Diaper Swappers

stephbrown13 · 10-15-2012, 01:41 PM

My Medela PIS just bit the dust and I'm looking for a replacement. I've already replaced the PIS once (under warranty), and would like a different brand. I pumped while working for 14 months with DS1, and am now exclusively pumping for DS2 who at 9 months went on a nursing strike and never went back to the breast.

Any recommendations? I was thinking an Avent because we use Avent bottles and the soft shields look comfortable. I have a Hygeia but I don't like it very much. It seems slower and less powerful than the Medela? I don't know if its my particular pump, or just the brand. Anyways, what doule electric would you recommend that is not a Medela, and not a Hygeia. I considered just rending a hospital grade pump since DS2 is already 10 months, but they are so heavy and awkward I don't want to be lugging it around everywhere since I'm EPing.

stephbrown13 · 10-15-2012, 03:40 PM

Nothing? After reading everything I can on pumps I'm thinking maybe it's normal that the PIS has worn out twice because I use it so much and maybe I should just buy another one instead of trying out something completely different. When I had to deal with Medela customer service before, they were wonderful and so easy. I don't like the look, feel, or setup of the PIS (I would prefer a closed system) BUT I do already have spare parts and a ton of extra bottles for it so I suppose I should just go with that. Unless someone wants to tell me a story about how they replaced theirs with an Advent and were super happy about it? Or even a Freestyle? Is there any good deals out there on the PIS or should I just go to Target?

cyanotype · 10-15-2012, 05:51 PM

Ameda! I had a PIS and disliked it. The Ameda is a closed system, no milk in the tubing like my PIS, small & portable, powerful and customizable suction and speed adjustments. I can get two letdowns by adjusting the controls. I also was sold to pump .5-1oz more when I switched.
Edit: the parts are easy to clean! Medela bottles fit with no extra attachment.

My phone thinks it smarter than me. Please pardon any mistakes.

DottieHarley · 10-15-2012, 05:55 PM

I used an avent for one year and really liked it, never had a problem! I mean, as much as you can like a pump :/. The soft shields were actually weird though - comfy but hindered production, and milk would get trapped between the shield and the flange, not what you want while pumping at work! I liked the wide mouth on the avent bottles.
Ive never used another pump so i can't really compare the settings but the avent is completely customizable - you set it based on a few squeezes not a preset. So i think that was a helpful feature esp toward the end when i was doing anything i could to maintain.

seacat · 10-15-2012, 06:20 PM

I can't recommend another pump that is not Medela :/. I didn't like Avent's pump at all. I also had problems with the PISA and it not having enough suction. I can highly recommend the FreeStyle though. I have two because I Eped for my first and then got pregnant right away with number two and have had zero problems with them. I am a WOHM 40-50 hours a week so I pump a lot. I rented a symphony with my first because he was in NICU and I actually liked my FreeStyle better.

sandy_dandy · 10-16-2012, 06:12 AM

Can't help... I've been happy with my Medela PISA. I pumped at work for my DS until 1 year & recently pulled it out for occasional use for DD. All I can offer is that I had a coworker who loved the Medela Freestyle so maybe that's another option that would work with your bottles and accessories?

10-15-2012, 01:41 PM	#1
stephbrown13 Registered Users Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Central CA Posts: 354 Ratings: 18 Feedback: 100%	Help me choose a new pump My Medela PIS just bit the dust and I'm looking for a replacement. I've already replaced the PIS once (under warranty), and would like a different brand. I pumped while working for 14 months with DS1, and am now exclusively pumping for DS2 who at 9 months went on a nursing strike and never went back to the breast. Any recommendations? I was thinking an Avent because we use Avent bottles and the soft shields look comfortable. I have a Hygeia but I don't like it very much. It seems slower and less powerful than the Medela? I don't know if its my particular pump, or just the brand. Anyways, what doule electric would you recommend that is not a Medela, and not a Hygeia. I considered just rending a hospital grade pump since DS2 is already 10 months, but they are so heavy and awkward I don't want to be lugging it around everywhere since I'm EPing. __________________ Mama to DS1 05/03/10 and DS2 12/13/11. Due with #3 07/21/13

10-15-2012, 03:40 PM	#2
stephbrown13 Registered Users Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Central CA Posts: 354 Ratings: 18 Feedback: 100%	Re: Help me choose a new pump Nothing? After reading everything I can on pumps I'm thinking maybe it's normal that the PIS has worn out twice because I use it so much and maybe I should just buy another one instead of trying out something completely different. When I had to deal with Medela customer service before, they were wonderful and so easy. I don't like the look, feel, or setup of the PIS (I would prefer a closed system) BUT I do already have spare parts and a ton of extra bottles for it so I suppose I should just go with that. Unless someone wants to tell me a story about how they replaced theirs with an Advent and were super happy about it? Or even a Freestyle? Is there any good deals out there on the PIS or should I just go to Target? __________________ Mama to DS1 05/03/10 and DS2 12/13/11. Due with #3 07/21/13

10-15-2012, 05:51 PM	#3
cyanotype Registered Users Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: CT Posts: 358 Ratings: 6 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Ameda! I had a PIS and disliked it. The Ameda is a closed system, no milk in the tubing like my PIS, small & portable, powerful and customizable suction and speed adjustments. I can get two letdowns by adjusting the controls. I also was sold to pump .5-1oz more when I switched. Edit: the parts are easy to clean! Medela bottles fit with no extra attachment. My phone thinks it smarter than me. Please pardon any mistakes. Last edited by cyanotype; 10-15-2012 at 06:38 PM.

10-15-2012, 05:55 PM	#4
DottieHarley Registered Users Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Washington, DC suburb Posts: 1,555 Ratings: 60 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	I used an avent for one year and really liked it, never had a problem! I mean, as much as you can like a pump :/. The soft shields were actually weird though - comfy but hindered production, and milk would get trapped between the shield and the flange, not what you want while pumping at work! I liked the wide mouth on the avent bottles. Ive never used another pump so i can't really compare the settings but the avent is completely customizable - you set it based on a few squeezes not a preset. So i think that was a helpful feature esp toward the end when i was doing anything i could to maintain. __________________ 'ing and 'ing with DH since 05/05 Professional WOHM to DD 01/11 and two long doggies eswap

10-15-2012, 06:20 PM	#5
seacat Registered Users Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 3,571 Ratings: 123 Feedback: 100%	Re: Help me choose a new pump I can't recommend another pump that is not Medela :/. I didn't like Avent's pump at all. I also had problems with the PISA and it not having enough suction. I can highly recommend the FreeStyle though. I have two because I Eped for my first and then got pregnant right away with number two and have had zero problems with them. I am a WOHM 40-50 hours a week so I pump a lot. I rented a symphony with my first because he was in NICU and I actually liked my FreeStyle better.