Clearly I have pumping on my mind!!
I cant decide what pump to go for. I think its such a gamble because everyone has a different experience. So the reviews wont necessarily reflect your experience.
Ultimately what made you choose your pump?
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Well, I had to choose from options based on insurance, and then from there just chose Medela, the most popular.
If you really dislike the pump you end up getting you can always see if you can sell/trade it locally.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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I chose based on needs. I needed a plugfree pump so I chose the medela freestyle.
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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.
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.
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@ShootingStar: well please give feedback once you start using the spectra 2. I have my eye on that
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@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.
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.
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@futuremama: Thanks thats really useful to know
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First time, I chose based on price because inaurance didn't cover a pump yet. So I went with the Ameda-no problems.
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. -
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.
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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!
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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?
ETA: I was able to pay for the upgrade fee with our HSA credit card! -
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.
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@ShootingStar: any feedback on the Spectra 2?
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...
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@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.
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@HazelEyes: No baby yet! Maybe in the next few weeks I'll be able to try it out.
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My insurance made the decision easy for me since only one type was offered.
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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.
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@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?
@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
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@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).
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I'm going straight to a hospital grade rental next time (Medela Symphony).
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@daniellemybelle: Rentals are sooo nice. Bulky, but nice. My insurance doesn't cover rentals unless my baby is in NICU.
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@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.
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@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.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003CUQ806?refRID=4NEX5HV53DTFJTPRHD54&ref_=pd_bia_nav_t_2#customerReviewsBut I'm not sure about what you'd need to connect the Spectra tubing to the Ameda flange.
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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. https://www.amazon.com/Maymom-Breastshield-Connects-Backflow-Protector/dp/B01DGEDVUM
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@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: ditto!
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@avivoca: my Ameda bottles fit the medela, they just don't twist all the way in. So it would work, albeit a bit precariously.
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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.
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@sunny: thank you so much for your feedback. I ordered the spectra, so we shall see!
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