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Medela has stood the test of time when it comes to breast pumps, featuring a wide range of breast pumps, each more innovative than the next. No wonder mothers have come to love and trust this brand.
Today we are featuring the Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump, a duel, electrical breast pump perfect for moms on the go! Before we get started though, let’s quickly recap on why you would need to purchase a breast pump.
Is It Really Necessary To Buy a Breast Pump?
The number one reason for new mothers purchasing a breast pump is because they wish to continue to breastfeed once they’ve gone back to work.
The reality is that the majority of new mothers have to return to work after their little one is born to provide for their families. Statistics have shown that mothers are returning to work much sooner than in the past but thanks to technology, mothers can continue to provide their little ones with breast milk even when they aren’t around.
Other reasons for investing in a breast pump include either you or your baby being hospitalized due to illness, giving birth to a preemie or any other complications that might arise during birth.
A breast pump will also allow for your partner to take over the night feeds if you are in need of some extra sleep and provide them the opportunity to bond with the baby. You could even go out on a date night without having to worry about getting home to feed your little one.
A breast pump can also be used to stimulate the breast to increase milk supply or offer you some much-needed relief if your breasts become too full and engorged.
Can I Switch to Formula Milk When I Go to Work?
Yes, you can, and your baby will still receive all of the necessary nutrients that it needs in order to strive. Breast milk, however, does appear to be “white gold” regarding the benefits it provides, including a strengthened immune system, higher levels of cognitive function and intelligence, and a lower risk of SIDS.
Breastfed babies also tend to have fewer allergies, be less constipated and gassy, and as your baby grows, the composition of your breast milk will change in order to meet your little one’s needs. It is essential, however, that you go with whatever works for you and your baby and no one should ever make you feel guilty about your choice. Lifestyles these days differ vastly, and there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution.
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Pump in Style is designed for daily use and moms who pump several times a day, thanks to its patented, research-based 2-Phase Expression technology which produces more milk in less time for efficient expression and maximized flow.
The Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump
Let’s take a peek at what is included when purchasing your set:
- 1 x Double pumping kit
- 1 x Battery pack (8AA batteries not included)
- 2 x 24mm PersonalFit breast shields
- 4 x 5 oz./150ml milk bottles, lids included
- A 9-Volt AC adaptor
- 1 x Cooler bag
- 1 x Contoured Ice pack
- A portable, black microfiber bag.
The nipples required for the milk bottles are sold separately. You may also need to purchase a different size breast shield, depending on your personal needs.
The breast pump
The Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump expresses breast milk by means of an open system within the machine, which, despite the fact that it provides better suction, is one of the biggest disadvantages of this model.
While a closed system pump provides a protective barrier between the actual pump mechanism and the equipment used to collect milk, an open system does not. This allows condensation build-up or even tiny amounts of milk to stay behind in the tubing if not cleaned properly, creating the perfect breeding environment for mold, viruses, or bacteria to grow.
Due to this imperfect system, you may have to replace tubes more often to prevent your breast milk from becoming contaminated. Fortunately, these spare parts are easy to find online, but it is somewhat costly.
Power supply
The Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump includes a 9 Volt AC Power adaptor so you can just plug in your pump and start pumping whenever you need to.
We love that the Pump in Style Advanced also comes with a battery pack, making it possible for you to pump on the go, no matter where you are. The battery pack requires 8 x AA batteries which do not come in a package with the breast pump and we have to warn you that the batteries get drained rather quickly when using your pump.
For emergencies though, it is perfect. You can also invest in a Medela car charger to charge your breast pump if you are inclined to travel regularly.
Single or double
The Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump can be used either as a duel milk collection system or as a single breast pump, leaving you with the option to express either one breast or both breasts during a session. If you are strapped for time, we suggest you also invest in a pumping bra that will enable you to pump hands-free.
Noise factor
Compared to other electrical breast pumps, the Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump is a relatively quiet breast pump.
A breast pump is still a machine, so you will hear at least some noise. To save you some embarrassment, we don’t suggest catching up on phone calls with colleagues or co-workings while pumping as they will certainly hear the pump on the other side of the phone!
Suction power
The Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump’s most valuable attribute is definitely its suction power. For a personal, electrical breast pump, the Pump in Style offers good suction power which is exactly what mothers need when having to pump on the go.
The Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump also features Medela’s unique 2 –phase expression technology which the organization is widely popular for, leading to a quick and effective emptying of the breast. During the first phase, also known as the Let-down phase, the breast is stimulated in order to encourage the Let-down reflex that will lead to a better expression of milk.
The second phase, which is the actual expression of milk, then follows. Once in the second phase, you can adjust the suction speed to your needs manually.
Cleaning
Unfortunately, the open circuit system used in the Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump will require you to clean your breast pump extensively in order to prevent any milk contamination. By doing this, you may be able to avoid contamination, but there’s still no guarantee.
To clean the pump:
- Dissemble all the tubes and shields
- Run tubes through cool, clean water to get rid of any visible build-up.
- Gently soak tubes in warm, soapy water.
- Rinse tubes again with clean water to prevent any soap from staying and behind.
- Leave tubing out to dry completely.
We also suggest that you run the pump with the tubes detached from the bottles for a minute or so after usage which should clear up the condensation.
Replacement parts
Due to the open circuit, you may have to purchase replacement parts for your Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump from time to time. Though the parts are readily obtainable online, they don’t come cheap so be sure to keep an eye out for when they are on special. After all, it is always a good idea to have at least one spare lying in your cupboard, right?
Portability
The Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump is an excellent choice if you are constantly on the move. The breast pump is sold with a convenient black carry bag that is not only discreet but also rather stylish.
The pump itself is not too heavy, and the battery pack makes it convenient to express milk whenever you need to. A fully stocked carry bag will weigh around 7 lbs. excluding milk content. The pump is also small in size and easy to access from the bag.
The bag/Tote
The travel bag that accompanies the Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump is big enough to hold all of the contents, including the cooler bag.
The cooler bag comes with a contoured ice pack, designed to perfectly fit 4 x 5 oz. Medela milk bottles in order to keep milk cool during the day. The cooler bag fits nicely on top of the other accessories in the bag. Some mothers have complained though that when working late, 4 x 5 oz. bottles tend to be insufficient for storing all of your milk supply so keep this in mind if you plan on working more than your average 8 hour day on a regular basis.
The travel bag also has a side opening that provides you easy access to the breast pump, allowing you to express breast milk without having to unpack everything first. If you decide to pack all of the contents, there, unfortunately, won’t be much space left for tablets, cellphones, wallets, or keys.
We love that the bag has a very discreet appearance and outsiders would never guess that you have a breast pump in there, making it easy to travel with no matter where you are off to.
Summary
The Medela Pump in Style certainly has its lists of pros and cons. The open-circuit system used to express breast milk is certainly its biggest drawback and also the reason why many parents may pass on this specific pump. Not only does it have the capacity to pose a health risk if not cleaned properly but cleaning the pump extensively steals some valuable time.
On a positive note, the Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump does provide a quick and efficient way of expressing breast milk while you are out and about, largely due to the fact that open-circuit systems provide better suction.
Its size and battery pack make the breast pump very portable and thanks to its 2 phase expression technology, you will be done pumping in no time. The replacement parts are a little expensive though and keep in mind that you might have to purchase these parts more often than you would like to.
All in all, the Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump’s biggest disadvantage (open circuit) is also its biggest advantage (providing excellent suction power that expresses milk quickly and efficiently). Keep in mind, however, that the time gained by expressing milk swiftly, might cost you when it comes to accurately clean your breast pump.
The breast pump does, however, provide excellent quality for the money and you can be sure that the pump itself is of excellent quality.
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