I looked at many electric pumps before finally settling on the Pump in Style Advance. I got the Avent Isis breast pump before having my daughter in September and that has worked somewhat, but it turned out I needed something stronger and more long-term. My milk didn't come in until five days after the birth, and my daughter had dropped 15 percent of her birth weight by the time she was four days old--alarming, as she was a great nurser from the start (no problems latching on and getting her to suck). We had to supplement with formula until my milk came in, which was devastating for me (first-time mother, can you tell?). We even had to take her to the emergency room for jaundice and dehydration as she just wasn't getting enough from me. The doctors suggested getting an electric pump--the Isis was good for occasional use, but since we got off to a rough start I needed the stimulation of an electric.
I ordered the Pump in Style Advance and my milk started coming in the next day. The first use with the pump was a little frustrating--the doctor recommended pumping right after every feeding, and my daughter didn't like being put down after she had just drifted off to sleep, but I needed both hands to pump. We worked out a system pretty quickly though--either my husband holds her or I wait a little while after she's more deeply asleep and put her down then, and am able to squeeze in ten to fifteen minutes of pumping.
I've gotten very proficient at setting up the pieces and pumping before she wakes up or gets fussy. It's very simple to use; I was concerned at first that the suction is not as strong as my daughters, even at the maximum level, and I wasn't getting anything. After a day though, I started to get a few drops, and two days later I was able to pump a full ounce. Now, at two weeks old, my daughter is two ounces above her birth weight and we supplement only three ounces of formula a day at the most (using the half-ounce or ounce I've been able to pump first, then finishing with formula).
I went to a La Leche League meeting and the leader suggested this pump and the Medela Symphony. She said the Symphony was equivalent to a hospital-grade Pump in Style (original), but the Pump in Style Advance was equivalent to a hospital-grade Symphony. I highly recommend the Pump in Style Advance--if the price is intimidating, maybe family members and friends would help cover the cost. The purchase has been enormously beneficial to both me and my baby, and has become one of the most indispensible baby products we have.
**Edited 11/2/2007...
Three years and another child later and it's still one of the most valuable baby products I've purchased. I used it for 9 months from 2004-2005, stored it until our son was born in March 2006, and used it again (almost daily, sometimes multiple times a day) for another year. It's currently in storage waiting for our next baby due in 2008, and still works as well as it did when I first bought it. There are probably new pumps available since I purchased it that may be better, but this one works so well I don't even need to look. At last use, in March 2007, I filled three 4-ounce bottles (after my son had finished nursing). It really works.
One note: I eventually bought a bra made for hands-free pumping (at a local baby boutique, but you can find them online) and that turned out to be a great help also. At the very least, I could write or type on the computer while pumping. You don't absolutely need one, but it comes in handy.
| Product Dimensions | 6.5 x 15.5 x 11.25 inches |
|---|---|
| Item model number | 57027 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Material Type | Microfiber |
| Style | Pump In Style,Double,Single,Manual |
| Power Source | Battery Powered |
| Pump type | Electric,Manual |
| Batteries required | No |
| Item Weight | 6.8 pounds |
