Deciding on a Pump. Never thought I'd be so frustrated!!

[BrandiCanucks]

Has anyone used a Medela pump before?

I've always been an avid Avent user, but since they changed the design and functions of their Duo pump, I hate it. I used it with my last baby and it definitely didn't do what the older model did, and I can't find the old model new anywhere.

The new model didn't have the suction like the old one, and the old one pumped me dry in 10 minutes flat. I have a big oversupply early on and like to pump the extra to save just in case.

So now I'm looking at other pumps and our local Babies R Us only sells Avent, First Years (Previously used this and wasn't a fan), and three kinds of Medela's.

I'm willing to save up the extra for a Medela if it's a good pump, but I also wanted to know if the bottles that come with the pump come in bigger sizes. I don't want to have to stop to store every 5oz, then start again. I've been known to pump 23oz in one sitting, AFTER feeding my baby. I haven't seen any Medela bottles sold at all at our local store. Honestly, if the bottles don't come in a bigger size, it's a dealbreaker for me.

 

[BrandiCanucks]

I plan to use Tommee Tippee bottles to feed (COMPLETELY OVER Avent) and they come highly recommended.

Also, if the Medela bottles DO come in a bigger size, are the bottles compatible with all pump styles, or do I have to buy the bottles according to the pump I buy?

 

[bbbbbbb811]

I'm not a massive help as I'm a fairly inexperienced pumper(only pumped while in hospital) but I did use a hospital grade medela in hospital which was brilliant and have been reccomended medela swing by a few people when I thought I needed one for home!
I also know that medela biggest bottle available is 250ml. (I believe)
Hope that helps!

 

[todmommy4568]

I used the medala pump and absolutely loved it!

The medela will fit any standard size bottle, I would buy the cheap generic brands for pumping since I pumped after almost every feed and went through a lot of bottles. So you will be able to buy 10 oz bottles to attach to the pump.

 

[sil]

I use the medela and I feed with Dr. brown's bottles. The medela pump screws on perfectly to the dr brown bottles so just pump right into those (and they come in 8 oz size)

 

[BrandiCanucks]

I found bigger bottles. Apparently my local store has a whole Medela section and that's where they put the bottles, rather than in the Bottle section lol.

I'm assuming then that the Medela specific bottles would be compatible with all Medela style pumps? The pump I'm looking at costs $449 before tax so I gotta start saving now.

 

[pgfairy]

We use the swing. It's not AS efficient as the hospital grade IMHO but it does the job, I can get a full drain in about 15 minutes (although I've never gotten more than 5oz from one breast and we never go higher than speed 3) so I highly advise getting the double not the single if the budget goes that far! We haven't had the need to go up a bottle size yet but I'm glad to hear they do them for if we ever need them!

What I like about the medela vs the advents I've seen is the availability and low cost of the spares. I never saw many spare parts for the advent. But maybe I wasn't looking hard enough, or maybe the advents are more sturdy?

Also I'm pretty sure the membranes and valves and bottles are cross compatible with the different pump types.

 

[BrandiCanucks]

You generally had to order spare Avent parts from the manufacturer, as they weren't really sold in stores. Avents were quite durable though and I only ever had to replace the Valves, which I COULD find in store.

The difference in price is $299.95 for the new style Avent and $449.95 for the Medela double, but I REALLY hated the new style Avent. I really wish I could find the old model because that one was amazing!!! There were a lot of reviews that said it was better than Medela, which is why I got it. I LOVED the older model Avent pump. I'm not the only one who has been disappointed with the new model either

 

[gems86]

I used Medela with my first, I really liked it. I was given the new Nuby Digtal Breast Pump as a baby shower gift and have got rid of the Medela, it really is a great bit of kit. I am getting at least 8oz in less than 15 mins, which is fab for me as I find expressing such a bloody boring job! x

 

[spicyorange]

I love my swing but then I've never used anything else. (We don't have hospital ones here) your can pump straight into storage bags as well as bottles if your prefer