repost from BFing board: recommend breast pump

Corey-chick · November 2012

Hello, I had a single electric medela pump with my first baby and really liked it, but I recently found out that my insurance will cover 100% of the purchase of a new one, so I figured that I might as well take advantage and probably get a double pump this time. I just checked out the list of available pumps to chose from, and they are the below. Do you have one of these? share your do/do not recommendations please! Which is the best (as I know this is not always whatever costs the most)

Breast Pump	Ameda Purely Yours	17077
Breast Pump	Freestyle	67060
Breast Pump	Lactina and Classic Breast Pump Kit	016SC
Breast Pump	Lactina Select	016SC
Breast Pump	Medela Pump and Style	57062
Breast Pump	Swing Breast Pump	67050
Breast Pump	Symphony and Lactina Kit	67116
Breast Pump	Symphony Breastpump	240112
Breast Pump	Symphony Double Pumping Kit	67099

Corey-chick · November 2012

LucyD1029:
I have a Pump in Style, which I really like, but given that the Symphony is an option, I would go with that one. I'm assuming the Symphony is a rental, otherwise, you have some kick ass insurance.

I have an Anthem Blue Cross HMO, so I wouldn't say kickass, but so far I've been lucky with my doctors. -And the pumps are all for 100% purchase, no renting- which I am thrilled about.

Corey-chick · November 2012

LucyD1029:
I have a Pump in Style, which I really like, but given that the Symphony is an option, I would go with that one. I'm assuming the Symphony is a rental, otherwise, you have some kick ass insurance.

Okay, so I googled the Symphony and can the cost possibly be that much??? yikes! It is on the list I was given, but now I am certain it must be a mistake, I agree that no insurance would cover that, and it must be for rental only, although I will have to call and check again, I am sure that was a mistake. Thanks for the response btw.

MrsJetSet · November 2012

I would say it depends... I own the freestyle and liked it for on the go. It is compact and rechargeable. I didn't find the motor to be as powerful, which could be an issue if you end up with supply issues. It is also LOUD. The pieces are listed as dishwasher safe but I had problems with warping.

I believe the symphony replaced the Lactina select in their product line as a newer model. I rented the symphony and liked it better than my freestyle. It is quieter and more powerful. It is also huge so if you want to travel with it, it is not a great option.

I liked the Lactina the best. It was provided by my work in our pumping room. It is also large. I liked that I could independently control speed and suction.. On the other 2 mentioned, you can only control suction. I felt like the motor on the Lactina was most efficient. The parts for the Lactina and symphony are interchangeable with the PISA but the freestyle has their own parts. I did not have warping with the lactina/symphony parts in the dishwasher.

Page me if you have any specific questions. With any pump I highly recommend the simple wishes pumping bra.

MrsJetSet · November 2012

Oh and on the Lactina select/symphony/pisa if you lean forward to pick something up while pumping it is easy to spill milk. On the freestyle the way the parts connect it is harder to spill.

MrsJetSet · November 2012

One more thing.. The symphony and Lactina models I used both had to be plugged in. I'm not sure if they have battery pack options.

Corey-chick · November 2012

Thanks, this is really great information!

myluckypig · November 2012

I have the Ameda Purely Yours double electric and love it. I am not sure how others are, but I chose this one since it had the best ratings for my price range.

hilsy85 · November 2012

I've been renting the symphony for the past month and it is awesomely powerful and very quiet. It's big though, and not easy to lug around.

Blackhawks1 · November 2012

I love my freestyle. I'ts rechargable and very portable. No complaints about mine. I didn't think it was loud but I had nothing to compare to.

jrosehistory · November 2012

I have the Medela Pump and Style and really loved it with my daughter. I liked the double pump it worked great and fast and so easy to use. I got the hands-free pumping bra so I could read or be on my laptop while pumping. It was really nice. I was glad I saved the pump for this pregnancy.