Which Medela insurance breast pump?

[turquoisequeen]

Hi ladies, FTM here from PAIF expecting in June. My insurance offers a free medela pump in style advanced which is just the basics.

Or I can add on a carrying tote with a few extra accessories like the cooler bag with ice pack, 4 bottles with lids, wide nipple base and travel cap for $60.

Or I can get the medela freestyle (instead of the PISA) with a carrying bag and a few accessories for $100.

I've read a lot of reviews of both pumps and some really like the freestyle better since you aren't tied down and others really prefer the PISA because they say suction is better and the pump has lasted longer.

Any opinions on PISA vs freestyle? And if going with the PISA is it worth it to get the bag and extras? I'm fine spending extra if going beyond the basic is better.

I will be at home for at least 6 months after baby is born and wouldn't plan to exclusively pump unless that is necessary.

[pooky08]

I didn't get the bag with my PISA. I did order two of the little medela cooler packs off of Amazon to have for travel/work/daycare. When I go back to work, I'll just throw everything into a bag I already have or a back pack.

www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00H5OI9XO/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1425315854&sr=8-1&keywords=medela+cooler&dpPl=1&dpID=41060u4AsFL&ref=plSrch&pi=AC_SY200_QL40

[mully626]

I use the PISA and didn't get the bag. I did get one of the cooler packs that PP listed above and just the pump without the bag still comes with 2 bottles as well. I prefer using my own bag for my pump stuff. I got a Thirty One bag (This one) for all my pump stuff and it fits perfectly plus I can use it for other stuff once I'm done pumping.

[auburn]

I've actually had both pumps. I had the Freestyle with DD and I loved it. It was so convenient. However, the suction was not great when I used it for my second child. I have the PISA now and it is still portable, but not as convenient. I have also already had to return the first one I had and have it replaced because the motor was acting funny. The second one does the same thing, so I am not thrilled that I can't turn the suction all the way up without it acting like it's going to quit. I liked my Freestyle better, honestly, but it did give out. Unfortunately, I've had the same issue with the PISA. If I were you, and I chose to get the PISA, I would probably go ahead and get the bag and extra pieces just because it's convenient and you will need it. I also ordered the car charger for the PISA on Amazon and it's been so helpful. If you get the PISA, make sure to get a good hands free bra. I ordered the Simplicity Hands Free bra off of Amazon as well and I pumping with it right now while I type this!

ETA: The PISA is LOUD. The Freestyle is not as loud.

[dp21]

Instead of car charger for the PISA, you can get a thing so it runs off batteries instead. That way you aren't limited to just your car when out.

[brandiewine11]

I have the PISA. I got the bag/accessories which are nice but I wish the bag was a little bigger.

I have the car adapter and battery pack and I can use it anywhere. I work as a contractor at a lot of different offices and do not have a dedicated pump space. If the room I grab doesn't have an outlet I can use the battery pack without going to my car. It works well. I just keep an extra package of batteries in my bag just in case.

[ellabee]

I have the PISA without the bag. The unit is small enough to throw in my large tote purse, or computer back pack when I need to bring it to work. I also have the car adapter, which has been handy at times.

It is sorta loud, but I got used to it.

I also got a wet bag to throw my pump parts in. Mine looks like a lunch bag, so I can put it in my work fridge in between pumping sessions.

You may be better off spending the extra $100 on the accessories you know you want, as opposed to the ones they give you.

[jesster88]

I recommend getting your own accessories for the PISA. I got an insulated lunch tote from target ($6 on clearance) and it fits bottles, the pump, and a pumping bra. I didn't like how small the medela cooler is.

[paddyb]

I have the freestyle and really like it (2nd kid and still working well). However, I have no experience with the PISA.

[bsquaredmsquared]

I have a freestyle and also used the medela hospital grade pump for the first 3 months. I'm happy so far with the freestyle and probably get the same output from both (although this may be different for others).

[bsquaredmsquared]

Freestyle: Pros - light, portable, compact, pieces easy to sanitize with wipes, Cons: loud

[ccam]

No experience with the Freestyle but I have used the PISA with both kids and no complaints but then again, nothing to compare it to.

I do have the bag that comes with the PISA and for $60, I would buy the accessories you need and find a different bag. It's nothing special and I'm sure you could find something that would organize things a little better. You can find all the extra bottles, extra parts, etc on amazon.

[casey]

I have the freestyle and no experience with the PISA.

I was anxious about the freestyle because the suction reviews. I've pumped with it for 19 months on level 6 or 7 (of 10). The battery holds a great charge, and I love the easy portability with it. It's come on so many work trips, can pump in car without adapter, no need to be by outlet, only needed charged 1-2 days a week. I'd use it again in a heartbeat.

[turquoisequeen]

Thanks all! Great idea about getting some accessories on my own.

How many bottles to pump into do you feel are needed for my situation? Would 3 9oz ones be good enough to start with? I suppose I would transfer what I pump into storage bags (which I have registered for) but I don't know anything about how all that works yet so that could be a bad assumption.

[ellabee]

I have 4 of the smaller 5-6oz bottles. I also have 2 of the 9oz ones but don't find I ever use them since I rarely pump more than 5-6oz in

[casey]

Mar 4, 2015 7:29:58 GMT -5 turquoisequeen said:

Thanks all! Great idea about getting some accessories on my own.

How many bottles to pump into do you feel are needed for my situation? Would 3 9oz ones be good enough to start with? I suppose I would transfer what I pump into storage bags (which I have registered for) but I don't know anything about how all that works yet so that could be a bad assumption.

I pumped 3 times a day and used 4 5-6oz bottles. After each pump, I combined into one bottle. Then, I used the used bottle plus a fresh one for each pump. Put the bottles and pump parts in fridge between pumps so you don't have to wash them. 

When end I got home each night, I portioned into LOs bottles (we used,Tommee tippee) for next day DC.  I put extra milk into a spare bottle in fridge and washed the pumping bottles for next day use. I froze surplus in bags at the end of the week. 

[mully626]

I have 6 of the 5-6 ounce bottles (two came with the pump and 4 with the cooler) plus 4 5-6 ounce Evenflo breastmilk bottles, though I don't really need those now because we run our dishwasher often enough that the 6 Medela bottles are enough.

I rarely pump more than 5 ounces and when I think I'll be close I just stop around 3 ounces and switch to a new bottle. I know that there are some people that pump more than 5 ounces per boob in a session but you won't really know that until further in to pumping so I'd just stick with the smaller bottles.

For pumping at work, I bring 3 pump bottles and 2 Avent bottles (what DD uses at daycare). I pump the first session and it's usually enough for 2 bottles so I portion that out into the Avent bottles then store the empty pump bottles and parts in the fridge for the next session. Then once I'm home, I use any extra milk from the day before and some from my last pump that day and make the third (or fourth when she was taking 4) bottle for the next day. The third pump bottle is usually just a backup - I rarely use more than 2 pump bottles a day at this point.

[jesster88]

Mar 4, 2015 8:39:12 GMT -5 casey said:

Mar 4, 2015 7:29:58 GMT -5 turquoisequeen said:

Thanks all! Great idea about getting some accessories on my own.

How many bottles to pump into do you feel are needed for my situation? Would 3 9oz ones be good enough to start with? I suppose I would transfer what I pump into storage bags (which I have registered for) but I don't know anything about how all that works yet so that could be a bad assumption.

I pumped 3 times a day and used 4 5-6oz bottles. After each pump, I combined into one bottle. Then, I used the used bottle plus a fresh one for each pump. Put the bottles and pump parts in fridge between pumps so you don't have to wash them. 

When end I got home each night, I portioned into LOs bottles (we used,Tommee tippee) for next day DC.  I put extra milk into a spare bottle in fridge and washed the pumping bottles for next day use. I froze surplus in bags at the end of the week. 

Similar routine here and it works great. I use a mason jar with oz markingsin the fridge - my family made fun of it but it works great