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December 2015 Moms
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Breast pump decision!

ShaileyroseShaileyrose member
in December 2015 Moms
I am a first time mom and was given choices of 7 breast pumps to choose from that my insurance covers. This is like a foreign language... I've narrowed it down to the Medela: pump in style OR Natures Bond: pure breast pump and accessories kit.

There's a lot of reviews for Medela, it seems like the obvious choice. But I like the idea of Natures Bond and it comes with a lot more accessories.

Help! Anyone have experience with these two?
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Re: Breast pump decision!

  • TomekiaBTomekiaB member
    I was reading a lot about them this week. Medela is an open system and as such breastmilk and condensation can get into pump parts that it wasn't intended to which can create issues like mold and need for more extensive cleaning of parts, that really shouldn't be getting dirty. The reviews do seem to suggest that either people don't notice this or it doesn't seem to happen often.

    I haven't seen Nature's bond. I was looking at Lansinoh which to my understanding is closed system so easier to keep clean. I've heard Ameda might be very similar to Lansinoh but haven't finished looking at that brand yet. Ameda seems to be a favorite of insurance companies from what I've seen people discuss around here and elsewhere.

    I need a pump with dual voltage (so it can be used in the USA and Europe without a transformer) I contacted medela to ask about dual voltage capabilities and the reply told me to "just buy one where I live"...I specifically stated I will be living in both countries before the baby is weaned so I found medela's customer service less than helpful (they didn't actually answer whether or not it is dual voltage) and I found their tone a little rude. As a result of the 2 countries situation I am looking at the ease of customer service use too...one of the pumps I researched you had to call during business hours there was no email or chat option which I find somewhat inconvenient.
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  • BCIndychickBCIndychick member
    I asked the lactation consultant at my local hospital about the Medela beacuase I had seen the posts/comments about mold. She said to take the breast attachments off of the tubing if the milk gets into the tubing and let the machine run for a bit to clear it out. She also suggested cleaning it with a little rubbing alcohol. The fact that people keep saying they are boiling the parts is bad for the equipment because it introduces the water into the system causing the mold issue. That made me feel a little better about that pump, but I am still leaning towards the Ameda. It just sucks that Medela is the easiest to find replacement parts for.
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  • CharminglySouthernCharminglySouthern member
    I got the Spectra. It's a newer pump and it was highly recommended by the LC guru in my community. All the reviews I've read have been really good. I had an Ameda with my first two. I think Medela is the most heavily marketed, but it doesn't mean it's necessarily the best.
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  • courtney198078courtney198078 member
    I used the medela pump n style for my previous pregnancies several years ago it has stopped working so I have to get a new one. I spoke with a lactation consultant to see what they recommended bc there are a lot of different options out there. They still recommend the medela pump n style as the best one to purchase. The biggest difference is the amount of suction if you don't have ample suction it can cause your milk supply to decrease especially if you are not able to nurse baby at all.
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  • willashbabywillashbaby member
    I am also getting the Spectra, so many great reviews and it's a CLOSED system, no chance for mold or other funkiness. It's also very well priced, I'm getting a back-up and it's only about $120.
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  • kidcapri100kidcapri100 member
    I asked all of my mom friends what to get and they all agreed Madela Pump in Style. Many of them commented on the "suction" power and how it took them less time to pump than other models they tried. Note: while the hands-free Madela seems like an awesomely convenient option, it's not as powerful as the Pump in Style.
    They also sell sterilizing bags that you pop in the microwave to help clean and sterilize the system.
    I'm no expert not do I have any experience with breast pumps - I'm just going off the suggestions from my friends and family!
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  • courtneyma5611courtneyma5611 member
    I used the Pump in Style and had no problems, actually it worked really well for me. I also tried the Avent brand, and it didn't work near as good. My worry is that you'd choose the Nature's Bond pump, be unhappy with it, and be stuck with it.. It'd be an expensive mistake if you decided you'd rather have the Pump in Style
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  • MadylynneMadylynne member
    I am getting the Medela PIS through my insurance, the deciding factor for me is that the reviews seems to say it's more portable & convenient if you will pumping on the go (work,school,etc) which I will! If this weren't the case I would've gotten the Spectra. getting one through insurance (the spectra) for at home & the Medela for on the go would be ideal, but money is a factor so the Medela it is.
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  • jbird1415jbird1415 member
    This is my second pregnancy and this time around I'm got the medela PIS. I had the ameda with my first baby and it drove me crazy. I had so many issues with suction that I eventually got frustrated and stuck with just breastfeeding. They even sent me out a new pump. I was able to get by if need be with it, but based on personal experience I wouldn't suggest ameda. You will have enough worries as a new mom don't let your breast pump be one of them
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  • altima703altima703 member
    CharminglySouthern said:

    I got the Spectra. It's a newer pump and it was highly recommended by the LC guru in my community. All the reviews I've read have been really good. I had an Ameda with my first two. I think Medela is the most heavily marketed, but it doesn't mean it's necessarily the best.

    This is me exactly except for the first two part since I only have one
    BabyFruit Ticker
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  • TomekiaBTomekiaB member
    @CharminglySouthern and @altima703 which model of spectra did you get?
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  • PreppytravelerPreppytraveler member
    @TomekiaB (lurking from January), I blew my US medela using it with just an adapter. It needs to be used with a transformer unless something has changed in the past year. Hope this helps :)
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  • TomekiaBTomekiaB member
    @preppytraveler Thanks for letting me know! Amazon was full of bad voltage info and I was annoyed that Medela's customer service never actually answered if it was dual voltage or not.

    I got a great response from Spectra and they are closed system AND dual voltage (2 pumps also have battery options) and they can use the car charger too. So, I think Spectra is probably the best option for my situation.
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  • JmdavinJmdavin member
    I got the spectra... My sister had a rented one from the hospital for the first couple weeks after her daughter was born (in August). and then got the Spectra. She said it works just as well if not better than her hospital rented one.
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  • altima703altima703 member
    @TomekiaB I got the Spectra S2
    BabyFruit Ticker
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  • CharminglySouthernCharminglySouthern member
    altima703 said:

    @TomekiaB I got the Spectra S2

    Ditto
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