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402 of 404 found the following review helpful:
 Makes me wonder why I bought the Medela Pump In StyleFeb 28, 2005
By B. DeMoss
Everyone on Earth told me, "Don't cheap out and get a manual pump! Get the Medela!!!" I do like the Medela, but...well, read on.
Last week, when my baby hit 4 weeks, my husband and I spent the weekend on a mini-vacation while my mother-in-law took care of the baby. I didn't want to take my big, luggy Pump-in-Style along and set it up in the hotel room, just to express milk that I wouldn't keep because I had nowhere to keep it. So I went to the drugstore and bought the Avent Isis, about which I'd heard good things.
Compared to the electric pump, this was SOOOOOOO CONVENIENT. All you have to do is hook up an Avent bottle (or disposable breastmilk cup) and go. There's no tubing to plug in, no bag to lug around, etc. I got just as much milk out of this as I do from my Medela P.I.S. It was easy on my hand, too, and I have a tiny, tiny bit of residual carpal tunnel syndrome left over from pregnancy. The milk just flowed.
Also, I was already using Avent bottles, so that makes this even easier. If you want to store your milk in Avent bottles but use another brand of pump, you have to buy Avent's bottle-neck adapters. (I have these, too, for the electric pump.)
With the electric pump (for the unfamiliar out there), you have to hook up tubing between the part that gets the milk from your breast, and your electric pump unit (concealed in the fashionable bag). You also have to hook up a plug from your bag/pump unit to the wall. It is annoying if one end of the tubing, say, touches the floor or your pet comes up and gets his face on it before you get started (have to re-clean and start over). There are other annoyances, but the setting up is the most inconvenient part of the electric pump. With the manual pump--and the Avent Isis is a particularly good one--you just hook the bottle to one end of the pump, put it up to your breast, and get milk.
I guess the one advantage of the electric pump is that you can pump both breasts at the same time.
I don't find the Isis to be remarkably slower than the P.I.S. And I get just as much milk. (Some people don't.) If I had less money and economy were more of a consideration, I'd surely try this pump first before trying an electric pump.
So...
PROS
--easy setup
--very portable
--gets as much milk as an electric pump (at least, for me)
--economical (much cheaper than electric)
--if you use Avent bottles, it's easy storage
--almost as fast as electric pump (at least, for me)
--hooks right up to Avent bottles OR disposable cups
--Avent adapters separately available for use with other brands of bottles
CONS
--only pumps one breast at a time
--doesn't always get good milk from all people, but does from many
Oh! One more thing: if you want to store your milk in bags, whether you use an electric or manual pump, just express the milk into a clean bottle and pour it into a bag. The Medela has a complicated method for expressing right into a bag, but it takes EVEN LONGER to set up. And use Lansinoh bags.
187 of 190 found the following review helpful:
Great little pump!Jun 11, 2002
By History_of_Art_Geek
Recently, while on vacation I misplaced the membranes for my "Medela, Pump In Style Breast pump", which are vital for operation. The spare parts were safe at home, and with a hungry boy on my hands, I was in a predicament. Unable to nurse, I have provided my son with breast milk by pumping three times a day since birth. I was concerned about maintaining my milk supply, not to mention the discomfort of very full breasts, so I purchased the Isis Breast pump because I use Avent products and liked the idea of being able to pump right into the feeding bottle, 4-ounce, 9-ounce or disposable. I am amazed by the comfort, control and power this little hand pump provides. In addition, I enjoy the convenience of not having to be "plugged in" and the reduced amount of bottles to wash. I found this pump to be great in a pinch, or for a weekend away. However, for my particular situation having to express 30 ounces a day in order to keep up with my little guy, the "Pump In Style" is superior to the Isis in both speed and quantity of milk expressed.
39 of 40 found the following review helpful:
AVENT ISIS VERSUS MEDELA PUMP IN STYLEAug 16, 2002
Before giving birth I purchased the Avent Isis pump (after reading the reviews) with the plan to pump just occasionally. I first tried to use it in the hospital, but couldn't draw a drop! Unfortunately I had a lot of problems breastfeeding (extreme pain) and decided to buy the Medela Pump in Style so that I could pump all my milk and feed the baby by bottle. This worked fine for 3 months - I'd double pump for 15-20 mins and get a total of 4-5oz. The downside to the Medela though is it is heavy to carry around, noisy and requires electricity, so is not very practical if you're traveling or out shopping for the day! Also, if you are double pumping it "ties up" your hands so if you're alone with the baby and have to retrieve a pacifier or answer the phone you have to turn the whole thing off, un-attach the bottles (otherwise they easily tip over) and clean yourself up! The Avent's much easier in this regard.I had tried the Avent again (since leaving the hospital), but still couldn't get more than a couple of drops, so was reluctantly preparing to stop breast pumping altogether (before going on vacation) and reverting to formula. Yesterday I decided to give it one last try and after re-adjusting it on the breast a couple of times I got amazing suction and pumped 2.5oz from one breast in just 3 minutes. I think the trick is to press it really firmly against your breast (so it's air-tight)and position your nipple in the center. You have to pump a couple of times to get it going (feels a bit uncomfortable), but then the milk really starts flowing. If you re-adjust every few mins. you can get even more milk by pressing on different ducts. I'm now using this pump INSTEAD of the electric one as it's so much quicker. Your shoulder and arm get a bit sore, but as I'm able to pump a good amount in just 5 mins this is a small price to pay. So, if you want to pump while traveling or just to relieve engorgement, this is definitely the pump for you. It's quick and easy to use and much more discreet than the Medela. I'm so glad I persevered!
23 of 23 found the following review helpful:
Fabulous PumpSep 25, 2002
By Christy
Although it's a manual pump - you'd never know it. I had an electric one w/my first son and it was noisy, painful, and slow. This pump is awesome. I can pump 4-8 oz in 10 minutes! It's quiet and quick. Once you learn how to assemble it - there's nothing to it. After you get the milk to flow you don't even have to pump, just hold down the handle and keep the suction and then you can take your free hand to put pressure on varying parts of your breast to make the flow move along even quicker. Only problem w/it - as you'll see in other reviews, the neck piece will probably crack. I was extra careful w/it and it still cracked. Not sure if I was tightening the pieces together too hard or if I had it in the boiling water too long. Either way, I called and they sent a one time complimentary replacement part. I had it in hand 3 days from the day I called - NO QUESTIONS ASKED!!! That's some serious customer service!
22 of 22 found the following review helpful:
Perfect for Stay At Home Moms & Occasional PumpersJan 19, 2004
By OrthodoxMama
In my experience, I have found this breast pump to be perfect for those of us who need to pump an occasional bottle or to relieve engorgement. The Isis pump is easy to use once your milk supply has been pretty well established. Also, it is very handy, simple to assemble, easy to clean, and comfortable to use. You may find it helpful to consult a breastfeeding book or La Leche League leader if you encounter any initial trouble getting milk out (I did the latter and it helped tremendously!) However, if you plan to work outside of the home and/or pump numerous bottles throughout the day, I recommend the Medela Pump-In-Style. Otherwise, the Avent Isis Pump will serve you well.
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