FTM in 3rd tri - question about pumps

[emilie]

I've never posted here before, so hello!  I look forward to hopefully joining you guys as a regular soon!

So I'm due in December with my first baby.  The one thing I'd really like to try to do is breastfeed and give myself the best chance for success.  I'm a working mom and will likely be going back to work when kiddo is 4-5 months old.  I also am a baby gear nerd and I research everything to death - though I like to get a good bargain and shop sales, I don't mind spending a little money on something if it is well worth it or will last longer/is higher quality than a cheaper product.

I spoke to my insurance about pumps and the one they provide is the Medela Pump in Style Advanced starter kit.  Ok, seems like a good enough pump.  But everyone I know who has little ones, and a lot of the ladies on here too, have really high praise for the Spectra pumps.  For someone who works and will be pumping at work, the Spectra perks when it comes to hygiene, quiet operation, and being less hurty on the boobs seem pretty invaluable.

Should I just throw down the cash for the Spectra (or see if they at least have a black Friday sale in November?)  Or am I overanalyzing and buying into hype?

Thanks all!

[saraml13]

I pumped at work for 9 months with the Medela PISA. I wouldn't say I loved it, but I didn't have any issues with it. The main advantage to the Medela is that is tends to be the most popular, so spare parts and accessories are readily available at brick-and-mortar stores. The few times I forgot some of my parts at home, I was saved by being able to swing by the Target right by my office versus driving back home.

[emmyg65]

I feel like Medela PISA is by far the most popular consumer-grade double electric, mainly due to availability. I had it and it was fine. I used it 4x/day for 9 months. That bitch was my best friend. The best thing is that parts are really easy to get at like Target or whatever, and the parts for the PIS, Symphony (hospital-grade) and Harmony (hand pump) are interchangeable. I had to rent the Symphony right after my son was born because I had latch issues and my PIS was on order. So it was convenient having the parts. Every mom I know used the PIS.

[westiemom]

I like my PISA. I love how easy it is to get parts. I only pump once a day and only occasionally more since I SAH but I have no complaints.

I also rented the Symphony due Latch issues at birth too and liked it as well. I honestly didn't notice an output difference between the two.

I was like you and wanted the spectra based on reviews but my DH convinced me to get the insurance covered PISA. He assured me I could order the spectra on amaz.on prime if I wasn't happy with the PISA at any time. So far, I have been totally fine so maybe try the PISA and if you aren't happy, then order the spectra.

[rachaeleigh]

Another user of the PISA here. I've used it about 4 times a day for the last 10 months and it's still going strong

[sandandsea]

I used the Medela pisa for ds1 and am using it again for ds2. It's been great for me and I pumped until ds1 was 1 and donated 525 ounces so it definitely worked well! It's also very popular (the one all of my coworkers, family, and daycare moms used) so it's easy to get parts of you need them.

[jennybeans]

I used the medela pisa for my first and pumped for 10 months with no issues. It's a perfectly fine pump as long as you are aware there could be motor issues and watch out for any sudden drops in output (that's the only issue I've ever heard of with it).
I did get a spectra this time around but only because it was offered through my insurance and I purchased adaptors so I can use all my medela accessories still. I wouldn't have switched if it wasn't covered though.

[Unknown]

I'm on my second baby and using the same Medela PISA. I work FT and pumped for a year with number one and on month 10 with my second, and it's still holding up. I've never had any issues with the motor or dropping output from the pump. I love it. I have also used the Ameda PY, and hated it, but I know others who have loved it. I have heard great things about the spectra, but have never used it myself.

I think you would be good with either option. I would get the Medela since it's free with insurance, but if when you get it and if you don't like it is worth the money to buy another. Honestly having a good pump you like is key to success of pumping while working.

Good luck!

[bluefairy5]

I'm also doing just fine with my PISA, pumping since she was 7 weeks old (she's 11.5 months now). It's definitely not the quietest, but the compatibility of all the parts with other Medela products (e.g. should you need/want to rent a Symphony at home) is nice. Same output as my Symphony. It's also been a bonus for me to have Medela bottles because we feed from Dr. Brown's glass, and the caps are compatible, meaning in a pinch you can pump into the glass bottles (though I don't recommend doing that hands-free, ouch).

[yummeecookee]

I looked at the Spectra also for my most recent pregnancy.
I had used the Symphony w my first baby and cannot stop singing the praises of that pump. I had tons of milk plus it was quiet. Anyhow, since I already had all the pieces and bottles, I ended up going w the PISA over the Spectra. No problems or issues whatsoever. It's been a great workhorse for me (I've been using it about 10mo now). As others mentioned, I like that the pieces are very easy to find, both locally and online through several retailers.