Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump
by Medela
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Our Price: $349.95 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $240.00 (click here) Category: Baby Product See more product details |
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Baby Products Reviews of Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump
Customer Review: Handsfree pumping
Summary: 4 Stars
I've used all sorts of medela pumps, hospital grade Lactina, Symphony, and the PIS advanced is just as good if not better. I didn't like the Symphony at all b/c the diaphragm that goes on the machine has to be really tight or it won't have good suction (which is most of the time). I'm on my third PIS advanced. With my first child, I had the PIS advanced backpack, first generation, and pumped for a year. The amount of milk was adequate (had enough frozen away for extra month after I stopped). I just didn't like the faceplate (I broke 3, where you attach the tubing to the faceplate), and the storage space for the backpack is very limited. Then I bought the PIS advanced shoulder bag with my second child. The storage area is better but the faceplate is still the same. Then the PIS advanced limited edition came out. I saw it and fell in love with it. So I had to get it. It's the nicest one thus far and long overdue. The motor sits in a separate bag and the tubing can fit in the side pocket. There is no danger of breaking the faceplate. I can just carry that to and from work. I have two sets of parts, one for home and one at work). The bag has lots of storage space and best of all, it's chic. They have blue, chocolate and black. It also doubles as a diaper bag for me.
As for hands free pumping: the only reason I was able to pump for a year fist time and now 11mo and still going is b/c of the hands free pumping kit. You have to get the Medela softcup bras (they're comfy anyway) that supports handsfree pumping. There are 2 tabs inside on the bottom and one latch on the top. You don't need to buy the whole hands free pumping kit; you just need the loop and hook attachment (part #3007073). That hooks onto the top of the bra where there is a latch. Then you tie a rubber band (thicker kind from any office supply store) around the tabs (3 of them, two sewn in the bra and one from the loop and hook attachment). Then you put the breastshield with connector with bottles attached on your breast. Then you loop the rubber band separately around the connector (the part where you're suppose to attach the tubing). Connect the tubing, Viola, it should stay there snugly. You don't have to hold them anymore. You can also use this method with the softfit breastshield. If you have larger breasts, use bigger rubberbands or link two together. Now you can massage to get more milk, eat lunch, type on the computer, whatever (just can't lie down). You can buy adapter for avent system and pump directly into their bottles, or other brands. And there is no need to pump every 3-4h after your milk supply is established... that's insane. In the first few weeks it may be necessary to establish supply. I pumped 4 times a day and was able to get min 30oz a day (I was bottle feeding breastmilk exclusively), then slowly decreased to 3, to 2 to 1 as my baby got older. The key is to pump all the milk out (with massaging and squeezing your breast) and then let it run 1-2min longer. Also, use the maximum suction you can tolerate (this will increase and plateau as you pump). If you want to decrease supply, just pump shorter and longer period of time lapse in between pumping. If you want to increase, pump longer and more frequently as well as drink more water/eat more. I could increase and decrease my supply at will, even without breastfeeding.
I pumped directly into 9 oz or 11 oz avent bottles using the avent adapter (avail at Babiesrus). There are other systems out there. I used the lansinoh milk storage bags to store my milk. I store about 10-12oz (max 12oz) in each bag, squeeze all the air out, and deep freeze it for 6mo. I know lansinoh suggest less than that, but it can be done as long as you get all the air out. The trick is to use the side of a table, push the milk up to the ziplock and squeeze close the ziplock as the air is pushed out. Since there are two zippers, a little milk can leak out of the first zipper to help get all the air out. The bag will expand in the freezer just fine. Once it's frozen, just don't nick the bag (b/c it's easy to damage it) and it will stay fine for 6mo in a deep freezer. Even if you do damage the bag, it's ok. it's just a pain when you thaw it. When you thaw the milk, you might see a little precipitate, but baby likes the milk just like it was fresh.
Happy pumping.
Customer Review: Worth every penny....
Summary: 5 Stars
I looked at many electric pumps before finally settling on the Pump in Style Advance. I got the Avent Isis breast pump before having my daughter in September and that has worked somewhat, but it turned out I needed something stronger and more long-term. My milk didn't come in until five days after the birth, and my daughter had dropped 15 percent of her birth weight by the time she was four days old--alarming, as she was a great nurser from the start (no problems latching on and getting her to suck). We had to supplement with formula until my milk came in, which was devastating for me (first-time mother, can you tell?). We even had to take her to the emergency room for jaundice and dehydration as she just wasn't getting enough from me. The doctors suggested getting an electric pump--the Isis was good for occasional use, but since we got off to a rough start I needed the stimulation of an electric.
I ordered the Pump in Style Advance and my milk started coming in the next day. The first use with the pump was a little frustrating--the doctor recommended pumping right after every feeding, and my daughter didn't like being put down after she had just drifted off to sleep, but I needed both hands to pump. We worked out a system pretty quickly though--either my husband holds her or I wait a little while after she's more deeply asleep and put her down then, and am able to squeeze in ten to fifteen minutes of pumping.
I've gotten very proficient at setting up the pieces and pumping before she wakes up or gets fussy. It's very simple to use; I was concerned at first that the suction is not as strong as my daughters, even at the maximum level, and I wasn't getting anything. After a day though, I started to get a few drops, and two days later I was able to pump a full ounce. Now, at two weeks old, my daughter is two ounces above her birth weight and we supplement only three ounces of formula a day at the most (using the half-ounce or ounce I've been able to pump first, then finishing with formula).
I went to a La Leche League meeting and the leader suggested this pump and the Medela Symphony. She said the Symphony was equivalent to a hospital-grade Pump in Style (original), but the Pump in Style Advance was equivalent to a hospital-grade Symphony. I highly recommend the Pump in Style Advance--if the price is intimidating, maybe family members and friends would help cover the cost. The purchase has been enormously beneficial to both me and my baby, and has become one of the most indispensible baby products we have.
**Edited 11/2/2007...
Three years and another child later and it's still one of the most valuable baby products I've purchased. I used it for 9 months from 2004-2005, stored it until our son was born in March 2006, and used it again (almost daily, sometimes multiple times a day) for another year. It's currently in storage waiting for our next baby due in 2008, and still works as well as it did when I first bought it. There are probably new pumps available since I purchased it that may be better, but this one works so well I don't even need to look. At last use, in March 2007, I filled three 4-ounce bottles (after my son had finished nursing). It really works.
One note: I eventually bought a bra made for hands-free pumping (at a local baby boutique, but you can find them online) and that turned out to be a great help also. At the very least, I could write or type on the computer while pumping. You don't absolutely need one, but it comes in handy.
Customer Review: You won't be sorry you bought this pump!
Summary: 5 Stars
When I bought this pump in April 2004, it was a new item on the market and there were no reviews available to read. So I had to base my purchase decision upon reviews available for other Medela pumps, which seemed to be the best. If you are a first time mom like me, you do not have experience breatsfeeding, and you may think you can get by without this expense,so I'll try to write this review in terms that you can relate to, and explain how it has helped me so much!
I chose this pump because Medela claims this pump can behave the way a baby behaves when s/he takes milk from the mother's breast. And from my experience, I would agree. The additional feature ("let-down" mode) on this pump, WORKS. Basically, it causes a faster frequency of pumping when you first turn on the pump, that really seems to mimmick the suckling motion my baby makes when she initially latches on to my breast, and that she continues until the milk is "let down" to the ducts behind the nipple. You can actually feel this happen. After let down, the baby changes its suckling to a longer, steady rhythm. You can again mimmick this rhythm with this pump when you feel your milk let down by pressing the "let down" button on the pump, and it switches to the slower, longer pumping frequency.
Thanks to this pump, I am almost exclusively breastfeeding my 4-month old baby. There were times when I thought I would never make it this far. Breastfeeding is the hardest job I have ever tried to do. And that says a lot, since I have a Ph.D. in biology and I have always worked very hard in my research laboratory to publish my findings. At about 6-8 weeks post-partum, I nearly quit breastfeeding because my milk supply just didn't seem to be enough to satisfy my little one, and it was time to go back to work in the lab. In addition, my breasts were very sore in the beginning. One nice thing about using this pump is that it is easier on the nipples than a baby, so you can actually pump the milk and feed it through a bottle on those really bad first days! (However, please note that this is not the most recommended method, as the baby always draws more milk from the breast than any pump, and thus you will produce more milk from directly feeding your baby because you will replace what s/he takes.) Anyway, I have now been able to keep my baby primarily on breastmilk in daycare, because I use the pump at work at least twice per day. The pump will help you to maintain your milk supply while you are away from your baby.
This pump is great. You will be finished pumping in about 10-15 minutes each session, depending on how much milk you make. Frequent pumping helps to increase/maintain your milk supply. You will eventually have some routine in your life (yes, really, it will happen!) and your baby will hopefully have a regular, predictable feeding schedule. My baby eats 4 ounces of milk every two hours during the day in daycare. So with the pump, I can keep the same two-hour pumping schedule. I go to my private office every two hours and pump. I pump as many times as I know she eats, in order to keep my milk supply up.
Ok, I also agree that the one bad thing about this pump is the sound it makes. It really is quite loud. But I guess that's the only way to draw a vacuum. It doesn't suckle as hard as an infant, and it will never extract the amount of milk from the breast that an infant can, but it will help you to continue breastfeeding your baby. (And that is the most important thing!)
Customer Review: Like it, but the original Pump in Style was better
Summary: 4 Stars
Before I purchased my own pump, I borrowed a friend's. She had the Pump in Style Original model, which she'd purchased and not used. The original model was fast, quiet and very easy to use. Since I take the pump to work with me every day, I also liked the fact that it looked like a leather case, possibly a thick computer bag. It was a very tailored, which I liked.
When my friend had her second baby a month ago, I decided to purchase the Pump in Style Advanced Shoulder Bag. My first impression when I opened the box was that it looked cheaper than the original model - it's in a black microfiber bag, which just doesn't look as professional as the original (though it's more expensive than the original). I wasn't thrilled with that fact, but figured that it would work just as well and that was what mattered. I began using the pump right away and found some additional features that I'm not fond of...
1. The bag has a zipper that goes across the top of it; however, the bag is not a perfect rectangle - the sides of the bag are raised and attach to the straps. Because of the design, when you unzip the bag the opening does not stay open, so it's not easy to remove the pump accessories or the cooler. You have to hold the bag open and dig the contents out. Not a big deal, but kind of a pain.
2. The "cooling element" does not stay very cold. With the original pump, I could freeze the cooling elements at night and use them all day the next day. They would be frozen in the morning and still really cold at night. With the Advanced cooling element, I worry about the milk getting too warm, so I put the element in the freezer at work to make sure that the milk will stay cold until I get home.
3. The double pump plug, which you plug in when you are pumping both sides at the same time, slips out of the outlet frequently while I'm pumping. I have to re-insert the plug several times during each pumping session, which isn't easy to do when you don't have a free hand.
4. Though a nice feature to have, the Let Down button is not easy to push when you're trying to pump on both sides. The button is not very easy to depress.
5. The pump is loud! I pump in a room that is next to an office. I'm always worried that the person in that office will hear the sound of the pump motor and wonder what I'm up to!
There are a few things I really do like about this pump. Some of them are:
1. The pump accessorry kit (mechanisms you hold to your breasts, which connect to the bottles) can be taken apart making it really easy to clean and dry them after each pumping session. The original model kit could not be taken apart.
2. The Advanced pump seems to express as much milk as the original model did, though it seems to do it in a shorter amount of time.
3. I really like the removable cooler - especially since the cooling element does not stay cold all day. I can at least put the cooler in the refrigerator to keep the milk cold while I'm at work.
4. Though cumbersome to use, I do like the Let Down feature. I think that is probably what helps me express my milk faster.
Though I do not like some of the features, I do feel that this is a good pump; however, if given the option, I would choose the Original model over the Advanced.
Customer Review: NICU nurse
Summary: 5 Stars
First of all, SHOP AROUND, I found this pump online also, by reading these reviews (thank you!), I found mine for $220 and got the $50 rebate from my insurance, definately worth it!!!
I was initially concerned about low milk supply b/c my son was slightly under birth weight at 2 week check-up. And was told to supplement with formula (urg!!) This broke my heart and I was determined to do what I had to to increase my supply, I prayed hard and I ordered my pump (in constant consultation with a co-worker/lactation consultant/friend at work) started pumping and feeding at the same time (one on each breast) and on demand. My pump came the day after I ordered it. Well, my son blossomed and gained weight like crazy just on the extra milk I was able to pump. I might have suplemented twice.(Also quieted the breat-milk-nay-sayers in my life since they thought he wasn't getting enough... maybe because I only blossomed to a B cup... ) ANYWAY! I had to go back to work after 3 months. I work 12 hour shifts and we have hospital grade pumps in our unit (duh!), so I pumped 3-4 times a shift on the hospital grade pumps, but after a month or so, my son decided he liked daddy feeding him bottles more than mommy breastfeeding him, so then my Pump in Style Advanced REALLY came in handy. I had to battle with blocked milk ducts early on too, and I don't know if I would have perservered without having a pump on hand to alleviate the pain. SO for about 4 more months I pumped almost exclusively at work and at home. I took my pump everywhere knowing that I had to keep pumping to keep my supply up, and not wanting to be stuck somewhere with my son at a time when he refused to breast feed and be stuck with engorged breasts.
Now he is 8 1/2 months old and I have weaned down on pumping, I wish I had the stamina to keep pumping all of the time, but I have to say, as hard as it is, I decided to cut back. It has all been worth it. Having that pump early on made such a difference for me emotionally and physically and helped me to keep going. It was such a treat for my hubby to be able to feed our baby too.
I did break my faceplate due to my own carelessness, and I was able to contact a Medela supplier in my area and picked up a new one ($20 ouch!) the next day. I initally paniced not knowing it was be that easy to replace and was battling a blocked duct at the time. Lastly, I have the backpack style. With all the junk I have to tote around, this backpack was SUCH A GREAT IDEA!! THank you!! very comfortable and perfect for having to pump on the go and is easy to clean and looks nice! OK 'nuff said... oops! PS I also had a second let down, you CAN go between let-down and regular pumping cycles just by pushing the let down button again. Thank GOD for this little invention! :o)