Lowest New Price: USD $1,273.75
Features :
- Unique overflow protection; Double or single pumping
- Electric or battery use (requires power pak - sold separately)
- One knob control
- Whisper quiet operation; Easy to clean
- BPA/DEHP Free
Customer Reviews
The Only Pump I Will Ever Use!! (2010-06-04)
This is hands down the best pump I have used. Both my sons were tongue-tied at birth, so there were latch issues which resulted in my having to express breast milk until they could learn to latch correctly. I wasn't able to resolve the issue with my first son, so we used the Symphony pump for 11 months. Somewhere in that time, I purchased the Medela Pump In Style in order to avoid the continuing cost of pump rental. After using the Symphony, I hated the other pump. I also had the Medela Swing (which I had purchased prior to my first son's birth). Again, nothing compares to the Symphony. The Swing is similar, but only a single pump and not as strong. The Symphony is the closest thing to a nursing child that you can find in a pump.
The Symphony has helped me through many blocked ducts and pumps quickly and efficiently. It is a time saver and is so much quieter than other pumps. It is expensive, but when I look back on what I have paid to rent one (not to mention the pumps I purchased that I don't use), I could have purchased the pump instead! I rented the Symphony on day 2 after my second son's birth (as soon as I learned that he was tongue-tied). I immediately looked for one to purchase knowing that I would most likely have it awhile. We are planning on having more children, so it made sense to purchase one. I Just wish I hadn't wasted my money on the other pumps. This certainly falls under "you get what you pay for".
Best pump (2010-05-11)
My son was 2 weeks old when he was diagnosed with RSV. He had it so bad we were there for 11 days. 6 of those days he was in PICU. He was on high flow oxygen, feeding tube, and an IV. Not easy to see your baby with so many things coming out of them. So, he was breathing so fast they didn't want him to eat from the breast. So I said is there a pump I can use while I'm here. They said yes, and brought out the Symphony. This pump is so much like having a baby eat from the breast. It starts with the fast little sucking like your baby does, then it knows when you let down and changes to the longer slower sucking. It is an amazing pump. I wish they would have these cheaper for nursing moms to buy because it would help moms bodys feel like they are nursing their baby. I have the Nurture III breast pump which works fine, but if you use it often it hurts the nipples. If you have the money and you want the best pump and you are a dedicated mom to breastfeeding and will need to pump, please buy this pump. I promise it will not let you down.
Cream of the Crop (2010-04-19)
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've 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 ability 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've 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 easy to lug around and can be a bit heavy. It comes in a huge hard case for protection since it's a pricey 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 don't own it. I am paying $60 a month for this pump and it's worth every penny.
I highly recommend this pump. It has not failed me yet. For your sanity, buy 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.
Wouldn't have believed it could make this much difference (2009-12-20)
I'm renting this product rather than buying, since I'm 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 recommended 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.
Wonderful pump (2009-07-10)
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. Although the parts of the Symphony are slightly harder to wash it is a far superior machine. The breast shields are smoother and more comfortable. The one knob operation is very easy and intuitive. I don't know why exactly, but it is the only Medela machine rated for use with preemie babies.
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