https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 25 Apr 2026 03:43:41 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-on-a-pump#post-2602013 Wed, 10 Aug 2016 17:42:26 +0000 HazelEyes 2602013@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sunny: thank you so much for your feedback. I ordered the spectra, so we shall see! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-on-a-pump#post-2601376 Tue, 09 Aug 2016 18:54:32 +0000 maddyz 2601376@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I picked the medela Pisa that my insurance offered because I knew I would be able to get parts anywhere and I had been given lots of extras for it. This time I am looking for a supplier that will work with my insurance to get me a medela freestyle. I am hoping to have it partly covered by my insurance. I think I've found a place to do that. I am excited about a much more portable option. Fingers crossed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-on-a-pump#post-2601264 Tue, 09 Aug 2016 15:42:38 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2601264@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@avivoca: my Ameda bottles fit the medela, they just don't twist all the way in. So it would work, albeit a bit precariously. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-on-a-pump#post-2601263 Tue, 09 Aug 2016 15:41:29 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2601263@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: ditto! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-on-a-pump#post-2601254 Tue, 09 Aug 2016 15:33:59 +0000 sailgrl18 2601254@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used what was covered by my insurance. First time I got the Hygeia. This time I got the Spectra. It's quieter and so much more efficient without being abrasive. The Spectra can be used with Medela parts as long as you have this adapter. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Maymom-Breastshield-Connects-Backflow-Protector/dp/B01DGEDVUM" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/Maymom-Breastshield-Connects-Backflow-Protector/dp/B01DGEDVUM</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-on-a-pump#post-2601223 Tue, 09 Aug 2016 14:33:00 +0000 sunny 2601223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@avivoca: I googled and the Ameda bottles are the same as Medela size so you could use this adapter to connect the Spectra flange to the bottles.<br /> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003CUQ806?refRID=4NEX5HV53DTFJTPRHD54&#038;ref_=pd_bia_nav_t_2#customerReviews" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003CUQ806?refRID=4NEX5HV53DTFJTPRHD54&#038;ref_=pd_bia_nav_t_2#customerReviews</a></p> <p>But I'm not sure about what you'd need to connect the Spectra tubing to the Ameda flange. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-on-a-pump#post-2601220 Tue, 09 Aug 2016 14:32:10 +0000 birdofafeather 2601220@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@avivoca: I haven't had to get extra parts actually! I did a cursory glance on Amazon though and saw a bunch of parts. And I seem to remember there being adapters to use other parts with it but I haven't had to do it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-on-a-pump#post-2601218 Tue, 09 Aug 2016 14:30:28 +0000 avivoca 2601218@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: Rentals are sooo nice. Bulky, but nice. My insurance doesn't cover rentals unless my baby is in NICU. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-on-a-pump#post-2601214 Tue, 09 Aug 2016 14:25:17 +0000 daniellemybelle 2601214@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm going straight to a hospital grade rental next time (Medela Symphony). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-on-a-pump#post-2601207 Tue, 09 Aug 2016 14:18:51 +0000 avivoca 2601207@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sunny: No, my bottles are standard mouth. I've also been searching and there really isn't a converter (yet) for Ameda flanges. I don't really want to get another Ameda, but I also don't want to waste what I have. I wonder if I can hack it somehow once I get my pump (in November). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-on-a-pump#post-2601204 Tue, 09 Aug 2016 14:15:44 +0000 sunny 2601204@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@avivoca: There are offbrand Spectra parts on Amazon, but if you buy a connector piece you can connect Medela bottles/flanges with the Spectra pump, and Medela is widely available. Not sure if there's a similar connector made for Ameda. I think the Ameda bottles might be compatible with the Spectra flanges without any adapter. They are the wide mouth ones right? </p> <p>@HazelEyes: I have both the Medela PISA and the Spectra S2 and I like the Spectra better. It just seems a bit gentler and quieter. I haven't found any difference in quantity of milk expressed. I also replied to you on the other thread about the Medela/Spectra adapter connector thingy working great for me :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-on-a-pump#post-2601146 Tue, 09 Aug 2016 12:35:56 +0000 brownepiano 2601146@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have the spectra s2 and I've been using it for a few weeks now. I like it a lot. It is super quiet so I can pump while watching stuff with DH. The nightlight feature is useful. It doesn't feel super strong but I haven't turned the suction up all the way either because I have a really strong let down. So far it pumps as well as my Ameda but has better additional features. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-on-a-pump#post-2601141 Tue, 09 Aug 2016 12:31:11 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2601141@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My insurance made the decision easy for me since only one type was offered. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-on-a-pump#post-2601129 Tue, 09 Aug 2016 12:19:54 +0000 ShootingStar 2601129@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HazelEyes: No baby yet! Maybe in the next few weeks I'll be able to try it out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-on-a-pump#post-2601124 Tue, 09 Aug 2016 12:11:59 +0000 avivoca 2601124@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@birdofafeather: How easy is it for you to find parts? I have a ton of Ameda parts/bottles but it's so easy to get those. I'm intrigued by the Spectra, but am afraid I won't be able to find parts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-on-a-pump#post-2601117 Tue, 09 Aug 2016 11:57:56 +0000 HazelEyes 2601117@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ShootingStar: any feedback on the Spectra 2? </p> <p>I had the Medela first time around and debating getting another, since all my bottles etc are Medela, or if I should try something else. I like that it's "hospital strength" to hopefully keep my supply up for the long haul... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-on-a-pump#post-2586728 Fri, 15 Jul 2016 07:14:28 +0000 ms.line 2586728@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got the Medela Freestyle - I paid for it entirely out of pocket because I liked the idea of the portability. I also got a PISA through my insurance (it was my only option). Turns out I like the PISA way better! The suction is SO much stronger and I hate the design of the Freestyle membranes. Since I have two pumps I leave my PISA at work and keep my Freestyle at home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-on-a-pump#post-2586721 Fri, 15 Jul 2016 06:49:05 +0000 LCTBQE 2586721@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got the Medela Freestyle ($195 insurance upgrade, ouch). My insurance offered only that, the PISA, and a couple of Ameda options. I heard the PISA has slightly stronger suction, but that Freestyle was much much more portable and better for commuting, and I work full time and commute on public transit, so thought it would be worth it. I heard consistently bad things about the Ameda brand, and Spectra wasn't an option for me. What do you think you'll go with?<br /> ETA: I was able to pay for the upgrade fee with our HSA credit card! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-on-a-pump#post-2586672 Thu, 14 Jul 2016 23:07:31 +0000 birdofafeather 2586672@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i said based on insurance offerings, but most important to me was a closed system, portable, etc. i landed on the hygeia the first go around and the spectra s9 the second time. i'm obsessed with the spectra. it's comfortable, quiet and small! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-on-a-pump#post-2586665 Thu, 14 Jul 2016 22:39:26 +0000 simplyfelicity 2586665@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was desperate for a breast pump when DS was a couple of days old and we RACED to a nearby medical supply store and got whatever they had. That's how I ended up with an Ameda. Next time, I will go for the Medela. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-on-a-pump#post-2586646 Thu, 14 Jul 2016 22:14:52 +0000 MrsRoo 2586646@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>First time, I chose based on price because inaurance didn't cover a pump yet. So I went with the Ameda-no problems.<br /> This time I wanted something more portable and insurance covered the Spectra 9+, it had decent reviews, so I went for it. I love it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-on-a-pump#post-2586642 Thu, 14 Jul 2016 21:58:04 +0000 Mrsbells 2586642@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@futuremama: Thanks thats really useful to know :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-on-a-pump#post-2586616 Thu, 14 Jul 2016 20:58:20 +0000 futuremama 2586616@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrsbells: I got the PISA for #1 because it was most popular, I knew several moms who were happy with it, and parts were easy to get. It worked fine for me. No complaints. Didn't love it, but it's a pump. </p> <p>This time I decided to give the Spectra a try since I have new insurance, and it was covered 100%. I've just started pumping this week, and I really like it. It's definitely quieter, but it's huge. So far (3 wks postpartum) I'm getting great output, and it's really gentle. I don't think you could go wrong with either of them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-on-a-pump#post-2586489 Thu, 14 Jul 2016 16:57:14 +0000 Mrsbells 2586489@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ShootingStar: well please give feedback once you start using the spectra 2. I have my eye on that </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-on-a-pump#post-2586480 Thu, 14 Jul 2016 16:41:14 +0000 ShootingStar 2586480@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For the first I'd say all of the above. My insurance only offered a few options, maybe all of them were Medela. I wanted the Freestyle because it's small and lightweight and I'd heard good things about it. It was a $100 up-charge, which seemed reasonable. </p> <p>With this pregnancy I was planning on getting a second Freestyle so I'd have one at work and one at home, but the up charge with my current insurance was over $150. It seemed a little much. I found a website that listed out all my options and the charges, and I decided on the Spectra 2. I keep hearing good things about it and it was only $65. Spectra 1 would've been free, but I liked the battery option. I hope I like it, it's ginormous compared to my freestyle. I guess if I don't love it, I'll just go back to using my Freestyle mostly, and the Spectra will be my back up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-on-a-pump#post-2586415 Thu, 14 Jul 2016 14:42:36 +0000 Pumuckl 2586415@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I chose based on needs. I needed a plugfree pump so I chose the medela freestyle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-on-a-pump#post-2586410 Thu, 14 Jul 2016 14:38:06 +0000 Mrsbells 2586410@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for the responses. The first time I chose Lansinoh because it was a good price but also because I liked all the other Lansinoh products I was using. This time I am so torn!!! Last time I couldnt even afford the Medela so it wasnt a hard choice </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-on-a-pump#post-2586392 Thu, 14 Jul 2016 14:25:38 +0000 PawPrints 2586392@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>All of the above? Based on options provided by insurance, I picked the PISA because of all the positive feedback from people all over the internet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-on-a-pump#post-2586247 Thu, 14 Jul 2016 11:27:02 +0000 sunny 2586247@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The first time around I picked the most popular pump (Medela PISA). This time, I had to choose between 3 insurance options and went with the Spectra based on good reviews and because I already have a PISA. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-on-a-pump#post-2586241 Thu, 14 Jul 2016 11:15:53 +0000 MrsKoala 2586241@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The first time I chose a Medela PISA based on reviews from my friends and the options from my insurance company. Now I have different insurance but I kind of want the Spectra S1 since I've heard it is quieter and I hated how loud my Medela was when I pumped at work. So I'm not sure what I'm going to go with. I can just get another PISA or maybe just pay out of pocket for the Spectra. </p>