In Need of a Good, Reliable Breast Pump

Updated on December 22, 2009
N.S. asks from Kansas City, MO
26 answers

At my baby shower I recieved a 'the first years MiPump' and a week after I started using it the power just stopped working so I took it back to the store and exchanged it for another one of the same brand. This time I used it once and the suction stops working. Needless to say I am extremely frustrated and I am going to go buy a completely different brand. Any recommendations on what brand is best. I have a budget of around $150.

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A.S.

answers from Kansas City on

I used a medela pump in style. I think it was in the $200 range. I borrowed it from a friend who used it for a year, I used it for both my kids. In between kids another girlfriend borrowed it for about 6 months. Best pump ever.

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M.W.

answers from St. Louis on

Playtex hand pump is great for occasional needs. However, if you work full time, a medela hospital grade rental pump is best. The Pump In Style really doesn't keep up the supply as well.

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J.K.

answers from St. Louis on

I originally bought the Medela hand pump one thinking it was a lot cheaper and it'd be fine since I was saving so much $. Not quite. It sucked--not really, that was why it sucked. So I went and got the Medela electric double pump one. It was WONDERFUL! It IS pricier, but so worth it. Good luck!

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A.A.

answers from St. Louis on

Have you thought about renting one? Walgreens has really good pumps and Once Upon a Child rents the pump n style. St. Johns Pharmacy also rents them. Much cheaper in my opinion.

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L.G.

answers from St. Louis on

St. John's Mercy Medical Center pharmacy rents hospital grade pumps by the month. It wasn't cheap, but worth every penny. I also had a Medela Pump and Style for traveling it it worked well, but not as well as the hospital grade one from St. John's. Good luck!

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L.B.

answers from St. Joseph on

I have the Medula Pump in Style Double pump with the leather bag...it ROCKS! I've used it for both my kids and it's still in the closet awaiting a possible third...never had a problem with it.

I don't see any reason why you couldn't buy one used...I'd looke on ebay because you can get them a fraction of the cost...If you are worried about contamination just buy new tubing and sterilize the rest...nothing goes through the machine so it's worth it to save the money! I paid nearly $300 for mine 7 years ago but I know I've seen them on ebay for under $75! AND, you can probably get an extended warranty on it through ebay and if it konks out Paypal will refund your money. ;)

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F.B.

answers from Kansas City on

I got my pump in style "new in box" on ebay. they really are the best!

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K.P.

answers from Barnstable on

I know you only have around $150 to spend, but look into Medela. I personally have the Medela Pump in Style double electric and it is completely worth the money ($280). But they have less expensive models, equally as good.

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S.S.

answers from Lawrence on

The pump I used for both of my kids was the Medela. I loved it.

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K.K.

answers from St. Louis on

Hello! i used the Medela Pump in Style and i bought it used off ebay and it worked wonderful. it did come with parts but i sterilized them and had to buy new suctions anyway cause they were the wrong size. I would look at either ebay or even craigslist has some for cheap too. good luck. dont get discouraged, breastfeeding is a wonderful thing!!!

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C.M.

answers from Springfield on

I also have the medela pump in style and love it, well as much as you can love a breast pump anyway. I used it to pump full time for 6 months for my son because he couldn't nurse due to having cleft lip and palate. And now I am using it with my 7 month old on occasion (she is able to nurse). Check with your local hospital about renting a hospital-grade pump. Also check with your insurance. Sometimes they will cover part or all of a pump rental or purchase. Either way, sounds like you need a better quality pump. Check with your friends to see if anyone might be willing to sell/give you theirs. As long as you sterilize or buy a new kit it's completely sanitary. Good luck!

A.S.

answers from Kansas City on

I have the Medela Swing pump. It's a single electric pump. I LOVE it! I used it with our first daughter, and now I'm using it with our second and it's still going strong. I highly recommend it!

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A.D.

answers from Atlanta on

You're not going to like my answer, but I agree with the last responce. I also own the Medela pump in style double pump and it is the only one I will ever buy or use. I was just thinking the other day that I don't know how I could ever accomplish breastfeeding without it. It really does make life so much easier. They run about 280.00, but they are well worth it!!! I love mine so much that I would be willing to spend 500.00 if mine ever quit working. You won't regret the purchase I can promise you that.

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K.B.

answers from St. Louis on

I got my Medela off e-bay (new). It was the best investment because I had to pump all the time because my son would never latch on.
Congratulations and Best Wishes

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A.K.

answers from Wichita on

I had a Medela Pump in Style double pump when my youngest was born and it was the best one I've ever owned. He had to be in the hospital for a week when he was just 2 months old and the lactation consultant brought down a hospital grade Lansinoh for me to use but it didn't compare at all to the Medela. There was no suction on that pump at all and they even brought another in for me to try. I ended up having to ask my husband to bring the Medela from home for me to use. If you can, you should try to buy the Medela even if you end up with a cheaper model than the Pump in Style. It's worth every penny.

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R.D.

answers from Kansas City on

EMAIL ME!!! I happen to OWN a Medela Pump N Style that I was going to list on eBay!! I would much rather sell it to a Mamasource Mama!! I will take $100 for it. It has EVERYTHING you will need, and you can sterilize all of it. I have several bottles, lids, extra tubing, etc. It runs perfect! Even has a 'let-down' feature. Let me know if you want it. I would appreciate knowing even if you don't want it. As I said...I will list on eBay if you don't want it. Either way, MEDELA really is the BEST!!

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B.B.

answers from St. Louis on

Maybe you can find one to borrow - you could buy the parts to the Medela (the tubes, and bottles and other stuff) and borrow just the machine part from someone? Ask around. Ask friends, friends of friends, relatives, anyone who might know anyone who could lend theirs to you. My sister gave me hers (electric part) because she was finished with it and finished having children and I bought the other stuff so I knew all of that was clean and new.

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D.M.

answers from St. Louis on

I had the Medula In Style Double pump and loved it. It is a little pricey new but you can usually find it used on ebay at a good price and buy new tubes and stuff. When you are done with it there is such a demand for it that you can turn around and sell it on ebay and get as much or more then you paid.

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T.H.

answers from Kansas City on

The Medela really is the best. Renting was a good suggestion, but if you want to buy I suggest looking on the Heckley Medical Supply website. I'm pretty sure that's what it's called. That's where I got mine and they sell them for much less than retail and the shipping is usually free on a purchase that large. It is a pricy investment, but ease and peace of mind is so worth it! I don't regret my purchase at all, plus if you plan on having more kids, you might as well get one that you like and that works well now!

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B.S.

answers from Kansas City on

I got my Medela single pump from Ebay for about 80$. Bought the shields and parts new, but you can always sterilize. LOVE my Medela!

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M.S.

answers from Lawrence on

Ameda Purely yours---it is a double electric with a/c adapter as well as runs on batteries. You can order it from dealers new in box from ebay for right about 150. I LOVED mine. I used it for 2 kiddos and never had a problem, you might check it out.

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T.P.

answers from Kansas City on

Hello N.!

I LOVE my Medela Pump N Style Breast Pump! I purchased it from Saint Lukes but they can be bought at other locations such as Babys R Us, etc. I'm saving it to use for my next little bambino. I used it for 9 months without any issues with my son. It is an electric pump and this is the ONLY way to go....electric! I believe that I spent $250 for it but it is so worth the price and it's a dual breast pump. So it will take less time. Good luck and enjoy your precious baby girl!

Take care,
Latisha

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M.B.

answers from St. Louis on

While it's not as popular a choice as the Medela (for nearly $300!), I loved my Playtex embrace double electric and I paid much less. Here it is on Amazon for 170--http://www.amazon.com/Playtex-Embrace-Breast-Pump-System/...

I used it from 7 weeks until 7 months of my girl's life and I worked full time 5 days a week. However, it is not meant for full-time pumping if you aren't breastfeeding nights and weekends either. I had no trouble with mine and am giving it to my sis-in-law to use for her first. It has several strength and speed settings and is very portable with it's own plain black carrying case. It even comes with a car (DC) plug in for free and most brands charge another 30 bucks for that. Since I used mine in the car several times, I needed that part.

Best of luck to you and congratulations!

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C.M.

answers from Chicago on

i also had a problem because i had a "cheaper" one first time around and i got a Lansinoh double pump and it worked great for me. definitely more powerful than the evenflo one i got first time. also, the tubes and shields were the same type that the hospital i was in used so i was used to it and already had an extra set of accessories. it runs about $160 at babies r us. you might be able to find it cheaper elsewhere.

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3417450

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S.H.

answers from Hartford on

If you have access to the 15% off coupon that Babies-R-Us sends in the mail, then the $279.00 In-Style pump is only $237.00. If you have any gift cards, even better. That is how I managed the pricey purchase. I also recommend the Easy Expressions hands-free bustier (from Amazon).

Prior to that I rented the Medela Symphony (from Babies-R-Us) for $80.00 a month. There is an extra charge for the necessary attachments ($50), but I had them already from my hospital stay.

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K.G.

answers from St. Louis on

I used the Purely Yours for both my boys, and I worked full-time from teh time they were six weeks old. I also traveled for business, pumping as I went. It was my constant companion for two years (one year for each boy). I loved it, and it was worth every single penny. I do know that you can get them on EBay or Craigslist, and I'd try and go that route if budget really is an issue. If I were you, I would prefer a new one, but I know that the quality is incredible.

Congratulations on your baby girl!

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