Avent Isis Manual Breast Pump
by Philips AVENT
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Our Price: $59.99 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Baby Product See more product details |
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Baby Products Reviews of Avent Isis Manual Breast Pump
Customer Review: Buy with Caution!
Summary: 2 Stars
I registered for this pump because I planned to be at home with my daughter for approximately one year, so I didn't think I needed a mechanized pump. The pump works fine if you are ready to go (engorged and have that let-down sensation), but if you're not, you're going to have to work to get the milk to flow with this pump. The pump is fairly slow and, while powerful for a manual pump, isn't powerful enough for frequent pumping. Plus, you can only pump one breast at a time, which is really, really slow and can make somewhat of a mess with your other breast leaking. Eventually I rented a mechanical pump that I LOVED (the Medela Pump in Style) and couldn't believe I spent all that time with the Avent Isis.
This pump is also kind of a pain to clean because there are so many parts (the hard plastic breast shell, the gel part to the shell, and the two valve parts) that have to be taken apart, cleaned and sterilized after every use. The Medela Pump in Style was much easier to clean--just the hard plastic shells after every use.
Finally, I have to warn about the possible risk posed to your hands and/or wrists from repetitive use of this product. I was only pumping one time a day at most (to save up for date nights, or for the other rare times I wasn't around to nurse my daughter), but I developed tendinitis in the tendon connecting my thumb to my wrist. It was very painful and eventually led to me having a steroid injection (ouch). Once I stopped using this pump and started wearing a wrist brace, the problem resolved.
Customer Review: This pump is good
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this pump because I had heard that babies have less trouble going between the breast and Avent bottles and this pump let me pump directly into the bottle. I wanted to use bottles of breastmilk so my baby could be fed by my husband when I was just too exhausted. Also I wanted to be able to leave her with a sitter occasionaly. My baby didn't have any problems with nipple confusion even though I used this pump and bottles pretty much from birth. The pump is quiet and comfortable. I do have problems getting the suction to work properly sometimes, but it seems that the problem is a result of breast positioning. I have a harder time getting the suction to work using the petal-massager, but the pump works wonderfully without it and removing that piece prevents the messy accumulation of milk under the plastic petals. The pump is very gentle and very similar to the way a baby nurses. This is a disadvantage if you are sore from the baby because then the pump hurts a little too, but it does make it easier to get a lot of milk out. What I like best about this pump is that there is no need to constantly pump the handle. You can just hold it down and the milk will either spray out or pulse out continuously for a period of time and this is much gentler on the breast than other pumps. However, I would say that this is a good pump, but it is probably best for occasional users like myself rather than those who need to pump a lot every day because the suction can sometimes be tricky and that's frustrating if you are in a hurry at work.Customer Review: Used this pump for 2.5 years of pumping and LOVE IT!
Summary: 5 Stars
My first child was born prematurely and the docs told us we had to use breastmilk to help him survive and thrive. I tried the hospital grade pump, but it became very painful. After a few months of torture, we had to go to a wedding in a neighboring town and since I would be going back to work shortly, I needed a hand pump. I bought an inexpensive one and saw very quickly that it wouldn't work for me. I got a few drops of milk and that was it. I threw it out and bought the Avent. Not only did I get more milk more quickly than the electric (and by far than the other manual), but it was very comfortable to use and stored easily. Cleaning was a breeze and it worked without fail everytime.
With the Avent, I was able to feed my oldest breastmilk for 2 years. Now we have a second child and I've been pumping away happily for almost 6 months - a total of 2.5 years with this same pump! I get so much milk, I have to donate to a milk bank.
The only problem I had with it was about 6 months after I got it. The "star valve" wouldn't stay put. I called customer service, which was super nice, and ordered a replacement. It must have been a faulty one to begin with as I've used this valve ever since.
A word to the wise -- skip the 4 oz bottles and invest in the 9 oz. Baby grows into them quickly and for storage and pumping purposes, they work out much better. Also, the easiest way to clean the pump and bottles is to buy the actual Avent bottle brush. It lasts forever unlike the cheap ones.
Customer Review: From a Full time Pumper - EXCELLENT!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I had extremely sore nipples even with a proper latch and my lactation consultant in the hospital suggested pumping. She told me don't even bother with an electric pump if I had this one. I was skeptical and bought a playtex embrace as well just in case. Weelllllll, this pump works 100% better!!! Just this morning I pumped over 7 oz for my 2 and a half week old (almost 3 feedings!!!). With the embrace I was only getting maybe 4 oz. Even though it didn't take as long because it is a duel one. I'd rather pump a lil longer and get more! Also the isis pump doesn't hurt as much as the embrace does. However, I did have to take the massaging let down cushion out of the isis because i wasnt getting much with it and my nipples are too large for it. The best thing about this pump is despite all the articles saying I wouldnt be able to feed him breastmilk for every feeding I'm able to and I'm also able to freeze half of what I pump every day since I pump way more than enough!!! My milk supply has even gone way up since my milk first came in just by using this pump. I can't say enough good things about it!!!
I havent had any problems with the pump losing its suction or anything breaking. It's easy to clean...if you wash it in warm soapy water after every use you wont have any problems with the silicone parts wearing down or turning colors. I dont wash my baby items in the dishwasher. I trust my hands more.
Like I said I use only this pump full time 10-12 times a day and have never had any problems!!!
Customer Review: great pump
Summary: 4 Stars
Thank you to the reviewer who offered so many great tips for using this pump. I first started using this when my baby was four days old as she refused one breast. I had great luck in the beginning pumping about an ounce. After almost daily use for two months, I began having problems. I could not get enough suction, and any milk I pumped got sucked back between the 'petal' piece and the pump (which makes for even worse suction.) I ended up with more milk on me and on my clothes than in the bottle. Finally I tried using it without the petal piece and was able to pump 3 oz in just a few minutes. You get such better suction this way. It takes some time to get the hang of it, and I find it works best if you mimic your baby's sucking. Also, releasing the suction on the breast just at the top every now and then lets the milk into the bottle and avoids building up in the pump.
You *really* need to make sure that the bottle is attached to the pump properly, as the pumping motion can loosen the bottle. I lost a couple of bottles of precious milk to the carpet when the bottle loosened and fell off! It is not a one-handed operation for me, I hold the bottle with one hand and pump with the other.
There are a lot of parts to put together and I have lost a few tiny ones to the garbage disposal. Good thing it comes with extras of some parts. It is not really difficult to clean out, just time comsuming. But this morning I was able to pump 4.5oz from one side, and that outweighs any downsides!!