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Engraving of a breast
pump circa 1900

Pump Brands : Pump In Style

  1. Medela PIS (both sides)
  2. US $180
  3. On a scale of 1-5 (1=best) how would you rate this pump in terms of :
    • Ease of use: 1
    • Effectiveness: 2
    • Comfort: 2
    • Overall: 2
  4. How often do/did you pump: 3 times a day, 4 days a wk
  5. How does this pump compare to others you have used?
    The two pumps I've had are .... Gerber Electric (SUCKS !! as in not good) and Medela PIS (I love it)


  1. Pump name/mfg: Pump in Style / Medela
  2. Approximate cost: US $200
  3. On a scale of 1-5 (1=best) how would you rate this pump in terms of :
    • Ease of use = 2
    • Effectiveness = 2
    • Comfort = 1
    • Overall = 2
  4. I pump 3x/day, and have done so for 2 children.
  5. How does this pump compare to others you have used?
    I have used a Lactina Select (rental), Nurture III (fishtank double pump) and the Ameda Egnell manual pump (One Handed).

    The PIS is similar to the Lactina, though it does not cycle as fast, and is not as strong as the Lactina. It makes a small difference, not a large one. OTOH, the PIS is smaller, more stylish, lighter, and easier to transport. You have to clean and replace the PIS tubes every so often, since water builds up and the suction suffers.

    I HATED the Nurture III. It does not have automatic cycling and cycled way too slow. It really chewed up my nipples. I know others who have this pump who like it.

    The Ameda Egnal manual was a fine pump and very portable, but has the limitations of any manual (no rapic cycling, so the action is very different from the baby's)


  1. Pump name/mfg : Medela Pump in Style
  2. Approximate cost: US $190
  3. On a scale of 1-5 (1=best) how would you rate this pump in terms of :
    • Ease of use : 4
    • Effectiveness: 2
    • Comfort: 2
    • Overall: 2
  4. I pump at work 2 times a day and get about 11-15 oz total per day.
  5. How does this pump compare to others you have used?
    I have used a battery powered mag-mag which was useless!


  1. Pump name/mfg: Medela PIS
  2. Approximate cost: US $180
  3. On a scale of 1-5 (1=best) how would you rate this pump in terms of :
    • Ease of use - 3
    • Effectiveness - 2
    • Comfort - 3
    • Overall - 2
  4. How often do/did you pump (ie exclusing pumping, X times/day, X times/week, occaisional use only)
    I pump 3-4 times a day with the PIS, M-F when I am at work. I pump occasionally on the weekend with the Isis when I have time or I am full.
  5. How does this pump compare to others you have used?
    I get more milk from the PIS, but the ISIS is great for home, occasional pumping. I also can use my hands with the PIS, which I cannot with the ISIS.


  1. Pump name/mfg - Medela Pump In Style
  2. Approximate cost - US $180 last year (1997); this year's model is more expensive only because it includes all that extra stuff like bags
  3. On a scale of 1-5 (1=best) how would you rate this pump in terms of :
    • Ease of use - 2; it's basically very easy to assemble and use, just a pain to lug around sometimes
    • Effectiveness - 1
    • Comfort - 1, unless I turn the suction up too high!
    • Overall-1; this is a great pump for moms who work outside the home and have to pump daily at work (my situation)
  4. How often do/did you pump (ie exclusing pumping, X times/day, X times/week, occaisional use only)
    so far, twice a day during the work week for almost 11 months, plus occasional additional uses (during a long car trip, when I was at a horse show without Lucas, etc.).
  5. How does this pump compare to others you have used?
    I haven't used any others. I will probably try an Avent Isis for my next baby, possibly sooner than that as I am still BFg and intend to do so for some time.


  1. Pump name/mfg - Medela Pump In Style
  2. Approximate cost - $200 Canadian
  3. On a scale of 1-5 (1=best) how would you rate this pump in terms of :
    • Ease of use: 1.5-2
    • Effectiveness: 1.5-2
    • Comfort: 1.5-2
    • Overall: 1.5-2
  4. How often do/did you pump (ie exclusing pumping, X times/day, X times/week, occaisional use only)
    With my 1st baby I worked full time, 12 hour shifts (including nights). I used all except the PNS and the Medela manual with her. I pumped 3x/12 hour shift until she was a year old. With my second baby, same set-up. Currently I'm pumping for my one year old twins using the PNS. Same set-up but no nights. The difference in effectiveness and comfort is astounding.
  5. How does this pump compare to others you have used?
    Basically, I've found that the PNS and the hospital grade pump are very similiar. The medela manual and the care-all are OK for occasional use, but not for long-term pumping. The other two (Gerber electric, Evenflow electric) were garbage - chewed up my nipples, poor suction, difficult to regulate the suction, hard to hold because they were angled poorly, etc.
  6. Other comments
    If you plan on pumping for any length of time I'd recommend spending the money to rent a good pump or buy the PNS. The difference in ease of use and effectiveness is worth every penny!!


  1. Pump name/mfg - Medela PIS
  2. Approximate cost - $200 US
  3. On a scale of 1-5 (1=best) how would you rate this pump in terms of :
    • Ease of use - 1
    • Effectiveness - 1
    • Comfort - 1
    • Overall - 1
  4. How often do/did you pump (ie exclusing pumping, X times/day, X times/week, occaisional use only)
    1-2 times per day, 2-3 days per week only.
  5. How does this pump compare to others you have used?
    Love it! Very little work, easy to tote around. I just turn it on and go about my business.
  6. Other comments:
    What can I say? It is great!


FAQs:Pump Brands:Pump In Style

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