Pump In Style Advanced Breast Pump Backpack
by Medela
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List Price: Our Price: $252.99 You Save: $47.00 (16%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $229.00 (click here) Category: Baby Product See more product details |
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Baby Products Reviews of Pump In Style Advanced Breast Pump Backpack
Customer Review: Highly Recommend: Great Product & Amazing Customer Service!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I love Medela and highly recommend purchasing any pump from them. I have the Pump in Style Advanced (with backpack) and have been very pleased with it. I take it to work with me (commute via train), and it's not too heavy. The backpack has the perfect amount of room to store the parts and milk/mini cooler without being too bulky or heavy. I recently have been hearing a strong clicking noise when I turned the pump up beyond the halfway mark, and just today it shut off twice randomly while I was pumping. I called Medela's customer service, and it was the fastest, easiest, and friendliest customer service call I've ever made. My call was answered right away and I was off the phone within a few minutes. Even though my unit wasn't included in the recent voluntary recall, the lady on the phone said they'd overnight me a new pump. It seems as though this company really understands the value of good customer service and the importance of a reliable breast pump in the life of a working mother. While ordinarily I'd consider it a negative that the pump had an issue, Medela's response to the issue (both the voluntary recall and amazing customer service) more than made up for it. So far, this seems like a smart, dependable company.
Aside from that, I will say that I would prefer to have the Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump with On the Go Tote (not the backpack). While the backpack helps prevent additional back pain, I can't help but think that my male coworkers must be aware that I'm going to pump when I leave the desk 2-3 times a day with my backpack. While it's completely nondescript (doesn't even say Medela on the outside), carrying around a tote in an office is just a bit more commonplace.
Customer Review: Great for working moms and moms with low milk supply
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this last year right before my son was born. The main reason I bought this over the others was the accessibility to replacement parts. Medela parts are widely available through your local Babies R Us and Target stores, which makes it much more convenient in emergency situations. Other brands like Avent and Ameda just aren't that accessible at this time.
In the beginning I had low milk supply so I was only getting maybe an ounce on each breast, but gradually I noticed my supply increasing and I was able to pump out much more. Each lactation consultant encouraged me to pump in between feedings, which was a hassle, but I do think it helped with my supply.
The adjustable settings of the pump helped with let down. In one 15 minute pump session I would alternate between the two "phases" and that would help me express more milk. I also found it very helpful to massage my breasts while pumping to maximize the amount of milk pumped.
The backpack is very discreet and no one knew I was carrying a breastpump to work. It can be a little loud, but it did not bother me. I did not have a problem with the quality of the backpack like others did. Once I went back to work I used my PIS 2-4 times a day, carrying it back and forth from home to work.
I purchased extra shields at Target so that I didn't have to wash after every pump, which I think is well worth the cost of the extra shields.
I never used the battery pack, but I did purchase a car adapter, which I only used once. The one time I did use it, it worked very well.
I do recommend purchasing a pumping bra so that you don't have to hold onto the bottles for 15-20 minutes. I found it difficult to try to hold the bottles and turn the machine on then in the middle switch from the different phases.
Customer Review: Advanced or Original?
Summary: 5 Stars
I started out with the original pump and switched to the advanced. The original worked well for me, but I had to purchase a second pump when I went back to work, so I bought the advanced backpack to see if it was any better. I now have two advanced pumps (one backpack and one tote) and they both work great. I found two main difference between the original and the advanced is that the advanced pump has the "let down" phase which I absolutly love. 1) The original pump does not have this feature and it pulled hard on my breasts causing a bit of discomfort. Also, I personally have more than one let down (some people do, and some don't) so 1/2 way through my pumping I turn the machine off and back on,for the let down phase again, and I deffinalty think it's worth the extra 2-3 ounces I get at each session. 2) The original pump takes me about 15-20 minutes to pump and I get 6-8 ounces each time, and the advanced pump takes me about 10-15 minutes and I get 8 ounces consistantly. Both pumps are quiet, easy to assemble, they come with cooler packs that store four bottles easily, it has a battery pack for those times you don't have an outlet, or a lighter adapter (sold separatly) for long trips. The only con I cam across was that Medela only makes 5 oz bottles(that I can find), and my son is up to drinking 8 oz at each feeding, so I bought the Avent bottles to pour and store my milk in after I pump.
*Note: neither of the pumps are meant to "establish" your milk supply, only keep it going, so make sure you are breastfeeding to start with and then start pumping (I started pumping one bottle every other day when my son was 3 weeks old, he is now 6 months old, and I have a great supply)
Customer Review: Love This Pump! Makes BFing So Much Easier!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have now used this pump for 2 babies in 2 years. I originally bought it when I had my first child. Before purchasing a pump, I asked around, and this pump was the one most of my BFing friends and family recommended. I reluctantly paid the higher price for this model, but I have not regretted it at all! This pump is worth its weight in gold to me as it's enabled me to pump thousands of ounces of milk for my children in a very short amount of time! I am able to pump 8-12 ounces in less than 5-10 minutes, usually, using the double electric pump. I love being able to pump on either one or both sides at the same time depending on whether or not the baby is also nursing then. The 2 minute "let down" mode at the start of each pumping session seems to be very useful, and often it brings my milk down so quickly that I am able to push the button to manually switch over to the "regular mode" in less than a minute! It's very easy to hook up and disconnect all the parts. Very easy to sterilize all the parts, too, using the Medela microwave steam sterilization bags. I do not use the Medela milk storage bags, however, as I prefer the Lansinoh milk storage freezing bags. The bottles the pump comes with are fine--I use them to pump into AND to feed the baby with. I just had to purchase separate nipples and bottle covers to put the nipple in (the plastic round part that screws onto the bottle top and holds the nipple). All in all, this is a GREAT purchase and will save you so much time, energy and hassle if you are a frequent pumper. This has enabled me to actually take a nap once in a while as someone else can feed the baby with my milk from time to time now!Customer Review: Full-Figured Women May Need Some Maneuvering
Summary: 5 Stars
Overall, I absolutely love my pump and wouldn't trade it for the world. I don't just use it at work, although it's been a blessing there. It's also great at home when I need to quickie feed (Baby plays more when nursing rather than bottle feeding)or pump because of engorgement.
First, I recommend immediately buying a car adapter because I tried to use the battery pack and had it nearly die on me (my fault for not ensuring that all batteries were charged). According to the accompanying booklet, 10 AA batteries last 3 hours, not the most economical decision.
Next, the backpack has been great for work because in the morning, I also have a purse and diaper bag on my shoulder. I didn't need to add anything else. However, the storage space is a little tight. To make room, I've removed the battery pack, manual pump, etc. that I don't need, but I still wish it wasn't such a jigsaw puzzle trying to put everything in the bag.
Lastly, I'm a big-busted woman, and I find that I need to use a hand to support my breast while pumping. I find it very difficult to pump both breasts at the same time, especially when trying to hold the cup on one breast, center the other cup on the other breast AND turn the pump on. Once it's on, I can forget even attempting to press the let-down button early as I normally do. More often than not, I pump one breast at a time, unless I'm in a pinch and need to pump quickly because it's so cumbersome.
But still, I love this pump, and although I've only been using it so far for five weeks, I don't regret a cent spent on it, and I honestly feel that without it, I would not be exclusively breastfeeding today.