Medela Breast Pump--Hospital Grade or Pump N' Style?

M

Manmohini

Cathlete
Hi all,
I've decided I want to go with a Medela breast pump. I've evaluated my needs, and the Pump N Style is the best at satisfying these. Now my sister is pressuring me that I should rent a Medela Hospita Grade pump instead of buying the Pump n Style. I'm concerned it won't be portable enough or discreet enough, but I've never even seen one. I don't like the idea of a used pump, but I understand that with the hospital grade pumps, the breast milk never comes in contact with the pump, so it's not an issue. Portability is extremely necessary for me. Also, I want something that works well, which is why I decided on Medela.

Anyways, I'd love to hear the pros and cons of the hospital grade vs. the home style (pump n style) from all of you experienced nursers.
Manmohini
 
I could be wrong, but I thought I heard/read that the hospital grade pumps are quite heavy, so if you have to transport it around a lot, that could become an issue. The Pump n Style is very discreet to carry around and I'm not sure the hospital grade pumps are.

I love my Pump n Style! I've used it with three children (currently nursing my five month old) I'm back at work and it works just fine for me. I would also highly suggest buying the vehicle light adapter so you can pump in your car if you need to. I've used it when our family goes on long driving trips.

If you are having problems nursing in the beginning or there are other issues that prevent you from nursing (hopefully not!), a hospital grade pump would work better at getting your milk supply established. You could always rent one if you need to and then buy the Pump n Style.

I also highly recommend you buy the book "The Nursing Mother's Companion" by Kathleen Huggins. This book covers EVERYTHING about nursing and I still refer to if after nursing three children!

Good luck to you! :)
 
Hi Manmohini,

I had a number of feeding issues, so I've tried it all!

As the previous posts says, the hospital grade pump is indeed heavy and not something you'd want to tote around by any means. It would look/feellike carrying a case of concert equipment!

However, this was the only pump that worked for me at all. I had low supply among other things and this was all that helped me to express more than 2-3 oz./day.

If you don't have trouble expressing milk, or don't feel you will, I've heard good things about the Pump in Style. If you do need the hospital grade pump, no worries about the cleanliness. You have to purchase a kit of all the components the milk will touch (tubing, flanges, etc.) so it's completely sanitary. You are in effect renting a heavy-duty motor, vs. anything that will touch any one else.

You can always start with Pump in Style, and if it doesn't work for you, rent the hopsital pump until pumping is better established. Here, the pump rental is $70/mo. + $50 for the kit. I don't feel that's much to lose, and it certainly will help get you off on the right foot if needed, but you might not even need it.

Let me know if you have questions! I just went through all this pumping business over the summer.

Good luck!
Cathy
 
As a pharmacist, I signed up to be a Medela seller/distributer for my area at the last pharmacy that I worked at. I have successfully pumped/stored for two babies myself and have breastfeed exclusively for each of my two youngest enjoying bf'ing well into their 2nd year of life. With that said, I feel a little like an expert in the area. ;)
Pump In Style is suffice UNLESS you have multiples, low birth baby, or some other medical condition that warrants hospital grade. If your baby is healthy and bfing is going well Pump In Style is PERFECT. You'll LOVE it.
Congrats on your decision to breastfeed!

~Melanie~

Jadon born 11/23/05
Justin born 1/17/04
Jory born 4/9/94
 
I love my Pump n Style. It's been a lifesaver on those few occassions that I got engorged and needed to get that milk OUT! I've never used the hospital grade one, but I don't think I'd even need one. The PNS is descreet in it's carrying case. It looks like another purse. I'd highly recommend it.

Chrissy
 
another vote for the pumpn style. it worked so well for me going back to work. my 25min pump break took only 12min (with clean up). discreet as well. good luck
 
I pumped exclusively for over 9 months (baby went on nursing strike at 3 months and I wanted to give him breastmilk for a year)- and the Pump N Style never failed me. I used it several times a day with no problems at all, and managed to keep my supply up enough to feed baby exclusively breastmilk. Keep in mind, though, that I had already been breastfeeding exclusively and didn't have any sort of supply issues to begin with.
 
I put the hospital grade pump on my baby register. I hear very good things about it from girls that i have talked to.


melissa
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top