Breast Pumps - Monterey,CA

I would recommend the Medela. I also would recommend waiting to purchase one until after the baby is born. I rented a Medela through the hospital after both my kids were born for a month. I wasn't able to successfully breastfeed or pump, I wasn't able to produce sufficient quantities and was glad I didn't purchase a breast pump before giving birth. Good luck.

I LOVE the Ameda Purely Yours and Lansinoh dual electric pumps (they are exactly the same). I pumped exclusively for my second baby for 11 months, and again for 10 weeks with my 3rd. I used my sister's Medela Pump In Style towards the end and HATED it. After using the Ameda so much, the Medela just seemed awkward and poorly designed.
If you decide that's the route you want to go, I have a brand new, never been used one with TONS of extras that I will sell for lots cheaper than the stores.

The Medela Advanced Pump In Style is the best one out there. It is expensive (about $350 I think), but it's so much better than the other pumps. It's electric and has a double pump and starts with a let down function to mimic a baby's sucking to activate your let down reflex. It's much better at extracting all of th milk out of your breasts than the cheaper competitors out there. If you're planning on pumping for a while after returning to work and don't want your milk production to go down once you're no longer exclusively bfing your baby, then skimping on the pump is not worth it b/c your production will go down with the cheaper pumps b/c they just won't be good at sucking out all your milk. So, it's expensive, but buying lots of formula to feed your baby b/c you don't have enough milk to feed him/her will be even more expensive. (In case you're wondering, I don't work for Medela or have any connection to the company. :) I just really like my pump and have seen what a difference the pump makes when I talk to my friends who have other cheaper pumps and complain that their pumps just aren't good at extracting their milk, which resulted in their production going down significantly after awhile.) Also, buy yourself a hands free pump bra (visualize a wide strapless bra that goes around your chest w/a zipper that goes down the front middle and two large round cutouts where your nipples are) and you're set to simultaneously pump and work (e.g. type, read, make calls, write, etc.) so that you can minimize your down time at work.

I vote for Medela too, tho I have heard great things about Ameda. The only reason I vouch more for Medela is that if for any odd reason you needed to get extra accessories, its easy to just run to Babies R Us to get them... whereas i felt like it was harder to find Ameda stuff (mostly thru online) I used my Medela all the time, those things are rock solid and never gave me any probs.

Whatever you do, don't get a manual pump. Waste of $ and time if you're going back to work and want to continually and successfully breastfeed/lactate.

The Medela pump is great. I have used it a lot over the last nine yrs.

Stay away from the Lactina. It is cheaper, but it does not last. Invest in the Medela.

The lactation consultant at the hospital recommended Purely Yours which is now marketed as Lansinoh. Its a double electric and its the best deal for your money when talking about double electrics. I found it to be very good and have never had an issue with it. Be careful when cleaning the rubbery parts, they are delicate! I have had to pump off and on these 5 months but now I'm pumping 4 times a day without issue.

Medela. it is the one the rent out at hospitals. I think I had the Symphony Medela. Very good.

I used an Medela Pump in Style for 3 years (2 kids), and loved it as much as you can love one of those things. It was less expensive than the ameda, quiet, easy to clean, and durable. I encourage you to invest in the different power sources. There is a car charger, regular power cord and it also runs on batteries. Once you get into this, you will need to express your milk at regular intervals which sometimes means you can't be next to a wall outlet.

Best of luck! Private message me if you want any advice. Been there, done that!

I started by renting the Medela Symphony, which I really liked. I now use the Medela Pump In Style - and it is good - but the suction on the Symphony seemed superior - especially if you are just starting out and need to establish a good milk supply (within the first month). I highly recommend the hands-free Easy Expressions nursing bustier (you can order it from Amazon)...I can read, eat, tend to baby, do just about anything while pumping.

Although many have said it, its good to know that the Madela Pump in Style is a superior product. I was/am an exclusive pumper- yes, I pumped all the milk my kids ate for one year w/ the first and I'm eight months into the second. I started out pumping seven times/day, then six, then five. Now I'm at four and Madela keeps on going!
I recommend having the pump before the baby is born. The pump often helps stimulate milk which helps the newborn along the road to latching on and learning how to suck. Plus, in the beginning your so full its a good way to relieve yourself if need be. I was going to get mine from Target for $299, but kept my eye on Amazon and when I did buy it I got it for $229, what a savings.

Hi A...

It's been awhile since I've breastfed, as my youngest is 7 now, however, I was able to RENT a pump from the Lactation Specialist located at the Hospital I was to deliver at.

I loved this option, because if Nursing didn't work for us, I didn't have a "leftover" expensive pump.

Just another option to investigate :o)

~N.

I used the Medela Pump in Style. I got it from a friend (you can sterilize all the parts that come into contact with the milk). It worked great through both of my kids, and now I gave it to another friend, who also has 2 kids. It's a great pump and will last forever.

I had a Medela Pump in Style, too. Loved it for my daughter and then for my twin boys.

I purchased the Medela grade right below the pump in style. (It was on sale for like $125 instead of $200.) I really liked it. I've used it with both of our kids and it worked great!

Whatever you chose, I HIGHLY recomend a DOUBLE breast pump. Otherwise it will take you twice as long to pump.

Congrats on the baby and great job choosing breastfeeding!

I really like my Medela "pump in Style" because it comes in a carrying case with a built-in insulated compartment for storing pumped milk, and you can pump one or both breasts at the same time.
I learned the hard way to buy the right size attachments to fit my nipples - your lactation nurse can help you figure that out while you're in the hospital. The breast milk storage bags that go in the freezer are great too by he way!

I highly recommend the Medela Pump In Style. I was using the Lansinoh Double Electric but it caused bad abrasions on my nipples regardless of what I did, the tubing broke after a month's use, would quit mid-pumping session, overall wasn't as effective as I've found the Medela to be. Having spent the money on two, I'd say it is definitely worth it to spend more at the onset and get the Pump In Style. In my experience, it would saved a lot of hassle! (Including a 2 a.m. run to a 24 hour Walgreens to buy a new pump to get me through the night when my Lansinoh decided to just quit.)

My baby is still breastfeeding at 16 1/2 months and I've been pumping daily at work since he was 2 1/2 months. The pump has definitely been worth the investment. I'd also recommend the Easy Expression Bustier Hands-free Pumping Bra as it is easy to zip over any bra you wear to work and leaves your hands free to read or do something else while you pump.

I'd also recommend looking into a breastfeeding support group prior to the arrival of your babe in the event you have problems breastfeeding. My son and I struggled for 3 months with it and it was the weekly breastfeeding support group at my hospital that was run by a lacatation consultant that helped us succeed. It was also free, which was awesome. In addition, some of my closest friends today I met there.

Good Luck and Best Wishes!

The $$ is worth it! Especially if u plan to do it for any length of time. Remember you will spend at least one hour a day, if not more, with this machine. I use medela. Buy it prior to giving birth! The first week or so is very hard on you. I produced too much milk and needed some relief. I started pumping a little out prior to breastfeeding to help my little one not choke on the stream. You could be opposite and not produce very much milk. Having the machine handy, you can pump while your baby is sleeping to encourage more production. Some people suggest not sharing a pump. However, with both my kids I borrowed a pump from a close friend. I almost bought one on eBay; I was just a little concerned using from someone I didn’t know. But that is a personal choice. DO NOT get a manual operated one. It will take too long and won’t be worth it.

My advice to all my clients is to rent a pump from the hospital. They have really good ones and this gives you a chance to find the one that really works. Breast pumps you can find at Target are all made by formula companies and literally shred your nipples. A good one costs about $200 so for the sake of not wasting money trying to find that fits your body, I'd say rent.
: ) hope that helps

Medela, if you have the extra money. I used mine with both kids and then passed it on to a friend and it still works great. If you get one from a friend the hospital will give you all new attachments. Good luck!

Medela - absolutely. It's a good solid pump. I bought my used (believe it or not) and replaced all of the parts that come into contact with anything. I have no idea how old it is, but it worked beautifully when I got it, and still does. The suction is good and it's easy to find the parts. Good luck.

I have an Ameda Purely Yours. I used it to pump for both my kids when I went back to work. FWIW, I managed to nurse my son until he was 20 months (stopped pumping when he was 12 mo.) and I still nurse my 19-month old daughter (also stopped pumping around 12 months). That pump is reasonably priced ($150 if you get just the pump without the fancy carrying case, which you don't need) and is a real work horse. Good luck!

I also used the Medela double electric pump for my first baby and pumped at work for a year with no problems. I would also recommend getting the hands-free pumping bra. It holds the suction cups in place which allows you to be free to read a book, check email, etc. I can't imagine pumping without one! Good for you on pumping while going back to work - you are doing the best thing possible for your baby!!!

I had great success with Madela. Pricey but worth every penny.

I used the Medela double pump due to recomendations and reviews. It is pricey, but it is worth the money. Although I didn't use it much, I'm glad I have an awesome one that works perfect when needed.

I adored my Pump in Style from Medula (darn it if i spelled that wrong). It was expensive, but it worked very well, lasted through 2 children and kept going, and people initially commented that they just loved my bag, where did i get it. they had no idea i was carrying around a pump. i was out of the house 8 to 11 hours at a time and the milk never went bad. the pump was very quiet so i could talk on the phone or to someone on the other side of the door while handling business ( or in the room at times since i am not at all shy). i also appreciated the adjustable timing and suction function.

I want to chime in that I also have loved my Medela Pump In Style.

Medela Freestyle is really good!

I used the medela pump in style to pump exclusively for 16 months with my son. I used it a little with my daughter, a friend used it next and then her sister, and now a friends daughter. It worked GREAT, I loved it. I was told I wouldn't maintain my milk pumping exclusively but this pump was wonderful.