Question from December Mom regarding Medela pumps

MissyC979 · November 2013

Hi everyone. I'm a December Mom and I was hoping you could share your experiences/reviews of the breast pumps you chose. I figured this would be a good board to check, since many of you have probably gotten a chance to try out those pumps at this point. With my first son, I EP'd for five months and used the Medela Pump in Style and it worked fairly well for me. I'm leaning toward going that route again, but I want to check out my other options, as well.

I have the option of an Ameda Purely Yours Pump or a Medela Advanced pump through insurance for no cost. I can upgrade to a Medela Pump in Style for $50 or a Medela Freestyle for $100 more. Does anyone have advice on the various models of Medela pumps? Which would you pick if you had the chance to do it again?

Thanks for any help you can give me and congratulations on all your little ones!

WildRumpus · November 2013

I have the Pump in Style and have had no issues. You might xp this on the breastfeeding board or check Lucie's List, I'm pretty sure she has a breakdown post of a few pumps

Revez · November 2013

I have the medela swing which I think is fantastic for occasional pumping. I haven't tried anything else though.

Some of the girls here have said manual pumps are more efficient though, just a thought!

rh10264706 · November 2013

I would upgrade to the freestyle. I wish I had that option but I didn't. I have the medela double electric advanced and I like it but would prefer the flexibility of the freestyle.

mommabmb · November 2013

I have the PISA, and while I like it I wish I had gotten the backpack option. It sounds silly, but carrying that and my purse on my arm is a bit much. Although... I doubt there are bag options on the insurance covered pumps.

LEMSA · November 2013

I have the Medela double electric. Love it. Also got the handheld manual pump. Love it more. Good for a quick effective pump without having to lug everything around. The big pump is good for home.

starshower22 · November 2013

I have the Medela Double electric Advanced and haven't had any issues with it. Like pp said, carrying the pump and my bag (be it my purse or the diaper bag) is a little bothersome so a backpack option would be nice but other than that I don't have any complaints about it.

PB102012 · November 2013

When I pumped I had the "purely yours" and didn't have issues.

XPL0DNSTAR · November 2013

I'm using a Pump In Style Advanced backpack. It does a great job and I have found most of the accessories right at Target. If not there, Amazon and eBay are my got to's. I had trouble at first because the breast shields that come with it were too small for me. After trying a few sizes, I settled on the 27mm and don't have any issues now. The fact that Medela offers the other sizes is great. I also like that I can order additional connectors and bottles so I don't have to wash the items between EVERY pumping. the only thing I don't use is their bottles for storing. I found the cheap ones at Target to be a better deal for just hording milk in the fridge at about a dollar a bottle.

V&G101808 · November 2013

I have what I call the "Obamacare Medela pump". It's basically the PISA. According to my insurance just the bag is different. The motor is the same.

I've had zero problems with it. I bought the car adapter and may purchase the battery adapter but pump wise I like it. I EP so I've become best buds with it.

tanabeans · November 2013

starshower22 said:
I have the Medela Double electric Advanced and haven't had any issues with it. Like pp said, carrying the pump and my bag (be it my purse or the diaper bag) is a little bothersome so a backpack option would be nice but other than that I don't have any complaints about it.

I like mine as well, I got the backpack and really like it

MommyKristin88 · November 2013

I have a Medela PISA. No issues. I pump 3x a day at work, and occasionally on weekends.

BelhurstBride · November 2013

Using my PISA from DD. Have had no problems.

MitsB707 · November 2013

I've got the same as v&g. The carrier is an ugly cream color, but the pump is awesome! My hospital gave me spare parts, too, which is nice.

BlueJewelM · November 2013

I have a the Medela PISA. Love it. A bit overkill for a SAHM. With my first I had a swing which was perfect!

If I was working FT and pumping more I would upgrade to the freestyle.

RoosterMemphis · November 2013

I EBF most if the time and have had to occasionally pump. I use a cheap manual and it works great for what I need.

mommabmb · November 2013

V&G101808 said:
I have what I call the "Obamacare Medela pump". It's basically the PISA. According to my insurance just the bag is different. The motor is the same.

I've had zero problems with it. I bought the car adapter and may purchase the battery adapter but pump wise I like it. I EP so I've become best buds with it.

I guess there are times the battery pack is helpful, but IMO the suction is weak and the batteries are expensive. I got the car adapter and now never use the battery pack!

NikkiD522 · November 2013

I was using the Ameda I got from the insurance company, but I have switched back to the Medela Double Electric I was borrowing from a friend because the suction is noticably better on the Medela. That's my only two sense! Basically I went from taking an hour to pump, to 20 minutes. Crazy!

FeetFirst · November 2013

I have a freestyle, a PISA (from a gf), a swing (from my sister) and a harmony hand pump. Now that I have the freestyle ( thanks insurance!) I never use my PiSA or my swing. It is so much more convienent to take places and the battery says charged for a long time. I have only charged it twice in 11 weeks but that is with pumping maybe 6 times a week. Once I go back to work in 2 weeks that may change. I love my harmony hand pump for on the go stuff. I keep it in my diaper bag with a bottle just in case.

cortneyloo · November 2013

I have the PISA, and although I haven't tried any other pumps I don't think I ever would after using it. It's very efficient I'm discovering since I pump more throughout the work day than my LO is actually eating. I would recommend a good manual pump in addition though. I had one given to me at our shower but it requires both hands to operate (it's like a plunger style contraption) and I'd much prefer something like the Medela Harmony for when I just need a little relief or I only have a short break to pump and don't want to fool with setting everything up on the electric one.

MyBaby2013 · November 2013

I do not like my Ameda electric pump. The suction did not pull my milk. My manual Even Flo produces more milk. Can you try one and exchange it if you don't like it?

mommabmb · November 2013

I got the Ameda PY from insurance. It was so inferior to my Medela that I gave it away to a friend without anything else.

KQuinonez · November 2013

I have a PISA and I love it. I pump before work and three times at work. It is very efficient and easy to use. I have the bag and like it. Of course I don't carry a purse to work and my mother comes to my house to watch LO, so I am only carrying it around. I like the fact that you can get replacement parts so easily. Medela is very easy to find.

TurtleMomma · November 2013

Do not get the ameda! I have it (its rented through insurance) and it is the biggest POS. I can't double pump with it because there isn't enough suction for both, and what suction I *do* get is constantly getting broken by the damn equipment (I have checked every hose, connection and seal and cannot find any good reason for it to be leaking like that).

No idea about the medela's, though.

RoosterMemphis · November 2013

TurtleMomma said:
Do not get the ameda! I have it (its rented through insurance) and it is the biggest POS. I can't double pump with it because there isn't enough suction for both, and what suction I *do* get is constantly getting broken by the damn equipment (I have checked every hose, connection and seal and cannot find any good reason for it to be leaking like that).

I have the same one with the same problem.

kaylababy5 · November 2013

I have the medela freestyle and love it! I put on a hands free pumping bra and hook the small pump on my pants or put it in the front pocket of a hoody and wash bottles or clean up the house. It's nice not having to bring that tote or backpack places. I can just fit this pump in my purse. I keep one set of the parts at work and one set at home so I only have to bring the pump back and forth. An extra set for the freestyle is only $14 at target.

magdalina.h · November 2013

Ameda could be good for someone who never used the Medela. I personally hate the Ameda. It doesn't work anything like the Medela, nor did it get anything out. I have a PISA and Freestyle. I used the freestyle for a year when I ep'd for my son. I'm still using that, but since it's older, I have the PISA as a back up. The freestyle is great for pumping in the car while driving (with one hand on the wheel) because I can put the motor anywhere since it comes out of the bag. It's also nice when I pump at home because I can hook it to my pants and be up doing stuff.

TurtleMomma · November 2013

msspeedymarie said:

RoosterMemphis said:

TurtleMomma said:
Do not get the ameda! I have it (its rented through insurance) and it is the biggest POS. I can't double pump with it because there isn't enough suction for both, and what suction I *do* get is constantly getting broken by the damn equipment (I have checked every hose, connection and seal and cannot find any good reason for it to be leaking like that).
I have the same one with the same problem.

With mine, the little rubber diaphragms at the top will get bunched up and it screws up the suction. I have 6 different diaphragms to use because they don't work so often. I pump just enough everyday, but I wonder if I'd be able to pump more if I had a Medela.

bY.

Yes! Those fucking diaphragms! I'm constantly having to turn the pump off, adjust, and restart. I want to burn them. I, too, wonder if I would be getting more if I used a different pump. As soon as my rental is up I'm gonna invest in a nice one. I'm at the point where a manual pump would be more effective.

Ruger04 · November 2013

I have both the free style and the ameda I get more milk from the ameda but the free style is much faster.

tanabeans · November 2013

OP don't buy the hands free bra, just get a belly band and cut holes in it. Then you can shimmy it up when you pump. I bought the hands free and it's like 30 bucks and the holes are a little off for me anyway. I also ditto the buying a manual for weekends. Setting up the electric is PITA

atoz625 · November 2013

MissyC979 said:

Hi everyone. I'm a December Mom and I was hoping you could share your experiences/reviews of the breast pumps you chose. I figured this would be a good board to check, since many of you have probably gotten a chance to try out those pumps at this point. With my first son, I EP'd for five months and used the Medela Pump in Style and it worked fairly well for me. I'm leaning toward going that route again, but I want to check out my other options, as well.

I have the option of an Ameda Purely Yours Pump or a Medela Advanced pump through insurance for no cost. I can upgrade to a Medela Pump in Style for $50 or a Medela Freestyle for $100 more. Does anyone have advice on the various models of Medela pumps? Which would you pick if you had the chance to do it again?

Thanks for any help you can give me and congratulations on all your little ones!

Don't get the freestyle, the pump isn't as strong since they made it portable. I EP'd with my first and used the Medela PISA and it worked great. I chose the Medela advancd through insurance this time, and it just doesn't have the fancy bag. I'm fine with it, and as before, the pump is great. I have an oversupply of milk you might say, so I use it a lot.

TurtleMomma · November 2013

msspeedymarie said:

TurtleMomma said:

msspeedymarie said:

RoosterMemphis said:

TurtleMomma said:
Do not get the ameda! I have it (its rented through insurance) and it is the biggest POS. I can't double pump with it because there isn't enough suction for both, and what suction I *do* get is constantly getting broken by the damn equipment (I have checked every hose, connection and seal and cannot find any good reason for it to be leaking like that).
I have the same one with the same problem.

With mine, the little rubber diaphragms at the top will get bunched up and it screws up the suction. I have 6 different diaphragms to use because they don't work so often. I pump just enough everyday, but I wonder if I'd be able to pump more if I had a Medela.

bY.
Yes! Those fucking diaphragms! I'm constantly having to turn the pump off, adjust, and restart. I want to burn them. I, too, wonder if I would be getting more if I used a different pump. As soon as my rental is up I'm gonna invest in a nice one. I'm at the point where a manual pump would be more effective.

If you haven't, buy some new ones. It seems like maybe certain flanges, diaphragm and cap combos work better than others, so if one diaphragm isn't working, I just swap out for another. Also, try starting at full suction right away and then back down, rather than turning it up slowly. It's such a PITA!

The problem is that I have to go through insurance to get new parts since this is a rental and its a HUGE PITA.

And yes, anything less than golf-ball-through-a-garden-hose ain't worth it.

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