I Just Can Not Afford the Madela Double Electric So What About Playtex?

I have used both the madela and the lansinoh. I thought the lansinoh worked just as well if not better than the madela. I did not hear such great things about the playtex. Just my two cents :-)

I've been told the ameda is very good, and it is definitely cheaper than the madela although probably not cheaper than the playtex.

Contact your lactation specialist and see if you can rent a pump. I used an Ameda pump. It worked great. Check eBay too.

I got the Medela Pump In Style on Craig's List. It was used very little, and my dotor said it's completely safe as long as you replace the tubing, which of course I did. (They actually gave it to me in the hospital.) I think I paid around 75 for it. Def. check into that...good luck.

Have you called your insurance some cover them

I had the Playtex with my first baby...hardly used it and it still quit working within six months!! Even when it did work it was uncomfortable and didn't work well. I found a Medela pump on sale when my second baby was a newborn. WHAT A DIFFERENCE! I loved it. Worked amazing, never broke or had any issues, and it really did do a good job.

I bought the Medela Single Deluxe Battery/Electric Breast Pump. I loved it as a SAHM, because it was a much lower price, but I didn't need to have the double electric. If you are going to be going back to work, you might really want to try and find the Pump n Style. Totally worth it if you're pumping 2 or 3 times just at work. Also, the hospital grade pumps that you can rent really are the best. They have the best suction and are very efficient.

I used the Madela In Style but I bought it off of craigs list for $75. You just purchase new bottles and the plastic part that you attach to yourself. So if you are really wanting to use the Madela (which worked great for me!) try looking for a used one. :)

You should look into this one... Lansinoh Double electric (it is the same as the ameda double but for a lot less) If you need extra or replacement parts you can use ameda parts. Ameda bought Lansinoh a few years back so they are the exact same pump.

I did a lot a research because it seems like medela pumps were just crazy expensive.

From my research I found this pump is just as good and that was confirmed by lactation consultants (two of them). I believe it was about $150 at target.

http://www.lansinoh.com/products/double-electric-breast-pump

Personally I was not going to get a used pump. It just didn't seem sanitary to me.

http://justwestofcrunchy.com/2011/01/19/the-problems-with...

If you can't get Medela, then try the Lanisoh Double Electric. My cousin got Playtex and every mom in my nursing group who got Playtex had it burn out on them way too soon. I could use my Medela again. They could not. Find out if WIC will help or if your insurance will cover it as a medical device. Return the Playtex. I know it's hard to know what to invest in and what not to, but you really need a GOOD pump if you are going to use it more than occasionally. I used mine for a year, 5 days a week, average of 3x a day. Mine is not the hands-free pump. It's the Pump In Style Advanced. You can sometimes also get just the basics (no bag, no cooler) from a lactation center, which will keep cost down. If I had a do-over, I'd get the motor in the metro bag and not the backpack. You really do need a better pump than Playtex or Evanflo. Sorry. Another savings tip is you can often use other bottles, like Gerber, with pumps. You don't need Medela bottles for pumping. Think of it this way - you can use it a long time, you can use it for other children, and it's way cheaper than formula. It will pay for itself.

You can also rent one from most hospitals... the super-sonic kind! Usually you just have to purchase the "cups" and "recepticles".

We had the Medella and I will say that I used it for my first child (9 months), my sister used mine for her twins (full year) and I will use it again for this one. If you are planning on multiple uses, consider the better quality or renting one!

If this is going to be an "8 weeks and I'm done" pump... go with the affordable!

Many consignment stores specializing in baby and maternity may carry those medela pumps... I know my local ones do.

I like Ameda and Medela pumps, personally. You can always google reviews or check amazon for reviews on both products.

Hi S. - I have the medella - have used it through two babies and it is still going strong. That being said, I have also used the $40 hand pump (not electric) and it works just as well and you dont have to worry about needing an electrical outlet or fresh batteries...
Hope this helps.
N.

I never tired the Playtex, but I did have sticker shock too when I bought my Medela but I will tell you of all the baby products I purchased with my kids it was the best! The motor on mine was slowing down so I called Medela and they quickly replaced. One thing is they make you provide a copy of the original receipt to try and ensure it has not re-sold or passed down. The other thing to consider is the overall cost and health savings you are making my breasfeeding and not using formula. So it's an investment, even more so if you plan to have more children.

A.

My daughter got her expensive pump (I don't remember the brand) from Craig's list. It was nearly new. Had only been used a few times and it's appearance fit with that. The home was clean and the owner appeared responsible. It was a couple of hundred dollars new and she paid $40.

I echo the recommendation to check with your insurance and/or WIC depending upon your circumstances.. Kaiser carries the Ameda brand and it is fairly discounted if you are a Kaiser member. Also, law was just passed to allow a deduction on your taxes for breastfeeding supplies. I realize that's not helpful at the outset when you initially pay for it, especially with money being tight, but it is something to consider.

Definitely check with your insurance, but I had the Ameda Purely Yours, and it worked for my needs. You don't necessarily have to have a Medela to have an effective pump, but I don't know much about Playtex, especially if you're going to be using it for high-needs, such as returning to work.

Be VERY careful about buying on eBay or craigslist (ANY used pump) because most of these pumps are NOT closed systems and can get milk in the actual unit. It doesn't happen very often, but I recommend buying new, especially if your insurance will cover it. No sense in taking the chance....

The last thing I want to recommend is to evaluate your pumping needs. Why do you need a pump? Are you going back to work? Do you just want to have milk on hand when/if you need a break? A night out? If you'll be using your pump frequently, your milk supply will benefit from using a double electric. A single electric, manual, or even hand expression will work for occasional uses, but COULD decrease your milk supply (doesn't mean it will).

I wouldn't waste your money on something with bad reviews. Medela is really the best, and most last through many babies...that said I bought mine on ebay for $70, used for 2 years, and my sister used it for another years before it became "slow". They are for sale used everywhere, garage sales have the best price though! Renting a pump is really a waste of money, usually like $30-60 a month! I suggest get used, hopefully a really newer model that was only used for 1 baby, get your own bottles and breast shields (I think they are finally being sold at babies r us, if not lactation consultants have new parts) and your good to go!

Can you do the medela single pump?? They have a hand one that is made by avent that is good too. Or you can contact the hospital and rent a hospital grade pump. Well worth it. GL!

M