I LOVED my Medela Symphony when I was renting it! It did wonderful things to build my supply (actually created a bit of an oversupply). I tried a Medela Pump in Style and hand pump and definitely didn't respond the same way to them! Probably like you, I got very used to how the hospital grade pump worked! Definitely a machine I'd look to buy if I was planning to EP and have multiple children.
r/breastfeedingu/madelineman1104· Oct 2025· ⬆ 10👎 Complains
Thread: "I’m a first time momma looking for a wearable breast pump what’s the best one?"
I’m probably the minority but the wearables actually work better for me. I had a hospital grade rental pump, medal symphony, and I wouldn’t get that much so I switched to a wearable and I pump almost double the amount. I would get depressed pumping with the symphony so the wearables put me in a better headspace and I was able to pump a lot more. I spoke with two IBCLCs about it. I think pumps are a personalized thing and there shouldn’t be a default. Editing to add I do use flange inserts. I feel like wearables have flanges that are often too big which could be why output can be lower too.
r/parentsofmultiplesu/huntingofthewren· Oct 2023· ⬆ 9👍 Recommends
Thread: ""Hospital grade" pump versus a regular electric pump?"
These days the only real difference between “hospital grade” and not is the former is designed to be used by multiple people multiple times a day so it can withstand a lot of use and wear and tear. Because my babies were in the NICU I was loaned a madela symphony, and I then rented it for a couple more months after they were home. It was nice to not beat up my bought pumps when I was pumping 12x a day but it’s not inherently more effective than a regular pump. Anecdotally I would never have made it this far (11 months and counting) exclusively pumping for twins without wearable pumps. Being able to change/feed/clean/etc while pumping was necessary for me. They’re typically not recommended until you’ve established supply but when you can use them they’re a game changer.
I’m also in the exact same situation as you! Literally. Wondering the same thing and looking for thoughts. However I’ve heard that the term “hospital grade” means that the pump can be used by more than one person and it’s usually more powerful, i.e., two motors. However many pumps now have two motors so there’s that. I’m considering buying another pump so that I can stop paying for the hospital rental as well. I hear Baby Bhudda is powerful as well …
r/ExclusivelyPumpingu/ghostieghost28· Oct 2022· ⬆ 8😐 Mixed
Thread: "Do you need a hospital grade pump?"
I actually looked up how much the Medela one cost bc I liked it in the hospital but when I saw the price, I figured using my 200 Spectra would suffice.
r/ExclusivelyPumpingu/sertcake· Oct 2022· ⬆ 8👍 Recommends
Thread: "Do you need a hospital grade pump?"
So "hospital grade" has no actual meaning. I used the Medela Symphony when we were in the NICU and the Spectra S2 at home for 3 months. I responded better and felt my Spectra had better suction. It's all a matter of preference.
r/ExclusivelyPumpingu/hedwigofpuddingby· May 2023· ⬆ 8👍 Recommends
Hey there! I know you commented months ago, but can you share what you did to increase supply with the Symphony? I just rented mine but it's not doing that and I am concerned I might be doing something wrong.
r/ExclusivelyPumpingu/RileyRush· Oct 2022· ⬆ 7👍 Recommends
Thread: "Do you need a hospital grade pump?"
I know people say the Symphony is outrageously priced and not worth it, and I cannot imagine spending 2k on it….but I am renting it and it is fabulous.
I don’t know how to explain it. I respond really well to it AND it’s so gentle on my nips!
I’ve started using my insurance provided Spectra, and Pumpables Genie Advanced now that my supply is established. I like both pumps a ton, especially my Pumpables GA, but they are not gentle on my nipples. If I had used these when I was newly postpartum I think I would have been uncomfortable.
(Also want to add “hospital grade” is apparently not regulated. So a ton of pumps call themselves hospital grade because they can have multiple users.)
r/BabyBumpsu/CriticalJade· Jan 2021· ⬆ 7😐 Mixed
Thread: "Exclusive pumping - what’s the best pump?"
My son was born almost 7 weeks early and required me to pump almost exclusively so I could fortify my breast milk for him. He was also in the NICU for 3 weeks so I didn’t have him to feed in the middle of the night (similar to your situation). My best insight: 1. I liked the Spectra (I forget if it’s S1 or S2; I had the one with a rechargeable battery but that’s the only difference between the two). If you’re in a position to do so, you can rent a medela symphony, which is a stronger pump but I never noticed much of a difference in output personally. 2. I did try to latch but my baby wasn’t able to so I don’t think that will matter much. My first colostrum came with the pump. 3. I never had any issues with my nipples except when one of my flanges was malpositioned and gave me a little bit of a friction rub. You definitely need nipple cream and the best way to do it is to apply the cream to both the flanges and nipples. 4. Unfortunately, yes you’d probably need to wake every 3-4 hours to get a decent supply. Obviously it’s different for everyone but there was one night I slept 6 hours by accident and my supply took a hit. I’m sure that depends heavily on your own body and hormones. I will say, it wasn’t as bad to wake up and pump when he was in the NICU because, like you said, I wasn’t feeding and caring for him so I was able to just pump and go right back to sleep.
Check with your insurance to see if they’ll cover the symphony rental? Some plans limit to one pump per pregnancy, but it’s worth asking. I’d stick with true hospital grade if I were in your situation. Even at optimal settings for me, the spectra got 75% to 80% of symphony output. Perhaps you could look at other medela symphony rental companies (for me, the hospital rental cost was the most expensive. So switching saves money). Or you could look at other hospital pumps that might be cheaper. I’ve also used the ameda platinum in the nicu, and it’s gigantic with 80s industrial design. but as effective as the symphony.
r/parentsofmultiplesu/orangeyox· Jan 2026· ⬆ 7👍 Recommends
Thread: "Best wearable breast pump"
I second another commenter… stick with a plug in until your supply is established (~3-4mo). If you’ve never had a kid before, you have no clue how you will react to pumps or how difficult your breastfeeding journey will be. It’s best to get the most capable pump which is a plug in (Spectra S1 or hospital grademedela symphony rental are generally considered the best). Exclusively pumping subreddit is an excellent resource for information.
r/BabyBumpsCanadau/tommythegorilla· Oct 2022· ⬆ 7😐 Mixed
Thread: "Breast pump recommendations for exclusively pumping"
I use the Medela Sonata and I love it! My daughter was in the nicu so I have been exclusively pumping since day 1 and this pump has been amazing. I had access to the hospital pump (Medela symphony) the entire month my daughter was in the nicu but I only used it a handful of times because I actually preferred the sonata. It’s easy to use, efficient, and not too loud. It doesn’t need to be plugged in while you’re using it so you’re not constantly attached to the wall, although it is a little bulky to carry around. I definitely recommend it!!
r/ExclusivelyPumpingu/Exchange_Neat· Feb 2025· ⬆ 7😐 Mixed
Thread: "Undersuppliers, this is for you! Thinking about getting a wearable?"
Fellow undersupplier here 👋 Thanks for this post! I am 7wpp and I recently switched out my Mandela Symphony MOTN pumps with my Elvie wearable and was worried about tanking my supply. This reassures me 😊 also is momcozy m5 better than other wearables? I didn't do much research before getting my Elvie. Initially, I got abysmal output with it so I quit using it but after looking at some tips and tricks on TikTok I now get slightly less output(2 ounces) than my Madela symphony (2.5 ounces).
r/ExclusivelyPumpingu/cali4mcali· Jan 2024· ⬆ 6👍 Recommends
Thread: "What are the best Wearable pumps?!"
I went a different route. Because I read so many reviews about wearables not having enough power, and I was already pretty accustomed to my Zomee collection cups and didn’t want to ditch those, I instead opted for a super-portable pump that to go with the collection cups. I got the Zomee Z2, and I wear it in a tiny little fanny pack when I pump. This pump combination puts my Spectra to shame. On top of getting better volumes than I’ve gotten from any other pump (including the Mandela symphony and Spectra S1), I am SO PORTABLE. Today I literally pumped while walking across the airport for an unexpected change to my travel schedule and not a single person had a clue I was pumping. Last but not least, it’s pretty affordable. I cannot recommend it highly enough. The ONLY criticism I have is that even the lowest setting can be a bit overwhelming at first.
r/newbornsu/Latter_Roof_· Dec 2024· ⬆ 6👍 Recommends
Thread: "Best breast pumps?"
If your insurance covers the rental of a hospital grade pump — do it. Medela symphony.
r/PregnancyUKu/Milemarker80· Nov 2023· ⬆ 5👍 Recommends
Thread: "Best breast pumps?"
We were recommended the Spectra S1/S2 by a doula, midwife and friends and it has been fantastic for us. Both are basically the same unit, but the S1 is rechargeable, so you don't have to camp out attached to a power socket - this may or may not matter to you!
It's a serious unit that we found was as/more effective than the Medela Symphony we had in hospital - and the Spectra is significantly quieter, which is a nice bonus (it's also a fraction of the price!). We also tried one of the hands free mini pumps (a momcozy I think it was), but there just wasn't any comparison for how much milk it produced, the Spectra was churning out 10x as much.
Thread: "First time mom! What do people find to be the best breast pump?"
Check with your insurance and see if they can cover a hospital-grade rental instead. I rented the Symphony and really like it because it's very efficient (I only spend <10 minutes pumping per session), and on the go I just have a manual one.
r/ExclusivelyPumpingu/Zel-d0rk· Dec 2023· ⬆ 4👍 Recommends
Thread: "Recs for best handsfree pump?"
I have the momcozyS12, Imani2, Medela symphony and babybuddha. Momcozy - garbage. -1/10. Barely worked, so many parts to clean, used for a month and then it stopped working. Imani2 - decent. 5/10. Worked well enough in a pinch but wouldn’t be able to use as main pump imo Medela symphony - pretty good. 7/10. This was my main pump for the first three months but obviously very restrictive for movement because it’s not portable. Babybuddha- best so far - 9/10. Mobile, strong af. I use as my main pump now and it’s strong enough that I have to use nipple cream but I might need to reassess my flange size… This is from an under supplier (making max 18oz/day) so I need pumps that really get everything out! If you have over supply you might be good with this the Momcozy… I think it depends on what your goal is/what your current supply is like.
My recommendation is this (from a 2 time exclusive pumper): RENT.
Start off renting. Google "Medela + rentals" and it takes you to a page on their actual website where you put in your postal code and it shows stores around you that rent the Medela Symphony (hospital grade) pump (i was honestly shocked at how many stores around me did rent it). Try it for a month. Then see if you think you'll be able to continue. If yes, there's many pumps out there (Spectra is great but need to order from the states), Medela pump in style (didn't love it, took me double the time to empty compared to hospital grade pump) but a main one on the market and easy to find parts in stores.
Rent for a month. Pumping is not for everyone so before you go investing, I recommend renting before investing
r/ExclusivelyPumpingu/elceeeff· Dec 2023· ⬆ 4😐 Mixed
Thread: "Best Breast Pump for Low Supply?"
The button opposite the power button (with the arrow down and two water drops) is the “initiate” program on the symphony! It’s not exactly the same as the first two minutes of the maintain mode, but it should work to get multiple let downs
r/ExclusivelyPumpingu/SadfacePuffin· Oct 2022· ⬆ 3👍 Recommends
Thread: "Do you need a hospital grade pump?"
I’m a FTM and under supplier. My son was also a late term premie, so I started off with a Symphony at the hospital. I bought a Medela PISA and Spectra S1 (after the PISA started to semi-die on me). The Symphony emptied me the best, and my supply got decimated when I had to return it (moved/lost insurance). The Spectra and PISA were about the same, so I was annoyed that the Spectra cost so much more and has a learning curve to it. TLDR: if you have supply issues, try to rent the Symphony.
r/BabyBumpsu/TempletonReader· Jan 2021· ⬆ 3😐 Mixed
Thread: "Exclusive pumping - what’s the best pump?"
I second the spectra S1 or 2. I used that and then at work used the symphony which is supposed to be the hospital grade top of the line blah blah blah. Between the two I noticed no difference so either the symphony isnt that great or the spectra is amazing. I did wake up every 3 hours to pump initially but that was because I had baby to feed so I pumped at the same time he ate. Not sure if that's absolutely necessary but it might be unfortunately :/ Pump was SO MUCH KINDER on my nipples than baby. I switched to pumping because of bad latch and frustration over breastfeeding all around. Once I switched to the pump it was better, so much easier to control comfort, change flange size if needed, use a lower suction if needed, etc.
r/BabyBumpsCanadau/therpian· Aug 2022· ⬆ 3😐 Mixed
Thread: "Your favourite breast pump for low supply"
I've tried 3 pumps: medela symphony, bellababy wearable in bra, and lansinoh double electric. The lansinoh works best for me.
The Medela is unaffordable unless you’re renting. I definitely prefer the Symphony but the Spectra works really well and is free.
r/ExclusivelyPumpingu/subtlelikeatank· Feb 2025· ⬆ 3😐 Mixed
Thread: "What is the Best/Affordable Hospital Grade Breast Pump?"
This depends on your location, hospital, and insurance. A Medela Symphony would have run me $85/month. Insurance won’t cover rental of a hospital pump unless it’s proven medically necessary, they would much rather the one-time purchase.
Oh what would be so nice if the insurance could cover it! I actually had my twins at 24 weeks who are still in NICU… Thank you for the thought. I will call tomorrow
I am planning on continuing to rent the symphony for as long as I continue to pump. It's the only one that works well for me, and my insurance pays for part of the rental cost.
r/ExclusivelyPumpingu/urrrkaj· Oct 2022· ⬆ 3👍 Recommends
Thread: "Do you need a hospital grade pump?"
For me what helped was getting the right flange size and pumping to empty more so than a certain pump. I have several. I have bought several motors for cheap secondhand trying to find what works best for me. I used the symphony with my first because he was in the NICU and started with an unimom opera (still my main pump) for this baby. I’ve had better output this time because I actually know what I’m doing vs just slapping flanges on and turning the pump on. Being able to move with a pump has also been really important.
r/breastfeedingu/Apploozabean· Oct 2025· ⬆ 3👍 Recommends
Thread: "What is everyone’s favorite pump these days?"
I like my medela symphony or the medela hand pump. I got the symphony off ebay like new (had only 700hrs of use).
r/ExclusivelyPumpingu/Independent-Cry1780· Dec 2023· ⬆ 3👍 Recommends
Thread: "Best Breast Pump for Low Supply?"
Baby Buddha! It works better than the symphony or spectra for me! I had a NICU baby so had access to the symphony for about a month and I also have a spectra from my last baby.
r/ExclusivelyPumpingu/FOUNDmanymarbles· Nov 2023· ⬆ 3👍 Recommends
Thread: "Opinions on wearable breast pumps"
I have the Willow Go and I am using a Medela Symphony as my primary and an Ameda Mya Joy plus (battery powered with flanges) or whatever as my “insurance” pump.
The Willow Go sometimes gets me comparable output to the Medela, I’m still working on settings as I got it recently. It’s definitely better for ME than the Ameda… but also, I wouldn’t use it as my primary pump, but for one pump or so a day it’s great. I wish I could believe it’s as good as the Medela though I hate it so much less.
My supply dried up with my first baby and I was exclusively using the spectra s2. At the time, I thought I was defective. However, I’ve been using the Pumpable Super Genie with the liquid shield kit for my second baby and it’s a night and day difference! I was even having supply issues with the Medela Symphony in the NICU until I switched to exclusive use of the SG. I’m convinced we all have very different boobs that respond wildly different to the various pump options. Definitely try something else if you can!
I feel the same way. I had to EP because LO had issues with breastfeeding. I made it to 7.5 months EPing but it was completely exhausting and emotionally draining. OP, if you are interested in trying to breastfeed, I recommend getting in touch with a lactation consultant. They are wonderfully helpful!! You might be able to have some meetings during pregnancy to prepare. There are also LC’s that can help with pumping. Bemybreastfriend on Instagram is a great resource for pumping. She is super encouraging for the EP-ing community! I used medela pump n style (don’t recommend for EP-ing), rented a medela symphony (amazing) and then bought a pumpables genie advanced (was also really happy with it). The down side to the Pumpables GA is the cost of shipping for consumables but you can hack the flanges so you don’t have to order replacements. Good luck with whatever you decide!
I get a longer pull with my spectra. For me that’s the difference. But I bacon till I drip then switch and forget till empty. It takes spectra 1/2 the time as the symphony. I tried hacking parts and medela parts still took medela time.
r/ExclusivelyPumpingu/DifferentScarcity142· Mar 2025· ⬆ 3😐 Mixed
Thread: "Which breast pump should I get?"
I would get a wearable and then rent a madela symphony through the hospital if that’s an option for you. That way you have a powerful pump at home and a wearable to go out with
r/BabyBumpsCanadau/Nymeria2018· Aug 2022· ⬆ 3😐 Mixed
Thread: "Your favourite breast pump for low supply"
For low supply you’ll want to go with a hospital grade or equivalent which won’t be completely portable. Either the Medela Symphony to rent as you did before or the Medela Sonata to buy. The sonata has a battery option and is equivalent to the Symphony with similar features. For hands free, get a pumping bra (or cut circles out of an old sports bra for a MUCH cheaper but effective option). Alternatively, the Spectra from the US is supposed to be great but still requires a pumping bra and the warranty doesn’t include coverage for Canada/insurance may not cover the cost if you normally have coverage.
I just paid for another three months out of pocket on my Symphony. I have a spectra and it just doesn’t really compare, but I’ll use the Spectra when travelling.
r/ExclusivelyPumpingu/1097kh· Feb 2025· ⬆ 3👍 Recommends
Thread: "Undersuppliers, this is for you! Thinking about getting a wearable?"
I love my m5! I get about 5 ounces with it! I just got the momcozy v1 pro to try too although it has tubes it looks more portable than the spectra.
I felt the same way so I just ended up renting the Symphony. My spectra is collecting dust because it doesn’t compare to the Symphony!
r/ExclusivelyPumpingu/EthelMaePotterMertz· Jan 2025· ⬆ 3👍 Recommends
Thread: "Completely overwhelmed with which pump to choose..."
I second the Baby Buddha. It's very powerful. I rented a hospital Medela Symphony because I had a preemie and it was recommended to make sure my supply came in well, and I used both. After 2 months I didn't notice any difference in ability between the two to empty my breasts so I returned the Medela. I can always rent it again if needed but so far so good (it's only been a week though).
r/ExclusivelyPumpingu/inevitable-cat· Oct 2022· ⬆ 3👎 Complains
Thread: "Do you need a hospital grade pump?"
We had latch and therefore weight loss issues at first so every other day for two weeks we'd go see lactation for a weight check. They had me pumping from two days after discharge and told me that if I couldn't pump at least 25ml every two hours that they would admit my son to the NICU. I had a Freemie from my insurance, but they told me it wouldn't work and I should really consider renting a Symphony from them. I obviously wanted my son to eat and not to be in the NICU, so I did the rental. I know a lot of people love it, but for me, the Symphony was absolutely awful. It hurt so much regardless of the flange size or settings I tried and I hated being tethered to the wall. I was barely getting 25ml and I was so stressed. I tried the Freemie when I couldn't bear the thought of another session with the Symphony and it didn't hurt at all and my output was better. And I could get comfy or walk around while pumping! I love that I can get things done or even drive while pumping. I think it helped me build my supply at the beginning too since it didn't matter what else was going on, I could pump regardless of where I was or what I was doing. I use the Freemie exclusively now and usually get 10-15 oz a day more than my son eats. I'm glad that I had the opportunity to try the Symphony, but for me it wasn't necessary.
r/BabyBumpsCanadau/Bright-Sample7487· Oct 2022· ⬆ 2👍 Recommends
Thread: "Breast pump recommendations for exclusively pumping"
Like mentioned here already, I used the Medela Symphony at the NICU and rented one for home for awhile. Eventually I purchased the Medela Sonata and I have no complaints. I just weaned after 10 months of pumping. Near the end I had trouble emptying but I’m not sure if that was because of the pump. I never really had any issues from the beginning with establishing and keeping up with my supply. I wish I had also gotten a Spectra pump just to compare the too- I know people rave about the Spectras. I think you can get it from US Amazon.
Rent if you can to try first because it is definitely a commitment. My LO was early and I didnt have anything ready to offer at boob. She loves rubber nipples now haha. And using a nipple shield every time and her frustration at the boob just made it so unenjoyable. I would rather pump. Once you decide you like pumping, I would go on Amazon US and order the Spectra S1, the conversion right now hurt me but it is a great great pump. I used the Medela Symphony in the hospital and the suction was trash in comparison to Spectra for me. You will need to size your flange but that’s easily done. Thats my main pump when my husband is home and I can sit and focus on stimulation and pumping. When hes not home, I use the Medela Freestyle. I do the fridge method, hubby will sterilize in morning before he works and Ill fridge the parts and pump every time I feed my LO. And when hes home he will sterilize again for the night. I get 20-25 minutes in with diaper, feed, burp. Obviously she doesnt get fresh milk, but it is breastmilk. I will do the same at night, fridge the parts. Now, I wish I did get the momcozy or something completely hands free with no cords but I dont mind it. My goal is to pump every time she feeds which is 2-4 hours since were in the thick of 100% contact sleeping with my LO being 7 weeks. As she gets older, Ill be glad I have two different pumps.
r/parentsofmultiplesu/irish_ninja_wte· Aug 2025· ⬆ 2👎 Complains
Thread: "Overwhelmed by the pump choices out there. Medela freestyle vs Spectra S1 or 2"
Tommee Tippee Made for Me, if they're still available. 2 single ones, not the double. I used these for my twins. When they were born, I also had 2 other young kids, so time to pump was at a premium and my supply dropped quickly. But I did what I could. These pumps were amazing! The hospital pumps were Medela Symphony and the Tommee Tippee were 10 times better. No exaggeration. When I used the hospital pumps, I'd be lucky to get an ounce total. It was quite disheartening. With the TT pumps, I was getting more than enough to feed both twins with each pump session. It wasn't a case of needing more time for it to build up either. I was discharged before my twins and I was getting good volumes at home, but tiny amounts when I was visiting them. Now, the TT pumps aren't "in the bra wearable", but they are easily portable. They're rechargeable and work wonderfully on charge (seriously, I never kept them plugged in during a pump session), unlike a lot of other pumps. They also fit easily into larger pockets, or can be rigged to hook onto something as they have loops on one end.
r/parentsofmultiplesu/rollwave21· May 2022· ⬆ 2👍 Recommends
Thread: "Is the breast pump debate basically Medela vs Spectre?"
I started with the medela symphony and I highly recommend renting it to establish supply. I have used both the new medela PIS and the spectra with the battery. With the spectra I bought the adapters so I could use my medela bottles/parts as I prefer them for storage and got a bunch from the hospital. The spectra has a screen which is nice so you can remember your settings and you can change the rhythm the suction uses. My output is roughly the same with both. I think the medela PIS is easier to clean. Answers to your other comment the difference between the S1 and S2 is one has a battery. Pumping should never hurt. If it does you likely have the suction too high or are using the wrong size flanges.
If you decide to rent the Medela Symphony, wherever you rent it from, ask if it comes with the Plus Program card. The Symphony needs a program card to operate and hospitals use the Plus card which had the pre-programmed Initiation cycling you liked. The medical device place where I rented it from came with the Standard Program card which was essentially just a 2 min letdown mode followed by expression mode. I hated it and wish I knew about the program cards ahead of time! [https://www.medela.com/010-products/010-pumps/040-symphony/pdf-downloads/symphony-plus-factsheet.pdf](https://www.medela.com/010-products/010-pumps/040-symphony/pdf-downloads/symphony-plus-factsheet.pdf)
r/pregnantu/jdawg92721· Jan 2023· ⬆ 2😐 Mixed
Thread: "Medela or Spectra?"
I have an s1 from with my daughter. I didn’t love it. I’m getting a medela this time but will also reuse my spectra with new parts. Our insurance also covers the symphony which I plan on using if my supply is as awful as the first time.
r/BabyBumpsCanadau/miiloverx2· Mar 2024· ⬆ 2👎 Complains
Thread: "[bc] breast pump- spectra vs medela"
Spectra S1!! I used the Medela Symphony at the hospital when my newborn had to be re-admitted to the hospital. For the price I can’t believe it had so little customisation. It literally felt like a brick. The spectra has a light, has multiple levels and modes, is somewhat portable, and has a better suction imo. I did end up using wearable ones for the convenience though (momcozy).
r/ExclusivelyPumpingu/freundmagen· Jan 2025· ⬆ 2👍 Recommends
Thread: "Completely overwhelmed with which pump to choose..."
I use a Medela Symphony at work and a Baby Buddha at home. I think the Symohony is only slightly better! You really can't beat the Buddha for the price. It can be harsh at first though.
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Thread: "Do you need a hospital grade pump?"
Something like a $200 Spectra will do just fine. If you're talking about a $2000 pump like a Medela Symphony, that's not necessary.
Thread: "Anyone else renting hospital grade Medela Symphony pump?"
I LOVED my Medela Symphony when I was renting it! It did wonderful things to build my supply (actually created a bit of an oversupply). I tried a Medela Pump in Style and hand pump and definitely didn't respond the same way to them! Probably like you, I got very used to how the hospital grade pump worked! Definitely a machine I'd look to buy if I was planning to EP and have multiple children.
Thread: "I’m a first time momma looking for a wearable breast pump what’s the best one?"
I’m probably the minority but the wearables actually work better for me. I had a hospital grade rental pump, medal symphony, and I wouldn’t get that much so I switched to a wearable and I pump almost double the amount. I would get depressed pumping with the symphony so the wearables put me in a better headspace and I was able to pump a lot more. I spoke with two IBCLCs about it. I think pumps are a personalized thing and there shouldn’t be a default. Editing to add I do use flange inserts. I feel like wearables have flanges that are often too big which could be why output can be lower too.
Thread: ""Hospital grade" pump versus a regular electric pump?"
These days the only real difference between “hospital grade” and not is the former is designed to be used by multiple people multiple times a day so it can withstand a lot of use and wear and tear. Because my babies were in the NICU I was loaned a madela symphony, and I then rented it for a couple more months after they were home. It was nice to not beat up my bought pumps when I was pumping 12x a day but it’s not inherently more effective than a regular pump. Anecdotally I would never have made it this far (11 months and counting) exclusively pumping for twins without wearable pumps. Being able to change/feed/clean/etc while pumping was necessary for me. They’re typically not recommended until you’ve established supply but when you can use them they’re a game changer.
Thread: "Anyone else renting hospital grade Medela Symphony pump?"
I’m also in the exact same situation as you! Literally. Wondering the same thing and looking for thoughts. However I’ve heard that the term “hospital grade” means that the pump can be used by more than one person and it’s usually more powerful, i.e., two motors. However many pumps now have two motors so there’s that. I’m considering buying another pump so that I can stop paying for the hospital rental as well. I hear Baby Bhudda is powerful as well …
Thread: "Do you need a hospital grade pump?"
I actually looked up how much the Medela one cost bc I liked it in the hospital but when I saw the price, I figured using my 200 Spectra would suffice.
Thread: "Do you need a hospital grade pump?"
So "hospital grade" has no actual meaning. I used the Medela Symphony when we were in the NICU and the Spectra S2 at home for 3 months. I responded better and felt my Spectra had better suction. It's all a matter of preference.
Thread: "Anyone else renting hospital grade Medela Symphony pump?"
Hey there! I know you commented months ago, but can you share what you did to increase supply with the Symphony? I just rented mine but it's not doing that and I am concerned I might be doing something wrong.
Thread: "Do you need a hospital grade pump?"
I know people say the Symphony is outrageously priced and not worth it, and I cannot imagine spending 2k on it….but I am renting it and it is fabulous. I don’t know how to explain it. I respond really well to it AND it’s so gentle on my nips! I’ve started using my insurance provided Spectra, and Pumpables Genie Advanced now that my supply is established. I like both pumps a ton, especially my Pumpables GA, but they are not gentle on my nipples. If I had used these when I was newly postpartum I think I would have been uncomfortable. (Also want to add “hospital grade” is apparently not regulated. So a ton of pumps call themselves hospital grade because they can have multiple users.)
Thread: "Exclusive pumping - what’s the best pump?"
My son was born almost 7 weeks early and required me to pump almost exclusively so I could fortify my breast milk for him. He was also in the NICU for 3 weeks so I didn’t have him to feed in the middle of the night (similar to your situation). My best insight: 1. I liked the Spectra (I forget if it’s S1 or S2; I had the one with a rechargeable battery but that’s the only difference between the two). If you’re in a position to do so, you can rent a medela symphony, which is a stronger pump but I never noticed much of a difference in output personally. 2. I did try to latch but my baby wasn’t able to so I don’t think that will matter much. My first colostrum came with the pump. 3. I never had any issues with my nipples except when one of my flanges was malpositioned and gave me a little bit of a friction rub. You definitely need nipple cream and the best way to do it is to apply the cream to both the flanges and nipples. 4. Unfortunately, yes you’d probably need to wake every 3-4 hours to get a decent supply. Obviously it’s different for everyone but there was one night I slept 6 hours by accident and my supply took a hit. I’m sure that depends heavily on your own body and hormones. I will say, it wasn’t as bad to wake up and pump when he was in the NICU because, like you said, I wasn’t feeding and caring for him so I was able to just pump and go right back to sleep.
Thread: "Anyone else renting hospital grade Medela Symphony pump?"
Check with your insurance to see if they’ll cover the symphony rental? Some plans limit to one pump per pregnancy, but it’s worth asking. I’d stick with true hospital grade if I were in your situation. Even at optimal settings for me, the spectra got 75% to 80% of symphony output. Perhaps you could look at other medela symphony rental companies (for me, the hospital rental cost was the most expensive. So switching saves money). Or you could look at other hospital pumps that might be cheaper. I’ve also used the ameda platinum in the nicu, and it’s gigantic with 80s industrial design. but as effective as the symphony.
Thread: "Best wearable breast pump"
I second another commenter… stick with a plug in until your supply is established (~3-4mo). If you’ve never had a kid before, you have no clue how you will react to pumps or how difficult your breastfeeding journey will be. It’s best to get the most capable pump which is a plug in (Spectra S1 or hospital grademedela symphony rental are generally considered the best). Exclusively pumping subreddit is an excellent resource for information.
Thread: "Breast pump recommendations for exclusively pumping"
I use the Medela Sonata and I love it! My daughter was in the nicu so I have been exclusively pumping since day 1 and this pump has been amazing. I had access to the hospital pump (Medela symphony) the entire month my daughter was in the nicu but I only used it a handful of times because I actually preferred the sonata. It’s easy to use, efficient, and not too loud. It doesn’t need to be plugged in while you’re using it so you’re not constantly attached to the wall, although it is a little bulky to carry around. I definitely recommend it!!
Thread: "Undersuppliers, this is for you! Thinking about getting a wearable?"
Fellow undersupplier here 👋 Thanks for this post! I am 7wpp and I recently switched out my Mandela Symphony MOTN pumps with my Elvie wearable and was worried about tanking my supply. This reassures me 😊 also is momcozy m5 better than other wearables? I didn't do much research before getting my Elvie. Initially, I got abysmal output with it so I quit using it but after looking at some tips and tricks on TikTok I now get slightly less output(2 ounces) than my Madela symphony (2.5 ounces).
Thread: "What are the best Wearable pumps?!"
I went a different route. Because I read so many reviews about wearables not having enough power, and I was already pretty accustomed to my Zomee collection cups and didn’t want to ditch those, I instead opted for a super-portable pump that to go with the collection cups. I got the Zomee Z2, and I wear it in a tiny little fanny pack when I pump. This pump combination puts my Spectra to shame. On top of getting better volumes than I’ve gotten from any other pump (including the Mandela symphony and Spectra S1), I am SO PORTABLE. Today I literally pumped while walking across the airport for an unexpected change to my travel schedule and not a single person had a clue I was pumping. Last but not least, it’s pretty affordable. I cannot recommend it highly enough. The ONLY criticism I have is that even the lowest setting can be a bit overwhelming at first.
Thread: "Best breast pumps?"
If your insurance covers the rental of a hospital grade pump — do it. Medela symphony.
Thread: "Best breast pumps?"
We were recommended the Spectra S1/S2 by a doula, midwife and friends and it has been fantastic for us. Both are basically the same unit, but the S1 is rechargeable, so you don't have to camp out attached to a power socket - this may or may not matter to you! It's a serious unit that we found was as/more effective than the Medela Symphony we had in hospital - and the Spectra is significantly quieter, which is a nice bonus (it's also a fraction of the price!). We also tried one of the hands free mini pumps (a momcozy I think it was), but there just wasn't any comparison for how much milk it produced, the Spectra was churning out 10x as much.
Thread: "First time mom! What do people find to be the best breast pump?"
Check with your insurance and see if they can cover a hospital-grade rental instead. I rented the Symphony and really like it because it's very efficient (I only spend <10 minutes pumping per session), and on the go I just have a manual one.
Thread: "Recs for best handsfree pump?"
I have the momcozyS12, Imani2, Medela symphony and babybuddha. Momcozy - garbage. -1/10. Barely worked, so many parts to clean, used for a month and then it stopped working. Imani2 - decent. 5/10. Worked well enough in a pinch but wouldn’t be able to use as main pump imo Medela symphony - pretty good. 7/10. This was my main pump for the first three months but obviously very restrictive for movement because it’s not portable. Babybuddha- best so far - 9/10. Mobile, strong af. I use as my main pump now and it’s strong enough that I have to use nipple cream but I might need to reassess my flange size… This is from an under supplier (making max 18oz/day) so I need pumps that really get everything out! If you have over supply you might be good with this the Momcozy… I think it depends on what your goal is/what your current supply is like.
Thread: "Exclusive pumping: best pumps? [MB]"
My recommendation is this (from a 2 time exclusive pumper): RENT. Start off renting. Google "Medela + rentals" and it takes you to a page on their actual website where you put in your postal code and it shows stores around you that rent the Medela Symphony (hospital grade) pump (i was honestly shocked at how many stores around me did rent it). Try it for a month. Then see if you think you'll be able to continue. If yes, there's many pumps out there (Spectra is great but need to order from the states), Medela pump in style (didn't love it, took me double the time to empty compared to hospital grade pump) but a main one on the market and easy to find parts in stores. Rent for a month. Pumping is not for everyone so before you go investing, I recommend renting before investing
Thread: "Best Breast Pump for Low Supply?"
The button opposite the power button (with the arrow down and two water drops) is the “initiate” program on the symphony! It’s not exactly the same as the first two minutes of the maintain mode, but it should work to get multiple let downs
Thread: "Do you need a hospital grade pump?"
I’m a FTM and under supplier. My son was also a late term premie, so I started off with a Symphony at the hospital. I bought a Medela PISA and Spectra S1 (after the PISA started to semi-die on me). The Symphony emptied me the best, and my supply got decimated when I had to return it (moved/lost insurance). The Spectra and PISA were about the same, so I was annoyed that the Spectra cost so much more and has a learning curve to it. TLDR: if you have supply issues, try to rent the Symphony.
Thread: "Exclusive pumping - what’s the best pump?"
I second the spectra S1 or 2. I used that and then at work used the symphony which is supposed to be the hospital grade top of the line blah blah blah. Between the two I noticed no difference so either the symphony isnt that great or the spectra is amazing. I did wake up every 3 hours to pump initially but that was because I had baby to feed so I pumped at the same time he ate. Not sure if that's absolutely necessary but it might be unfortunately :/ Pump was SO MUCH KINDER on my nipples than baby. I switched to pumping because of bad latch and frustration over breastfeeding all around. Once I switched to the pump it was better, so much easier to control comfort, change flange size if needed, use a lower suction if needed, etc.
Thread: "Your favourite breast pump for low supply"
I've tried 3 pumps: medela symphony, bellababy wearable in bra, and lansinoh double electric. The lansinoh works best for me.
Thread: "Spectra vs Medela Hospital Grade"
The Medela is unaffordable unless you’re renting. I definitely prefer the Symphony but the Spectra works really well and is free.
Thread: "What is the Best/Affordable Hospital Grade Breast Pump?"
This depends on your location, hospital, and insurance. A Medela Symphony would have run me $85/month. Insurance won’t cover rental of a hospital pump unless it’s proven medically necessary, they would much rather the one-time purchase.
Thread: "Anyone else renting hospital grade Medela Symphony pump?"
Oh what would be so nice if the insurance could cover it! I actually had my twins at 24 weeks who are still in NICU… Thank you for the thought. I will call tomorrow
Thread: "Anyone else renting hospital grade Medela Symphony pump?"
I am planning on continuing to rent the symphony for as long as I continue to pump. It's the only one that works well for me, and my insurance pays for part of the rental cost.
Thread: "Do you need a hospital grade pump?"
For me what helped was getting the right flange size and pumping to empty more so than a certain pump. I have several. I have bought several motors for cheap secondhand trying to find what works best for me. I used the symphony with my first because he was in the NICU and started with an unimom opera (still my main pump) for this baby. I’ve had better output this time because I actually know what I’m doing vs just slapping flanges on and turning the pump on. Being able to move with a pump has also been really important.
Thread: "What is everyone’s favorite pump these days?"
I like my medela symphony or the medela hand pump. I got the symphony off ebay like new (had only 700hrs of use).
Thread: "Best Breast Pump for Low Supply?"
Baby Buddha! It works better than the symphony or spectra for me! I had a NICU baby so had access to the symphony for about a month and I also have a spectra from my last baby.
Thread: "Opinions on wearable breast pumps"
I have the Willow Go and I am using a Medela Symphony as my primary and an Ameda Mya Joy plus (battery powered with flanges) or whatever as my “insurance” pump. The Willow Go sometimes gets me comparable output to the Medela, I’m still working on settings as I got it recently. It’s definitely better for ME than the Ameda… but also, I wouldn’t use it as my primary pump, but for one pump or so a day it’s great. I wish I could believe it’s as good as the Medela though I hate it so much less.
Thread: "Advice on a pump for low supply"
My supply dried up with my first baby and I was exclusively using the spectra s2. At the time, I thought I was defective. However, I’ve been using the Pumpable Super Genie with the liquid shield kit for my second baby and it’s a night and day difference! I was even having supply issues with the Medela Symphony in the NICU until I switched to exclusive use of the SG. I’m convinced we all have very different boobs that respond wildly different to the various pump options. Definitely try something else if you can!
Thread: "Exclusive pumping: best pumps? [MB]"
I feel the same way. I had to EP because LO had issues with breastfeeding. I made it to 7.5 months EPing but it was completely exhausting and emotionally draining. OP, if you are interested in trying to breastfeed, I recommend getting in touch with a lactation consultant. They are wonderfully helpful!! You might be able to have some meetings during pregnancy to prepare. There are also LC’s that can help with pumping. Bemybreastfriend on Instagram is a great resource for pumping. She is super encouraging for the EP-ing community! I used medela pump n style (don’t recommend for EP-ing), rented a medela symphony (amazing) and then bought a pumpables genie advanced (was also really happy with it). The down side to the Pumpables GA is the cost of shipping for consumables but you can hack the flanges so you don’t have to order replacements. Good luck with whatever you decide!
Thread: "Spectra vs Medela Hospital Grade"
I get a longer pull with my spectra. For me that’s the difference. But I bacon till I drip then switch and forget till empty. It takes spectra 1/2 the time as the symphony. I tried hacking parts and medela parts still took medela time.
Thread: "Which breast pump should I get?"
I would get a wearable and then rent a madela symphony through the hospital if that’s an option for you. That way you have a powerful pump at home and a wearable to go out with
Thread: "Your favourite breast pump for low supply"
For low supply you’ll want to go with a hospital grade or equivalent which won’t be completely portable. Either the Medela Symphony to rent as you did before or the Medela Sonata to buy. The sonata has a battery option and is equivalent to the Symphony with similar features. For hands free, get a pumping bra (or cut circles out of an old sports bra for a MUCH cheaper but effective option). Alternatively, the Spectra from the US is supposed to be great but still requires a pumping bra and the warranty doesn’t include coverage for Canada/insurance may not cover the cost if you normally have coverage.
Thread: "Spectra vs Medela Hospital Grade"
I just paid for another three months out of pocket on my Symphony. I have a spectra and it just doesn’t really compare, but I’ll use the Spectra when travelling.
Thread: "Undersuppliers, this is for you! Thinking about getting a wearable?"
I love my m5! I get about 5 ounces with it! I just got the momcozy v1 pro to try too although it has tubes it looks more portable than the spectra.
Thread: "Spectra vs Medela Hospital Grade"
I felt the same way so I just ended up renting the Symphony. My spectra is collecting dust because it doesn’t compare to the Symphony!
Thread: "Completely overwhelmed with which pump to choose..."
I second the Baby Buddha. It's very powerful. I rented a hospital Medela Symphony because I had a preemie and it was recommended to make sure my supply came in well, and I used both. After 2 months I didn't notice any difference in ability between the two to empty my breasts so I returned the Medela. I can always rent it again if needed but so far so good (it's only been a week though).
Thread: "Do you need a hospital grade pump?"
We had latch and therefore weight loss issues at first so every other day for two weeks we'd go see lactation for a weight check. They had me pumping from two days after discharge and told me that if I couldn't pump at least 25ml every two hours that they would admit my son to the NICU. I had a Freemie from my insurance, but they told me it wouldn't work and I should really consider renting a Symphony from them. I obviously wanted my son to eat and not to be in the NICU, so I did the rental. I know a lot of people love it, but for me, the Symphony was absolutely awful. It hurt so much regardless of the flange size or settings I tried and I hated being tethered to the wall. I was barely getting 25ml and I was so stressed. I tried the Freemie when I couldn't bear the thought of another session with the Symphony and it didn't hurt at all and my output was better. And I could get comfy or walk around while pumping! I love that I can get things done or even drive while pumping. I think it helped me build my supply at the beginning too since it didn't matter what else was going on, I could pump regardless of where I was or what I was doing. I use the Freemie exclusively now and usually get 10-15 oz a day more than my son eats. I'm glad that I had the opportunity to try the Symphony, but for me it wasn't necessary.
Thread: "Breast pump recommendations for exclusively pumping"
Like mentioned here already, I used the Medela Symphony at the NICU and rented one for home for awhile. Eventually I purchased the Medela Sonata and I have no complaints. I just weaned after 10 months of pumping. Near the end I had trouble emptying but I’m not sure if that was because of the pump. I never really had any issues from the beginning with establishing and keeping up with my supply. I wish I had also gotten a Spectra pump just to compare the too- I know people rave about the Spectras. I think you can get it from US Amazon.
Thread: "Exclusive pumping: best pumps? [MB]"
Rent if you can to try first because it is definitely a commitment. My LO was early and I didnt have anything ready to offer at boob. She loves rubber nipples now haha. And using a nipple shield every time and her frustration at the boob just made it so unenjoyable. I would rather pump. Once you decide you like pumping, I would go on Amazon US and order the Spectra S1, the conversion right now hurt me but it is a great great pump. I used the Medela Symphony in the hospital and the suction was trash in comparison to Spectra for me. You will need to size your flange but that’s easily done. Thats my main pump when my husband is home and I can sit and focus on stimulation and pumping. When hes not home, I use the Medela Freestyle. I do the fridge method, hubby will sterilize in morning before he works and Ill fridge the parts and pump every time I feed my LO. And when hes home he will sterilize again for the night. I get 20-25 minutes in with diaper, feed, burp. Obviously she doesnt get fresh milk, but it is breastmilk. I will do the same at night, fridge the parts. Now, I wish I did get the momcozy or something completely hands free with no cords but I dont mind it. My goal is to pump every time she feeds which is 2-4 hours since were in the thick of 100% contact sleeping with my LO being 7 weeks. As she gets older, Ill be glad I have two different pumps.
Thread: "Overwhelmed by the pump choices out there. Medela freestyle vs Spectra S1 or 2"
Tommee Tippee Made for Me, if they're still available. 2 single ones, not the double. I used these for my twins. When they were born, I also had 2 other young kids, so time to pump was at a premium and my supply dropped quickly. But I did what I could. These pumps were amazing! The hospital pumps were Medela Symphony and the Tommee Tippee were 10 times better. No exaggeration. When I used the hospital pumps, I'd be lucky to get an ounce total. It was quite disheartening. With the TT pumps, I was getting more than enough to feed both twins with each pump session. It wasn't a case of needing more time for it to build up either. I was discharged before my twins and I was getting good volumes at home, but tiny amounts when I was visiting them. Now, the TT pumps aren't "in the bra wearable", but they are easily portable. They're rechargeable and work wonderfully on charge (seriously, I never kept them plugged in during a pump session), unlike a lot of other pumps. They also fit easily into larger pockets, or can be rigged to hook onto something as they have loops on one end.
Thread: "Is the breast pump debate basically Medela vs Spectre?"
I started with the medela symphony and I highly recommend renting it to establish supply. I have used both the new medela PIS and the spectra with the battery. With the spectra I bought the adapters so I could use my medela bottles/parts as I prefer them for storage and got a bunch from the hospital. The spectra has a screen which is nice so you can remember your settings and you can change the rhythm the suction uses. My output is roughly the same with both. I think the medela PIS is easier to clean. Answers to your other comment the difference between the S1 and S2 is one has a battery. Pumping should never hurt. If it does you likely have the suction too high or are using the wrong size flanges.
Thread: "Spectra vs Medela Hospital Grade"
If you decide to rent the Medela Symphony, wherever you rent it from, ask if it comes with the Plus Program card. The Symphony needs a program card to operate and hospitals use the Plus card which had the pre-programmed Initiation cycling you liked. The medical device place where I rented it from came with the Standard Program card which was essentially just a 2 min letdown mode followed by expression mode. I hated it and wish I knew about the program cards ahead of time! [https://www.medela.com/010-products/010-pumps/040-symphony/pdf-downloads/symphony-plus-factsheet.pdf](https://www.medela.com/010-products/010-pumps/040-symphony/pdf-downloads/symphony-plus-factsheet.pdf)
Thread: "Medela or Spectra?"
I have an s1 from with my daughter. I didn’t love it. I’m getting a medela this time but will also reuse my spectra with new parts. Our insurance also covers the symphony which I plan on using if my supply is as awful as the first time.
Thread: "[bc] breast pump- spectra vs medela"
Spectra S1!! I used the Medela Symphony at the hospital when my newborn had to be re-admitted to the hospital. For the price I can’t believe it had so little customisation. It literally felt like a brick. The spectra has a light, has multiple levels and modes, is somewhat portable, and has a better suction imo. I did end up using wearable ones for the convenience though (momcozy).
Thread: "Completely overwhelmed with which pump to choose..."
I use a Medela Symphony at work and a Baby Buddha at home. I think the Symohony is only slightly better! You really can't beat the Buddha for the price. It can be harsh at first though.