Best Breast Pump Reviews and Comparison

Welcome to my get-it-all best breast pump & breast pump comparison website! I’m Helen, a mom of three child.

>> Click Here To Check Out All The Best Breast Pumps on Amazon.

The common question among mothers is whether to pump or not to pump. If you’ve decided to pump, you would usually want your baby to benefit from your milk even when you’re not available. This is where a breast pump can be a great help. Yet, first, you must decide what kind of style and models of a breast pump that you want. In general, they fall into 3 main categories, namely:

Manual Breast Pumps

• Hand-operated, it is suitable for infrequent usage.
• Compact and light, it is a life-saver for short and last-minute trips.

Electric or Battery-Powered Breast Pumps

• If you stay back at work for long periods of time, this pump can withstand the bulk of your pumping.
• A popular choice with full-time working moms.
• Convenient but more expensive, this would require a bigger bag to store all the parts.
• Most pumps nowadays come with attractive carrying cases that can be used long after you’ve stopped pumping.
• Prices range between $200 and $350 and most pumps come with a one year warranty.

Food-Powered Breast Pump

• Foot-powered breast pumps combine manual and electric breast pumps ground together.

While a number of women use both, you may strongly prefer one over the other. As such, it is not necessary to buy both kinds of pumps. The main point is to find a pump that best fits your needs, lifestyle and budget – that will be your best breast pump.

Regardless of which pump you pick, it is a good idea to have it ready to use well before you return to work or leave your baby with a sitter. Since many babies will refuse a bottle offered later on, it is best to start pumping and introduce a bottle as soon as breastfeeding is established, when your baby is just 3 or 4 weeks old. That way, you can slowly ease your baby into accepting the bottle when you have returned to work.

Best Breast Pump Reviews – My Top Picks

Here are my top recommendations for the best breast pump models. Whether you are looking for a single or double breast pump, manual or electric, I have reviewed the best of them here.

• Best Manual Breast Pump
• Best Single Electric Breast Pump
• Best Budget Professional Double Electric Pump
• Best Professional Double Electric Pump

If you like to know more about the pros and cons of these top picks, head over to my Best Breast Pump reviews or you can read the detailed article of each of these four picks by clicking on the links above or check out my blog posts here.

Best Breast Pump – Top Picks & Quick Reviews

Finding the best breast pump is just like finding a needle in the haystack. No matter how much we research, we will never know until we use the product itself. So, I hope to aid you in your search for the best breast pump that suits different individual. From the many breast pumps reviews, I have narrowed them down to four categories, namely manual breast pump, single electric breast pump, budget professional-grade double electric pump and professional-grade double electric pump. Here are some quick links to the product detail & owner feedback, check them out:

Medela Harmony Breast Pump Review

For moms who pump occasionally, I would recommend that you do not splurge so much on a professional-grade pump. Instead, get a manual breast pump. Medela Harmony can help you express the occasional bottle of milk or relieve engorgement. Small, light, portable and convenient, it is inexpensive especially since you do not need to replace any electrical parts that might break down. However, if you plan to pump long-term, a manual breast pump might not be suitable as you can only express milk from one breast at a time and it is quite tiring if you have to express a few times a day.

• Best Manual Breast Pump – Medela Harmony

Medela Swing Breast Pump Review

As a small electric pump, Medela Swing is recommended for occasional use to replace a few feedings. If you dislike the extra work of expressing manually, this is a good alternative. Some parents even say that they prefer Medela Swing over bulkier professional-grade breast pumps because it is easier to carry, easier to use (battery operated available) and efficient. However, just like a manual pump, Medela Swing lacks a double pumping option which means that you would have to pump each side separately. I recommend Medela Swing only for occasional pumping.

• Best Single Electric Breast Pump – Medela Swing

Ameda Purely Yours Breast Pump Review

Ameda Purely Yours is a top-rated professional-grade double breast pump. The exceptional and special feature that distinguishes this pump from other professional-grade pumps is the contamination-free collection system. Other similar pumps such as the Medela Pump in Style, have open collection systems. This difference means that for the Ameda Purely Yours, there will not be any amount of milk that will condense or find its way into the pumping mechanism. This eradicates the possibility of bacteria or fungi growing inside the mechanism. You won’t have to worry about sterilizing the tube to prevent contamination of later batches of milk. This is the best breast pump if you’re a strong believer in hygiene and time-saving.

• Best Budget Professional Double Electric Pump – Ameda Purely Yours

Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump Review

This pump is by far the best breast pump recommended not only by mothers but also by lactation experts. It is perfect for all, even for mothers who have trouble expressing milk or have larger nipples. With its 2-phase expression pumping to mimic a baby’s natural nursing pattern, this pump brings a new meaning to the word comfort. In the first phase, the pump copies the baby’s initial rapid suckling pattern to stimulate milk flow. After two minutes, it switches to the expression mode where the slower stronger and deeper setting is to promote more efficient milk collection. However, there are some mothers with multiple or delayed let downs who commented that they preferred the customizable settings of the Pump in Style original breast pump than that Pump in Style Advanced. Besides that, the only downside to this edition is the user-unfriendly bag. Overall, I would say that this pump is a worthwhile investment especially for full-time working moms because it constantly delivers without fail.

• Best Professional Double Electric Pump – Medela Pump In Style Advanced Limited Edition

7 Basic Steps for Comfortable Pumping

1. Determine how often you will need to pump. How long will you be away from your baby or if you work shifts, and how long are your shifts?
2. If you are working part-time, consider a manual pump especially if you pump occasionally. They are cheaper and convenient to travel with.
3. Consider either a manual of small motorized pump if you will be pumping just once or twice daily. These pumps are not expensive and are portable.
4. If you will be away from your baby for more than a couple of hours each day, the best breast pump for you will be a full-size automatic electric pump. Although they are slightly pricey, they are more effective in the long run since they allow you to double pump and maintain your milk supply for a longer period of time.
5. When you purchase a pump, find one with insulated cooler bags and blue ice packs if no refrigerator is available in your work station. With cooler bags, you can store your milk up to a full day.
6. Ask your insurance company if it will cover the purchase or long term rental of a pump if you need to pump for medical reasons.
7. If you travel on the road often, find a pump that comes with a car adapter. While you may not want to pump while you drive, you can always pull over in the middle of your journey and pump in the back of your car discreetly.

Now that you know the general kind of pumps, here are a few quick points before you go shopping for the best breast pump:

• Don’t buy used breast pumps
• Consider your individual needs
• Consider renting
• Work-friendly
• Look for adjustable suction features
• Efficiency
• Ease of use & durability
• Comfort
• Check the warranty

These are just the main points. I have written a more in-depth article on these points to aid you to learn more about finding the best breast pump. If you would like to read more, do take a look at my article How to Choose the Best Breast Pump.

Once you have bought your pump, you may find that the best time for you to pump is first thing in the morning. Even if you have the best breast pump, you might want to consider some accessories to help you to use your pump more efficiently and more comfortably.

Accessories

• Pumping Bra/ Band – Holds a collection bottle at each nipple to free your hands while you pump both breast simultaneously.
• Storage Bags/ Containers – Makes collecting, storing and freezing your milk easier.
• Microwave Bags – Lets you steam-clean pump parts in the microwave.
• Breast Shields – Soft shields massage the breasts during pumping, soothe sore nipples and increases milk flow. Find the right size as they are catered to accommodate smaller and larger nipples. This is not necessary if the breast pump that you buy comes with a shield that fits you. Additionally, if you are buying separately, make sure the shields work with the brand of the pumps that you are using.
• Insulated Bag and Cold Freezer Packs – Keeps your milk cool throughout the day when there isn’t a fridge nearby.

Nursing Aids

• Hot/Cold Breast Packs – Gel packs can fit inside a nursing bra and can be used hot or cold to soothe any swollen or sore breasts.
• Lanolin Ointment – Blissful in relieving sore nipples.
• Nursing Pads – You can buy either disposable or washable pads; whichever that is most convenient for you. They absorb milk from leaky breasts and prevent spotting on clothes.

Best Breast Pump - Comparison

These tips are just the tip of the iceberg for comfortable pumping. You can head over for more tips in my other article which elaborates on more handy tips in my blog here: Best Breast Pump- Comparison. However, remember that without practice, pumping can still be a chore. Therefore, the more often you pump the more of an expert you’ll become. So keep pumping and in no time, you’ll find it a breeze. 

Good luck to all mothers! 

Happy Pumping! And thanks for reading my best breast pump & breast pump comparison website.

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Ameda Purely Yours Breast Pump - Best Budget Professional

Looking for a breast pump while counting your expenses? Ameda Purely Yours Breast Pump can be your saviour! Known as the budget professional-grade double electric pump, it is certainly the best bang for the buck. Although this double pump is sold with a shoulder bag, you can purchase it without a carrying case/cooler. This makes it a good budget alternative especially for mothers who plan to pump mainly at home or have pre-planned to devise their own carrying case and have access to a refrigerator. While the pump’s specialty lies in its design for hygiene and safety, the other added advantages such as it being comfortable and natural, easy to use, easy to clean, portable and lightweight and a time saver makes it a wholesome money saving product.

Ameda Purely Yours Breast Pump

Pros:

1) Hygiene & Safe

- As the only personal-use breast pump with a silicone diaphragm, this feature prevents contamination of the pump mechanism.

- How is the pump safe? It protects collected milk from airborne contaminants and prevents milk back-up into tubing.

- Approved by FDA to protect against cross contamination, the HygieniKit Milk Collection System ensures your milk’s purity and protects your milk from potential contaminants (bacteria and viruses) and prevents milk from entering the tubing and pump.

- No more worrying, mommies!

2) Comfortable & Natural

- There are 8 adjustable suction and 4 cycle speed settings.

- This allows greater variability in suction levels and cycling speed. Mothers, feel free to find your own personal comfort pumping level.

- Unlike other brands of pumps, he best part is that you can adjust the suction independently without affecting the cycle speed and vice versa.

3) Easy to Use

- Whether you’re pumping at home, at work or in the car, no fret!

- This pump allows you to pump directly into bottles, freezer bags, or plastic nursers.

- Pre-assembled and with very few parts, they are easy to use!

- Moreover, it is easy to switch between single and dual pumping.

- A word of caution, however; if you are going to dual pump, it would be advisable to get a hands-free pumping bra, because it is a tough act to juggle both bottles and dials. This especially difficult if you have to keep an eye on your baby at the same time.

- Note: If you have Avent bottles, you can use them directly if you do not have enough Ameda bottles to contain all the milk. No need to transfer milk from Ameda bottles to Avent bottles.

4) Easy to Clean

- Cleaning’s a breeze! There are so few parts to wash that even working moms can clean it at lightning speed.

- If you’re at home, you can plop the parts into a bowl filled with warm soapy water while you clean the rest of the dishes. Afterwards, rinse them and they’re good to go!

- Compared to Medela, you don’t need to worry about sterilizing the tubing. Due to its patented design, no milk can get into the tubing. This certainly makes a difference in upkeep!

5) Portable & Lightweight

- This pump operates on 3 power sources – AC adaptor, 6 ‘AA’ batteries or optional car adaptor.

- Weighing only 1 pound, it is compact and can be lugged around anytime.

6) Time Saver

- This electric personal breast pump allows you to dual pump.

- Definitely cuts your pumping time by half compared to a single pump.

- Save precious time because you don’t need to reconfigure the milk collection system whether you want to single or dual pump.

- The straightforward cleaning process also cuts your cleaning time.

The Cons:

1) Not Suitable for the Well-endowed

- If you are particularly well endowed, you might need to order larger horns for about $15. If not, the pump might hurt.

- Even the large Ameda flanges at 30mm size (This has to be purchased separately) tapers down to a smaller diameter. So, for women with large nipples, you might end up pulled into 27 mm or a smaller opening.

- The result? You may develop cuts and/or friction burns.

- If you are worried about size and need fitting options, it is advisable not to risk it with this purchase.

2) Mediocre Suction

- Some moms find themselves using the highest level of suction. If the pump does lose its suction over time, this might then pose a problem.

- Solution? Try not to use the highest possible level of suction all the time so that your body doesn’t get used to maximum suction. So, even if the pump loses suction over time, you can use the highest level of suction and can still get a sufficient amount of milk.

3) Short Warranty

- The warranty is only 3 months.

- However, as a budget breast pump, it is fairly reasonable.

4) Fragile Valves

- Some mothers have broken a few valves within a short span of time!

- Solution? Use it and clean it gently. If it does break, replacement valves run are approximately $2.50 a piece. So, some moms buy 8 pieces at one shot.

- There are also some moms who do not experience any broken valves even when their husbands assist in cleaning them up. So, fingers crossed, you might be the lucky one to receive sturdy valves.

5) Does Not Perform After a Long Period of Storage

- There are a few occasions where the pump has been kept for a number of years. Thereafter, when it is used again, the pump breaks down (e.g. the transmission ring ruptured, etc.)

- I find that this happened among the minority as there are other moms who have kept it for 2 years and have managed to use it again for their subsequent babies with no problems at all.

All in all, Ameda Purely Yours Breast Pump is for mothers who want to maintain their milk supply or pump occasionally. If you are looking for a pump that brings in your supply regularly or if you are nursing a preemie or have difficulties breast-feeding, I wouldn’t recommend this pump. Recently, there have been many other brands that have come up with some innovations and they are worthwhile as long as you can fork out more money.

Most importantly, this pump is first and foremost a budget professional-grade double electric pump. If you are looking to tighten your belt, just order the pump without the bag. You can improvise with soft coolers at home instead of spending an extra $50. Undoubtedly, as a budget pump, it is certainly worth its weight in gold if you are comparing it to the price of formula. By going two months formula free, you can definitely justify the price of the pump. With its emphasis on hygiene and safety, comfort and natural, easy usage, easy clean-up, portable and lightweight, this is the best value electric dual breast pump you can buy on a tight budget. 

>> Check out Ameda Purely Yours for the lowest price at $129.99 - Limited Time Available

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Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump- Best Professional

Ranked 1st by many hospitals and mothers, Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump is the best professional-grade double electric pump. As an upgraded version of the popular Pump in Style Original, it retains the many attractive features while adding a backpack version and several shoulder bag options. Designed for mothers who pump several times a day; be it the return-to-work moms or the full-time-home moms, it has the state-of-the art hospital technology. With a reputation as ‘The’ breast pump, it is clean & safe, quick & efficient, stylish & reusable, convenient & mobile, comfortable, easy to clean and has ample storage.

>> Medela Harmony- Best Manual Breast Pump

Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump

The Advantages

1) Clean & Safe

- There is a ‘clean work surface’ included in this pack.

- All the bottles and breast pump kit are 100% Bisphenol (BPA) free.

2) Ample storage

- The mesh pockets on the side of the pump are good for storing the tubing and AC adapter.

- Too cluttered? The two mesh storage pouches are also ideal for easy organization for your personal items (e.g. hand phones, etc.)

- The shoulder bag has a roomy interior to include everything needed for easy pumping.

3) Quick & Efficient

- Using advanced hospital pump technology, this reduces pumping time tremendously.

- The two-phase expression system is not just comfy but very quick too. It can pump more milk in less time.

- Some moms have pumped 12 oz in 25 minutes or if you’re in a hurry, you can pump both sides for just around 10 minutes which should suffice to feed your baby.

4) Convenient & Mobile

- Always on-the- go? Use the battery pack in padded cases. (8 ‘AA’ batteries needed)

- All parts are removable including motor and cooler (keeps your milk cool for 12 hours) for ultimately flexibility.

- Use it to maintain your milk supply even if you’re away from home for a few days at a time.

- Fancy a removable work surface? This kit has it all!

5) Comfortable

- With the two-phase expression system, it mimics your baby’s natural nursing rhythm.

- Not feeling comfortable with a particular setting? Feel free to adjust the speed/vacuum until you find the one that maximizes your comfort.

- This model allows a gentler transition. While the Let-down Mode simulates your baby’s initial rapid suckling for faster milk flow, the expression mode is an exact replica of your baby’s slower, deeper suckling for maximum milk flow in less time.

6) Stylish & Reusable

- It’s an all-in-one bag.

- Perfect companion as a travel, work or diaper bag.

- Not pumping anymore? Don’t throw the bag away! It has received lots of compliments as a trendy carrying bag.

7) Easy Clean Up

- No time to clean it ever so slowly and gently? No worries.

- Durable and stain resistant, your mind can rest at ease.

The Disadvantages

1) Cumbersome Bag

- This is the biggest complaint that most moms have.

- Heavy and unwieldy, the bag is not user friendly.

- Additionally, the flap does not hang neatly and there is no closure to keep it from flying open. When the bag contains all the pump parts, the flap rests on top and does not fold over. This is because there is no button or latch to keep it close. As such, there might be moments of embarrassment when the bag falls apart in public.

- Moreover, some moms find that the strip lacks grip as it slips quite often from the shoulders. This can be quite frustrating at times too.

Thus in retrospect, Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump is a fantastic buy if you can afford it. As the best professional-grade double electric pump, it is clean & safe, quick & efficient, stylish & reusable, convenient & mobile, comfortable, easy to clean and has ample storage. As of yet, there are no complaints regarding the pump per se, which is vital since the most important feature when you’re buying a breast pump is the effectiveness of the pump. However, you might want to buy a different bag which has a better design in terms of usability. 

Instead of buying formula as a substitute, why not save up and when you have a stronger financial resource to meet the price range of $244.5 and $329.99, purchase it. Medela Pump in style Advanced Breast Pump is definitely a go-ahead for the full-time working and/or full-time nursing mom. With it, you can nurse your baby full time at such ease even when you’re working full time.

Today, Price: $244.50 & FREE Shipping. FREE Returns on Amazon. You save: $105.49 (30%) - Special Offer- Click here

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Medela Swing- Best Single Electric Breast Pump

After countless researching and reading many breast pump reviews, I came to the conclusion that Medela Swing Breast Pump is the best single electric breast pump. Ideal for both stay-at-home moms as well as on-the-go moms, Medela Swing Breast Pump enables faster milk flow, is convenient and portable, comfortable, user-friendly, easy to clean and safe. If you are looking for a pump that fulfills the requirement for intermittent pumping schedules and one that allows convenience, Medela Swing Breast Pump is the best among the other single electric breast pumps.

Medela Swing- Best Single Electric Breast Pump

Positives

1) Faster Milk Flow

- Rushing for time? Use the one touch let down button.

- That lets you pump immediately without the hassle of waiting.

- There are two modes (simulation and expression) which imitate your baby’s suckling rhythm. The simulation mode starts your milk flowing by the initial rapid sucking rhythm.

- Need evidence? Some moms have managed to pump 4 oz in approximately 5 minutes.

2) Convenient & Portable

- This breast pump fits like a glove, be it in a purse, a diaper bag or a briefcase. It’s no larger than a portable CD player!

- It’s compact enough to be placed on a table top. Alternatively, you can attach it to the belt clip or shoulder/neck strap.

- Stuck in traffic or multi-tasking at home? Use the ‘AA’ battery power option and belt clip on the motor. To be totally hands-free, just cut two slits in a tube top and slide the flange through.

3) Comfortable 

- The Soft Fit TM Breastshield oozes exceptional gentleness and ease.

- The expression mode express your milk gently yet efficiently without causing you pain and distress since it follows your baby’s au-natural slower and deeper nursing rhythm.

- It can’t get comfier than that!

4) User-Friendly

- A new mom? No sweat.

- The one touch let down button is very easy to use. It’s next to impossible to not know how to use the 4 buttons. Still at a lost? Just use your intuition and it will work.

- You can even control the speed. Additionally, the letdown mode automatically turns on after a few minutes.

5) Easy to Clean

- Hate the thought of clean up? Tired after a full day of work?

- This straightforward cleaning of Medela Swing Breast Pump takes only a couple of minutes of your time. It is really a breeze.

6) Safe

- 100% Bisphenol-A (BPA) free, both Medela breast pump and Medela bottles are safe for you and your baby.

- That is, I believe, of outmost importance, regardless of how many babies you have.

Negatives

1) Not Totally Quiet

- Some moms commented that the pump is louder than their expectations.

- However, it is certainly softer than Medela Pump in Style or Symphony. Personally, I think it’s a matter of preference.

2) Can Only Pump One Breast at a Time

- Some find that the pump takes very long if they need to pump both breasts in a jiffy.

- Solution? Multi-task! A few ingenious moms found that since it only took one hand to hold the bottle/breastshield, they usually do something else with their other free hand. For example, some use the computer at the same time while propping the bottle on the table at the right height so that they’ll have both hands free!

3) Design Defect – Motor 

- The mechanism that attaches the adapter into the motor is faulty. It might be frustrating since you would have to replug the adapter and restart your pumping session.

- Not all pumps have this defect. Nevertheless, if your pump has this defect, it might be advisable not to bring it to work since you would be spending a lot of time to restart your pumping session.

4) Weak Pumping Suction

- Some reviewers found that the maximum suction is quite weak according their standards.

- However, since some other moms have managed to pump approximately 8 oz in 10 minutes as opposed to others who only managed to pump 1 oz in 20 minutes, I would say this problem hinges on the mom’s pumping technique.

- Some moms also found that the pumps start to lose suction after a while.

- Solution? This problem could be due to your kit and not in the actual pump per se. Some moms found that this is because the membrane on the valve is loose. This membrane is the thin, round, flexible white piece that the milk flows through before reaching the bottle. So, check if the membrane is lying flat against the valve. Then, press it firmly into place and try pumping again. This should do the trick. If your kit comes with a spare membrane or two, perhaps by changing them, you can solve the problem as well.

- Not all mothers face this problem so sometimes it is due to the manufacturing discrepancies.

5) Condensation in the Tube

- This may be because the pump is not cleaned properly.

- Solution? Leave the pump running with only the tubing attached for 2-3 minutes after you have finished pumping. This allows the tube to be aired and dried.

- This method works for many moms so I would not say that this is a problem at all!

Although it looks like there are many problems associated with Medela Swing Breast Pump, do keep in mind that this pump is compared to other SINGLE Breast Pumps. As such, for those moms who want a full time pump, perhaps it would be wiser to spring a little more cash for the Pump In Style Advanced which can pump both breasts simultaneously. A note of caution: if you are a mother with low milk production issues, I would suggest that you browse over the double pumps instead of looking for a single breast pump. Most lactation consultants would recommend that.

On the whole, if you are looking for a ‘part-time’ pump or can spare more than 10 minutes for a pumping break, Medela Swing Breast Pump should be your pick. After all as the best single electric breast pump, it enables faster milk flow, is convenient and portable, comfortable, user-friendly, easy to clean and safe. 

Priced at a low of $139.81 at Amazon, Medela Swing Breast Pump is the one for you if you relish convenience and if you want a ‘helper’ pump.

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Medela Harmony- Best Manual Breast Pump

Touted as the best manual breast pump, this is the pump for moms who pump infrequently or want to relieve engorgement. Medela Harmony and the Avent Isis, both manual pumps, earn similarly high ratings, but Medela Harmony overtakes Avent Isis in many ways. Praised constantly by moms in many breast pumps reviews, this lightweight manual pump does live up to its name by being cost effective, efficient and powerful, easy to use, quiet, convenient, easy to clean, safe and provides gentle comfort.

Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump

The Good

1. Cost Effective

- As a manual pump, it’s definitely cheaper than an electric pump.

2. Efficient and Powerful

- The two-pattern pumping system is great for maximizing milk flow and is thus, a reliable reliever for engorgement.

- Some moms reported being able to get a whole feeding in a few minutes. Once you have gotten the knack of handling a manual pump, you can pump between 4 and 6 ounces within 15 minutes!

3. Easy to Use (User Friendly Design)

- You can nurse your baby while pumping since its unique feature is the swivel handle. Just rotate it until you have found the position that offers you the maximum comfort.

- Some working moms who were stuck in major rush-hour traffic while driving home use it discretely in the car since it can be used left-handed or right-handed!

- It is compatible with most standard bottles including EvenFlo glass baby bottles. For moms who have bought many different brands of storage bottle already, don’t throw them away since you can use them with Medela Harmony anytime.

4. Quiet

- This is quieter than its rival, Avent.

- While the Avent handle makes a click noise every time you squeeze the handle to achieve the maximum suction, Medela Harmony oozes peaceful blissfulness.

5. Convenient and Portable

- Use it anywhere, no plugging, no messing around with tube and no need to look around for a place to set up your electric pump.

- Working moms, have you just received a call to go for a last minute outstation business trip? Fret not. It’s perfect as your on-the-go travelling companion!

- Stay-at-home moms, you can use it while walking around without being tethered down with tubing and electrical cords.

- Bogged down in the middle of the night? It’s a delight for a quick, night pumping session.

- For added convenience, this pump is also upgradeable to electric pumping with the use of Symphony or the Lactina conversion kits (not included in the package)

6. Easy to Clean

- As a one piece unit with so few parts to clean, don’t worry even if you have under a minute to clean them!

- All you have to wash are the flange, the body and the valve.

- They’re also smooth to wipe down with a Medela cleaning cloth in a pinch.

- To assemble, disassemble and clean, it only takes 10 minutes of your time! How about that, busy moms?

7. Safe and Sanitary

- Made from a kind of plastic that is less likely to leach any dangerous chemicals, you know that your baby’s feeding is safe in its hands.

- All parts that come into contact with breast milk at claimed to be 100% BPA/DEHP free.

8. Gentle Comfort

- A comfortable Soft-Fit breast shield is included to softly massage the breast while you pump and doesn’t bother the sensitive areas. This is pretty useful when you just had your baby and you’re sore!

- The contoured, ergonomically designed handle fits in your hand like a glove. With a handle that swivels, you have the freedom to position your hand and pump comfortably on each breast.

- With two distinct modes, it feels au-natural! The let-down mode stimulates your baby’s initial rapid suckling to initiate faster milk flow while the expression mode simulates your baby’s slower, deeper suckling rhythm for maximum milk flow in less time.

- Compared to the strong suction of the electric pump, this pump does not leave you with bloody and cracked nipples. The suction of Medela Harmony is just enough to get a nice flow coming out in a short amount of time without leaving you with any type of nipple or breast pain. Phew, what a relief!

The Bad

1. Expresses Only One Side at A Time

- Some first-time moms may find that time consuming compared to the automatic expression of electric pumps.

- However, once you have gotten the hang of it, it is both comfortable and efficient!

2. Flimsy Handle

- Many moms found that the tiny white rubber ring, which was necessary to create suction, broke off from the handle.

- One mom, who received a brand new pump from customer service, commented that they have corrected the design flaw. With the new pump being much shorter, she doubts that the stem will snap off.

3. Not Suitable for Dishwasher

- Some parts may get distorted in a dishwasher!

- To be honest, there are only so few parts to wash. It’s easier washing them with hands.

- Don’t sterilize or boil the parts or put it in the steam cleaner bags! They may become warped and render the pump useless.

4. Not Sturdy

- The construction of the pump is light weight and is not particularly sturdy.

- If you have older kids who love to play with anything that they can get their hands on, do not let them get near Medela Harmony.

- There was an incident where a 7 year old managed to break it within 2 minutes!

5. Loses Suction in the Middle

- Quite a number of moms have complained about this problem because of the tendency for the silicon part to get loose.

- However, many have noted that it’s not due to the product but rather their own method of handling it.

- Solution? Make sure the oval parts in the handle lines up straight as in the instructions.

- A note to moms who might have problems getting milk out of Medela Harmony. It may not be the pump itself but rather the size of the flanges. Every woman’s breast and nipples are different sizes. If you feel that it is painful to pump and the milk would not come out even though you were engorged with plenty of milk, try using the next size up flanges. A mom changed from 24 mm to 27 mm flanges and it made a world of difference!

Do bear in mind, too, that this product is not marketed for retail purchase. However, if you surf online a lot, purchasing this online shouldn’t be a problem. Compared to the electric Medela Swing Pump, Medela Harmony is faster to use once you are a pro at pumping! Designed for busy moms who do not have the time nor the patience to struggle with complicated parts or to wait for the pump to stimulate milk flow, Medela Harmony is perfect in its designed for faster let-down. Some moms, who found it so easy to pump compared to the hassle of hooking up to a machine, were stimulated to pump even more often whether they are out or at home. Despite Medela’s warnings, I would say that you could use this to pump daily as long as you are careful to fully drain the breast but it might not be suitable for maintaining supply for multiple pumping in a row.

Thus in retrospect, if you are looking for the best manual breast pump, Medela Harmony is your answer! Being cost effective, efficient and powerful, easy to use, quiet, convenient and portable, easy to clean, safe and sanitary, and adept at providing gentle comfort, Medela Harmony is a delight. In fact, you can become so adept at it after some practice that you can cook dinner, talk on the phone, and do some basic folding of the laundry while pumping at the same time! 

Get all these benefits at a price of $31.75 from Amazon! Don’t forget, if there is any problem, just call the customer service. They are rated as one of the best and most reliable customer service around!

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