The Great Breast Pump Thread

sparklingdiamond · September 2017

I know we can't order this for a while, but what kind did you use? The first time I used the Medela Pump in Style. I liked it, but it was so freaking loud. Are any of them quieter at all?

btm013 · September 2017

The sound of the medela pump in style will forever haunt my dreams. Im hoping there are better options out there.

sapphires-and-diamonds · September 2017

That sound just came whooshing back to me

mcb2016 · September 2017

I loved the spectra Breast pump. It wasn't covered by my insurance but it was one of the best things I bought. Plus it has a cute night light.

ngolimento · September 2017

I really loved my Ameda Purely Yours kit. It came with a nice tote, and a little cooler pac that I used SO much (I hated the idea of putting my milk in the company fridge). I loved that it was a closed system, so I never got milk in the lines, like I was always doing with Medela. Mine held up like a champ too, even though I am an overproducer. I think I used to get an additional 40 oz a day on top of my kid nursing, so it is a workhorse.

Replacement of the parts was simple and easily found. I really can't say enough good things about it.

shireeallason · September 2017

When it comes time to ordering, use Aeroflow! They coordinate your doctors RX and work with your insurance for you. Such an easy process for me last time around, and it’s a FREE service! My pump was on my doorstep 30 days before my due date. Highly recommend.

my Medela pump in style got the job done last go around, but I’m entertaining the alternatives.

ekendall09 · September 2017

I used the medela pump in style last time and think I might still have it. Agree is so loud! I REALLY want the naya pump but its sooooo expensive and I highly doubt insurance is going to cover it

ladythrice · September 2017

I own three brands of pumps: Medela PISA, Ameda Purely Yours, and Spectra S2.

I used the PISA exclusively with my first and seriously LOL at all the comments on the noise it makes. My husband always makes fun of it. Its a great pump and still works. It was a back-up pump for #2. (My insurance back then worked with Aeroflow for the ordering and I agree with @shireeallason, it was the most smooth process ever.)

With DD I was under a new insurance plan and for my new plan I was only eligible for a short list of pumps (only two I think). One was the Ameda Purely Yours. I ordered it because, well, free. I hated it. I was never able to get a letdown with it. The PISA not only worked better for me personally, it also has better functionality in general (let down button).

Since the PY sucked for me and I wanted to have an extra pump, I bought the Spectra S2. It's a hospital grade pump with stellar reviews, and at a price point that is reasonable to purchase without help from insurance. I loved it so much I bought two, one for work and one for home. I kept my PISA in the car for emergency back-up and commute pumping.

When ranking pumps I ALWAYS recommend the SPECTRA S2. Its the best pump on the market for performance, noise level, comfort, and price point. I can't say enough nice things about it.

kmalls · September 2017

Breast pumps were really tricky for me. With my first, I ordered the Medela PISA because my insurance covered it, then after the birth it became evident that breastfeeding just wasn't physically possible. I needed a hospital-grade pump to maintain my supply (I was exclusively pumping) and those cost a shitload of money ($2k plus). My insurance wouldn't cover any of it because they had already covered a regular pump. So, I faithfully used the PISA and my supply dwindled to nothing by 6 weeks. Had I known I wouldn't be able to breastfeed I would have never ordered a pump in advance.

With the second kid I rented a Medela Symphony (insurance covered it) and it was soooooo much better. I still only ended up pumping for about a month but my supply was pretty good overall.

For this third baby I'll rent a Symphony again and see how long I last pumping. Not looking forward to it, but ya do what ya gotta do.

ETA: shit, after seeing the price point and reviews of the Spectra S2 I might just go with that!

jackiej9673 · September 2017

I used the PISA for the last and it got the job done- but yes, the things it chanted at me in the middle of my work day were just absurd! I've been dying to try the spectra with all the reviews and just checked that my insurance actually covers it! I'll be ordering that for work and using my PISA for home/backup.

riversdoctor · September 2017

Pisa warning. After hearing about how they aren't closed systems from my lactation consultant I cracked mine open and found tons of mold in the motor! Gross! Never would have guessed!

I have 4 Amedas through insurance. Hygeia or spectra would be my next choice if insurance wasn't buying me a new one.

sparklingdiamond · September 2017

Is this the right spectra you guys are referring to?

https://www.amazon.com/Spectra-Baby-USA-Double-Single/dp/B00BLBLR1I/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1506021683&sr=1-4&keywords=spectra+s2&th=1

sweetpeammm13 · September 2017

I am jealous my insurance didn't cover a pump with my first, I wound up with cheep single pumps and always had low supply! I need a double electric this time around but don't know what to do if insurance doesn't cover it! I just want one let alone the multiples others have!!

okayrunner · September 2017

@sweetpeammm13, I'm nearly positive the ACA mandates that pumps are covered by insurance. Though, that could change if repealed.

I used a PISA with my first. I had major supply issues and am hoping to have something stronger covered this go round.

ladythrice · September 2017

@sparklingdiamond yup, that's it, the S2! As an alternative, Spectra just released a new model of the s1 that has a rechargeable battery but it's more expensive.

ladythrice · September 2017

I just want to add to this discussion that I wouldn't spend all kinds of money on breast pumps and pump gear until after the baby gets here and you learn how your body responds to pumps. Some women produce enough milk to nurse six babies but don't respond to pumps and can't pump enough milk to provide bottles for one kid. Everyone is different and pumps are notoriously inefficient at expressing milk from the body.

Puddlewonderful · September 2017

Another Ameda lover here! I would never ever use a PISA because of the milk in tubes issue. It's hard enough keeping all those damn parts clean without having that to worry about!

i also rented a hospital grade pump from my local hospital for about a month when DS went on a permanent strike at 7 months old. It was great- faster and more effective, but there's no way I would lug it to work. I'm super jealous of some workplaces that provide hospital grade pumps in mothers rooms. It's seriously worth it, I wish more employers would think that way!

ETA I think the rental cost me about $75/month

Mattel · September 2017

I believe mine was a Hygeia. We bought it at a specialty store that mostly sells breast-feeding related items. It was recommended to us because it was 100% closed system. Whatever kind I get I'm definitely going with another closed system. I'm just hoping to find one that doesn't "talk" to me. I think it was a combination of sleep deprivation and exhaustion from breast-feeding and pumping, but I swear every time I pumped it sounded like words. So creepy.

julzy · September 2017

I had the Medela In style and it worked great with DS although eventually I switched to the Medela hand pump because I found I was able to pump much more with it and it was so much easier to carry. Not sure what my insurance will cover this time.

Almost all insurance policies in the United States MUST cover a breast pump (and lactation consultant visits) free of charge by law. Very few policies are grandfathered in at this point for STMs if your insurance didn't cover it last time, it likely will this time! (Unless the GOP has their way and repeals the Affordable Care Act...) Either way, a repeal still won't effect this coming year so we should all be good-- but if you have a Republican Senator you should call them and ask them to vote no on Cassidy Graham if this is important to you.

rklinge0 · September 2017

I ep for 10 months and had 2 electric pumps, the medela pisa and spectra s2. I threw my pisa away and saved the spectra if I needed it again. The pisa motor sounded awful the last 4 months.
I started pumping using the symphony (nicu time) but couldn't justify paying out of pocket for it.

nond135 · September 2017

I've had a Medela PISA, a Spectra S2, and a Spectra 9 Plus. The PISA I wouldn't get again. The Spectra S2 is fantastic when you have access to a plug-in and was my go-to for power pumping and at-home pumping, but if I had to choose 1 I would pick the 9 Plus again. It is a very tiny, rechargeable, portable pump. Its not quite as comfortable probably as the S2, but I used it constantly when I was primarily EPing and could easily pump while driving or chasing my toddler around the house/yard.

irenejean · September 2017

I had the Ameda purely yours and didn’t like it. I’m considering getting the Spectra if my insurance will cover it. I’ve only heard great things about Spectra.

pghren · September 2017

I tried to look up my insurance yesterday, and it looks like they might only cover rentals. Anyone else have a situation like this?

kmalls · September 2017

@allowachick might they only cover rentals for hospital-grade pumps? I know that's pretty common, but I've never heard of rentals for regular pumps.

ngolimento · September 2017

@allowachick I have heard of some insurance companies doing that. They are banking on the idea that many mothers find pumping too hard, and will return the rental before the company essentially pays enough to have bought it.

For you, it won't really impact that much other than having to give the pump back once you are done. You may want to check the terms of the rental to see of they put a cap (probably a year) on the time you have it.

pghren · September 2017

@kmalls @ngolimento I'm not sure how the process works but the company they work with doesn't let you look online easily

sweetpeammm13 · September 2017

I will look at my insurance and see what they will do!

I am seeing tons of good reviews on the Spectra S2!

@ladythrice I agree with you nature usually works! Yet with my supply being low last time definitely don't want that again! I wish I had had a pump from day one so I ensured my milk supply, by the time we realized my supply was low I had no pump and had to settle for crap just to feed my kid! I hated the single elec and manual pumps I had! They never truely helped increase my supply!

This time around I am going to be prepared! Better to have it and return it because you never used it than to not have it when you really need it!!

danjoly · September 2017

I'll second @kmalls. Look if your insurance covers the cost of the rental of a hospital grade pump. It made a HUGE difference for me. Also, go see a LC to have your nipple sized. I got really bad injuries from too big flanges and was getting a bad output of milk. My whole breast was basically swallowed by the pump... fun!

julzy · September 2017

Yes @danjoly is so right about making sure you have the right flanges. This makes a HUGE difference.

jkatkins · September 2017

I used the medula pump and style with both of my girls and LOVED it!! With my youngest I was able to donate several 1000 ounces and had 3 months of breast milk left over after my daughters weaned at 16 months. I was looking at the Spectra's this time around because I believe my insurance will cover either one but Im afraid to stray away from the medula because I had such great luck with it. My only pet peeve was the noise. Wish they could somehow make them less noisy.

moore4al · September 2017

I had a Medela PISA with my first son and pumped every morning to get a decent freezer stash built up. It was loud and annoying but worked great! With my second son I got the Spectra S2. I only used it a handful of times (pumping with a 15 month old around is almost impossible) but I never really loved it. I played around with the settings a ton but most of the time couldn’t get a let down. I think it’s too “gentle” for my boobs! It was super quiet, and very gentle. But it didn’t work for me. I’ll probably try an Ameda next time just to see, but will definitely have my PISA as my spare if I need it!

mikkimikey · September 2017

I used a hospital grade pump with my daughter and never got great results.

I used a Medela PISA with my son, and I LOVED it. I swear I was a dairy cow in my past life because I filled up our deep freezer, regular freezer, my MIL's freezer AND some of my parents deep freezer with milk.

so yeah, despite the ridiculous noise, I definitely recommend it!

Also, get the car adapter. It was definitely worth it for us!

shireeallason · October 2017

Ok I'm bumping this one up again since we are farther along now!

I have started to do some research on current models and insurance. Something has piqued my interest a bit. Have any of you mamas had any experience with the new Medela Sonata? It has some features that I'm drawn too, but don't know anyone that has actually used one.

Supposedly Hospital Grade
Closed System
QUIET!

https://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/sonata

sparklingdiamond · October 2017

@shireeallason I had never heard of it but now I am interested! I especially like that it is supposed to be quiet.

shireeallason · October 2017

@sparklingdiamond Yes! No more, mmmmm saaawwww mmmmm saaawwww mmmmm saaawwww! I saw it recently at Target, and it's pretty too.

It doesn't have great reviews on Amazon, but only 22 reviews total. I also take bad Amazon reviews with a grain of salt. I'm totally guilty of only reviewing products I hate. I never take the time to leave feedback on products that I love. I'd love to hear some first hand experience.

sparklingdiamond · October 2017

@shireeallason OMG your description of the noise has my dying laughing. That noise haunts me.

ekendall09 · October 2017

Looks like I can get a free one through insurance about a month before i'm due.

I had the medela PISA last time and wasn't dissapointed although yes it was loud. Love seeing the S2 feedback as it claims its hospital grade.

These are some of my other options it looks like:

Lansinoh- smart pump

Evenflo-deluxe advanced

Freemie-freedom hands

Medela- PISA

Ameda- finesse

Spectra-S2

ladythrice · October 2017

Regarding the Sonata, its relatively new, but has the trusty Medela brand standing behind it. I've read that Medela released it in order to compete with the Spectra S2 which has taken a pretty large share of the breast pump customer base from Medela. If you compare the two pumps, there are remarkable similarities. Unfortunately, the Sonata is WAY more expensive than the comparable Spectras. If you're getting one for free I'd say go for it! I love my Spectras and if Medela has created a similar machine, I bet its awesome. If you're paying out of pocket, I say stick to the Spectra.

sparklingdiamond · October 2017

@ladythrice Is the Spectra pretty quiet too?

ladythrice · October 2017

sparklingdiamond said:

ladythrice Is the Spectra pretty quiet too?

@sparklingdiamond yes ma'am! It's amazingly quiet. I'd be shocked if Medela, well known for the PISA noise, could make a machine quieter than the Spectra. I've pumped in a room with a sleeping infant and DH and no one noticed (with the Spectra). I routinely would get up and pump at 5 am while DH was sleeping right next to me (there's a great soft light attached to the Spectra) and he wouldn't even stir.

sparklingdiamond · October 2017

Oh man I am definitely looking into the Spectra then! I work in an office with mostly men and at our old office, I at least had a separate place to go to pump (my mom let me use her office since we worked on the same floor). I have my own office here, but the walls are super thin and you can hear everything.

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