I Tried 4 Different Breast Pumps And Here’s My Favorite
First, congratulations to you! If you are reading this blog, chances are you are an expecting mother. So, let me be the first to welcome you into the “Mom’s club.” This is not a real club, but you’ll quickly realize that the second you give birth you enter an elite group of superheroes.
I have two kids, Barrett and Brock. They are only 21 months (about 2 years) apart and having two under 2 has been a wild journey so far! I have written many blogs about parenting, and you can find them all on Country 102.5’s website. You can also follow me on Facebook and Instagram.
Today I want to dive into breast pumps. There are a lot to choose from, and I’ve tried many of them. So, I will tell you about my thoughts on the ones that I’ve tried. At the end of the day though, everyone has their own preference and if you’re able to give your baby food, that’s all that matters.
Medela Symphony Breast Pump
The Medela Symphony is the one that was given to me while I was at the hospital. Just after you give birth, a lactation consultant visits you and asks if you plan on breastfeeding your baby. If your answer is “yes,” then they will give you all the guidance you need to get the breastfeeding process started. One trick to get your milk flowing is to start pumping. And even if there’s no milk yet, it will eventually happen!
Here’s what I liked about the Medela Symphony. It has a 15-minute timer, so it holds you accountable to do a full 15-minute pump. The machine shuts off at the end of the 15 minutes. The suction was good, and I began producing milk in a couple of days using the machine.
Here’s what I didn’t like about the Medela Symphony. There are only two pump settings. So, if you’re looking for different pumping rhythms, you won’t get it from this machine. I also don’t like the fact that you must keep the machine plugged into an outlet to use it. There’s no battery component to this.
I rented this machine from the hospital to use for the first month I was home with the baby. I used it often, but I eventually returned it to the hospital.
Spectra S1 Breast Pump
The Spectra was handed down to me from my sister. After she had her first child, she gave it her all and tried her hardest to breastfeed, but it wasn’t in the cards for her. When I gave birth to my first baby, she let me use it, and I kept it. I used it for the first three months of Barrett’s life, and it was very trustworthy. This is the pump that I currently use with my second son, and I love it.
Here’s what I like about the Spectra. The machine itself is portable and holds a great charge. I can go a few days without recharging it. I also love that there are multiple flow cycles and vacuum settings. There’s also a light on the machine that you can press in case you’re needing to pump in the middle of the night, or a dark room, or a car. It’s come in handy for me a few times!
What I don’t love about the Spectra are the plastic breast flanges. They seem hard to clean for some reason. All in all, I suggest this one over the Medela Symphony.
Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump
This breast pump is all manual. There are no electronics involved. At first I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy something like this, but it’s very convenient for on-the-go milk expression. I like that you can fit it in your purse. The thing that I don’t like is that I don’t feel as though I get as much milk out of one sitting.
Momcozy S12 Portable Breast Pump
I used the Momcozy after I gave birth to my first baby. At the time I felt like the portable aspect of the pump was desirable. But I never felt like it sucked out a lot of milk. I used it again with my second child and threw it away after a few times. I don’t suggest this pump. It might work great for you, but I felt like I could get better results with other pumps.
What Was My Favorite Breast Pump?
At the end of the day, every mom has their own preference. But my favorite breast pump was the Spectra 1. It’s given me as much milk as possible for both of my children. It will be a sad day when I retire it for good. (Or donate it to another mother).
