Changing pumps this time around..suggestions?

[celtic13]

With my DD I bought the Playtex Embrace. I believe the shields are too small, but used it anyway....for almost 2 years! I'm thinking of buying a new pump this time around. I'm having twins and want to make sure I can get as much as I can. I know I can get larger shields with a Medela. Any suggestions?

[whitnessforhim]

I absolutely love my Medela FreeStyle pump. Its rather pricey ($360) but if you plan on nursing long term I think its worth the price. Its small (fits in the palm of your hand), runs on rechargeable batteries (or on power cord if you want), comes with a hands free kit and is very light weight. I've been using this pump for 11mo. now and still love it. I rented the Medela Symphony for 6mo. prior to buying this pump. I have to say that the FreeStyle works just as great as the rental did.

I know other mommies here swear by the Medela PIS. The thing I like about Medela's pumps the most is their two phase pumping, one to simulate let down and the other for normal pumping.

Congrats on the twins!

[crystal555rose]

Medela PIS is awesome and absolutely worth the money if you are working full time. Quick and efficient! Not small and compact though...

[Sheripentecost]

Yes, I agree with the Medela PIS. I work full time and this pump worked great for me.

[zediseot]

I rent a hospital grade pump (the symphony). It's quiet and a great pump. I also have the freestyle as a backup and for when I'm in meetings or traveling. It's not nearly as quiet as they symphony and I don't think the suction is as smooth or comfortable, but it's a good pump and very portable. I got it new from ebay for a lot less than $360, which is what the stores were selling them for.

[BaileyandMarleysMom]

Hi, I'm new here and a first time mom, but I saw your post and wanted to comment. I have 6 month old twin girls. I never really got the hang of nursing them both all the time, but I have pumped for them right from the beginning. I rented the Medela Symphony and then purchased the Freestyle when my girls were about 3 months old. It's been perfect and the transition from the hospital grade Symphony was really seamless. My supply never dropped. but, I actually purchased my freestyle from addalittlelove.com. MUCH MUCH cheaper than anywhere else I've seen it.

With twins, I am constantly fixated on how much milk I have either stockpiled in the freezer or how much I have in the fridge. I have been able to only provide breastmilk and have never had to supplement. I make my bottles in advance, so whenever I pump, I just make more bottles so there are constantly full bottles in the fridge. It was a little challenging at first, but then I got the hang of it. It's quite a commitment, but it is so worth it. My girls are extremely healthy and happy. Best of luck to you!

[Korena_O]

Has anyone had any experience with the Avent Isis duo pump?

[Maret00]

I have the medela and that worked well. I got the medela from WIC and it worked really well for work and home and a coworker had one also that was the store bought one and she was very pleased she used hers more and could order parts that would wear out easily.

[momto3boys]

I used an Avent Isis IQ Duo with my second son. I found it to be a long process to get it put together and taken apart between pumpings to clean. It is also rather bulky. You can't order spare parts (like the horns or the soft plastic inserts that fit in the horns). The customer service was good when the motor broke.

I use both the Medela Freestyle (when I am at work when a Symphony isn't available or when I am in the car) and a Pump In Style Advanced (at home), and I like both pumps quite a bit. I have not noticed any difference in the efficiency of pumping. The pumping mechanism on the Freestyle seems different from the PISA and the Symphony in that there is more of a feeling of vibration and the suction is just a little different. It is louder than the PISA and Symphony. But, it is just as efficient, very portable, very convenient to use.

[BrookeH]

My LC recommended a new pump to me called Hygeia, that's been great so far. It has an internal rechargeable battery, so I just plug it in like a cell phone. It's also been FDA approved for multiple users, so I can safely share it/sell it when I am finished. It's really comfortable and not as loud as some of the other pumps I've seen.

[Sylko]

I have used the Medela PIS through three children, and I have a new Medela PIS Advanced for this fourth baby. I tried the Avent Isis, but it was too complicated for me. The PIS has been great. Easy to use, easy to clean, easy to get spare parts. I'd recommend it.

[ShelleyinPa]

Hi I was just wondering if anyone had any exoerience with the Lansinoh breast pump? I've been doing some research on it, and found it to me comparable to the Ameda. It also is a little cheaper in price but it's suppose to have a similar quality. Any thoughts? I plan to purchase a pump in the next 2 weeks, and plan to use it full time when i return to work.