Medela Symphony pump

FrodaBaggins · January 2015

All right, who else is renting one of these bad boys? What are you getting charged for it, and do you feel it's worth it? (Mine is $75/month when you do month-to-month, and $65 for a block of three months.)

I just started with it today and it's a huge improvement over the pump I got for free from my insurance company, in terms of how much time I spend actually pumping and then cleaning the parts. And so far I am seeing a slight increase already in how much I get per pumping session.

I'm looking into getting the hands-free pumping bra but I am skeptical that they actually work! Any experience with that, and if so, which brand?

Thanks! Happy New Year to all!

SoSayWeAll · January 2015

I am thinking of renting one too. The hands free pumping bra is amazing. It is a must IMO I have this one: https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Wishes-Hands-Free-Breastpump-XS-L/dp/B00295MQLU

RedBean84 · January 2015

I used a Symphony at the hospital for two months when LO was in the NICU. I think it is WAY better than the PISA that I have at home. If I was working, I would definitely check in to renting the Symphony, but it's just not necessary for me since I SAH. I think I could have rented it for 50/month, but I can't be sure.

As far as hands-free pumping bras, I don't know what brand mine is, but I can't imagine pumping without one. Definitely worth getting one!

jules1614 · January 2015

I just cut holes in a sports bra and it works just great. I didn't want to spend a lot of money. I just wear it under a nursing bra when I'm at work.

HeatherHam10 · January 2015

I EP for the first 3 months but I used the symphony and it was covered under insurance for the 1st 3 but if I had continued I think I def would pay $75/month. I tried the Pisa and hated it! The symphony was so much more comfortable and I emptied faster.

Oh and hands free bra is a necessity imo.

Cat&S · January 2015

I work at a hospital so I get to use a Symphony at work for free. I love it; so much better than a Pisa and I get more per pump. I haven't bought a hands free bra but have thought about it, following for replies.

lmanford1 · January 2015

Love the symphony and the bra-I rent for about 65 a month.

blondee4685 · January 2015

I have the pump and love it! I BF when I'm home and pump at work. I also invested in the hands free bra and I won't even pump without it!! When baby was first born and in NICU I had to pump and hated having to hold them! I have the medela hands free bra from target. I would say it's the best quality for the price. The zipper kept breaking which was so frustrating so my mom sewed a hook at the top and a better quality zipper on mine. So I recommend getting a hands free bra but make sure it has a good zipper and clasp so that you aren't just relying on zipper to stay on. Happy pumping!

Tdubplus1 · January 2015

I love my Symphony and get an extra ounce to an ounce and a half per pumping session with it. It is way better than the Pisa. I actually cart it back and forth to work and home instead of using the Pisa the insurance company sent. I looked into buying a hands free bra, but as the PP said, I kept reading reviews online about the zippers breaking. I cut slits in two sleeping bras I bought at target and use those for hands free pumping. I do have to take my shirt off to put on the make shift hands free bra, but keep a big wrap sweater and scarf in my office to put on over it during my pumping session.

herecomesthesun · January 2015

I loved the Symphony in the hospital. It was far more comfortable than the PISA I have now. If I were to do it over with, I would rent the Symphony.

Also the hands free is the way to go. I have 2 of the bras @sosayweall posted the link for- I alternate when one is in the wash.

Stephy129 · January 2015

I'm looking into getting the hands-free pumping bra but I am skeptical that they actually work! Any experience with that, and if so, which brand?

Thanks! Happy New Year to all!

I used my regular nursing bra and some hair ties. I just kept the hair ties attached to the straps. It was perfect and I didn't have to change.

Edit: added words

FrodaBaggins · January 2015

Thank you so much for all your replies, opinions and recommendations!

herecomesthesun · January 2015

Stephy129 said:

I'm looking into getting the hands-free pumping bra but I am skeptical that they actually work! Any experience with that, and if so, which brand?

Thanks! Happy New Year to all!

I used my regular nursing bra and some hair ties. I just kept the hair ties attached to the straps. It was perfect and I didn't have to change. Edit: added words

I tried the hair tie hack and towards the end when my breasts were softer, I had trouble keeping the cones suctioned but there was still lots of milk coming out if I adjusted with my hands. I wanted it to work so badly but it doesn't for me.

leannerivers · January 2015

SoSayWeAll said:
I am thinking of renting one too. The hands free pumping bra is amazing. It is a must IMO I have this one: https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Wishes-Hands-Free-Breastpump-XS-L/dp/B00295MQLU

I have the same bra and it works great!

tamarar5 · January 2015

I just discovered that I have the Pisa that everyone hates. And I feel really dumb that I didn't know Pisa was am acronym.

Add me to the Pisa hate club. I had an amazing hospital grade one that I got free from WIC with my dd1. I had borrowed it through the program, but when I went to return it, they had just gotten a grant to replace with all new machines, so they let me keep mine permanently.

I just CANNOT get a good pump with this one. It's like I can't get a letdown.

herecomesthesun · January 2015

tamarar5 said:

I just discovered that I have the Pisa that everyone hates.

I just CANNOT get a good pump with this one. It's like I can't get a letdown.

I don't HATE my PISA but I preferred the Symphony. I think I just hate pumping in general.

I run the letdown twice in a row sometimes... I think it's because it's hard to get the warm fuzzies about a machine.

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