My insurance will allow me to either rent a hospital grade pump (symphony) for a year or buy a PISA.
I'm going back to work at 6 weeks and really fought to keep up with my son's needs last time so I am leaning towards renting the hospital pump.
Is there anything I am missing and should just buy the PISA?
I also still have a PISA from my son so I would be able to leave the hospital pump at work.
I pumped until 11.5 months last time and intend to do the same this time.
32 votes
clementine / 918 posts
I never had supply issues, so maybe it's a completely different situation, but I didn't see much of a difference with the symphony (provided by the hospital) or my PISA when I started pumping full-time around 9 months. Similar output, similar time to complete the session. So if it were me, I'd get a second PISA and leave one at work and one at home
grapefruit / 4663 posts
@Ms.Badger: Why would you choose the PISA over the Symphony? I will have one pump at work and one at home either way. I've never used a Symphony, I'd just read reviews that the output was better. My supply pumping was barely not enough, he'd typically get 1-2 bottles of formula a week at daycare to make up, but at home we didn't have to supplement at all.
clementine / 918 posts
@jetsa: The symphony is huge and not super sturdy so you have to be sure if you move that it stays up and if you ever want to move a significant amount, you can't just pick up the pump and go. I just found it way less convenient than putting the PISA on the nearest surface so I just brought that to the hospital instead of using their pump.
pomegranate / 3113 posts
My insurance would only let me buy a manual pump, but alternatively would pay 6 months' rental fees for a Symphony (makes no sense, I know). Obviously, I went for the Symphony and left it at work, and also got a PISA as a shower gift. The Symphony was SO NICE. It was gentler but also more efficient than the PISA and not having to lug a pump back and forth every day was awesome. I was super sad when my rental was up and I had to switch to using the PISA full-time. If I were you, I'd choose the rental option for sure.
pomegranate / 3904 posts
I definitely prefer the hospital grade pump, so as long as you don't have to travel with it, I say go that route.
cherry / 105 posts
I'm a vote for the Symphony! I feel like its easier on my nipples and also it was so much quieter! I got more output with it as well 
apricot / 329 posts
I bought a PISA for home and used insurance for the Symphony rental. The Symphony is so quiet I can pump while on a conference call. That is not the case with my PISA! I'm not sure there is a huge difference in output, but for whatever reason I don't experience any pain or discomfort with the Symphony, whereas I do sometimes with the PISA. I love my trusty desk-side Symphony!!
pomelo / 5628 posts
I love the symphony! I rented one for 6 months or so then used the Pisa.
persimmon / 1458 posts
The symphony is amazing. I found it to be more gentle and I got more from it than my Medela.
grapefruit / 4663 posts
@stratosphere: I didn't even consider this. I'm constantly taking calls while pumping
grapefruit / 4988 posts
I got a PISA from my insurance but by the 8th month or so, my output was decreasing so I rented a Symphony for the last few months to get us through to 12 months. I really preferred it so I would recommend that one! It was quieter, faster, more gentle, and I got better output. Portability was the only plus for the PISA.
pomegranate / 3275 posts
I really liked the hospital one. When I started using my PISA, I could tell there was a difference.
clementine / 750 posts
I rented a symphony and it was great. I kept it at work and o lyrics bought it home for vacation or an occasional weekend. It fit in the bag that come with my Ameda Purely Yours. I found it quiet and sturdy. I left o my desk during the day and locked in a book case at night.
| Today | Monthly Record | |
|---|---|---|
| Topics | 1 | 0 |
| Posts | 0 | 1 |
Ask for Help
Make a Suggestion
Frequently Asked Questions
Bee Levels
Acronyms
Most Viewed Posts
Hellobee Gold
Hellobee Recipes
Hellobee Features
Hellobee Contests
Baby-led Weaning
Bento Boxes
Breastfeeding
Newborn Essentials
Parties
Postpartum Care Essentials
Sensory Play Activities
Sleep Training
Starting Solids Gear
Transitioning to Toddler Bed
All Series
Who We Are
About the Bloggers
About the Hostesses
Contributing Bloggers
Apply to Blog
Apply to Hostess
Submit a Guest Blog
Hellobee Buttons
How We Make Money
Community Policies
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
14 comments