Need Advice for Breast Pumps

Updated on July 26, 2006
C. asks from Argyle, TX
12 answers

I am looking for the best breast pump on the market. I am going to be going back to work when my daughter is 9 weeks old and I don't want to stop breastfeeding then. I need a breast pump that is quick, quiet and easy to use. I won't have ideal situations to use the pump either. I am willing to buy or rent. I have heard good things about the Medela Advanced and the Symphony. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

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L.M.

answers from Dallas on

I have a medela, I used for 2 weeks and then had to give up the breast feeding. Willing to sell. L.

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K.S.

answers from Dallas on

Congratulations on your pregnancy - how exciting. Lots of fun times ahead. Anyway, I used the Medela and would highly recommend it (I have boy/girl twins). It is what hospitals use so if you are in the hospital and getting "trained" on it, it will most likely be a Medela.

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E.R.

answers from Dallas on

First of all, breastfeeding my daughter was one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. Just know that it really is the best thing you can do for your daughter, it's hard at first, but be persistent with it if you really want to do it. I first tried a hand held breast pump to see if I really could keep up with the breastfeeding, and it really helped me get used to the feeling since I had control of it. It was an inexpensive kind, the Gerber pump (its purple and blue, I think, and it attached to some wide mouth bottles). I ended up using the Medela pump in the backpack carry bag and it worked great especially when I went back to work. It was easy to use and it pumped both breasts at the same time, and it was pretty quiet. This really was vital to being able to save and store and freeze milk in preparation to returning to work. I really liked it and highly recommend it to you. Good luck.

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E.S.

answers from Dallas on

I used Madela when my children were babies. It's great. Good luck!

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M.B.

answers from San Antonio on

Medela pump in style. You'll want a double-pump to help increase your milk supply! Good Luck!

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S.H.

answers from Dallas on

Absolutely Medela! It's the best on the market.

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C.

answers from Dallas on

I used the Medela Pump in Style for 10 months at a time for each of my kids. It is not real quiet, but quick! Check with your hospital to see if they have lacatation consultants that can help you with this decision too.

Presbyterian Hospital of Plano has a store with lactation supplies and the consultants work the store so you are getting great advice prior to purchasing.

Good luck & good for you for making this commitment to your daughter.

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L.S.

answers from Dallas on

I had to do long-term pumping for my son, we're talking 16 months of exclusively pumping for him so I feel like I have a PhD in pumping! :)
I used the Medela Pump In Style Advanced and the Playtex double electric pump. As far as quietness, the Playtex one is practically whisper quiet. It costs the same as the Medela but comes with MANY more things in it that you have to buy separately with the Medela.
The main thing to remember though, is that because all women's breasts, nipples, and areolas are different, a pump that worked great for me may be very uncomforable for you. Take your time, do lots of reading, and look at all the pumps out there and try to deterime which one will work best for your breasts.
The FDA recommends that you NOT buy a breast pump that is used. It is impossible to thoroughly cleanse and sanitize them. Go ahead and spend the extra money and get a brand new one.
Since you will have to start pumping so soon, I highly recommend that you attend a few La Leche League meetings. They are free and really helped me with my long-term pumping. I got great factual information and not just hearsay on what would help us out the most. They do not endorse a particular pump but can help you with the decision-making process. Their website is www.lalecheleague.org and then you just follow the links to find your location for meeting times and places.

Good luck!
L.

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M.F.

answers from Dallas on

You can't go wrong with the Medela Pump-in-Style advanced of Symphony. I returned to work when my daughter was 10 weeks and was able to feed her with breast milk exclusively for 6 months. I also have friends who went a full year with pumping at work. The double pump is best, and the type of motor in the Medela is designed to be used often. If you won't have "ideal" areas for pumping at work, be sure you get a car adapter and/or battery pack (mine ran on 8 AAs).
That battery pack saved the day when I had to be out of the office at meetings or if someone else was using the office "wellness room."
If you haven't already taken a breastfeeding class through your hospital (usually offered by the same people that do childbirth preparation classes), take one now. Breastfeeding is something that you have to learn how to do -- many women are very suprised when difficulties arise in the first month. You will need the training and support from a class and/or lactation consultant to get nursing well established before you head back to work.
You may also wonder when you should begin pumping after the baby is born. With both of my kiddos I left the pump alone for the first 2 or 3 weeks. In those early days you should be concentrating on learning to breastfeed and getting sleep. We celebrated the baby's 2-week "birthday" with Daddy offering a bottle of pumped breastmilk. After that I would pump every morning after a feeding -- you tend to be fullest in the morning, so it's a good time to pump and freeze the "extra." Also around 2 to 4 weeks, you'll want to start giving the baby a bottle (from Dad or grandma or someone other than you) once a day at the same time. While the baby is getting a bottle, you can pump a feeding. Freeze all the milk you can! The best milk storage bags I found were the Gerber brand.

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N.S.

answers from Dallas on

Hi there -

I was in the same exact situation - returned to work 32 hours a week when DD was 9 weeks. Working full time and BF can work - DD is almost 9 months as is still exclusively on BM.

In regards to a pump, I have the Medela PIS Advanced and have had great success with it. It takes only 15 minutes plus another 5 or so for prep and clean up.

A couple of things I've found helpful with pumping include:
- Have extra breast shields and connectors. I have 5 and it helps since on occassion one has gotton lost or cracked.
- Get a car adaptor. When I first returned to work, my client did not have a nursing/wellness room, so I used my car. This actually turned out good since it was quiet and gave me a place where I was comfortable to relax.
- Purchase extra milk storage containers (i.e. for fresh milk). The medela ones are somewhat pricey, but there are others such as by Evenflow that work fine. It's helpful so you don't have to be washing these every night.

Hope you find this helpful.

Good luck!

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E.W.

answers from Dallas on

The Medela Symphony is very quiet, no one will know you are using it. I rented it for a few weeks from the Breastfeeding Resource Center at Harris HEB Hospital. The resource center is outside of the hospital and the consultants were all very helpful. When I decided to purchase a pump, I went with the Medela Pump in Style and purchased it at The Nesting Place in Grapevine.

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A.D.

answers from Dallas on

I have a Medela - the pump in style (not sure what "model" it is) and I've used it without problem with two children. They're well made, have the best most comfortable adjustable suction and the cooling compartment keeps milk cold all day.

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