breast pumps

[bburk1]

I just delivered my first baby a week ago at Sibley. Breast feeding is going well overall, but I need to get a breast pump and was looking online at all the different ones available at Sibley and at the Breastfeedding Center on K Street. I would be grateful for any feedback on different breast pumps as I'm going to try to buy one within the next week. I probably won't use it everyday, but will use it fairly often, I think. Thanks for any advice!

[cmkeough]

Hi there. I just delivered at Sibley last week too (Monday). I rented their Medela pump ($30 week, $75 month, $180 3 months), it's awesome!!! I purchased the Medela InStyle pump and plan to break it out tomorrow as I am returning the rented pump :o( - I hear that the hospital grade pumps are much stronger than the ones that most purchase. I'll let you know tomorrow what I think of my InStyle. Congrats on your new baby!!! BTW, if you attended the lactation class they give out a 10% coupon (plus there aren't any taxes on the purchase) if you choose to purchase a pump from Sibley.

[bburk1]

Hi cmkeough,
Thank you for your input. I delivered on the same day! -- Monday at 3PM. Yes, I was at the breast feeding class -- maybe we were in the same one. I will be interested to hear what you think about the pump. Is everything going well? I send congratulations and wish you all the best!

[Anonymous]

There was a post not too long ago about breast pump recommendations - Medela, EvenFlo, Ameda, hospital grade, etc. All have pros, cons, and price ranges. You may want to do a search.

Congrats!

[Anonymous]

I had a Pump in Style Advance and it was great. So great that I bought a second one so that I had one at home and one at work. The Metro bag version is nice, because the bag is much bigger for all of the accessories than the backpack model.

[Anonymous]

Avent works just as well.

[Anonymous]

I would NOT recommend the manual pumps. Way too much work even if they are cheaper.

[Anonymous]

I have a pump in style (not advanced) that I bought back in 2004 and used for one year with my first child that I am now using for my second child. I pump three times a day at work, and have been really happy with this pump. I bought the Medela Swing for home (I don't carry the pump back and forth to work - too much trouble) and have been really happy with it as a backup.

[Anonymous]

From the info above I think Sibley overcharges for the pump rental. You can rent a hospital-grade pump at Georgetown for $2/day.

[Anonymous]

Hi bburk1. Yep, we were in the class on Tuesday AM so I'm sure we were in the same class based upon when you delivered. I just tried out my pump (returned the hospital one earlier today) and love my Pump In Style Advanced (backpack) - I was a little worried thinking that it wasn't going to work as well as the one I rented from the hospital but was pleasantly surprised. It's super easy to use and not super bulky (unlike the one that I rented) and works like a charm. BTW, it's been reduced in price at BuyBuyBaby from $319 (when I bought mine) to $279 now, so that's a pretty good savings. Best of luck to you and yours!

[Anonymous]

I rent the Medela Symphony ( a hospital grade pump) and keep it in my office. It works fast and is silent for the 3 times per day that I pump. To purchase, it costs about $1800 - I think I rent if for about $65 per month. At home, I have a used Pump in Style that I occasionally use at night or on weekends. It is a major hassle to drag a pump back and forth from office. The Symphony is gentler than the PIS - although the PIS does the trick.

[Anonymous]

The swing is very similar to the Symphony, but is a single-electric. I find that it works very well, and is gentle. The PIS does tend to manhandle you.

[Anonymous]

I had a pump in style. It was great, I returned to work at 6 weeks pp and breastfed exclusively until 6 months.

[Anonymous]

I have the PIS as well. Works great.