School me on breast pumps

[Muddled]

Is there a big difference from pump to pump? What am I looking for?
How do I know what size flanges will fit? I am guessing I could order a different size if needed? 

I get a dollar amount that I can spend, but they won't tell me what it is until I call the company to order my pump.  

It looks like my choices are:
Medela Pump in Style
Ameda Purely Yours
Spectra 9s or 9+
Tomy Quiet Expressions
Hygeia Q model 

There are a couple others on there, like the Spectra hospital grade. I suspect it will be over the limit, but who knows.

Tell me what I need to know.

[Deleted]

People lately really love the Spectra.
Flange size is trial and error - look up some articles on fit, look at what's happening on your actual nipples, adjust if necessary. I needed a smaller size, and once I got it comfort and output were much better. Sometimes pumps come with a couple options. Pumpin pals are nice and you get a set of sizes.

[thatgirl2478]

I have had a Medela and an Ameda. I prefer the Ameda. The Medela was fine, but I felt like it lacked umph after a few months. The Ameda has kept up.

The Ameda is also a closed system pump, so if you wanted to give it to someone else you could do so without worrying about diseases getting passed. There's a *small* chance that milk could contaminate the Medela (very small) but since it's an 'open' system pump they don't recommend sharing/giving it away.

[thatgirl2478]

The Ameda & Medela only came with one size flange, I didn't need to buy any additional ones. I have no idea how my nipples compare to others lol

Oh - go with whatever one you can easily find accessory parts for in your local store.  Nothing like needing new seals or tubes or whatever an having to wait for them to be delivered.

[VillainV]

There are definitely differences in the pumps -- some have a "letdown" function, some let you control speed AND suction, some don't.

Most non-hospital-grade pumps are "single user" because they are designed in a way that it is POSSIBLE (not likely, but technically possible) for milk to back up into the pumping mechanism and cause bacterial growth. It's not a good idea to buy these used (which doesn't sound like an issue for you), but it's not really a big deal to use them for multiple kiddos. I think the Ameda Purely Yours in an exception to this and can be "multi-user" -- might be nice if you think you'll want to pass it on someday.

The Medela Pump in Style is kind of the "old faithful." It might not be the best pump out there, but it's really easy to find parts for. These days you can usually find parts on Amazon for just about any pump, but it's kind of nice to be able to run to Target and get what you need if you're in a bind.

As for flanges, it's really hard to know what size you'll need. I had a really hard time getting a good fit until I bought some Pumpin' Pals flanges. A set was like $30 on Amazon. They come in a set of 3 pairs in different sizes, and between those 3 just about everyone can find a good fit. I only used one size, and gave the other ones to my sister who uses the bigger sizes. They're much more comfortable because they're angled and tapered (shaped more like the bell of a trumpet with countered sides as opposed to shaped like a cone with flat sides). This may not be covered by your insurance. But you'll thank me later :-)

[hbear]

I've only used Medela and loved it. I've had both Freestyle and now currently, pump in style.

[Muddled]

Aug 28, 2015 10:40:18 GMT -5 thatgirl2478 said:

The Ameda & Medela only came with one size flange, I didn't need to buy any additional ones. I have no idea how my nipples compare to others lol

Oh - go with whatever one you can easily find accessory parts for in your local store.  Nothing like needing new seals or tubes or whatever an having to wait for them to be delivered.

Local store meaning Target? CVS? 

[Muddled]

Aug 28, 2015 10:38:09 GMT -5 @tokenhoser said:

People lately really love the Spectra.
Flange size is trial and error - look up some articles on fit, look at what's happening on your actual nipples, adjust if necessary. I needed a smaller size, and once I got it comfort and output were much better. Sometimes pumps come with a couple options. Pumpin pals are nice and you get a set of sizes.

Are the Pumpin Pals compatible with most pumps? In other words, can I go ahead and add this to my registry without knowing what pump I will get?

[thatgirl2478]

Aug 28, 2015 10:44:27 GMT -5 Muddled said:

Aug 28, 2015 10:40:18 GMT -5 thatgirl2478 said:

The Ameda & Medela only came with one size flange, I didn't need to buy any additional ones. I have no idea how my nipples compare to others lol

Oh - go with whatever one you can easily find accessory parts for in your local store.  Nothing like needing new seals or tubes or whatever an having to wait for them to be delivered.

Local store meaning Target? CVS? 

Target, BRU, Walmart - I'm not sure CVS or Walgreens have that sort of thing (I haven't looked, they might) - whatever is closest to you.

[Deleted]

Aug 28, 2015 10:46:23 GMT -5 Muddled said:

Aug 28, 2015 10:38:09 GMT -5 @tokenhoser said:

People lately really love the Spectra.
Flange size is trial and error - look up some articles on fit, look at what's happening on your actual nipples, adjust if necessary. I needed a smaller size, and once I got it comfort and output were much better. Sometimes pumps come with a couple options. Pumpin pals are nice and you get a set of sizes.

Are the Pumpin Pals compatible with most pumps? In other words, can I go ahead and add this to my registry without knowing what pump I will get?

"Super Shields work with Ameda, Medela, Bailey, Lansinoh, Rumble Tuff, Avent Isis, 25mm Maymom one piece.

Note for Ameda™ users: All of our Super Shields (Medium, Large & XLarge) fit Ameda Standard (25.0mm).. Sorry, they do not fit the First Years miPump, Spectra, Avent Comfort Pump."

[Muddled]

Aug 28, 2015 10:48:05 GMT -5 @tokenhoser said:

Aug 28, 2015 10:46:23 GMT -5 Muddled said:

Are the Pumpin Pals compatible with most pumps? In other words, can I go ahead and add this to my registry without knowing what pump I will get?

"Super Shields work with Ameda, Medela, Bailey, Lansinoh, Rumble Tuff, Avent Isis, 25mm Maymom one piece.

Note for Ameda™ users: All of our Super Shields (Medium, Large & XLarge) fit Ameda Standard (25.0mm).. Sorry, they do not fit the First Years miPump, Spectra, Avent Comfort Pump."

Thanks. I guess I could have done that. 

[Deleted]

Aug 28, 2015 10:50:33 GMT -5 Muddled said:

Aug 28, 2015 10:48:05 GMT -5 @tokenhoser said:

"Super Shields work with Ameda, Medela, Bailey, Lansinoh, Rumble Tuff, Avent Isis, 25mm Maymom one piece.

Note for Ameda™ users: All of our Super Shields (Medium, Large & XLarge) fit Ameda Standard (25.0mm).. Sorry, they do not fit the First Years miPump, Spectra, Avent Comfort Pump."

Thanks. I guess I could have done that. 

LOL, I just figure people are on a phone when they fail to google. I look stuff up when I'm on a computer, but don't usually bother on my phone. 

[hbomdiggity]

I have the hygeia. I didn't have a choice- it's what my insurance sent me. I found this out before I started researching so I don't really know how it compares to the other models.

I like it. It's a completely closed system and endorsed by LLL. It has separate controls for speed and strength. My boobs respond well to it, but I also have nothing to compare it to.

It comes with medium flanges but you can buy larger.

Cons are that parts aren't avail at your local target, but they are on Amazon (prime). The flanges/parts aren't interchangeable with other brands so I pump into the hygeia bottle and pour into my born free bottles and lansinoh bags. But this isn't a big deal imo.

[statgirl]

I have a Hygeia that I use with medela flanges. Wonderful. I also have an insurance provided Ameda that I don't respond as well too ( seems like I don't empty as well). I keep the Hygeia at work and the Ameda at home. I did not like the Hygeia flanges, but I was able to attach the Medela parts I got at the hospital no problem. I am on my second child with this routine. I pumped 14 months with the first and 3 with number two so far.

[Jalapeñomel]

I had a PISA, and it worked great, and I busted the faceplate, they overnighted a new one.

[ellipsis]

I put them all in a spreadsheet and wrote notes next to each one with pros and cons (after a little Googling on each one) and ended up with the Medela. *adjusts nerd glasses*

[pooh8402]

I use a PISA and while most parts are very easy to find locally, I can't find small flanges. so I had to order them from Amazon and they're not prime items.

I also have parts for the symphony, because we have several of them on my unit and I'll be using one when I go back to work. My symphony parts were covered by insurance. I simply asked for the parts from the nurse at my hospital when I delivered, and they add them to my bill. It comes with a manual pump too.

[humpforfree]

I was not a fan of my ameda... the suction wasn't very good and it was really hard to get a let down. I much preferred the medela I used in the hospital since it had the letdown option. I ended up getting a manual and it worked a lot better for me last time.
I got a spectra this time thanks to the chatter here about it.

[Muddled]

Aug 28, 2015 18:21:30 GMT -5 humpforfree said:

I was not a fan of my ameda... the suction wasn't very good and it was really hard to get a let down. I much preferred the medela I used in the hospital since it had the letdown option. I ended up getting a manual and it worked a lot better for me last time.
I got a spectra this time thanks to the chatter here about it.

the s2 or the 9+?

[Muddled]

How often will I use this thing on battery?
Do you have to use the bottles that come with the pump?
Can you pump directly into storage bags?

[boiler717]

Muddled I got the Kiinde system. You pump directly into the bags, freeze, and then they snap onto the bottle when ready to use so no transferring milk at all. The bottles use all types of nipples. Don't pay full price for the starter set, they are usually 50%+ off.

[humpforfree]

Aug 28, 2015 18:24:40 GMT -5 Muddled said:

Aug 28, 2015 18:21:30 GMT -5 humpforfree said:

I was not a fan of my ameda... the suction wasn't very good and it was really hard to get a let down. I much preferred the medela I used in the hospital since it had the letdown option. I ended up getting a manual and it worked a lot better for me last time.
I got a spectra this time thanks to the chatter here about it.

the s2 or the 9+?

Umm s2 I believe. The one that's $130 on Amazon and Brie recommended. I haven't used it yet, but figured it couldn't be worse than the ameda.

[pooh8402]

Aug 28, 2015 18:25:48 GMT -5 Muddled said:

How often will I use this thing on battery?
Do you have to use the bottles that come with the pump?
Can you pump directly into storage bags?

My only experience is medela.
I haven't yet.
You can use any standard neck bottle.
Yes, medela has an adapter to pump directly into their bags, and you can hack lansinoh bags to work with the medela adapter.

[Deleted]

Get a Spectra S1 or S2. "Hack" it and use Medela flanges. That just means cutting some Medela tubing and shoving it into the Spectra tubing.

I didn't have good luck with Pumping Pal flanges. No size emptied me well at all.

[runblondie26]

Aug 28, 2015 18:24:40 GMT -5 Muddled said:

Aug 28, 2015 18:21:30 GMT -5 humpforfree said:

I was not a fan of my ameda... the suction wasn't very good and it was really hard to get a let down. I much preferred the medela I used in the hospital since it had the letdown option. I ended up getting a manual and it worked a lot better for me last time.
I got a spectra this time thanks to the chatter here about it.

the s2 or the 9+?

I got the Spectra 9+ this time. I've only taken it out of the box and assembled it, but so far I like the size (I can pump while I walk around!).

I can give you a review in a few days when I get home from the hospital and have a chance to use it. I've pumped for my previous 2 babies using the Ameda PY, so that will be my reference point for effectiveness.

[anna7602]

Aug 28, 2015 18:25:48 GMT -5 Muddled said:

How often will I use this thing on battery?
Do you have to use the bottles that come with the pump?
Can you pump directly into storage bags?

The suction was terrible the few times I used the Medela PISA on battery. A hand pump ended up being a better option when I didn't have access to an outlet.

I always used the Medela bottles to pump and then transferred later to storage bags or combined with other pumped bottles or previously thawed milk to make a bottle for either of my children to drink (since they typically drank more than the 5 oz. the Standard Medela bottle holds).

I tried the Medela bags at the beginning with my first kid, but decided I liked the Lansinoh bags better. This was 7 years ago and I can't remember why.

To answer your original q, I went with the Medela the first time because it seemed to be the most popular when I had DD. Then I stuck with it for DS because it was what I knew. My doula actually highly reco'd the Hygeia, but I already had all the Medela parts.

And to PP's points about closed system/open system, I have to say that most people I know IRL don't really pay attention to that. A lot of moms I know pass pumps on and get used pumps. My pump was new with DD and I got another one through insurance with DS bc I wore the first one practically into the ground. I ended up not using the pump as much this time around bc I was able to nurse DS during the workday for the first 8 months or so. This summer, I ended up giving the newer Medela to another local mom I know.

[elocrates]

I've used both a medela PISA and a hygeia. They both pumped fine. However, the hygeia broke several times (suction feature stopped working) and their customer service was beyond awful. Based on that, I strongly recommend medela over hygeia.

[Muddled]

Aug 28, 2015 21:03:09 GMT -5 runblondie26 said:

Aug 28, 2015 18:24:40 GMT -5 Muddled said:

the s2 or the 9+?

I got the Spectra 9+ this time. I've only taken it out of the box and assembled it, but so far I like the size (I can pump while I walk around!).

I can give you a review in a few days when I get home from the hospital and have a chance to use it. I've pumped for my previous 2 babies using the Ameda PY, so that will be my reference point for effectiveness.

I would love to hear your thoughts when you have them. THanks.