Okay, I am starting to feel like a personal gas station for my daughter. Breastfeeding has its rewards but it can also be all-consuming. One of the reasons I might have hesitated about breastfeeding was the fear that my baby would be attached to me 24/7. As a person who enjoys her freedom; this was a big issue for me. However, the health benefits of breastfeeding won out. (by a margin, home run.) As a compromise, I use a breast pump to express some milk for times you just need to get away. Then the co-parent, otherwise known as the guy with no boobs but hairy chest, gets to take over. Extra perk, bonding time with daddy.
At the hospital, I scored the Medela Harmony breast pump from the Lactation department, and this has been a godsend. When I was engorged and the little one couldn’t latch on, I expressed some milk and it helped during that stressful time period. After a couple of weeks, when she was ready for the bottle; I would pump for a couple of minutes (up to 20 on those not so good days) and would fill up to 4 ounces of breastmilk. You can buy Medela nipples to put over the bottle but I chose Avent (which is getting exchanged for something else because of the whole BPA thing).
The Harmony has two pump action. Short sucking motion for foremilk and the long drawn out pumping after letdown. To be honest, I hardly ever use the long pump because it really makes your nipples sore. I usually have to apply liberal amounts of lanolin afterward if I had to resort to the long pump. Another great thing about the Harmony is that it only has two parts so no messing around with small pieces and it’s pretty self-explanatory in terms of use which is a good thing. I didn’t need to read another instruction manual. Medela brand is BPA free. According to Medela Website, Harmony is “ideal for mothers who only express milk occasionally and do not want to miss the usual feel of their baby.”
- With 2-Phase Expression
- Ergonomic swivel handle
- Gently massaging SoftFit Breastshield
- Fewer parts than other manual breast pumps
This breast pump has gotten accolades from many breastfeeding moms. It has gotten good reviews on Amazon which is my barometer of product reviews in general. If you are looking for a manual pump; this is the one. According to the lactation consultant, others, like Evenflo breast pumps are worthless and disabling, so stick with this one. Perfect for full-time mothers who want to pump occasionally. If you are looking for a more powerful pumper for those working moms (or soon to be a full-time student) out there.. look for my Medela pump-in-style review coming up soon.
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[This post was written by Susie Kim.]
Medela bottles are BPA free.
I had the Medela electric pump, which was great for pumping both breasts at once. It is the pump a working mom needs, and it even comes with a car lighter adapter. I used my Medela pump for two weeks round the clock when my son had open heart surgery. It was a godsend, and yes, I even pumped once in the hospital parking garage in my car when I just needed to get out of the building.I got my pump used and just bought a new cup and hose kit for it. I gave it to a mother who had a premie when I was done with it.
Hi Candace, Yes, Medela is BPA free.. I was actually referring to Avent not being BPA free which is a shame since the nipple is suppose to be best for breastfeeding babies.
Hi Jennifer, I am actually going to get the electric pump once school starts. I am home full time at the moment so this works for me but yes, any working mother or full time student would definitely need an electric pump. I am sure your milk helped the little one. I am glad he’s ok now.