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: Used these all the time!
Summary: 5 Stars
Like many people out there, i've used an electric pump and was sceptical about a manual one. Let me just say that this pump is great. The only thing i realized fairly quickly is that although it advertizes that it can express milk as fast as an electric pump, which in my experience it can, it's still only doing one side at a time. So when i realized how good it was, i went out and got another one! Now while pumping with my right and left hands, i was indeed filling the bottles as quickly as i did with the pump-in-style.
I work in many different places, and dragging around a big motor and tubes and plugs that had to be connected and plugged was very annoying. Not to mention heavy, in addition to my work items that i have to lug to and from my car too. I also did not always have access to an outlet, or space to spread out. The last thing you want to do is put your pump on the floor of a germ-infested bathroom stall. I was also never a fan of having people walking into a restroom hearing the whine of an electric pump and knowing what i'm doing and where. But the Avent is lightweight and plug free. It's quiet. It goes straight onto the avent bottles, or i often pumped into the Avent storage cups so it could go right into the fridge or freezer when i got home. And i personally found the hand levers very comfortable. A friend of mine told me she even keeps one Avent pump in her car in case of emergencies, like if she is stuck away from home and it's expressing time. If you are looking for a manual pump, this is definitely the way to go. And if you are open to electric or manual, this is definitely one you should be looking into!
Customer Review: Great pump for occasional use
Summary: 4 Stars
I think it should be said right off the bat that if you are planning on exclusively pumping or you are pumping for preemies you need an electric pump-manual pumping of two breasts every three hours or so is exhausting. But having pumped exclusively for my three preemies who couldn't nurse I can tell you this pump is great to have on hand in addition to your hospital rental or electric one, or if you're only planning to pump supplementally.
I found it much more comfortable than the electric, when I read the reviews that it doesn't have enough suction, well I say hallelujah to that, what produces milk is not vacuum cleaner-like suction but gentle pressure on the area above the areola-this is why babies are better at getting milk out than pumps are, and why the petal design of the Isis stimulated more milk production with much less discomfort for me. You do have to make sure it is properly and carefully assmbled or you will have problems with leakage etc., and it does take a little practice in order to get the positioning right, but that's true of any manual pump.
This pump gave me freedom because I could go out for the evening or go shopping once in awhile and pump in the ladies restroom if necessary-no rushing home after two or three hours with leaking engorged breasts. It was also great on long car rides because I could pump in the car and just pop the bottle into a cooler. Yes, it is a little bit of a pain to wash and assemble but again I think that's true of any manual, and the electrics as well.
Not a substitute for a good electric pump, but a huge added convenience for sure.
Customer Review: This puts electric pumps to shame!
Summary: 5 Stars
I experienced low milk volume with both babies. With my second daughter I decided to buy this pump after reading reviews, friend's recommendation, and already used Avent bottles. I was encouraged by the nurse to rent hospital grade pump before leaving the hospital. I did it only leaving my nipples sore and not even ¼ oz out of both breasts, after double pumping on both sides for 15 minutes. I picked up my Avent pump and was on a mission to prove the hospital wrong. I pumped both side for 5 minutes and almost had 2 oz, yeah! The great part was taking the pump off the bottle and attaching the nipple and feeding the baby. The other great part is you don't have to constantly manually pump. Get a good connection and squeeze the handle. Wait for the milk flow to stop or slow down and release and squeeze again. How easy is that? : ) I continued until no flow was present. The silicone shield was so comfortable and helped massage the breast to increase flow. I did not find it difficult to clean. I also bought sealing discs to use with my bottles so I could just put in the fridge or freezer. Unfortunately, I never produced more than 2 oz. I kept it up for awhile along with formula so my daughter could get the antibodies. As far as using everyday or returning to work, I used this after every feeding to increase my volume for at least 3 weeks. I also gave this pump to my friend who wanted to breastfeed, but had a preemie. She was using the same hospital grade and was sore and tired of how long it took to double pump. She told me this was so much faster and did not hurt. She also produced more volume, but she produced plenty anyways.Customer Review: Great for me, but not for everyone!
Summary: 5 Stars
Keep in mind when purchasing a breast pump that everyone's bodies are different.
It took seven days for my milk to come in. While most would give up, I pumped every two hours for 10 minutes on each side for five days while supplementing with formula. During those five days, we tried every brand of bottle. The Avent bottles leaked, we didn't like the flat nipple with the playtex, etc. We ended up pumping into the Avent and pouring into the Vent-Aire. Needless to say, on the seventh day instead of a few drops, my milk came in. And boy did it come in, I couldn't open my bra without milk shooting across the room. The Avent pump was a Godsend. It worked wonderfully. I didn't realize how great it was until my son was put in the hospital at 3 months of age and we didn't pack the Isis. They sent me the Lactina from the maternity ward. I thought that it would be great, considering it was hospital grade, but it was no match. IT took both hands to use, the suction was horrid, and I couldn't acheive let down. After pumping for almost an hour with less than 4 oz, I sent my husband home for the Isis. The hard suction (you get used to it as your nipples get conditioned) produces a steady stream everytime! I squeeze the handle until the milk starts backing into the funnel, then release and repeat. Bottle is full in no time. I was able to pump 8oz (4 per side) in less than twenty minutes. BUT that doesn't mean that everyone will have the same results. After I stopped nursing, my milk didn't dry up for almost a year. I guess I was just a human cow. ;) Happy Pumping!Customer Review: Great pump, great service
Summary: 5 Stars
Our daughter was severely jaundiced so they kept her in the hospital for several days. During that time, the lactation counselor brought me a Medela electric pump to help with engorgement. Bleck. It took a long time to adjust the controls so I wasn't hurting myself. And very little came out.At home, I used the Isis pump I received as a gift. WHAT A DIFFERENCE. It worked immediately, I could use as much or as little pressure as I needed, and I didn't even have to "pump" the handle, just holding the handle down produced a nice amount.
NOTES: Yes the neck will develop cracks. I really think they should make that plastic thicker to prevent this. DO NOT TIGHTEN the pump connector to the neck ring. The service person also suggested washing it in DISTILLED water -- I don't remember seeing that on the instructions, plus that's just too specialized for me. I did call to complain and a new pump body is on its way.
Of course the star-shaped valve and the rubber top needs to be on TIGHTLY, and it may take a couple of tries in the beginning to get it just right. But Medela has the same thing -- they all need to be airtight to work.
I don't use the "Petal soft" part. Milk just gets trapped in there, and I was more comfortable without it.
Over the last 6 months, I've pumped in the car (passenger seat, NOT driving!), in my office, even at the table while eating. It's silent, so with a big shirt on or a wrap over it, only those in the know can tell.
I prefer to use it with the disposable freezer bags, but the bottles are handy too.