Medela Breast Pumps Category:

Ranked 1st by many hospitals and mothers, Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump is the best professional-grade double electric pump. As an upgraded version of the popular Pump in Style Original, it retains the many attractive features while adding a backpack version and several shoulder bag options. Designed for mothers who pump several times a day; be it the return-to-work moms or the full-time-home moms, it has the state-of-the art hospital technology. With a reputation as ‘The’ breast pump, it is clean & safe, quick & efficient, stylish & reusable, convenient & mobile, comfortable, easy to clean and has ample storage.

Medela Pump In Style Advanced Limited Edition

The Advantages

1) Clean & Safe
- There is a ‘clean work surface’ included in this pack.
- All the bottles and breast pump kit are 100% Bisphenol (BPA) free.

2) Ample storage
- The mesh pockets on the side of the pump are good for storing the tubing and AC adapter.
- Too cluttered? The two mesh storage pouches are also ideal for easy organization for your personal items (e.g. hand phones, etc.)
- The shoulder bag has a roomy interior to include everything needed for easy pumping.

3) Quick & Efficient
- Using advanced hospital pump technology, this reduces pumping time tremendously.
- The two-phase expression system is not just comfy but very quick too. It can pump more milk in less time.
- Some moms have pumped 12 oz in 25 minutes or if you’re in a hurry, you can pump both sides for just around 10 minutes which should suffice to feed your baby.

4) Convenient & Mobile
- Always on-the- go? Use the battery pack in padded cases. (8 ‘AA’ batteries needed)
- All parts are removable including motor and cooler (keeps your milk cool for 12 hours) for ultimately flexibility.
- Use it to maintain your milk supply even if you’re away from home for a few days at a time.
- Fancy a removable work surface? This kit has it all!

5) Comfortable
- With the two-phase expression system, it mimics your baby’s natural nursing rhythm.
- Not feeling comfortable with a particular setting? Feel free to adjust the speed/vacuum until you find the one that maximizes your comfort.
- This model allows a gentler transition. While the Let-down Mode simulates your baby’s initial rapid suckling for faster milk flow, the expression mode is an exact replica of your baby’s slower, deeper suckling for maximum milk flow in less time.

6) Stylish & Reusable
- It’s an all-in-one bag.
- Perfect companion as a travel, work or diaper bag.
- Not pumping anymore? Don’t throw the bag away! It has received lots of compliments as a trendy carrying bag.

7) Easy Clean Up
- No time to clean it ever so slowly and gently? No worries.
- Durable and stain resistant, your mind can rest at ease.

The Disadvantages

1) Cumbersome Bag

- This is the biggest complaint that most moms have.
- Heavy and unwieldy, the bag is not user friendly.
- Additionally, the flap does not hang neatly and there is no closure to keep it from flying open. When the bag contains all the pump parts, the flap rests on top and does not fold over. This is because there is no button or latch to keep it close. As such, there might be moments of embarrassment when the bag falls apart in public.
- Moreover, some moms find that the strip lacks grip as it slips quite often from the shoulders. This can be quite frustrating at times too.

Thus in retrospect, Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump is a fantastic buy if you can afford it. As the best professional-grade double electric pump, it is clean & safe, quick & efficient, stylish & reusable, convenient & mobile, comfortable, easy to clean and has ample storage. As of yet, there are no complaints regarding the pump per se, which is vital since the most important feature when you’re buying a breast pump is the effectiveness of the pump. However, you might want to buy a different bag which has a better design in terms of usability. Instead of buying formula as a substitute, why not save up and when you have a stronger financial resource to meet the price range of $279.99 and $329.99, purchase it. Medela Pump in style Advanced Breast Pump is definitely a go-ahead for the full-time working and/or full-time nursing mom. With it, you can nurse your baby full time at such ease even when you’re working full time.

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After countless researching and reading many breast pump reviews, I came to the conclusion that Medela Swing Breast Pump is the best single electric breast pump. Ideal for both stay-at-home moms as well as on-the-go moms, Medela Swing Breast Pump enables faster milk flow, is convenient and portable, comfortable, user-friendly, easy to clean and safe. If you are looking for a pump that fulfills the requirement for intermittent pumping schedules and one that allows convenience, Medela Swing Breast Pump is the best among the other single electric breast pumps.

Medela Swing Breast Pump

Positives

1) Faster Milk Flow
- Rushing for time? Use the one touch let down button.
- That lets you pump immediately without the hassle of waiting.
- There are two modes (simulation and expression) which imitate your baby’s suckling rhythm. The simulation mode starts your milk flowing by the initial rapid sucking rhythm.
- Need evidence? Some moms have managed to pump 4 oz in approximately 5 minutes.

2) Convenient & Portable
- This breast pump fits like a glove, be it in a purse, a diaper bag or a briefcase. It’s no larger than a portable CD player!
- It’s compact enough to be placed on a table top. Alternatively, you can attach it to the belt clip or shoulder/neck strap.
- Stuck in traffic or multi-tasking at home? Use the ‘AA’ battery power option and belt clip on the motor. To be totally hands-free, just cut two slits in a tube top and slide the flange through.

3) Comfortable
- The Soft Fit TM Breastshield oozes exceptional gentleness and ease.
- The expression mode express your milk gently yet efficiently without causing you pain and distress since it follows your baby’s au-natural slower and deeper nursing rhythm.
- It can’t get comfier than that!

4) User-Friendly
- A new mom? No sweat.
- The one touch let down button is very easy to use. It’s next to impossible to not know how to use the 4 buttons. Still at a lost? Just use your intuition and it will work.
- You can even control the speed. Additionally, the letdown mode automatically turns on after a few minutes.

5) Easy to Clean
- Hate the thought of clean up? Tired after a full day of work?
- This straightforward cleaning of Medela Swing Breast Pump takes only a couple of minutes of your time. It is really a breeze.

6) Safe
- 100% Bisphenol-A (BPA) free, both Medela breast pump and Medela bottles are safe for you and your baby.
- That is, I believe, of outmost importance, regardless of how many babies you have.

Negatives

1) Not Totally Quiet
- Some moms commented that the pump is louder than their expectations.
- However, it is certainly softer than Medela Pump in Style or Symphony. Personally, I think it’s a matter of preference.

2) Can Only Pump One Breast at a Time
- Some find that the pump takes very long if they need to pump both breasts in a jiffy.
- Solution? Multi-task! A few ingenious moms found that since it only took one hand to hold the bottle/breastshield, they usually do something else with their other free hand. For example, some use the computer at the same time while propping the bottle on the table at the right height so that they’ll have both hands free!

3) Design Defect – Motor
- The mechanism that attaches the adapter into the motor is faulty. It might be frustrating since you would have to replug the adapter and restart your pumping session.
- Not all pumps have this defect. Nevertheless, if your pump has this defect, it might be advisable not to bring it to work since you would be spending a lot of time to restart your pumping session.

4) Weak Pumping Suction
- Some reviewers found that the maximum suction is quite weak according their standards.
- However, since some other moms have managed to pump approximately 8 oz in 10 minutes as opposed to others who only managed to pump 1 oz in 20 minutes, I would say this problem hinges on the mom’s pumping technique.
- Some moms also found that the pumps start to lose suction after a while.
- Solution? This problem could be due to your kit and not in the actual pump per se. Some moms found that this is because the membrane on the valve is loose. This membrane is the thin, round, flexible white piece that the milk flows through before reaching the bottle. So, check if the membrane is lying flat against the valve. Then, press it firmly into place and try pumping again. This should do the trick. If your kit comes with a spare membrane or two, perhaps by changing them, you can solve the problem as well.
- Not all mothers face this problem so sometimes it is due to the manufacturing discrepancies.

5) Condensation in the Tube
- This may be because the pump is not cleaned properly.
- Solution? Leave the pump running with only the tubing attached for 2-3 minutes after you have finished pumping. This allows the tube to be aired and dried.
- This method works for many moms so I would not say that this is a problem at all!

Although it looks like there are many problems associated with Medela Swing Breast Pump, do keep in mind that this pump is compared to other SINGLE Breast Pumps. As such, for those moms who want a full time pump, perhaps it would be wiser to spring a little more cash for the Pump In Style Advanced which can pump both breasts simultaneously. A note of caution: if you are a mother with low milk production issues, I would suggest that you browse over the double pumps instead of looking for a single breast pump. Most lactation consultants would recommend that.

On the whole, if you are looking for a ‘part-time’ pump or can spare more than 10 minutes for a pumping break, Medela Swing Breast Pump should be your pick. After all as the best single electric breast pump, it enables faster milk flow, is convenient and portable, comfortable, user-friendly, easy to clean and safe. Priced at a low of $115.99 at Amazon, Medela Swing Breast Pump is the one for you if you relish convenience and if you want a ‘helper’ pump.

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Touted as the best manual breast pump, this is the pump for moms who pump infrequently or want to relieve engorgement. Medela Harmony and the Avent Isis, both manual pumps, earn similarly high ratings, but Medela Harmony overtakes Avent Isis in many ways. Praised constantly by moms in many breast pumps reviews, this lightweight manual pump does live up to its name by being cost effective, efficient and powerful, easy to use, quiet, convenient, easy to clean, safe and provides gentle comfort.

Medela Harmony Breast Pump

The Good

1. Cost Effective
- As a manual pump, it’s definitely cheaper than an electric pump.

2. Efficient and Powerful
- The two-pattern pumping system is great for maximizing milk flow and is thus, a reliable reliever for engorgement.
- Some moms reported being able to get a whole feeding in a few minutes. Once you have gotten the knack of handling a manual pump, you can pump between 4 and 6 ounces within 15 minutes!

3. Easy to Use (User Friendly Design)
- You can nurse your baby while pumping since its unique feature is the swivel handle. Just rotate it until you have found the position that offers you the maximum comfort.
- Some working moms who were stuck in major rush-hour traffic while driving home use it discretely in the car since it can be used left-handed or right-handed!
- It is compatible with most standard bottles including EvenFlo glass baby bottles. For moms who have bought many different brands of storage bottle already, don’t throw them away since you can use them with Medela Harmony anytime.

4. Quiet
- This is quieter than its rival, Avent.
- While the Avent handle makes a click noise every time you squeeze the handle to achieve the maximum suction, Medela Harmony oozes peaceful blissfulness.

5. Convenient and Portable
- Use it anywhere, no plugging, no messing around with tube and no need to look around for a place to set up your electric pump.
- Working moms, have you just received a call to go for a last minute outstation business trip? Fret not. It’s perfect as your on-the-go travelling companion!
- Stay-at-home moms, you can use it while walking around without being tethered down with tubing and electrical cords.
- Bogged down in the middle of the night? It’s a delight for a quick, night pumping session.
- For added convenience, this pump is also upgradeable to electric pumping with the use of Symphony or the Lactina conversion kits (not included in the package)

6. Easy to Clean
- As a one piece unit with so few parts to clean, don’t worry even if you have under a minute to clean them!
- All you have to wash are the flange, the body and the valve.
- They’re also smooth to wipe down with a Medela cleaning cloth in a pinch.
- To assemble, disassemble and clean, it only takes 10 minutes of your time! How about that, busy moms?

7. Safe and Sanitary
- Made from a kind of plastic that is less likely to leach any dangerous chemicals, you know that your baby’s feeding is safe in its hands.
- All parts that come into contact with breast milk at claimed to be 100% BPA/DEHP free.

8. Gentle Comfort
- A comfortable Soft-Fit breast shield is included to softly massage the breast while you pump and doesn’t bother the sensitive areas. This is pretty useful when you just had your baby and you’re sore!
- The contoured, ergonomically designed handle fits in your hand like a glove. With a handle that swivels, you have the freedom to position your hand and pump comfortably on each breast.
- With two distinct modes, it feels au-natural! The let-down mode stimulates your baby’s initial rapid suckling to initiate faster milk flow while the expression mode simulates your baby’s slower, deeper suckling rhythm for maximum milk flow in less time.
- Compared to the strong suction of the electric pump, this pump does not leave you with bloody and cracked nipples. The suction of Medela Harmony is just enough to get a nice flow coming out in a short amount of time without leaving you with any type of nipple or breast pain. Phew, what a relief!

The Bad

1. Expresses Only One Side at A Time
- Some first-time moms may find that time consuming compared to the automatic expression of electric pumps.
- However, once you have gotten the hang of it, it is both comfortable and efficient!

2. Flimsy Handle
- Many moms found that the tiny white rubber ring, which was necessary to create suction, broke off from the handle.
- One mom, who received a brand new pump from customer service, commented that they have corrected the design flaw. With the new pump being much shorter, she doubts that the stem will snap off.

3. Not Suitable for Dishwasher
- Some parts may get distorted in a dishwasher!
- To be honest, there are only so few parts to wash. It’s easier washing them with hands.
- Don’t sterilize or boil the parts or put it in the steam cleaner bags! They may become warped and render the pump useless.

4. Not Sturdy
- The construction of the pump is light weight and is not particularly sturdy.
- If you have older kids who love to play with anything that they can get their hands on, do not let them get near Medela Harmony.
- There was an incident where a 7 year old managed to break it within 2 minutes!

5. Loses Suction in the Middle
- Quite a number of moms have complained about this problem because of the tendency for the silicon part to get loose.
- However, many have noted that it’s not due to the product but rather their own method of handling it.
- Solution? Make sure the oval parts in the handle lines up straight as in the instructions.
- A note to moms who might have problems getting milk out of Medela Harmony. It may not be the pump itself but rather the size of the flanges. Every woman’s breast and nipples are different sizes. If you feel that it is painful to pump and the milk would not come out even though you were engorged with plenty of milk, try using the next size up flanges. A mom changed from 24 mm to 27 mm flanges and it made a world of difference!

Do bear in mind, too, that this product is not marketed for retail purchase. However, if you surf online a lot, purchasing this online shouldn’t be a problem. Compared to the electric Medela Swing Pump, Medela Harmony is faster to use once you are a pro at pumping! Designed for busy moms who do not have the time nor the patience to struggle with complicated parts or to wait for the pump to stimulate milk flow, Medela Harmony is perfect in its designed for faster let-down. Some moms, who found it so easy to pump compared to the hassle of hooking up to a machine, were stimulated to pump even more often whether they are out or at home. Despite Medela’s warnings, I would say that you could use this to pump daily as long as you are careful to fully drain the breast but it might not be suitable for maintaining supply for multiple pumping in a row.

Thus in retrospect, if you are looking for the best manual breast pump, Medela Harmony is your answer! Being cost effective, efficient and powerful, easy to use, quiet, convenient and portable, easy to clean, safe and sanitary, and adept at providing gentle comfort, Medela Harmony is a delight. In fact, you can become so adept at it after some practice that you can cook dinner, talk on the phone, and do some basic folding of the laundry while pumping at the same time! Get all these benefits at a price of $27.99 from Amazon! Don’t forget, if there is any problem, just call the customer service. They are rated as one of the best and most reliable customer service around!

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