Anyone use Medela Pumps?

[sweetangel7]

I plan on bf'ing but I also want a pump so I can pump and occasionally dh can help with feedings etc.  I also plan to try to continue to pump when I go back to work at about 4 to 5 months after I have the baby.  I will only have a short amount of time to pump during the day (on my lunch break) so I want something electric that will work quickly and quietly.

I'm pretty sold on the Medela brand...but I am not sure which pump!  I know this isn't the bf'ing community BUT since so many of you are mothers, I figured I'd ask.

Any Medela experiences you can share?  

I'm torn between the single pump and the double pump...the single electric pump is more my price but I'm not sure if I'd be better off with the double...if the single would take a long time to do both...

Thanks for any answers!

[chantal21]

I also have the Medela Pump in Style that comes in the black bag. I love it and it works really well. I actually went on craigslist to find it because hubby didn't want to spend 300 bucks for a brand new one at the time. I found a lady who used it once and decided to never pump again. I actually went to look at it before I bought it. You can get all new parts for it easily as well. I paid 80 dollars and it's like brand new! I was very impressed. I would def. recommend it. It's very quiet and pumps fast! =)

[mommom2]

I have the Medela Pump In Style (double pump), it's built into a black bag to make it discreet, it's about the size of a medium diaper bag.  I just plugged it in because it's been a while since I've heard it and it's not too loud, I think with a normal bathroom exhaust it would cover the sound up.
I didn't use mine on a regular basis. But the nights that my baby didn't wake up to eat like he normally would, I was very glad to have a nice double pump to relieve my rock hard boobs!

[GRose]

Have the medela that comes in a bag, not sure what it is called but it is a double pump and I love it.

[tiredbuthappy]

i had the medela pump in style advanced (PISA). I needed something that good because i exclusively pumped and it actually maintained my supply.
but...
it is pricey. You say you want DH to help with feedings "occasionally." Will this be everyday or every few days? I ask because my back-up manual pump was the medela harmony. it is a small handhelp pump that you can operate with only 1 hand. i think it sells for $35. it was great and portable, so i threw it in the diaper bag when i was out and about in case of pumping emergency. When i returned to work, i dragged my PISA with me and got pretty good results. I was only able to pump once on my lunch, and didn't have too much time. One day I forgot it, but had my Harmony in the car. The Harmony actually emptied my breasts about twice as fast as the PISA, but since you could only do one side at a time, it did take the same amount of time in total. My supply was well established at that point (4 or 5 months post partum), so i didn't have to worry too much about not having the extra stimulation. I continued to use my PISA at home, except for when i didn't want to warm a bottle- in those cases i'd whip out my Harmony and have one ready in 5 minutes. I also used the Harmony a bit more once DD needed more entertaining- it was just easier to walk around the house with it.

Long story short- if you will only be pumping occasionally you can consider something like the Harmony. If you find it doesn't fit your needs, you can always invest in something more expensive later on.  

[cminamyer]

I've got the medela pump in style II that came with a bag that you can't really tell what it is. I would get the double as well if time is the issue.  I love my pump and it is supposted to last through out all of my children.  You can buy parts for it instead of buying a whole new pump is you need to.  I got a pump for my baby shower, it was about a $60 double pump and broke after about the 4th time I used it.  I also had a small hand help battery pump that just wouldn't get the job done and took forever!  You'll need to get a really good pump so it help keep your supply up.  

Anything you get from medela seems to be good.  One thing you can do before you buy the really expensive pump is get one of the hand held manual ones that medela offers and try that out.  It's about $34 and I've heard they work really well also, almost as good as the electric one.  If it doesn't work fast enough for you, you'll still have it for the times you can't cart around the big pump.  Good Luck

[Avanaar]

I have the Medela Symphony (hospital grade double pump) and think it's great.  It's not the most convenient when it comes to portability, but it's not horrible either.  Granted, I don't cart it around 'cause I'm home all day.  lol  But as for single/double ...like mama said, with the double you're done in 15 minutes 'cause you can pump both at once.

Talk to your doctor or a lactation consultant and see if they'll give you a prescription for the Symphony pump if you don't want to spend the money on one.  The lactation consultant at the hospital gave me a prescription for mine and I get it for a year (or until I stop breastfeeding prior to a year).

[sweetangel7]

I think the medela freestyle is supposed to be one step down from the hospital grade one (symphony?) and it is made to be light, quiet, and portable for on the go moms...It just seems like such a splurge that I want to make sure I make a good  decision.  

And I do not want to buy a used pump even though I know some people will say I can buy new parts and whatnot.

[mamaofonetrying42]

I would get a double pump, 15min and your done. With a single you have to do 15min on both side's.....I have always use the Medela Hospital grade one, it work great, but its very BIG, so not good to carry with you. But really i think any of the Medela pumps are the best to go with and def. a double!