Works great!!!, March 5, 2009

I purchased this so I could pump at work. It works great!! Speedy delivery too!

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 

Was this review helpful to you? 

>Report abuse
| Permalink

 Comment

Medela Battery Pack, September 3, 2008

By 

Lim Ai Peng Pennie “Pennie Lim” (Singapore) – See all my reviews

  

The suction performance is just as powerful as using electric adapter. I was able to express anywhere even in the car.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 

Was this review helpful to you? 

>Report abuse
| Permalink

 Comment

Faster than the regular power, October 4, 2010

Not sure if it’s just mine, but for some reason this tiny battery pack makes my pump go at a much faster speed. I have gotten use to it, but it was very strange at first, I would not advocate you to begin pumping initially using this, but once your breast are use to breast pumps it should be fine. Otherwise have been using it for 2 months and have not had to change the batteries yet. I use it 5 days a week.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 

Was this review helpful to you? 

>Report abuse
| Permalink

 Comment (1)

Not Inconspicuous, August 1, 2005

They are great to wear at home either at night or on weekends. They do not form with the breast and make your breast look weird when worn.

ALTERNATIVE USE:

I use them when pumping. When I pump one breast at a time, I put the shell to the breast that is not being pumped. Since it leaks, I collect the milk and do not waste it at all!

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 

Was this review helpful to you? 

>Report abuse
| Permalink

 Comment

lifesaving product, January 3, 2006

The Hospital gave me these shells when I had my baby nearly 4 weeks ago. They were a lifesaver! I probably would have given up on breastfeeding if these had not fixed my flat nipples and relieved pain from breastfeeding. It is kind of annoying that they collect leaking milk though – esp. when you are not prepared when you remove them – it can make a real mess. Otherwise, I loved this product and I would definitely advocate them over all other breastfeeding acessories for sore nipples.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 

Was this review helpful to you? 

>Report abuse
| Permalink

 Comment

THESE ARE GREAT!, August 15, 2005

I get very sore and cannot go anywhere without them. u cant see them at all through my clothing (thought it might make me look a tiny more massive on top.) i wish i knew about these earlier. its also great for leaking – the foam absorbs so well and then you have the cup to hold leaking milk. you can barely leak through with this. i would even use this just to prevent leakage!

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 

Was this review helpful to you? 

>Report abuse
| Permalink

 Comment

Cream of the Crop, April 18, 2010

I began using the Medela Classic hospital grade pump 2 days after my son was born and had HORRIBLE PAINFUL problems (i.e. cracked bleeding nipples, raw skin). After switching to the Symphony all of my problems stopped immediately after the initial healing time was over.

I pump exclusively and bottle feed my son due to latching issues and I have been using the pump 8-10 times a day for the last 3 months without a single problem with the mechanics of the machine or it’s capability to express a lot of milk. Of course, the pump cab make a difference in how much milk you produce to a certain extent, but it’s different for everyone woman so be wary of people who claim that certain pumps will solve your low production issues.

PROS:

-Extrememly quiet compared to the Pump in Style, Lactina, and Classic pumps

-Easy to clean

-Exchangable flanges if you need different sizes

-Replaceable parts (although I have never needed to replace any of them so far)

-Easy to use buttons, fool proof

-Double phase expression starts off slow to ease you into full pumping action which is softer on your nipples

-Cute!

-You can pump both sides at once.

CONS:

-It’s not simple to lug around and can be a bit heavy. It comes in a large hard case for protection since it’s a high-priced pump. Not conducive to travel even with the battery pack since it’s heavy. I would never take it on the airplane with me.

-Condensation often builds in the tubes, but they are easily fixable by running the pump without the bottles attached everyone once in a while

-Expensive! You can rent this pump from a hospital which is definitely worth it if you are planning on pumping often. If you experience mechanical problems or you aren’t satisfied you can simply return it for another one since you do not own it. I am paying a month for this pump and it’s worth each penny.

I highly advocate this pump. It has not failed me yet. For your sanity, purchase a bra designed for hands-free pumping or take an old sports bra or padded bra and cut slits for the flanges to slide into. Being hands free will save you! Unlike some of the other pumps, these flanges come off you can clean them and insert them into your bra easily.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 

Was this review helpful to you? 

>Report abuse
| Permalink

 Comment

Wonderful pump, July 10, 2009

My insurance company provided this pump for me since I was released from the hospital before my baby. It is great! When we were in the hospital we were using the Ameda Elite which was making me sore and had a hard time maintaining equal suction on both sides. Even though the parts of the Symphony are slightly harder to wash it is a far better machine. The breast shields are smoother and more comfortable. The one knob operation is very simple and intuitive. I do not know why exactly, but it is the only Medela machine rated for use with preemie babies.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 

Was this review helpful to you? 

>Report abuse
| Permalink

 Comments (2)

Wouldn’t have believed it could make this much difference, December 19, 2009

By 

F. P. Berger (Fort Collins, CO USA) – See all my reviews

  

I’m renting this product rather than buying, since I am unlikely to need it for over a year.

I had low milk production with my first child and used a Medela pump-in-style. I always needed formula supplements as well. With my second child I was coming closer, but was pumping 15-20 ml per feeding when I needed 30 to supplement what the baby was getting for herself.

My lactation consultant suggested trying the Symphony before going to formula supplements. I would not have imagined that slight changes to the rhythm of the suction on a pump could make so much difference in milk expression, but switching to the symphony has raised my pumped output by about 50% from the first pumping. In addition the Symphony is much quieter than my old pump.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 

Was this review helpful to you? 

>Report abuse
| Permalink

 Comment (1)

Sent wrong tubing!!!!, April 11, 2011

I wanted the original tubing, and in the picture it shows tubing with a clear attachment tip, but they sent me tubing with a WHITE attachment tip, so therefore it can’t be used on my pump!!!! I wasted 40 bucks on tubing i can’t use.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 

Was this review helpful to you? 

>Report abuse
| Permalink

 Comment

sent wrong item, June 23, 2011

I wish i have read the previous review. they did the same thing to me. wrong tubing. i am really annoyed.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 

Was this review helpful to you? 

>Report abuse
| Permalink

 Comment

Not for me!, May 3, 2011

I got these thinking that they would save me some dishes by being able to pump directly into them from my freestyle pump. The idea is a great one but practically they do not work well for me freezing milk in preparation for going back to work

I could pump directly into the bag but the problem is that the ounce measurements are not accurate and they barely hold 5 ounces. I would not have known this but I watched a you-tube video done by a pumping mother and she was right, the measurements are way off.

The other problem is that due to the holes for the adapter it is nearly impossible to pour milk in without spilling it (especially when you are being distracted by an infant).

I discovered that the Laninoh bags hold twice as much have 2 seals and are easier to pour into and freeze flatter. I will try to use up my medela bags but I will not be buying them again

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 

Was this review helpful to you? 

>Report abuse
| Permalink

 Comments (2)

Work great!, May 21, 2011

I use these each single day and they work great! I have had a leak 1 time when thawing, but I have thawed out many, many bags so I suppose it is bound to happen at some point. My only complaint is that I wish they came in different sizes.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 

Was this review helpful to you? 

>Report abuse
| Permalink

 Comment

Love them, going to help a lot, December 3, 2010

I ordered these for my flat nipples a couple of weeks ago. Im 8 months pregnant and planning on breastfeeding exclusively. Within the first days use, I saw my nipples were already changing. Now that I have been wearing them for about a week only during the day, I definently see a change in them. I honestly believe that because of these, I will be able to breastfeed again. They are SOMEWHAT uncomfortable. Sometimes they make my nipples a tiny sore, to be expected I guess, but not painful. They do need to be worn under a padded nursing bra because they do change the shape of you boobs (mine are really big, so I guess thats probably why). Other than that, I love them.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 

Was this review helpful to you? 

>Report abuse
| Permalink

 Comment