Avent Isis Manual Breast Pump
by Philips AVENT
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Our Price: $59.99 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $39.00 (click here) Category: Baby Product See more product details |
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Baby Products Reviews of Avent Isis Manual Breast Pump
Customer Review: Best one I have tried!!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
This pump is awesome!!! I have tried the expensive Medela electric pumps (which turned my nipples purple from the suction), and this pump far surpasses the others!! I have two and use both at the same time. The "petals" press into your breast with each pump of the handle and simulate the baby's tongue. No other pump has this feature!! The other pumps just pull your nipple out two inches, and it isn't the pulling that stimulates let down, it's the massaging that the "petals" and your baby does that stimulates let down. That is a huge misconception for many women. They assume that if the pump doesn't hurt and your nipple isn't being pulled two inches from your body that it isn't working. If the pump hurts, you shouldn't be using it. This pump does not hurt!! I have to admit when I first tried it, I was one of those women who thought, "well this doesn't feel like much; must not work very well." I was wrong! I let down faster for this pump than I ever have for the Medela pumps! My arm doesn't get tired like it did when I used the Medela manual pump (pulling out the plunger), and it's easy to clean. It's also easy to sterilize. It is very compact compared to other pumps as well. I can't say enough good things about this pump. I am also very impressed with the company and the wonderful service I received when I called them!! The representative spoke with me on the phone for 40 minutes instructing me on the proper use and cleaning of the pump. She went through step by step how to assemble it and even sat on the phone with me while I tried it for the first time! She also advised that using antibacterial dishsoap was not recommeded as it breaks down the nipples after long term use. She had great tips on sterilizing and expressing. I really felt at ease and taken care of. As far as the cracking that other reviewers spoke of, I was advised that you should NEVER over tighten the neck of the pump just above the bottle. This is the part that will crack and it's operator error and not poor quality of the pump.
Expressing is something to be learned and mastered. For some it isn't easy and it takes practice. It shouldn't be given up on after one try! Your body also needs time to adjust and get used to the feel of the pump. One thing that the representative shared with me is to pump at the same time as nursing. That way, your body becomes accustomed to it.
I would recommend this pump over any other! I am very pleased with the results and the company!! Don't buy the 200 dollar pump without first trying this one!!!!
Customer Review: Better than Electric for my Bottle-fed Premie
Summary: 4 Stars
My baby boy was born 10 weeks preterm, and since he could not yet feed on his own I needed to pump, so he could get fed through a tube at first and later get fed by bottle until he was big and strong enough to breastfeed.
At first I followed all the advice from the lactation nurse, pamphlets from the hospital, and what I found online:
1.) pump with a hospital grade electric pump
2.) pump 8-12 times a day.
I was told that it shouldn't hurt and that my milk supply would be high if I followed these directions. In my case the advice was wrong, it did hurt and I was very frustrated about getting only 20 oz after six weeks. I used a Medela Symphony at $70/month rental until a few weeks after my son was home. It took me more than 20 minutes just to get 2 oz out (8-9 times a day).
The pump was clunky, heavy, and uncomfortable for me. Power cords and tubing were difficult to deal with as well.
After a couple of friends said they liked the Avent pump, I decided to give it a try. For me it worked just as well as the electric pumps. I experienced less discomfort, and it is easier to carry around. It made no difference to my supply.
There are a few problems I've had with it though. I find it rather squeeky. The box says it is quiet, but it's not. Plan on spilling if it is dropped. I'm not sure why but the pump does not quite screw tightly to the bottles. Finally, one of the pieces is a little white disk which is hard to find at stores. It can be easily lost and I found that if I pump too hard it will get out of place and the pump is then useless. Also, since it can't be hands free you can't easily hold the baby while pumping.
If you are in a situation where you need to feed your baby by bottle exclusively for a period of time, I would recommending renting a hospital grade electric pump first since that's what is generally recommended, but if you find it's not working well, I would definitely recommend the Advent pump.
If you just need to pump occasionally, I would still recommend trying this before spending $300 on an electric pump.
Good Luck.
Customer Review: Using Ameda Purely Yours and Isis Manual Breast Pumps
Summary: 4 Stars
I received the Isis breast pump for my baby shower but never used it until my baby was 7 weeks old. I had purchased the Ameda Purely Yours automatic breast pump after several recommendations and great reviews as I am pretty large-breasted (38DD/E) and needed a pump for when I returned to work.
During my first week after delivering by c-section I had TERRIBLE breast pain because my son had problems latching onto the right side, he would get so frustrated that he wouldn't even try nursing on the "good" side. The Ameda Purely Yours has been great because I could pump both sides at the same time - pumping one side at one time caused the other to leak, or rather stream, and created a great big mess in the beginning.
The Ameda Purely Yours is fully portable, comes with a great travelling kit and can be powered by 6 AA batteries, but it can be a little noisy and bulky to carry around in addition to baby's diaper bag.
Since I've been able to establish a decent and regular supply with the Ameda (about 5 oz. from each side in one sitting) and no longer as "leaky" as the first weeks, I was comfortable with finally trying the Isis. I think I'll be able to use it for pumping 2 or 3 times a day while at work. It's a little squeaky, yet not as noisy as the Ameda, and I can still get 5 oz. from each breast in just 20 minutes.
I don't think exclusively using the Isis during the first weeks would have worked for me at all, and I can see how people would get frustrated with using this product.
My biggest gripe about the Isis is that you can only use the Avent bottles with this pump, whereas the Ameda can be attached to any standard-sized bottle without the use of a "converter" (I use the Dr. Brown's regular bottles).
I was able to purchase the Ameda pump with the travel tote that includes 6-4 oz. bottles and ice packs for storing expressed breast milk for about $125 (much cheaper than Medela and works just as well).
Both pumps have paid for themselves from not having to buy formula. Maybe using the same items might work for someone else too.
Customer Review: AVENT ISIS VERSUS MEDELA PUMP IN STYLE
Summary: 4 Stars
Before giving birth I purchased the Avent Isis pump (after reading the reviews) with the plan to pump just occasionally. I first tried to use it in the hospital, but couldn't draw a drop! Unfortunately I had a lot of problems breastfeeding (extreme pain) and decided to buy the Medela Pump in Style so that I could pump all my milk and feed the baby by bottle. This worked fine for 3 months - I'd double pump for 15-20 mins and get a total of 4-5oz. The downside to the Medela though is it is heavy to carry around, noisy and requires electricity, so is not very practical if you're traveling or out shopping for the day! Also, if you are double pumping it "ties up" your hands so if you're alone with the baby and have to retrieve a pacifier or answer the phone you have to turn the whole thing off, un-attach the bottles (otherwise they easily tip over) and clean yourself up! The Avent's much easier in this regard.I had tried the Avent again (since leaving the hospital), but still couldn't get more than a couple of drops, so was reluctantly preparing to stop breast pumping altogether (before going on vacation) and reverting to formula. Yesterday I decided to give it one last try and after re-adjusting it on the breast a couple of times I got amazing suction and pumped 2.5oz from one breast in just 3 minutes. I think the trick is to press it really firmly against your breast (so it's air-tight)and position your nipple in the center. You have to pump a couple of times to get it going (feels a bit uncomfortable), but then the milk really starts flowing. If you re-adjust every few mins. you can get even more milk by pressing on different ducts. I'm now using this pump INSTEAD of the electric one as it's so much quicker. Your shoulder and arm get a bit sore, but as I'm able to pump a good amount in just 5 mins this is a small price to pay. So, if you want to pump while traveling or just to relieve engorgement, this is definitely the pump for you. It's quick and easy to use and much more discreet than the Medela. I'm so glad I persevered!
Customer Review: Best manual pump currently available.
Summary: 5 Stars
I originally purchased this pump purely because of the price. I wanted to first establish a good milk supply and then invest in a double electric pump for use when I went back to work. However, a week after my son was born, I was ready to give up breastfeeding - because my son was nursing too well!!!! He latched-on well, sucked very aggressively and wanted to nurse almost every hour for almost 10-15 minutes on each side!!! I was in agony by the time I had even left the hospital. At his one week check, I told his pediatrician that I wanted to supplement with formula because of the discomfort and she encouraged me to I try pumping. Since I was reluctant to immediatley buy a double elctric pump I tried this one and it was one of the best decisions I ever made. The pump was a little tricky to assemble but after the first couple of days, it was fine. Also, it can be sterilized in a microwave with the Avent sterilizer so that is a big plus. It is also compatible with the Avent sipper cups and disposable bottle system. After only 2 months of use, I am now able to express almost 8oz in about 10 minutes and both my baby and I are doing well with this pump. I use the Avent breast shells as well while pumping and they are an added bonus for collecting milk quickly and wihtout much suction on the breast. I also like that I can express directly into the Avent bottle liners and give those to my sons's day care provider, so I only have to clean the pump on a daily basis - no bottles to wash and sterilize. I have decided since I am doing so well with this pump to not bother with an electric pump at all. My only regret is not purchasing the pump with the carrier bag - that way I wouldn't have had to buy a separate storage cooler to store and bring my expressed milk home from work. I will definitely continue to use this pump for as long as I can and if I ever need to buy another pump for this baby or for the next - I intend to use the Isis Back to Work Pump Set.