Best Breast Pumps: Medela Pump In Style Advanced

Medela Pump In Style Advanced is one of the best breast pumps for personal use. After trying two other pumps and almost giving up on pumping, I finally got my Medela Pump In Style. It did a great job emptying my breasts, even though my milk had always been hard to extract.

Medela Pump In Style comes in three different bag styles: The Metro Bag, On-The-Go Tote, and Backpack. I have actually used all three. Each bag variation has its advantages depending on your lifestyle.

On-The-Go Tote and Backpack have pump motors built into the tote and the backpack. This makes pumps less portable in situations when you need just the pump. On the other hand, Tote and Backpack work best for making pumping more discreet.

On-The-Go Tote	Backpack

On-The-Go Tote
Backpack

If you need to pump with a limited space available for the pump, consider The Metro Bag.

In Metro Bag motor comes in its own small case. Detach the tubing, close the Velcro fastener, and use the soft handle on the side to carry the pump motor by itself. It is more portable and takes less space to position for pumping.

The Metro Bag

At the same time if you take out the motor case, Metro Bag itself has a lot of space for your bottles, tubing, the battery pack and whatever extra you may need to carry with you.

Price-wise Tote and Backpack generally cost $30-$50 less than the Metro Bag, because of several Metro Bag's added features (see below).

I ordered my Metro Bag from Right Start - the company I love for their excellent customer service and return policy. They also always have great deals on pumps! Check them out:

Metro Bag	On-the-Go Tote	Backpack

		Metro Bag
		Backpack
		On-the-Go Tote

All 3 Pumps:

• Can work as electric or battery-operated pumps
• Durable to be used repeatedly throughout the day
• Can be used as single and double pumps (see below)

What Makes Medela Pump In Style One of the Best Pumps?

Medela pumps have a number of features that distinguish them from all other personal use pumps out there:

> 2-phase expression technology

This expression technology mimics baby’s sucking pattern. 1st phase is a low-suction fast pumping phase that stimulates milk let-down. It lasts 2 minutes. After that a high-suction slower phase begins. This is the actual milk-expression phase.

In Medela language 1st phase is called stimulation, 2nd phase is the expression phase.

2-phase expression technology stimulates sooner let-down and facilitates pumping more milk in a shorter period of time.

Medela also lets you customize your pumping pattern.

There is a button at the front of the pump (see picture) that lets you alternate stimulation and expression phases.

If it takes you less than 2 minutes to let down, press this button and go right into the expression stage.

Likewise, if during the expression phase, your milk flow slows down, use this button to switch to stimulation stage to trigger another let-down.

> 48-60 cycle repetitions per minute

A baby makes approximately 48-60 sucks per minute. Medela Pump In Style mimics that, which stimulates breasts similar to how the baby does.

> speed and suction regulation

Speed and suction regulation dial allows you to choose the most comfortable and yet effective pumping.

It boils down to how easy your milk flows.

Mine was very hard to extract, so I was setting the speed and suction to "max".

The bottom line – find the fastest and strongest suction, but also the one that feels comfortable and DOES NOT hurt.

> double/single pumping

Medela also allows you to choose to only pump one breast.

If your baby emptied one breast completely and you don’t want to pump it to make it sore, switch to single pumping by closing one unused tube port with a little cover.

To switch back to double pumping open the port again. 

single pumping

double pumping

single pumping

single pumping

double pumping

single pumping

> BPA-free parts and accessories

All milk-collecting parts are made of BPA-free plastic. BPA (bisphenol-A) is a chemical known to lead to many potentially serious health conditions, including cancer.  

Do not use clear plastic (polycarbonate) bottles and other accessories that come in contact with breast milk. They may contain BPA.

BPA leakage is most active when polycarbonate is heated or frozen and defrosted. And that's exactly what we do with breast milk containers.

Medela Pump In Style comes with BPA-free supplies.

What Is Included:

+ black tote, backpack or metro bag made of spill-proof microfiber

+ 2 breast shields, 2 breast shield connectors, 2 tubes, 2 valves, usually 8 membranes (2 that you use and 6 extra)

Medela Pump In Style Advanced comes with breast shields that are 24mm/0.9in (medium) in diameter at the end that attaches to breast shield connectors.

This is also the spot where your nipple gets sucked in. That is why it is important to pick the right size breast shield for your nipples.

My recommendation is to first use the shields that come with the pump and look at your nipples after pumping. If the shield size is correct, your nipples shouldn't be sore or look bluish. 

If you know you have larger nipples, check out these breast shields:

27mm/1.1in (large)
30mm/1.2in (XL)
36mm/1.4in (XXL)

If your nipples are small, these 21mm/0.8in (small) breast shields may work best for you.

Medela Pump In Style Advanced breast shields included with the pump are 24mm/0.9in (medium) in diameter at the end that attaches to breast shield connectors.

This is also the spot where your nipple gets sucked in.

It is important to pick the right size breast shield for your nipples.

My recommendation is to use the shields included with the pump and look at your nipples after pumping. If the size is correct, your nipples won't be sore or look bluish. 

If you know you have larger nipples, check out these breast shields:

27mm/1.1in (large)
30mm/1.2in (XL)
36mm/1.4in (XXL)

If your nipples are small, these 21mm/0.8in (small) breast shields may work best for you.

+ 4  5-oz bottles, 4 lids for transporting the milk, 4 wide base nipple collars, 4 slow flow wide base nipples, 4 caps to cover the bottle with the nipples attached

+ battery pack ( 8 AA batteries not included) 

+ 9-volt transformer

+ cooler bag with ice pack for storing and transporting milk bottles

Metro Bag's Added Features:

+ Separate case for battery block (see picture)

+ Motor unit placed in a separate case (Very convenient)

+ Two mesh bags for storage (I didn’t use them)

+ Plastic sheet to pump on at the workplace (I didn’t use it)

Do I Recommend This Pump?

Yes!

Medela Pump In Style Advanced is one of the best daily-use pumps on the market.

I especially recommend it for moms who pump regularly to boost their milk supply. Also for moms going back to work and pumping away from their babies.

I used my Medela pump on a regular basis. First, after every feeding session to increase my milk supply and then, after going back to work, several times during my work day. My double pump saved me tons of time and energy. I know you will enjoy it too!

Order your Medela pump and supplies from Right Start and get a FREE shipping:

Metro Bag	On-the-Go Tote	Backpack

Metro Bag

On-the-Go Tote

Backpack

Here is a coupon to use with your order:

Once you've ordered your Medela pump, here is a great video that teaches how to use, assemble and clean the pump.

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