Medela Pump in Style Advance vs. Hospital Grade Symphony

azaretsky · June 2014

HI ladies -

I rented a hospital grade Medela pump to help with supply issues, and now received the insurance-covered Medela Pump In Style (PIS). Somehow, the PIS gets practically NOTHING out of me. I pumped for 30 minutes, got drops - then switched to the hospital grade and got nearly 2 oz!! Does the PIS really "suck" that bad vs. the hospital grade or am I doing something wrong (I followed the troubleshooting guide and everything seems to be functioning and set up properly). Has anyone had this experience?

Guennie · June 2014

I'm kinda stumped. I also rented the symphony then got the PISA through insurance and I had no change in supply with the switch. I'm not sure why this would happen to you unless there was something wrong with the pump or you had defective parts. Maybe there is more of a difference between the PIS and the PISA than I thought? Maybe someone else who has used the PIS could answer this.

azaretsky · June 2014

Guennie said:

I'm kinda stumped. I also rented the symphony then got the PISA through insurance and I had no change in supply with the switch. I'm not sure why this would happen to you unless there was something wrong with the pump or you had defective parts. Maybe there is more of a difference between the PIS and the PISA than I thought? Maybe someone else who has used the PIS could answer this.

I checked and mine is also PISA - I'll try it a few more times, maybe there's just something wrong. In your experience, did you get the same amount pumped by Symphony and PISA? Thanks!

Lhageme85 · June 2014

I use the symphony at work (work in a hospital) and the PISA when traveling or at home. My am pumps are usually the same between pumps but I get maybe 1 ounce more with the symphony in the afternoons. Pretty negligible though. Did you play around with the suction on the PISA? I find myself using more suction there. Also maybe try breast conpressions?

alexkylee · June 2014

Lhageme85 said:
I use the symphony at work (work in a hospital) and the PISA when traveling or at home. My am pumps are usually the same between pumps but I get maybe 1 ounce more with the symphony in the afternoons. Pretty negligible though. Did you play around with the suction on the PISA? I find myself using more suction there. Also maybe try breast conpressions?

This exactly. I use a Symphony at work and PIS at home. I found the Symphony is so gentle that I don't realize how much suction it really has. I notice when I go to my PIS that I really have to turn it up.

Guennie · June 2014

Are you using the same size flange you were using with the symphony? Flange size can really make a difference too.

I get the same amount from the PISA as I did from the symphony but I do have to have it on a different setting. Funny enough, in my case I had to turn it down because I'm so sensitive my nipples really get traumatized on a higher setting.

Are you feeling a letdown when you start?

azaretsky · June 2014

Guennie said:

Are you using the same size flange you were using with the symphony? Flange size can really make a difference too. I get the same amount from the PISA as I did from the symphony but I do have to have it on a different setting. Funny enough, in my case I had to turn it down because I'm so sensitive my nipples really get traumatized on a higher setting. Are you feeling a letdown when you start?

Thanks everyone - maybe there is something wrong with my PISA. I am using the same flange, increasing suction (I did notice that PISA needs a lot more), but even so I get a lot less milk out vs. Symphony. Will call and request another one... Thanks all!!

Guennie · June 2014

Another suggestion I have is to have a session with a LC if you have access to one. They can be very helpful with pumping issues and may be able to pinpoint your problem. I would do that before sending the pump back if I were in your position since you'll just have the same experience all over again if it isn't the pump. And if it turns out it is the pump, you'll have that verification for insurance.

Good luck!!

opheliainwaders · June 2014

I did see a difference in output between the Symphony and, in my case, the freestyle. I also noticed that I wasn't able to totally "empty" with the FS, which wasn't a huge issue if we were just apart for te workday, but I had to use a Symphony again when I was in the hospital for a few days when DD was 8m.

That said, I did get better output with the freestyle (and I imagine with the PISA) by doing multiple, short stints of the letdown setting and "regular" setting - I'd basically hit the letdown button every 6-7 minutes.

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Medela Pump in Style Advance vs. Hospital Grade Symphony

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