I feel like I've been posting a ton here lately, but I guess that's what we're here for, right?
I have decided I am going to purchase a new pump. It seems like everyone uses/recommends Medela brands. I am really new at this and don't know anything about pumps, and what I keep reading about with the Medelas is that the milk is able to backflow into the tubing, which is a pain to clean and can cause mold/other ick issues. How often does this happen? What causes it? How big of a deal is it? I don't want something that's going to be a headache for me to clean, or I know I won't want to do it all the time.
Which pump do you have or like best? There are some other pumps I am looking at.. aside from Medelas... the Phillips Avent Comfort is one. Also, has anyone used a Spectra? They have good reviews on Amazon and claim to have a "hospital grade" pump for $200, which most reviews seem to back up.
I want to make a purchase (from Amazon) today... help me decide!
Re: Pump Brands
I had an Avent single electric which was ok. But recently borrowed the Medela hospital grade one from my cousin (who bought it when she had a super-preemie and was pumping a lot). The Medela is SO MUCH BETTER!
I have both the Medela PISA (open system) at home and the Medela Symphony hospital grade (closed system) at work. I have never gotten anything but condensation in my tubes which is normal- a little rubbing alcohol clears that up and they can be sterilized if necessary, I have never had to do this.
My understanding is that if milk gets into the tubes and ends up traveling into the motor of the PISA, mold and bacteria can grow and possibly contaminate everything. The way the flanges and horns are designed, it is pretty difficult to achieve this, but it is possible so it's only right that the manufacturer warns you. I have known many women who have chosen a Medela open system and have never had a problem.