Breast Pump Brands

[whitfry]

Last night DH brought up breast pumps, and shocked me with the fact that he has done some extensive research, and has a legit opinion on brand and type! It was so cute!

It also made me think. I still need to get my pump. I'm torn between Medela and Ameda as far as brands go. What is everyone else planning on doing? What kind of system? Electric or manual? If you've pumped before, what did you use and how did you like it?

I'm just realizing I only have a few weeks left and I need to get this taken care of.

[janda426]

I got the medela pump in style starter set (electric) from my insurance. It was $99 to upgrade to the one that comes in a bag but I read it wasn't worth it and you can put it in a bag yourself. Plus I won't be working so I don't really need a convenient carrying system .

I've heard medela is far and above better than ameda

[wamom]

I used the Medela PISA. It was a double electric and definitely helped me nurse my first two til almost a year.

[pearsforpoops]

Medela PISA.

[xmina4x]

I'm getting the Medela PIS as it is covered by my insurance. I was offered one from Ameda and one from Freemie to choose from but I've also heard that Medela is a really great breast pump.

[Deleted]

I also have the medela pisa and really liked it.

[luckystarz]

Medela PISA.

[flmama622]

Medela PISA here too. Used a hospital grade Medela Symphony last time and it worked great. Hoping this time the PISA is just as good.

[playlawook]

I have the Medela Pump in style too. It's fine. Not going to gush about a pump because I hate pumping. But it worked great. It depends on what you need it for, if you are going back to work then you definitely will want a double electric, but if you're staying at home and just need to pump for the occasional bottle, a manual might be fine.

[racegurl87]

Since my insurance doesn't cover a pump (yet, who knows when they'll start) I got the Avent double electric. It matches the type of bottles I hope to use so I went with that...

[mandi195]

I have both (one that was given to us and one that we purchased through our insurance), and I much prefer the Medela PISA.

[busterrose]

I was given the Ameda for my last pregnancy and I thought it was just ok but I had so many breastfeeding issues that I can't really say if it sucked or if it was just me. I'm getting the Medela PISA through insurance this time and it's supposedly better.

[winningcolors]

My friend gave me her electric Medela. I'm a FTM so I don't have any experience with it, but that was the one I was going to buy if she hadn't given it to me.

[mango]

Also choosing Medela PISA. We had both Ameda & Medela pumps in the hospital where I worked & the LC's preferred Medela.

[earthian]

I'm not sure what my insurance will cover yet, but if medela is an option that is what I'm going with.

[mrsanders2013]

I went with the Medela PISA after asking advice from everyone here. A family friend who pumps very often says the Medela pumps are really good pumps.

[tunnel]

I opted for the Medela Instyle Advanced over Ameda based on my internet research. Insurance would have paid for either one.

[snarkysparklefart]

I rented a hospital grade Medela after buying the Lansinoh double electric last time- it just never worked well, and although Lansinoh was great at trying to replace the busted motor/ base, I never got good suction like the Medela. this time I'm just going with the Medela (covered by my insurance as well).

[gamora24527]

Medela 100%. The replacement parts are sold everywhere, which gets to be important if you pump for any length of time. IMO, Ameda sucks (no pun intended). I pumped for a year with DS.

[bnizzlebizzle]

Another Medela PISA here. I pumped for the first year with no issue other than a decreasing supply the last month or two - but was able to never give formula! I do suggest getting the messenger bag instead of the backpack though. I hate the backpack (but will obviously use it again for this one). Get a double electric if you're serious about getting breast milk for the baby, it's way quicker.

[lbeez13]

Medela Pisa worked great for me last time so I ordered another one through my insurance. Also as gamora24527 mentioned the parts are sold everywhere. I work far from home and one time I forgot the flanges so I had to run by a target near work and buy new ones.

Also I had a great experience with their customer service. They sent me a new pump when my supply dropped just in case it was due to the pump.

[urani]

I plan on going with the Medela PIS as well, the reviews seem overwhelmingly positive. I won't be springing for any of the bag upgrades since it would be money out of pocket and people seem to say it isn't worth it. Unfortunately my insurance plan is one that won't cover the cost until after giving birth. Boo.

[cwbandthenewbie]

I love my Medela PISA.

[jrp]

I have the medela swing (the single electric). I'm a SAHM, so I'm not using it at work during the day, etc -- I used it about once a day with ds, in the beginning to alleviate engorgement so that he could latch on better, and then later to keep up supply when he started sleeping through the night (he would only empty one side in the mornings, but turns out I still had two boobs... It was enough to get him a bottle so that the babysitter/DH could feed him once or I could give him a bottle instead of nursing if we were out).

I'm planning on starting with that this time... STM+, has it been worth it to have a double so that you can chase the toddler, or has a single been sufficient?

The medela has the two-phase pump system, which I think is the main selling point (aside for general sturdiness/availability). The first couple minutes the auction is more rapid, which stimulates let-down, and then after a couple minutes it automatically switches so that it sucks more deeply (which might just be the most awkward phrase I've ever typed). Apparently this is also how babies nurse, and it seems a little more humane than dairy-cow...

[Deleted]

My insurance didn't cover the Medela last time so I got the Ameda. I was worried, but I ended up really liking it.

[jcar]

My insurance only covers the Ameda. I had the same brand with DS and it did the job.

[corabrie]

I am getting the Medela PISA from insurance, but I also bought a medela harmony manual pump to have as a back up just in case. 

[bitsybelle84]

I also have a medela swing. With my DS I used it to relieve engorgement so he could latch and occasionally pump a bottle for DH to give him. After I went back to work (part-time) I enjoyed its portability and that it can run off batteries if I didn't have access to an outlet.

[lib1974]

Media pump in style

[Puppylove]

I went to a breastfeeding class and the lactation consultant recommended the Medela PISA if your insurance covered it. (Mine did, the starter pack, and I got some accessories off Amazon for cheaper.) She said her second choice would be the Ameda but she definitely preferred the Medela.