I have a Medela Pump In Style now. I hate pumping but my son will not take formula and I will be working part time on weekends so I need to.
I think the thing I don't like the most is the clean up. I know it does not take long to clean, but I don't like cleaning all the parts. I do have 2 sets, I do use the dishwasher, but when I need to pump more I need to wash by hand. I have the Medela steam bags to sanatize the parts. (I don't know as if I really need these, I use them just in case.)
My question is, do you have a suggestion as to a pump that works well and is fairly easy to clean? I just came across the Playtex Embrace and it appears to be easy to clean. I know the Medela is one of the best for breast pumps, I just want to see what else might be available.
Thanks for reading,
M.
Thanks to everyone who responded. I guess I am just to worried about scrubbing down the parts in between uses. I will keep the pump in style and change my cleaning routine.
I also tried the Medela and found it very time consuming to clean with all of its parts. I have to pump full time since my son wouldn't latch on consistently. I found the Ameda pump, which is awesome, and so much easier to clean! Ameda.com should have all the answers you need, but I strongly recommend this pump. Best of luck to you!
I agree if the PIS is working keep it. I have a PIS too and a trick I got from Kellymom.com was to keep my horn and whatever I am pumping into in the firdge between pumping's. I pump every time my daughter eats because she only eats from one side, so that's like 6 times a day! I keep all the parts in the fridge and wash once day (well I have 6 horns so I actually wash like every other day). I also only sterilize once a week or once every two weeks.
Although I also hate the clean-up process, I recommend sticking with the Medela if you plan on continuing breastfeeding for any length of time. When a baby starts on solids, most moms generally see a decrease in milk supply. The Medela works well to combat that and I just don't trust other pumps to be as effective. Low milk supply can be extremely frustrating so it's important to have an effective pump. My daughter just turned one and we have only breastfed in addition to food (no formula due to allergies). I went through several period of low milk supply and even wondered if my pump was effective since I was able to get so little. I contacted Medela and their customer support was amazing to make sure that my pump was working well (it was). I run my own business and stopped taking my daughter with me at about 6 months so it was important to keep pumping. I have at least 8 set ups for pumping. I found that alhtough I hated cleanup it was easiest just to do one big round of it rather than one or two here and there.
Good luck with pumping and stick with it.
Rinsing the excess milk off and then using the steam bags is all you need to do to keep them clean in between dishwasher washings. Don't worry about hand washing :)
I had the Medela and almost stopped breast feeding because I hated it so much. It hurt so much and felt like it took forever to pump. I got the playtex one and LOVED it. It is SO easy to use and I feel so much easier to clean. I have twins and it was a life saver because there was not much time to clean up, etc. with two tiny babies. Everything is dishwasher safe, so if you do not have the time to hand wash you can throw it in the dishwasher. I loved the different settings it had and the actual pump is really easy to clean because there are not a lot of buttons, etc.
Not all pumps are for everyone, that is why there are so many different brands and types. You just need to find the one that is right for you.
M.:
If the PNS is working for you than sitck with it... how about cleaning less... Only the parts that come into contact with milk need cleaning... bottles - you can switch to pumping and storing in bags... that way you only have to clean the shields... they can just be run under water... dishwasher once a day.
P., RLC, IBCLC, CST
Board Certified Lactation Consultant and Parenting Coach
www.lactationsupportgroup.com
Use the steam bags!!!!! I couldn't live without them. At work, just rinse out your parts, throw them in the bag add a couple of oz of water and microwave for 3 minutes. It doesn't get any easier than that!
I would stick with Medela. If you are looking for a manual, hand-held pump, the Medela Harmony is really great. It is very easy to clean. I was able to get as much from it as my double electric pump--it just takes longer since it's not electric.
As for cleaning, I would rinse after each pump session (I pumped at work 3x a day). Then, I would wash in the dishwasher each night.
M.,
I pumped full time for 15 months - baby wouldn't nurse. All I used was the pump in style. sounds like you're worrying too much about cleaning it. I think I used to put it in the avent microwave steamer, but after 6 months I just ran some soapy water thro it and rinsed well. No need to take it apart every time, just once in a while. Don't be horrified, but I'm sure there were occasions where I pumped without cleaning & into a just rinsed with water, bottle. Breast milk is extremely bacteria resistant! My kid is as healthy as can be.
I wouldn't use anything but the pump in style.
Best,
S.
When I know that I will be using my pump again within a few hours, I simply rinse all the parts with very hot water. Then they go in the dishwasher that night to be ready the next day. I've never found it cumbersome...
Stick with the Medela. I used an Avent pump and it was AWFUL! It would take me forever to pump a bottle. Almost 30 min. If you check out the website for Target they have customer reviews of the products. They're written by real people, so they're usually pretty accurate. You can also buy more extra parts for the Medela. I don't know how expensive they are. I really wish I had just spent the money for the good pump in the beginning.
