When I used the Medela Swing, I pumped on the highest setting.
With the Lactina, it was about 65 or 70%. Initially, I used 90% but it gave me blisters.
With the Medela Double Pump (I think that model is similar to a PISA?), I can only pump on 40% power without it being uncomfortable.
What about you? I know they say that a higher setting doesn't necessarily mean more milk, but it does make me wonder.
watermelon / 14467 posts
My setting is pretty high, but my pump is on its' way out and if I go any lower I can't get any milk out.
honeydew / 7091 posts
I used my Ameda at 100% until about 3 months, and then had to notch it down to about 60%
persimmon / 1135 posts
I rent a medela symphony and use it mostly on medium and am completely emptied in 15-20 min with no discomfort.
papaya / 10343 posts
I have a medela PISA and I always start on the lowest power then ratchet it up to 40-60% after a few minutes. It's actually uncomfortable for me even there, but if I don't turn it up I don't get nearly as much milk.
apricot / 456 posts
@Mae That's interesting. Do you think you could get as much milk if you just pumped longer with a lower setting? Or that without the higher suction, it just wouldn't come out?
clementine / 918 posts
I used the PISA and always start around 50% and then continually increase the pressure as it got more comfortable and finished for about half the pumping session at 100%. There was no way I'd empty without going to 100% and i still had to pump for 25 - 40 minutes per session. Maybe my pump was awful but it seems crazy some of you could pump at such low settings. I always had a good supply and got good output.
clementine / 957 posts
PISA - at about 40%
Ameda Purely Yours - 100% speed/50% suction
I find with the PISA if I go higher, I don't get more milk so I just leave it at the most comfortable setting. I get more milk quicker with PISA than with Ameda. About 10-15min. I use this at work.
With the Ameda (which I use at home if I need to, I nurse LO exclusively at home) I can get a lot of milk if I am able to pump for longer (20-30min) and the speed seems crazy slow to me, so it's always on 100%. Man, that chirping drives me nuts though!
persimmon / 1194 posts
First baby: PISA at about 50% and got about 55-60oz per day
Second baby: PISA at 25% and still 55-60oz per day
I tried increasing the setting the second time around but it caused a broken capillary and I had blood in my milk. I stick to the lower setting now to be safe.
papaya / 10343 posts
@Skadi: I don't know. I used to just leave it on the lowest setting because my boobs hurt so bad (I had open wounds from BF from week 1 until.... well now actually. But they are more healed now than they used to be). I never got all that much, but I was also BF and also pumped more times/day. Once I quit BF and my boobs started to heal, I started pumping 4x/day and was able to turn the setting higher. I started getting more when I pumped, but I also noticed that my right breast rarely does more than drip until I ratchet the power up. Left is perfectly happy at low power and drains in about 10 min. Right does nothing more than drip until about 2-3 min after I turn up the power and then it comes out more slowly and usually takes 20-30 min to empty. Boobs are weird.
papaya / 10343 posts
also for just a moment i saw the title of this thread and forgot what point of my life i'm in and thought the thread was about engagement rings rather than breast pumps.... lol
cherry / 158 posts
I have the PISA and the Freestyle and they are both around the 40% -- Freestyle is a 4 or 5 and PISA is a turn dial.
wonderful olive / 19353 posts
I had a Freestyle and left it on 4, which was the default after letdown pumping strength.
pomelo / 5678 posts
Huh. I used the PISA and always pumped at 100%. I never thought not to (?) I guess I am an impatient pumper? Not sure how I would have emptied without full force, and I went at least 25 minites.
eggplant / 11408 posts
@Mae: @Skadi: I have a Freestyle, and I get much more milk out when I use level 6 (of 8?) than level 5. 6 is more uncomfortable sometimes, so that is when I use 5.
persimmon / 1194 posts
@LovelyPlum: yup! Didn't plan to but that's how it's worked out both times 
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