and never got it back. Not that I used it anyway, I hated it and my first was on formula by 2 weeks and my second never BFed after colostrum anyway.

This baby I am determined to EBF so I got a pump, just the cheapest manual pump I could find. The First Years Manual Pump. Had a quick go with it yesterday and then again this morning. This morning I just pumped 5oz with NO difficulty. No pain (My electric one hurt) and there are only 3 parts to clean with this First Years pump. Cost $29.99 Canadian. I know in the US you can get them for under $20.

It will be perfect for the occasional pumping I will need it for.

So far so good.

[Sk8ermaiden]

I am EPing, so it was really important I have a very good double electric.

I read ALL the reviews I could find on other sites and especially Amazon. It was between the PISA Metro and the Freestyle, but the Freestyle allows me so much more freedom. Since I'm an EPer, it was so great to have an option that is so light and tiny. I also liked the timer and backlighting since I am always asking everyone what time it is while pumping! So I throw it in the diaper bag, and its battery is good for 3 hours of pumping.

The cons listed in the reviews were that the soft horns chafed (which I found to be true; this seems to vary based on breast shape/size. The LC I bought from threw in hard horns for free.) That two or three people had the motors burn out quickly (but Medela overnighted them new ones no questions asked and the LC said she'd lend me one at any time if mine had a problem.) And that the hands free apparatus didn't really work for larger breasts. Oh well, I'll just make my own.

For anyone who had to buy a pump in the future, I highly recommend going to a lactation consultant. Because of the retail price floor on Medelas, the LCs have waaaaay lower prices because they can buy in bulk and discount. Mine was $70 less than Amazon and $105 less than BRU.

[Kriket]

I have the Ameda Purely Yours. I got it through state insurance before I went back to work. Its a lot cheaper then the PIS, and is a closed system. I wish the breast shields were bigger, because I'm not the girl that can just sit there and be miked I have to squeeze it all out and sometimes I get a little over zealous and pop the cones off!
Other then that I love it, the settings are nice, its smooth.

I recently got bigger cones from WIC to see if that helps me any, I felt stuffed in the regular size ones.

[Keropisunshine23]

I have used a Medela PISA and swing and now I have a lactina. I love it. Of course they are more expensive and has to plug into an outlet (unless you buy the super duper expensive battery pack.) but I :wub it: The carrying case is rather cumbersome, I don't even use it. I got a cooler bag to keep all my parts in and just carry my lactina.

[rachelcgray]

I have an AVENT isis iq uno. It's the single AVENT electric pump that can also be used as a manual.

I love it because it's SOOO portable! All the parts and 3 bottle fit in a lunch bag that I carry to work. It works great too. The only time I couldn't pump much DD was going through a growth spurt, and AF was trying to come back so it was a supply issue, not a pump issue. It's also very comfortable and I like that you can control the speed and rhythm to match your LO's.

I would recommend it for a part time or occasional pumper or someone who can take longer pump breaks like I can. Because it is a single, it takes me 20 minutes to pump and 5 or so to assemble, get ready and then take apart.

I was able to stay home with DD for 4.5 months before going back to work. I plan to pump 2x's/day until six months and then will go to formula for the two meals she's in daycare for.

But seriously, for a portable pump that cost right around $100, you can't go wrong!

[Goinatural]

I have a PISA. Love it. I use the hospitals Medela Lactina at work and I like my PISA better cause its handier and works just as well! My LC recommends the PIS over the Freestyle-she said the suction was better.

[theosmom]

I use an old PISA and it works great! I like that I can buy Medela accessories at BRU or Target, instead of having to order them online.

[MomE2MathU]

I have a Medela PISA. I like it. I had a regular PIS with DS1 and the Advance is better with the new let down stimulation.

[Poppymama]

Has anyone used the Hygeia pump? I'm not sure I loved it and now I can't pump because my dog ate the hoses:headscratch: so frustrating. I'm wondering if I could replace the parts at Home Depot. Would that be a horrible thing to do?

[MrsCurrier]

I used the Ameda Elite Electric at the hospital and the shields rubbed funny. The LC said they were the right size but there was this weird ridge that hurt. For the first two months I was EPing so I rented a Medela Symphony. Other than the fact that it was so expensive ($65/month + $50 for the starter kit) and so heavy (14 pounds plus the huge bullet-proof case) I loved it. I credit it with establishing my supply so well. It was silent and gentle. The shields, though they were the same size, felt like they fit me better. Then I decided to buy a PISA and of course the day I bought it my LO figured it all out! It was almost as though at 9 weeks old he thought "Oh, is *this* where the milk comes from? Now I get it!" I'm a SAHM so I can nurse him all day. I usually only pump 2-3 times a day so the PISA has been perfect--lightweight, portable, and easy to use, although I can't really compare the output because he literally started nursing the day I bought it.

[lgarrett]

I have an Avent Isis, and I only got it because it was originally $300 and marked to $200 on clearance at Target. I wish I would have bought a Medela, mainly because it's so easy to find extra parts for. The Avent is nice because it has the soft "petal" cups that fit into the cones, so it's more gentle than just having a hard cone. It's kind of loud, so if I'm on the phone, my mom always knows what I'm doing. That doesn't really bother me, but I wonder what other people think. I pump 3-4 times a day while at work, and BF evenings and overnight. I pumped maybe every 2-3 days during the prior 5 months, and I'm wondering if the motor is already starting to wear out. I don't remember it being so loud before.

I'm having a really hard time maintaining my supply now that I've gone back to work full time (as of August 1st), so I'm going by the hospital sometime this week to rent a really good pump and see if that makes a difference. I've already tried pretty much everything on the list of stuff to try. I've never tried another pump, so I'll post a comparison after trying the other one for a bit.

[veveland]

I also use a Medela PISA. It is very efficient, not terribly loud, and the spare parts are easy to find.

[3lilkittens]

I think the Medela pumps are nice, but overrated / priced. I chose the Ameda Purely Yours and it's better IMO, same quality in a sealed system with plenty of adjustments / setting options, an MUCH lower price. I bought the system without a bag for Just $130.00. I use my own cute bag for it. Can't beat the performance and quality for the price. And it's super unbelievably quiet too! If you want quiet efficient well priced pump, this is the one to go for ladies!

[lgarrett]

What's a sealed system? What's the benefit of that?

[harleysmama]

i have an ameda purely yours - which is not what i registered for, but when my MIL bought the medela off the registry, i got this one instead (so she says, i think she screwed up the order, but that's a different story). as i got it opened (another story again) i couldn't return it so used it. the motor burned out within the first month - actually on the second pump! the company sent me a new one right away, but now this one won't run off of batteries which means i have to run an electrical line from one room into the other when i pump at work - not fun.

other than that it seems to be a good pump. closed system, etc. it has a lot of parts to clean and the motor part seems kinda flimsy, but it has good suction and everything (as long as it's plugged in). all and all though i think i would have rather had my medela since i researched that and selected it purposefully, but MIL had different plans (can you tell i'm a bit bitter? she does this all the time...).

[paaschjc]

I have a medelaq PISA and and Avent ISIS DUO. I much prefer the Avent as I can totally customize the speed and the intensity of the suction to suit me. The PISA only has the two speeds of suction and a dial to adjust intensity. I lie to hold the suction for 3 seconds and you can't do that with the PISA. The soft "petal" insert on the AVENT is a nice idea but poorly implemented as they tend to fall off and milk gets stuck underneath. I just removed them and don't use them.

[cutebluebaby]

I've got a First Years miPump dual electric. Not sure if that's the actual name... but you get the point. I love it! It's about $80 at Target and works with the breastflow bottles, which is why I initially wanted it (and the price... we can't afford a really expensive pump! :blush: ) It's VERY comfortable and quiet! The cones are silicone and are flexible (not hard like evenflo ones)... and I've been able to pump in the car! It's wonderful!

The only thing that drives me insane about it is the flappers. You need to make sure that they don't stick every time you pump. I forgot to on one side once... so the milk didn't go into the bottle, it got backed up and went down the air tube and into the pump motor! :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :cry: :cry: :cry: The pump motor is shot! I bawled and was kicking myself about it for 2 weeks... just cause I forgot to check the flapper!

Had to get a whole new pump just for the motor, but I still think it was worth the $80 and having that happen rather than spending almost $300 and having it happen! And now I've got spare parts. :goodvibes:

What's a sealed system? What's the benefit of that?

So I'm thinking a sealed system is where it's completely closed and you don't have my situation happening!

[CEVmommy]

I use the Ameda Purely Yours. I like that it's cheaper than the Medela and gets just as good reviews. I am also not crazy about Medela's business practices, so I'd rather buy from the competition! I like that it's a closed system, like a hospital grade pump is, which means that though it is still sold as a personal use pump, it is safer to use it with multiple users than the PISA for example.

I also have a tip for the person who said hers doesn't work with the batteries. Try turning it upside down! Mine wasn't working with the batteries either, but then I realized that they just weren't making good contact. If I turn the pump upside-down, they contact and it works! I only use the batteries for back-up and normally use the plug though.

[crunchymom2b]

I originally planned on EBF so I registered for the Medela Single Electric Pump since I'd only be using it occasionaly and it got some good reviews. Unfortunately I've been unable to BF, at least so far, and I've gone through several pumps. The Single Electric works really good IMO, for such a little pump. The batteries wear out super fast; it started losing suction after only a couple uses, but it works great with the plug. The motor wasn't going to last with me pumping 6-7x per day though so my grandma got me the Medela Swing. This worked great, but I had the same issue battery wise. Sometimes I'd get creative and use both single pumps at the same time, especially for sessions where I knew I'd be able to fill two bottles (3am and 9am sessions in particular). I really wanted a double pump though, but we don't have the money.

By some super awesome luck I found a mama on here with an older PIS for trade and I scooped it up as fast as possible! It's the 2005 PIS, and has been working great for it being 4 years old. I haven't had a huge supply increase yet, but I have been able to increase by a couple ounces on average per day. I absolutely love this pump.

If I had the money I'd rent a Medela Symphony. I used it in the hospital and it was just fantastic. If I were to buy another pump I'd probably go for the Medela Freestyle or Ameda Purely Yours.

Oh, I also have the Medela Harmony that I got free from my insurance. It works good, I'm just not a manual pump fan.

[sbolen]

For DD1 I had the Medela PISA Metro Bag. I really liked it except for two things. 1. I hated that I had to be plugged into a wall. I alwasy got a phone call at work from someone asking me to find something that was just out of reach as I was pumping. 2. It was also kinda loud and people would ask me what the noise was when I was on the phone.

I bought the Freestyle for DD2 because I figured with 2 kids I needed the portability at home, and I wanted more portability in the office when I go back to work. I've only used it once or twice so far, but I think the suction is as good as teh PISA. I don't love the soft fit breast shields, but I have the hard shields from my PISA so I can use those.

[Ready2Bmommy]

I love my PISA. I am nursing/pumping about 30/70, so I knew I'd need a pump to last. So far I have NO complaints at all about my pump...except I'm away from home this weekend and thought I packed it...but I didn't.

GL mama!

[MomToMyMonkeys]

I had the PIS with my first 2 kids, and it worked fine, but I wanted an actual "hands free" so my hubby got me the Freestyle for Christmas last year. I ended up selling it on FSOT because it just didn't work for me. The suction wasn't strong enough, the tubes weren't long enough, and I'm a bit too well-endowed to use the hands-free contraption that came with it.

I ended up buying a newer PISA off craigslist, and it's great. I have the backpack one and I love that I can use it with the wall plug, the battery pack, or the car adapter depending on my needs at the time. I pump in 3 different places during the day (at home, at work, and in the car), so I needed something very portable.

To solve my hands-free issue, I just cut holes in the nipple area of an old nursing bra :-)

[haydn'smommy]

I EP'd with my first for 3.5mos and then got him to breast, although only two-three times/day. I initially started with a Medela Symphony and I just hated that pump. I did not respond to it, and I almost gave up. I switched at 3mos to an Avent ISIS Duo and loved it. I could get more milk in less time than I could with the hospital grade Symphony. I used that pump 6-8 times/day, 7 days/wk for 18mos.
When I found out I was pregnant with this baby, I decided to buy another one since my old one had put in so much work and I didn't want to risk it dying and not having a pump (and I found an awesome deal on a new one on CL). I love the variable suction, I love that it comes with a manual pump (that's what I use at night right now), and I like the nice bag that it all goes in. It looks like a soft briefcase or something so no one knows what I'm carrying in to my office. I also like pumping into the Via cups; they are great for milk storage.

[Carolina Kel]

Another Ameda heretic here. :)

I've been an EP'er since day one (8 months going strong!) because DS was a NICU baby. While I was in L&D, I got stuck with a Medela Classic pump to use that worked well. When I went to the NICU to pump, they had a Symphony and a Lactina and neither worked at all for me - they couldn't get anything out!) So I used my Ameda PY instead of the ones the hospital had, and I've had no regrets! My supply has been great and I credit my pump for helping establish that.

I love the fact the the PY is light and easy to carry. I do a lot of traveling with the LO, and I can fit my pump, 2 complete setups (horns & bottles) in a soft-side lunchbag and I'm good to go. I also like the closed system aspect of Ameda pumps - no moldy tubing or having milk back up into the motor. The other thing that I like is the fact that all of the pumping parts break down into components for easier cleaning which is important for me because I am a donor milk mama on Milk Share.

Ameda is a good value - you can start off with a good pump and minimal accessories by buying the Lansinoh purple pump, or you can add more stuff by going with the Ameda PY line. You can't get the same sort of deal by using the Medela line. And as a previous poster mentioned, I have a problem with their extensive marketing in the hospitals... my LC hadn't heard of Ameda and was amazed at my pump!

[haydn'smommy]

Another Ameda heretic here. :)

I've been an EP'er since day one (8 months going strong!) because DS was a NICU baby. While I was in L&D, I got stuck with a Medela Classic pump to use that worked well. When I went to the NICU to pump, they had a Symphony and a Lactina and neither worked at all for me - they couldn't get anything out!) So I used my Ameda PY instead of the ones the hospital had, and I've had no regrets! My supply has been great and I credit my pump for helping establish that.

I love the fact the the PY is light and easy to carry. I do a lot of traveling with the LO, and I can fit my pump, 2 complete setups (horns & bottles) in a soft-side lunchbag and I'm good to go. I also like the closed system aspect of Ameda pumps - no moldy tubing or having milk back up into the motor. The other thing that I like is the fact that all of the pumping parts break down into components for easier cleaning which is important for me because I am a donor milk mama on Milk Share.

Ameda is a good value - you can start off with a good pump and minimal accessories by buying the Lansinoh purple pump, or you can add more stuff by going with the Ameda PY line. You can't get the same sort of deal by using the Medela line. And as a previous poster mentioned, I have a problem with their extensive marketing in the hospitals... my LC hadn't heard of Ameda and was amazed at my pump!

This is a real problem here. Most of the hospitals only have Symphonies and moms just do not think there is any other option. I'm setting up our clinic to rent pumps and sell supplies and in talking to other LCs I have found that they are all getting rid of their Lactinas, Classics, and Amedas because mothers think that the Symphony is "the best."

[Weezy6703]

Another Ameda heretic here. :)

I've been an EP'er since day one (8 months going strong!) because DS was a NICU baby. While I was in L&D, I got stuck with a Medela Classic pump to use that worked well. When I went to the NICU to pump, they had a Symphony and a Lactina and neither worked at all for me - they couldn't get anything out!) So I used my Ameda PY instead of the ones the hospital had, and I've had no regrets! My supply has been great and I credit my pump for helping establish that.

I love the fact the the PY is light and easy to carry. I do a lot of traveling with the LO, and I can fit my pump, 2 complete setups (horns & bottles) in a soft-side lunchbag and I'm good to go. I also like the closed system aspect of Ameda pumps - no moldy tubing or having milk back up into the motor. The other thing that I like is the fact that all of the pumping parts break down into components for easier cleaning which is important for me because I am a donor milk mama on Milk Share.

Ameda is a good value - you can start off with a good pump and minimal accessories by buying the Lansinoh purple pump, or you can add more stuff by going with the Ameda PY line. You can't get the same sort of deal by using the Medela line. And as a previous poster mentioned, I have a problem with their extensive marketing in the hospitals... my LC hadn't heard of Ameda and was amazed at my pump!

thst makes me want to try one !