What's the Best Breastpump for Working Moms?

No question about it the Medela Pump in Style!!! Mine lasted through exclusively pumping for 3 children in order to keep them off of formula and having breast milk only for 10 months each! I can't reccomend it highly enough. It is definitely worth the cost for me, especially since I used it for 3 children!

T.

If you are interested in a hand pump I would highly reccomend the Medela Harmony pump. This is the second pump I have owned. The first was an electric First Years pump and it was terrible. I had no idea how terrible it was until I got my Medela Harmony. Had I of had this pump earlier I would have pumped more for my first baby. Its quick and quiet and compact. Love it!!!

I have been pumping since my daughter was a couple days old due to problems with my supply and her feeding. I have been using my Medela Pump in Style 8-10 times per day routinely for the past 6 weeks and have had no problems with it- it works great. I also rented a hospital grade pump (Medela Lactina Select) to try to increase my milk production, but really I don't notice much of a difference between the hospital grade pump and my personal Medela pump in style. I have used the pump in style at work, at home and in the car. I am able to pump using only one hand so I can read while pumping. Sometimes I can also take both hands off if there is enough suction.

Hello J.,
I have a two year old and a 5 mth old and fully nursed and am nuring both of them. My daughter was nursed until one and I am planning on doing the same with my son. I work full time and pump every three hours with the Medela breast pump. I bought it from the hospital and it has been great.
You have to spend some money but if you are serious about pumping it is the way to go!
Good luck

Hi J.,

I know what you are going though. I went back to work when my daughter was 8 weeks old. She is now almost 8 months old and we are still breastfeeding. I use the Medela In Style Advanced pump and it works great! Now through the months I have noticed that on occasion I have produced less milk. But it didn't have anything to do with the pump.
The Medela pump even has a car power adapter (sold separately)that you can use in case you have to travel for work.
The Medela pump is a little expensive (around $300), but it has been well worth the money, expecially when you look at the cost of formula. It is dependable, the parts are easy to clean, and looks like an ordinary bag.
I live in Harrisburg, PA and I looked into renting a pump from the hospital. From what the cost was in my area, if you planned to pump for less than 3 months then it was benficial to rent. If you planned to pump for more than 3 months then it was beneficial to purchase the Medela In Style Advanced pump. I hope this helps.

Good Luck!
L.

I rented one from the hospital right before I went back to work. It was a Medela (top of the line, electric double breast pump). I had to pay a monthly rent fee, but it was worth it. It also helps to have a picture of the baby, or a blanket that smells like him, it's supposed to help the milk flow! I went back to work when my daughter was 6 weeks old, and I breast fed until she was 5 months old (when she got teeth, ouch!)! Good luck!

Medala double breast is the only one that I would ever use again!
K. B

I also have a Medela Pump in Style Advanced, although I hear that Medela has a newer one out that is really nice...don't know what the name of it is, though! Just know that if you're buying one that there is a big difference between the regular Pump in Style and the Pump in Style Advanced. Be sure to look for the Advanced model if you're leaning towards Medela! i bought mine on eBay and just bought all new tubing. everything else I sterilized in boiling bleach water.

I used the Medela pump in style. It is FANTASTIC! It looks like a black bag, but folds open to use. It has a little shelf that folds down and there is room for a ice pack storage bag inside. You can pump one or two sides at a time. You can plug it in or use a battery pack. It is quiet and easy to use. It pumps efficiently!
I was able to pump far more milk than I ever expected, so much that I created a inventory of milk in my freezer that I was able to use after I weaned my son. He still had breastmilk for several weeks after I stopped pumping/nursing.

*Keep in mind that the amount of milk you pump is also a direct result of how your body is functioning. Remeber to get your rest and eat healthy just as if you're nursing! Pumping isn't any less strenuous on your body. Also try reading, watching tv, or typing emails, or listening to the radio while you're pumping. You will get far more milk out if you're relaxed and have your mind on something else. Make sure you're in a warm place and as comfortable as possible! If you stare at your boobs and wait, it won't work very well. "A watched pot never boils."

Good luck!

PS - I love the battery pack because I could pump in the car while my husband drove somewhere. It saved me from having to do it at our destination. And then I always had a warm bottle of milk ready before we got somewhere!

TBPH, I would call your insurence to see the who's and what's of breast pump rental. Youc an get on of the mega expensive ones to use for zero to little cost to you for renting it. It is sterilized and is normally what I refer to as the "industral strenght" kind. Normally a double pump, in a bag that would cost big $!! I would call and check that out and save your elecric oump for when you have outing and need to pump (back up). :)

Hi J.,
I'm also a huge fan of the Medela Pump in Style Advanced. It is a double electric, which makes it efficient. It comes in a great black bag, so no one can tell it is a breast pump. You can plug it in to the wall or use batteries.

It sounds like you were pumping well while at home, but not as well since you've been back to work. I had difficulty as well when I first went back to work. I found it made a huge difference to look at pictures of my daughter and think of her. At first I couldn't do anything else, I needed to close my eyes while pumping and just think about her. That triggered my MER (milk ejection reflex) and I was able to get tons of milk fast! It didn't take me long to be able to pump well just quickly looking at her picture, then not even needing to look at her picture (although I always enjoy doing so!!!).

Also, the Hands Free pumping bra is fantastic!!! I was able to do paperwork, check email, even return phone calls while pumping. I like the idea of just cutting holes in a sports bra. The suction of the pump will hold it in place against your breast. The bra just supports the weight of the bottle, etc.

A great resource for breastfeeding and being a working mom is "The Breastfeeding Book" by Martha and William Sears.

Best of luck to you!!! Keep breastfeeding, it will get easier to balance pumping and work!

J.,

I see that you have lots of responses but I wanted to include my recommendation.

I would also highly recommend a double electric pump.
I had been given the Medela Pump in style as a shower present. I found the system cumbersome, you have to hold the pumps on. I bought a something to hold the pumps so I could have my hands free to at least read a book but that was a frustrating situation to have to try to use at work.

Finally, I gave up and bought the Freestyle Breastpump.
This pump is AMAZING. I could literally FEEL the difference in the two pumps. Plus there is the added advantage of being hands free. DO NOT read the misleading reviews, this pump can be adapted to attach to any nursing bra, you don't have to buy the Medela nursing bras (I however already owned them and really like them too.)

I love this freestyle pump. My son has been in day care since he was about 12 weeks also and he is now 10 months and still gets breastmilk at school.

Good luck!

I have the Ameda Purely Yours and have used it every single day for over 3 years total (3 kids and I pumped for 1 year for each). It is still going strong. No problems with it, no loss of suction. I've carried it all over on vacations and trips and it's been great. I highly recommend it. If price is a concern you can get them used on ebay - just the motor part of it and buy new tubing, flanges and other parts. The milk never goes to or through the motor so a used motor shouldn't be a problem to use. Good luck!

Hi J.,

Congrats on your new baby and kudos to you for pumping at work! I pumped at work until my son was 15 months old, so I know how difficult it can be. I actually wrote an article on my experiences which you can see here: <http://www.pumpingtips.com&gt;

For pumps - I only recommend the Medela or Ameda pumps. When you are working, you definitely want a dual-electric pump. Here is a link to where you can find the selection from Ameda: <http://www.mothersboutique.com/peelbrpu.html&gt;

J.

A Mother's Boutique
Maternity & Breastfeeding clothing, Nursing Bras, Breast Pumps, Slings and Accessories.
MamaSource members save 10% off their first order (excluding breastpumps) with coupon MAMASOURCE
http://www.mothersboutique.com

I wasn't a working mom when i had my lil guy, but i found the hand pump that they gave me at the hospital to work the best. I bought an electric one and didn't care for it at all. I used it twice in 5 months!! I wish i hadnt even spent the money on it!! Everyone is different tho', so good luck in whatever you decide!!

Hi J.,

I've pumped at work since mid-January and I've used the Lansinoh double pump, purchased at Target for about $150. It works great! You meet challenges while pumping at work, but I commend you wholeheartedly for it. Be sure to keep yourself well nourished (oatmeal in the morning is great to keep supply up), very well hydrated, and stress free while pumping and you should do well. You'll notice that your supply might drop from time to time. While frustrating, it seemed to always come back within a few days for me. It helps to have a couple bags of frozen milk just in case at those times. Best of luck!!

Hi J.,
I had some ups and downs with the Medela Pump in Style when I returned to work at 12 weeks.A coworker suggested the Avent Isis hand pump and it worked awesome and really helped me when I had difficulty with letting down. I have my own office but had difficulty relaxing- I have a high stress job. Worrying about producing enough also added to the stress as well. The hand pump was also helpful when I needed to go to conferences and meetings out of the office. I used either pump depending on the siruation. My son is 18 months and he nurses 1-2x a day which no longer requires me to pump.(Thankfully) Don't hesitate to contact a lacation consultant if you hit any bumps.If possible go to a store or hospital that specializes in this area. Pennsylvania hospital has a lactation store that have women who are trained to help you get what you need. Also, my son would nurse more when I got home/through the night and ate a little less during the day. Best of luck!

Hi J., I recommend the Medlia Pump N Style. I have one that I bought it 8 years ago for my first child and used it for my other 2 children and it was great. The initial cost is alot (around $100-$150) but if you are planning on having more children then I think it's worth it (all I did was buy replacement tubes and bottles etc.. with each child) It's is fast and I think pumps out alot more milk the any hand held and you can do both breasts at the same time (big time saver). Good Luck! C.

Another for Medela here. My boys were preemies and I had to pump because they had latching issues that were eventually overcome. I had a hospital grade one for a while and that did not do any better than the Medela. Supply issues didn't have anything to do with the pump, it had to do with me, stress, hydration, food, mood, etc. If you need to build up your supply try pumping an extra time during the night so it's not so stressful to try to get enough during the day.
Good luck!

J.,

I LOVE my Medela InStyle. It was expensive, but so worth it. The let down phase has allowed me to pump more efficiently, and the case is so nice. I also love that it comes with a battery pack and you can buy a car charger for it too. I can't tell you how many times I was photographing a wedding and there was no place to pump, so I would do it in the car.

HTH,

Kali

Hi J.,

I went back to work when my baby was 10 weeks old and I used the Medela Pump in Style. It worked very well for me. Pumping two to three times a day I was able to produce about 20 oz of breastmilk a day. I found that trying to concentrate on my baby and looking at her picture would help in milk production. Also, it takes time for your body to get used to pumping as opposed to breastfeeding. The more you do it on a schedule the easier it becomes. I tried to stick to a schedule as much as I could (which was challenging in my job), but I found that trying to pump at the same times every day (or within an hour of my preferred times) went a long way in helping obtain sufficient milk. Also, in speaking with a lactation consultant she mentioned that exclusively breastfeeding on weekends would help maintain/build up the milk supply, which I found to be true as I always had the most milk early in the week. Hope this helps.

Medela double electric pump worked for me, and for my working moms that brought there children to me for child care. I suggest getting an adaptor for the car also.....that goes into your cigg lighter.....That way you have privacy...At work, they must give you as many breaks as you need to go and pump, and they must give you as long as you need. It is the law.

Hi J.,
I actually use the Avent ISIS pump. When it works, it works great! Here is my story with it. I bought one 3 years ago to use with my daughter. She breastfed for 2 months and just wasn't getting it, so I pumped exclusively for her until she was about 8 months. I bought a warranty thankfully, b/c I went through 4 of those pumps. For real. Luckily since I had the warranty, I never had to pay to replace them, and since I had the warranty and could get another free one, I never switched to a different kind of pump. Each time it broke, it was due to a connection problem. (my husband tore it apart to figure it out) I got my last new pump when she was almost done nursing, and I saved it for my next child.

My son is now 8 weeks old, and I started pumping only occasionally b/c he has taken to breastfeeding better, but, you guessed it, I've already had the same problem with the pump!! So anyway, my warranty has obviously expired, but due to finances and a handy husband, he has fixed it for me a few times already.

So, if it would just keep working, I would love it! All this to say, maybe over the past couple of years they have remodeled it so you won't have the same problem I did?? If you are going to be pumping, spend the money on a good pump. I wish I would have!! It can be so frustrating. But as some others have posted, I have heard great things about the Medela pumps. It was the recommended pump at my breastfeeding class too. I only bought the Avent b/c it was cheaper.

Get an electric breastpump that's above $200 like Medela. Actually there are lots of brands to choose from and they seem like a good deal. Here is a website that may be useful to compare brands and features. Can be ordered thru Amazon for your convenience

www.breastpumpreviewcenter.com

For full time pumping, you really want a double electric pump. If its feasible, a really good thing to do would be to rent a hospital grade pump, like a medlea lactina or symphony for a month or two. Right around 10-12 weeks, your supply is switching from hormone driven to supply and demand driven. Emptying your breasts as much as possible, as frequently as possible, will keep your milk production up!

I have a good friend who loved the Avent double electric (and loaned hers to me for a few weeks when my daughter was born prematurely). I didn't actually get a chance to use it, but it had some really nice features.

I'm a huge proponent of Medela. Their Pump In Style Advanced is a good full time pump. I am a SAHM, so I'm using a hand pump when the need arises - A medela harmony and an avent manual hand pump. I lost suction with my harmony and determined that I was missing a small plastic O ring that made the seal. I looked all over online to find one and wasn't able to. When I called Medela, the customer service rep knew exactly what was wrong instantly and dropped a new one in the mail, free of charge. I had it in a few short days. It's so nice to find a company that stands behind their products.

S.

The Avent hand pump is nice for occasional use, but if you are working and trying to maximize the amount of milk you get...what ever you do, don't go with a hand pump. I tried that and learned quickly that a double electric pump is the way to go. I work 12 hour shifts and pump 2-4 times a day when I am at work. With the hand pump I would get maybe 2 oz from each side. Switch to electric and got at least 4 oz from each. Major improvement!!! You can rent one (do a google search for places) if you don't want to make the investment. Good luck!

Hello J.,
Congratulations on your decision to continue to bf while you are working. It can be challenging, but worth it in the long run. There are 2 pumps that I have used, and would highly recommend to anyone who needs to use them on a regular basis. They are Ameeda Purely Yours, and Medela Pump in Style. They are a little expensive, but very worth every penny. Even though a manual pump may seem lucerative, they will take more time to express milk, in general. I have used both manual pumps and electric pumps, and prefer the later.
HTH,
J.

I also use the Medela double pump. I have the one that looks almost like a purse, and I have to stand to pump at work so it's easy to just put it over my shoulder. I would check your pump though, maybe it just needs some new parts? Pumps are expensive! Also, I am not sure a hand pump would be your best bet unless your let down is fast, it may take a lot longer than an electric one. Good luck!

It's not the pump, it's your body. Your body has a natural milk let-down from the baby and being relaxed. If you are away from your baby and stressed, your milk won't let down and it will feel like you aren't getting enough milk. Before you go and plunk down a wad of cash for a new pump, at work, make sure you are comfortable an relaxed. Have a picture of your baby close while pumping. I've heard some moms say that they 'leak' just hearing another baby cry. The stress thing and milk let-down can happen even when your baby IS nursing (had that happen when we were out at a family function). You have to be relaxed whether you are pumping OR nursing. Think about your baby and don't focus about how much milk you are getting (it really helps). Good luck.

Try calling your hospital. St Vincents in Erie has a great lactation consulant that would probably look at your machine for you and recommend a different one.
When i worked and pumped my supply would go through cycles, i ended up hand expressing some times.
Big applause for doing something so great for your baby. I know how tiring it can be.

Medela Pump-in-Style double-pump. Works great. Good Luck

J.... Save your money!!!! I too returned to pt work after 6 weeks and ft when my son was 12 weeks - he is now a healthy & heavy 11 mo.... If your body is anything like mine, you will see a decrease in your milk production using a pump when you are away from your baby. I knew I was away from him & my boobs knew. I had a great lactation nurse and called her about several BF problems and her advice basically boiled down to was BF is instinctual, it is our brains that mess it up and cause it to be something more stressful and less enjoyable - it is nothing to think about or worry about it is some thing to treasure and enjoy
-- Yeah so the enjoy was some thing I didn't understand when my nipples were raw and bleeding --- but perseverance has its reward and after having a misguided nursery nurse suggest a bottle his FIRST day because we were having trouble latching, me giving in because I was afraid of jaundice, worrying over how much milk I was producing, cracked nipples, raw nipples, finding the best invention KNOWN to a BF woman the nipple shield, losing my nipple shield, mastitis twice, having an I&D surgery to remove the infection the second time b/c of a stupid doctor, having to quit nursing on the that boob and becoming uneven, pumping 2 & 3 times a day at work, having a week-away business trip that took me through FAA security with my milk ---
SO my advice is to not waste anymore money on a new pump unless the one you have is totally busted. Your body & his body KNOW what to do you really shouldn't NEED to think about it - Again, if your body is like mine, it will adjust to producing more milk for him when he is at the boob... The first feeding after coming home from work usually @ 6pm is really his BIG meal of the day and I let him nurse at will at night --- so easy!!! I can sleep and he is content and if you hang in there your boobs won't hurt anymore my nursing experience was WAY more complicated becuase I worried -- looking back I was so concerned that he wasn't getting what he needed and that I needed to pump more at work and when I was trying to stock up for him before my business trip pumping 4 time a day at work that caused the majority of the problems - Pump when you are uncomfortable NOT to make an ounce quota. Nurse when you get home - your boobs know what to do he is healthy gosh he is 14 lbs your boob are working --- relax!!!!!

I have two children, 4 yrs old and 22 months. I breast-fed both of them. I used the Medela hand pump (baby shower gift) as well as the Electric Evenflo Breast pump (approx. $40). I know that the Medela is a little bit more pricey, but both of them were very effective, and I had good results with both. Of course, the electric was a little bit easier, but I would highly recommend either...GOOD LUCK!

I used the Medela Pump in Style for my daughter. She was hospitalized at 11 days old and once she got used to the bottle, she wouldn't work at nursing. She solely had breastmilk (no formula) until she was 13 months old. Good luck.

I LOVED the Medela Pump In Style. It looks like a big black purse (not designer, but most people didn't know the difference when I brought in to work). The suction was good, I could pump both breasts in about 10-15 mins dependeing on how full I was. It's a little pricey, but I used it on my 3 kids, and loaned it to my 2 sisters when they had kids (we just boiled everything). Very sturdy, user friendly, and pretty discreet, although all of my co-workers knew that I was doing it. If you're concerned about where you can pump at work, I found a supply closet with an outlet that worked perfect for me. My friends at work even made up a sign as a joke that read "Do Not Enter, She's Milking the Cow!" I didn't have any qualms about doing it here because the milk never touched anything except the bottle. I hope everything works out for you.

Ok, I soley pumped formy first child because she would not latch on, so I know what I am talking about when it comes to pumps. You must get a medela pump and style, the store purchased pumps do not work. I have included the link for e-bay for the pumps themselves, but you will want to make sure the bottles tubes and attachments are all new due to sanitary reasons. If you buy brand new it is 300.00. Compared to price of formula, and especially if you plan to have another some day, I feel it is worth it. I never regretted buying mine. :-)
here is the ebay link: http://shop.ebay.com/items/medela%20pump%20style?_dmd=1&a...

J., I would highly recommend Medela's top-of-the-line breast pumps. They have one's that are like bookbags now. I had the Medela Pump in Style- it was a leather case with a cooler in it and a space for all my accessories. People didn't even know what it was. It just looked like a professional bag. If you're gonna pump, it's worth it to have the best and most efficient pump that will last you. My mom picked both mine and my sister's Medela's up at yard sales for $50 each. A lot of times, people who have them hardly ever use them. Plus, you can get a whole new set of all the accessories for a reasonable price at Babies'R'Us, which is what we did. Then, we both passed ours onto other family members to use and got them new accessory kits. The other wonderful thing about having that pump was the hands-free hookup kit that my sister ordered from their website for me for like $15 or so. It hooked up to their bra with rubber bands and stuff that attach to the trumpet part. So, when I took my break at work, I would hook myself all up to the pump with my apron over me, then sit and eat my lunch while it did it's job. To make sure my son had enough bottles, I also pumped in the morning on one side while he nursed on the other. I also had the car adapter plug, which came in handy a few times when we went out without him and I didn't want to fill up or waste what could be another half a bottle. If you get it new, I think it's over $250. So, I would suggest looking for a used one or a good deal online and buy the new accessories kit, then ordering the hands-free kit online or over the phone to make your life even easier. I was able to use some of my regular nursing bras with it too by just connecting it to the top hook and using my arm across the front to keep them on the suction. I also loved that I used the same bottle to pump into, freeze, and feed him with by replacing the seal top with the nipple.
Just a little encouragement for the working mom- there are advantages to leaving your infant even though you don't really want to. It is easier for them when you leave as they get older because they've always seen you return. So, it helps both of you with healthy departing. It's also very good to have something for yourself that is separate from just being a mom, especially if you enjoy your job. It can be beneficial for your sanity to talk to other adults and to take pride in something else that you do.

Medela Freestyle (if you can afford it) is freaking amazing!!!! If not, Medela Pump in Style is extremely popular & effective.
Good luck!

I had the medela advanced double breast-pump. I had difficulties with my milk coming in, and staying! I loved it, very easy and productive. I asked around before i bought it and alot of moms who work had the medela breast-pump as well and they loved them. They are pricey but so is the avent ISIS. Not all avent products are bpa free like medela.

I used the Medela electric double pump. You can do both sides at the same time and it is not uncomfortable.

I absolutely loved my Medela Pump Instyle. It comes in a very nice leather case and one side of it is a cooler to store your milk. It is a bit pricey; however, it is alot cheaper than formula every month. you can adjust the speed as well as the suction....I hope that this helps

Hi J., I know what you're going through. I hated going back to work with my first daughter and even more so now with my second daughter. With my first, I pumped up until she was almost 12 months with a backpack style Medela Pump In Style Advanced pump. It works great and using it now for my second daughter, it has paid for itself already! It was close to $300, but considering what we would've paid for formula, it was definitely money well spent. Also, I was able to get $50 back through our health insurance too, so that might be something to look in to as well for any pump that you buy. Good luck pumping and in your search for a pump. It's tedious to do at times, but I always think of the benefits cost and health wise.

I have the madela "pump in style" and I LOVE it. I have managed to work full-time and breastfeed my two boys each for 1 year without having to give them 1 drop of formula thanks to this pump. It is fast, easy and discrete. The other option is to rent a medela lactina from a hospital and just leave it at the office. It is not portable, but that is the one that I used in the NICU. (my first was a preemie)

A good pump is expensive, but worth every penny. Try eBay..I got a good deal on mine.

Good Luck!

-Jenn

Trying to work and pump is rough. Make the investment in renting a Medela Symphony. It is an easy portable hospital grade pump and you will be absolutely amazed at how quickly you can get a ton of milk. If this does not fit in your budget, a Pump in Style is your best bet. I used the Avent hand pump as well, it works pretty well and does not pinch like some hand pumps do, but it takes a bit longer.

I also have the medela pump in style which I love. I would recommend either getting the hands free boustier - called Easy Expression Hands Free Breast Pump Bra - Bustier - or making your own which I did. I took a cheap sports bra from target and cut small slits in it and put the cup part through that. A breastfeeding center told me to do this and it works like a charm. You can do other things while you pump! The pump in style also comes with a bttery pack that is handy if you need to pump where there is no outlet. some even have a car adapter.