Pros: Quiet compared to most hospital grade pumps, built-in cooler, discreetly portable
Cons: Case non-removable so if pump is used mostly at home, can get in way.
The Bottom Line: Rent a pump first while you decide if breastfeeding is for you, then buy the Pump in Style! It's discreet, easy to use and pays for itself in six months!
nursingmom's Full Review: Medela Pump In Style Breast Pump
Breast pumps are confusing! Manual or electric? Rent or buy? Look no further! The Medela Pump in Style is the best you can buy with the most features and advantages. I was so confused about the entire pump issue that I didn’t even have a manual one when my son was born. I came home from the hospital and my son had jaundice and he wasn’t nursing. Thankfully, my son’s pediatrician referred me to a Certified Lactation Consultant who worked miracles- she had my son latched on and nursing within ten minutes. But…I still needed a pump!
The Medela Pump in Style pays for itself in six months
The Consultant also rented a Medela Lactina Plus Pump (please see review) to me at a cost of $40 per month. After four weeks of trial and error, sore nipples, engorgement, Thrush, and my son’s restless and quirky nursing habits, things settled down and I decided that breastfeeding my son was something that I wanted to stick with. When it came time to pay the next month’s rent on the Lactina Pump, my Consultant asked me how long I planned to nurse my son. I told her I planned to nurse for approximately one year. She suggested that I purchase the Medela Pump in Style for $248 because if I rented the Lactina for one year, it would cost $480 in rental fees. If I bought the Pump in Style, I would not only save $232, but I would also own the pump, and would be able to use it for my future babies as well. She pointed out that even if I only nursed my son until he was six months old, I would still be breaking even as far as buying vs. renting. So, now that I have explained the monetary benefits of owning the Pump in Style, let me describe some of the unique features of this pump.
What does the Medela Pump in Style consist of?
The Black leatherette encased unit is approximately 1ft long by 1ft tall by 6in wide with an adjustable shoulder strap, which looks deceptively like a large purse. Inside are a high-powered pump with adjustable speed and suction for either single or double breast pumping which is accessed by a small zippered opening on the front of the carry case. Also inside the case are compartments for storing the optional rechargeable PowerPak and optional Vehicle Lighter Adapter, pump attachments and bottles. Now here’s the nifty part- there’s a built-in cooler with re-freezable cooling elements which will store and keep cool 20oz of milk for up to eleven hours! Another thoughtful touch is the place where you can insert a photograph of your beautiful little baby. Looking and thinking about him or her will aid in the “let-down” reflex and stimulate the milk ducts to release more milk.
An inventory of the included items that you will receive when you purchase the Pump in Style are:
(4) 5oz. Bottles with lids
(2) bottle stands
(2) “Pumping Horns” (the part you place over your breast to pump) and tubings
(1)manual pumping conversion kit
(1)Transformer
(3)Cooling Elements
(1)Starter Pack of Milk Storage Bags
Additional Items that may be purchased separately are the PowerPak for cordless pumping (approx. $173.25) and the Vehicle Lighter Adapter (approx. $16.60). I strongly suggest that you wait before you purchase these additional items, because you may not really need them. I am a stay-at-home mom and am never in a situation where I need either of these items because I do all of my pumping at home or in a place where I can access an electrical outlet. If you are planning to return to work and will be using the pump at work, scope out the bathroom or break room where you will be pumping to see if you can use an outlet before you spend another $190 bucks!
One thing I do recommend is that you purchase an additional set of “Pumping Horns” and several extra storage bottles, because trust me- you’ll need them, especially at first when you are nursing every two hours and you have to sterilize all of the parts at least once a day. It’s worth the extra $28.
Does the Pump in Style deliver as promised?
Absolutely. The Pump in Style is discreet. I have never once had anyone ask what it was I was carrying when I transport it. It looks like and ordinary purse. The Pump in Style is lightweight, considering everything that is contained, including a motor. The Pump in Style really does keep the milk cool for up to 11 hours, as long as you’re smart (store in a shaded and cool area, don’t open the cooler unless you’re adding another bottle of milk, and follow ALL rules for sanitation and proper storage). The Pump in Style extracts milk as quickly as the hospital rental pumps and is much more quiet, which your sleeping husband will appreciate when you’re relieving engorgement at 3:20 am!
Does a Stay-At-Home-Mom really need an electric pump?
If you’re reluctant to nurse your baby in a public restroom or a dressing room and want to have any kind of a life that involves leaving the house, YES! If your milk “comes in” the way mine did, you will be pumping off an extra 8 to 20 oz. a day in the first month because your breasts will be so engorged that your baby won’t even be able to latch on until you relieve some of the pressure. Do you really want to fumble around with a manual pump for the third time in the middle of the night when you can just flip a switch and let the Pump in Style do all the work? Also, in the middle of the night, you can store that extra milk that you’ve pumped off in the cooler instead of stumbling down the stairs to put the milk in the fridge. It doesn’t seem like a big deal, but when you’re sleep deprived from caring for a newborn, every little extra convenience counts! You may also be wondering just how often you would need to use a pump after the first month of engorgement is over. I use my pump all of the time. I have taken it to two weddings, over to friend’s houses and when my son has skipped a nursing so that I can keep my milk supply in sync with his demand. I had a situation where my milk supply was diminishing, and I used the pump to help increase my milk production. You just never know when you may need it.
Ease of Use
The Medela Pump in Style and all of its parts may look confusing at first, but that’s just because you’re SO TIRED from the labor and birth of your baby. Just have a loved one or friend read the instructions and then explain it to you in plain English. After a day or two of using the Pump in Style, you’ll be able to assemble and disassemble it blind-folded! The adjustable speed and suction pressure are great because you can determine what is most comfortable and efficient for you.
Durability Over Time
I have owned the Medela Pump in Style for six months now, and I am so pleased with it! It is durable, versatile, and so discreet! All of the parts and pieces are still in tip-top shape, despite the fact that I sterilize the bottles and plastic pieces every day, and that I have accidentally dropped the Pump in Style a few times and it has suffered no damage. I will be using it for my next baby, and you can always loan the Pump to a friend or relative, providing that all of the “horn” and tubing and bottles are replaced. The pump motor is under a one year warranty and the attachments are guaranteed to be free of defects for 90 days.
Would I Recommend the Pump in Style to a Friend?
I sure would! However, before you buy ANY kind of electric pump, it’s a good idea to just rent for a month or until you are absolutely sure that breastfeeding is working for you and your baby. $248 is a nice chunk of dough to shell out and if you decide to stop nursing, you shouldn’t have to feel guilty about wasting money on a breast pump.
Was This Review Helpful to You?
I hope this was a useful and insightful review on the Pump in Style. Please be on the lookout for reviews that I plan to write within the next few days on the Medela Lactina Plus, Avent Bottles, Bailey Breast Milk Storage Bags, Medela CSF Storage Bags, Mother’s Milk Storage Bags, and other breastfeeding and baby care products. Good luck, and happy nursing!
Medela Pump in Style Original Breastpump Brand New Condition/ Never Used - 2004/2005 Model Superior performance with outstanding comfort for today's a...More at eBay
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