Avent Isis Manual Breast Pump

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...Read more

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...Read more

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...Read more