Is the Medela breast pump the best? My GF has the hands free one but not sure if the $100 more it is than the regular medela which is $279 is worth it. Thoughts?
I have the Medela PISA. It does the job and Medela's customer service is excellent. I needed new tubes after mine warped while I was trying to sterilize them and they sent me new tubes for free. I don't have any experience with other pumps so it's hard to make a comparison but I don't have any complaints about the PISA.
I have the Medela PISA. I love it as much as anyone COULD love a pump. Which means I hate it. If that makes sense. I think it's totally worth the money for a double electric.
I have the swing from Medela and I really like it. I really want to upgrade to the PISA though. If you are going to work, get a double! Either way the medela pumps are great!
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I have the PISA & Swing. I like the PISA a lot more because it's double, but I can throw the Swing in the diaper bag instead of taking the huge PISA bag everywhere I go
I have the PISA. I was an EPer for the first 6 months of DD's life. I am recently retired but the PISA made it as easy as possible to pump and I highly reccomend it.
but I doubt anyone here will say they love their pump.
It worked well, but I have grown to hate any pump that there ever was or ever will be.
Pumpkin is right! I have the Lansinoh double electric. I plan to upgrade to a Medela PISA for the next baby, but I think I will still hate my pump. It is inevitable.
I have a rented Ameda elite (hospital grade). I am so, so glad that I went this route. I have been EPing for over 7 months now, and it's so good!
I have a Pump Ease band that lets me pump hands free, so that is also a necessity. You can also easily make a hands-free pumping bra by cutting slits in a sports bra.
I think that your investment depends on how often you are planning on pumping. As an EPer, you want something powerful which will make your sessions go quickly. If it is just for occassional pumping, you don't need to invest as much. If you are on the go a lot and will need to pump out of the house, than something that packs up easily is the key.
So, review what your needs are and purchase/rent a pump that will match them.
I also have the Medela PISA and love it as much as one can love their pump. I would not pay the extra money for the hands-free pump as you can buy a hands free pumping bra or just make your own with a front closing sportsbra that you cut holes in.
I have the PISA. It's great--no complaints here. I use a hands-free bra.
This.
I don't love-love it, but since DD never did get a good latch going and we ended up EP-ing, I'm thankful that it reliably gets a decent amount of milk in a relatively short period of time, and that it hasn't given me any problems.
Definitely go hands-free, whether with your pump or with a bra. I don't know what I would do if I couldn't multitask while pumping.
i have the PISA. never really felt the need to be able to walk around the house and pump.
oh and i love it. even if it is a PITA.
Ha! I've done this. A few times in the morning, I just can't be strapped down, so I'll plug in the battery pack and go from room to room doing what I need to do.
I've pumped doing many random things: drying my hair, ironing, making oatmeal, cutting peaches, driving, etc.
I have the hands-free (Freestyle) from Medela and I will say I LOVE my pump. I exclusively pump (no bf) and it's been a lifesaver. I get a ton of milk really fast, and it's helped me build and keep my supply (almost 7 months of EP'ing and still going strong). I can pump while I drive. I can pump and pick up DS, change him, feed him (in his bouncer), play with him. In the morning, I can feed the dog, make lunches for DH and I, make coffee, etc. It's FABULOUS.
One caveat: I did have a problem with the pump not holding a charge. Medela sent a new one within a few days. I could still pump, it just had to be plugged in. Also, the strap just broke (hands free strap). I plan on calling Medela about it today. I'm sure they'll send a new one.
We have the Medela Symphony. I actually renting it through my sisters store. I like it enough. I don`t use it very often only if I know we`re going to be going out somewhere and I`ll need to stock up. It`s very efficient but I would LOVE a hands free one.
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I have the regular in-style Medela one. I considered the hands-free upgrade, but it wasn't worth it to me since I'm either pumping at home or at work, never on the go.
Like Pumpkin said, I hate pumping, but the PISA has served me well. Definitely worth the investment. I can't wait to be done pumping. One more month!
The PISA is the absolute best. I got mine through our hospital after I had surgery in September. Prior to that, I used the Lansinoh Double Electric, which was okay, but not great. It was okay for the price. The PISA is hands down the best pump out there. I tried several of them while I was in the hospital.
Now, I will say that if you are going to SAH (and won't be pumping often) you may not find it necessary to spend the extra money on the PISA, as the Lansinoh did find for my occasional pumping efforts. If you are going back to work, I would absolutely without question get the PISA. I would hate to be pumping multiple times every day with my Lansinoh, after I've experienced the PISA!
Re: which breast pump do you have and do you love it?
I had a swing from medela - and recently upgraded to a PISA = SO worth the extra money - I get the same amount of milk in a fractions of the time...
ie - with the swing it would take me 45 mins to get 4 ozs total - now it takes me 5-10 to get that...
If you plan on having more children I fully recommend the PISA...
It worked well, but I have grown to hate any pump that there ever was or ever will be.
This.
natural m/c and d&c at 10 weeks - 1/24/2014
DX w/ hetero C677t and A1298C MTHFR - 3/4/2014
Pumpkin is right! I have the Lansinoh double electric. I plan to upgrade to a Medela PISA for the next baby, but I think I will still hate my pump. It is inevitable.
I have a rented Ameda elite (hospital grade). I am so, so glad that I went this route. I have been EPing for over 7 months now, and it's so good!
I have a Pump Ease band that lets me pump hands free, so that is also a necessity. You can also easily make a hands-free pumping bra by cutting slits in a sports bra.
I think that your investment depends on how often you are planning on pumping. As an EPer, you want something powerful which will make your sessions go quickly. If it is just for occassional pumping, you don't need to invest as much. If you are on the go a lot and will need to pump out of the house, than something that packs up easily is the key.
So, review what your needs are and purchase/rent a pump that will match them.
I also have the Medela PISA and love it as much as one can love their pump. I would not pay the extra money for the hands-free pump as you can buy a hands free pumping bra or just make your own with a front closing sportsbra that you cut holes in.
i have the PISA. never really felt the need to be able to walk around the house and pump.
oh and i love it. even if it is a PITA.
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This.
I don't love-love it, but since DD never did get a good latch going and we ended up EP-ing, I'm thankful that it reliably gets a decent amount of milk in a relatively short period of time, and that it hasn't given me any problems.
Definitely go hands-free, whether with your pump or with a bra. I don't know what I would do if I couldn't multitask while pumping.
Ha! I've done this. A few times in the morning, I just can't be strapped down, so I'll plug in the battery pack and go from room to room doing what I need to do.
I've pumped doing many random things: drying my hair, ironing, making oatmeal, cutting peaches, driving, etc.
I have the hands-free (Freestyle) from Medela and I will say I LOVE my pump. I exclusively pump (no bf) and it's been a lifesaver. I get a ton of milk really fast, and it's helped me build and keep my supply (almost 7 months of EP'ing and still going strong). I can pump while I drive. I can pump and pick up DS, change him, feed him (in his bouncer), play with him. In the morning, I can feed the dog, make lunches for DH and I, make coffee, etc. It's FABULOUS.
One caveat: I did have a problem with the pump not holding a charge. Medela sent a new one within a few days. I could still pump, it just had to be plugged in. Also, the strap just broke (hands free strap). I plan on calling Medela about it today. I'm sure they'll send a new one.
I have the regular in-style Medela one. I considered the hands-free upgrade, but it wasn't worth it to me since I'm either pumping at home or at work, never on the go.
Like Pumpkin said, I hate pumping, but the PISA has served me well. Definitely worth the investment. I can't wait to be done pumping. One more month!
The PISA is the absolute best. I got mine through our hospital after I had surgery in September. Prior to that, I used the Lansinoh Double Electric, which was okay, but not great. It was okay for the price. The PISA is hands down the best pump out there. I tried several of them while I was in the hospital.
Now, I will say that if you are going to SAH (and won't be pumping often) you may not find it necessary to spend the extra money on the PISA, as the Lansinoh did find for my occasional pumping efforts. If you are going back to work, I would absolutely without question get the PISA. I would hate to be pumping multiple times every day with my Lansinoh, after I've experienced the PISA!