Recommend your Pump

[sarahandben108]

For my son I used a Medela Pump In Style and it worked well in the beginning. But after my supply regulated and he was starting to eat purées, I noticed my breast shields on my medela no longer fit.  Too much of my breast was being sucked in and they were being damaged. Also, it became very difficult to pump enough milk for him starting around 9 months.  I tried everything, messaging before, after and during, switching up my speeds, replacing tubes, and membranes, using mother's tea, and oatmeal.  I was already using the smallest shield size they made.  Going up a size didn't work either.  I am currently pregnant with baby number 2 and I'm looking to try a different pump.  I still have my pump in style and will use it as back up. Anyone have a pump they absolutely love?

[vvvvvfee]

do you mean you've tried the smallest size flange that medela makes? because there's a 3rd-party company makes medela flanges that go all the way down to 15 mm.

sorry i can't help you with other brand recommendations, but i've only ever used medelas.

[unringthebell]

I got the spectra s2 with my second and I like it. I've gone through spurts of not getting enough milk, but I don't think it's the pump. It usually coincides with me deciding I'm going to lose weight.
I had a medela freestyle with #1 and I had to change flange sizes up and down periodically. This time I haven't. I did get smaller shields to try because I thought too much tissue was getting pulled in, but I didn't seem to need them. Although they are harder to find parts for, so if you think you need small I'd probably stick with the medela. There's more compatible 3rd party parts.

[ellabee]

I love my spectra2. I had a PISA with DD and it did the job, but my spectra is so much quieter. Also, I feel like the suction is...softer...for lack of a better word.

It's bigger than the PISA, which is a small drawback.

I also bought an adapter kit online so I could reuse all my medela parts/bottles with my spectra.


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[lily]

I didn't use the PISA but if you have flange trouble again you can try Pumping Pals flanges. They fit several brands of pump and are shaped differently than regular flanges.

Pumpin' Pal Breast Pump Flanges for Medela, Hygeia, Lansinoh. Sizes M, L, XL, 25mm to 40mm www.amazon.com/dp/B0085CBA90/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_HpXszbN2N548C

[sarahandben108]

Jun 21, 2017 18:48:48 GMT -6 lily said:

I didn't use the PISA but if you have flange trouble again you can try Pumping Pals flanges. They fit several brands of pump and are shaped differently than regular flanges.

Pumpin' Pal Breast Pump Flanges for Medela, Hygeia, Lansinoh. Sizes M, L, XL, 25mm to 40mm www.amazon.com/dp/B0085CBA90/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_HpXszbN2N548C

I did try those as well.  They were the most comfortable from all my options, but still weren't a great fit. 

[yummeecookee]

I would just not recommend the ameda purely yours.

[seamonster]

I would get smaller flanges. I had to get Medela small ones. They are easy to find online and Amazon or target is quick on delivery.

[Dramaphile]

The Spectra S2 is a very popular one among my local BF support group. I haven't tried one, but I have had no issues with my PISA. I also have an Ameda and I think it is not as good (or as comfortable) as the PISA. I'll probably get a Spectra for my next kid, assuming breast pumps are still covered under my insurance.

[CoachTsWife]

Jun 21, 2017 18:17:50 GMT -6 ellabee said:

I love my spectra2. I had a PISA with DD and it did the job, but my spectra is so much quieter. Also, I feel like the suction is...softer...for lack of a better word.

It's bigger than the PISA, which is a small drawback.

I also bought an adapter kit online so I could reuse all my medela parts/bottles with my spectra.


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I also had a PISA with my first, and I'm considering getting the Spectra S2 for my second.  I work full time outside the home and I was hoping the Spectra was smaller.  Sad to hear that it is bigger.  How much bigger, would you say?  It is heavier as well?

I'm also considering just getting a manual to keep at home whenever I might need one on the weekend and leaving the pump at work and just carrying the milk and parts that need washing back and forth.

[irish14]

Jun 29, 2017 14:40:29 GMT -6 CoachTsWife said:

Jun 21, 2017 18:17:50 GMT -6 ellabee said:

I love my spectra2. I had a PISA with DD and it did the job, but my spectra is so much quieter. Also, I feel like the suction is...softer...for lack of a better word.

It's bigger than the PISA, which is a small drawback.

I also bought an adapter kit online so I could reuse all my medela parts/bottles with my spectra.


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I also had a PISA with my first, and I'm considering getting the Spectra S2 for my second.  I work full time outside the home and I was hoping the Spectra was smaller.  Sad to hear that it is bigger.  How much bigger, would you say?  It is heavier as well?

I'm also considering just getting a manual to keep at home whenever I might need one on the weekend and leaving the pump at work and just carrying the milk and parts that need washing back and forth.

This is what I did with my PISA the first time around. I love love love my hand pump.

[CoachTsWife]

Jun 29, 2017 14:52:41 GMT -6 irish14 said:

Jun 29, 2017 14:40:29 GMT -6 CoachTsWife said:

I also had a PISA with my first, and I'm considering getting the Spectra S2 for my second.  I work full time outside the home and I was hoping the Spectra was smaller.  Sad to hear that it is bigger.  How much bigger, would you say?  It is heavier as well?

I'm also considering just getting a manual to keep at home whenever I might need one on the weekend and leaving the pump at work and just carrying the milk and parts that need washing back and forth.

This is what I did with my PISA the first time around. I love love love my hand pump.

Sweet.  I've never used a manual pump but I've heard good things.  I feel like there was a favorite on my first BMB but I can't remember what it was.  Which one do you have?

[irish14]

CoachTsWife I have the Medela one from Target. Harmony, I think? I liked that it was all the same parts as my regular pump. You actually can pump two ways with the handle - short part at first to get the letdown then long part for the rest of pumping. Mimics two-phase sucking.

I liked that I could adjust pressure with my hand based on what I could see coming out/what felt ok, rather than relying on dials and buttons on an electric. You just have more control with a manual.

You can get an adapter to pump directly into whatever bottles you use - makes it even simpler.

It is slower, one boob at a time, so I wouldn't use a manual 100% - but great for fill-in or travel use

[ellabee]

CoachTsWife

Here's a pic. I think the spectra is like 1.5x bigger than the PISA. Some drawbacks to the Spectra: I liked that I could tuck my tubes into the Velcro'd part on the PISA, which you can't with the S2. Also the S2 is hard and round so it's just bulkier to fit into bags. They weigh about the same.

I love my medal harmony manual. It's much easier to use to just get a quickie pump in.


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[ccp]

I read this thread and bought the spectra S2 because of it! I LOVE it and I am so impressed! Thanks all!

[sarahandben108]

I'm going to get the spectra 2 and keep my PIS as backup.