Is my pump dying?

mrjk322 · December 2011

I have a medela freestyle pump that I used in 2009 for my first and that I am currently using for my 2nd. I have numerous sets of membranes so those get rotated pretty frequently throughout the week. Lately, I have seen a slight dip in output during the day when pumping at work. Additionally, sometimes the pump just doesn't sound right - I am not sure if has to do with the surface I have it set on or if it has seen its better days.

I really do not want to shell out money for another pump. Any tips/suggestions on how to determine if the pump is on its last leg?

Holly_1007 · December 2011

generally pumps are geared not for a certain amount of time but a certain number of uses. in general , if you are a working mom, who went back to work at 3 months and pumped while working full time for a year, your pump is going to need to be replaced by the next baby

if you are a part time working mom who used the pump 1x a day for 6 months, you are probably good to go for a little longer.

does this make sense? So I guess I would wonder how frequently you pump.

mrjk322 · December 2011

With the 1st I was home until 7 months so it was more infrequent then with this kid. Since returning to work, I pump on avg. 5X/day. So it could very well be "dying". Is there any way to tell this before shelling out $ for another unit?

Holly_1007 · December 2011

theres no way to tell that I know of. when my medela single died, it was making weird noises for about a weak and then legit stopped sucking one day. it was on and making noise and i put it on my breasts and it just didn't work anymore. I don't think its a "weaning process" if its making noises, and your output is shrinking its a big possibility that you may need to purchase a new one

is it possible to purchase a new one and not open it, and wait this one out? how long do you plan on pumping for? (another month or another 6 months?) It would be miserable if your pump died mid-workday wednesday and you couldn't get to the store to get a new one until the weekend, kwim?

cottonlily84 · December 2011

Do you have a backup pump? I have a single electric cheapy from WM and that's how I know my pump is already going out on me. I use the cheapy at home and get 4 oz; use the $300 medela at work and get 2 oz, if I'm lucky. So you could try another pump and see if you get better results. Call customer service and see what they suggest. But I've heard that someone who uses their pump as often as a FT employee will only get the good out of it for one baby.

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