Playtex Double Electric Breast Pump

Hi A.,

I'm a first time mom as well and I use the platex drop in bottles, which I love! But I use the Medela Pump in Style Advanced, which is a double electric pump. It works really well. I have several family members and friends that also used this same brand. Sorry, I do not know anything about the Platex brand pump, but I wanted to let you know about this one and that I use it with the Platex drop ins.

I love the Playtex pump. (I wasn't sure about buying it initially, either, as it is fairly new and I had read the reviews, too.) I am using it with my 6th child, who is 5 months now. I have been using it almost daily to pump for work. I really like that the milk can't get into the motor (closed system). I previously used the Ameda Purely Yours, which I liked, too, but the Playtex is more comfortable. It does feel more like I am nursing the baby - I am not sore like I sometimes was with the Purely Yours. I usually just pump one side at a time while feeding the baby on the other side as I get a full bottle that way in about 5 minutes (for now, that is 4 oz as that is as much as my baby takes). I think this is faster than I was able to do with the Ameda (using the same technique). Another thing I love - using it with Playtex bottles is so easy - neat and clean - much better than my previous methods of pumping into a bottle then pouring into a bag. I have also used Avent manual - not practical for me as way too slow. Medela is similar in quality and ease of use as the Ameda, except Medela isn't a closed system. Both have been around for years and continue to be highly recommended. Playtex may join those ranks in the future.

Sorry, am not familiar with the pump you mention. Used the Medela Pump in Style after 3 babies (returned to work so used it twice a day for 3 yrs after each baby)--it's now over 12 years old & still working great, so it's a sound investment. It's faster & effecient beging a double electric pump. I'm sure my milk supply wouldn't have lasted that long if I hadn't used a good pump. I used the Playtex drop in's; I pumped into the plastic Medela bottles, then poured into a Playtex bag, closed tightly, & froze til needed. Worked great.

i highly recommend the medela pump in style. it is expensive, but if you check with your insurance company you could get it! my insurance company (blue cross blue shield) paid FULL for it as long as my doctor wrote a prescription! i got it for FREE!! its pretty good....

as for the drop in nipples, i have a baby in day care who uses them - do all the nippes have that deep part around the nipple part??? i found that the baby got a rash, however he was on formula. i would make sure that you get a good nipple for it because this baby also doesnt really have the hang of sucking for some reason. the nipple doesnt go very far into his mouth, and so its like he just holds the hole open and doesnt have to work for it, which can hurt normal breastfeeding. check with your doctor, i didnt use bottles with my son so i dont know much about them, i would really check with your doctor or a local la leche league!!

I haven't personally used the playtex pump, but know others who have and weren't happy with it at all. The medela pumps are nice, but are very pricey. I used the Lansinoh electric pump on a daily basis and liked it. It is also more affordable than the medela.

Actually this pump will not keep up your milk supply over an extended period. If you are a stay at home mom and only plan on the occassional pumping so that others can be involved with feedings or that you can get a break and run to the store, it will work. If you at all work outside of the home, either full time or part time, it will not keep up your milk supply. Now know that with each child, your milk supply increases, so be cautious when talking to moms who are using it and on the 3rd child; the milk supply of that mom will not be what yours is. If it were me, I would just make the investment in a good pump and pour the milk into your "drop- ins". I would not purchase or borrow a pump from anyone though; unless you know the person very very well. Electric breastpumps including the medela are not a closed circut. They do harvest viruses from the previous user. So, just be careful when playing "Pass the pump".

I second the Medela pump. My insurance paid for it when I had my son. You should call and check to see if your insurance company will pay for some or all of the expense. Some of my friends bought other less expensive pumps and eventually purchased the Medela pump.

I have mine in storage and hope to see it used by someone in the near future.
-Good Luck

I'm not sure how Playtex packages their nurser set of bottles anymore but when I got mine with my daughter three years ago, it came with a blue, plastic adapter piece that screwed onto the dropin bottle and fit exactly onto my Medela pump and style to pump with that. I am happy with what I have so I have no idea about the playtex pump, but just wanted to agree that the Medela is great! Very fast and comfortable to use and if you have the adapter pieces you can still pump right into the dropin bottle without having to paour from a separate container. Hope that helps!

Just a note on used pumps from below - the Ameda Purely Yours (and I'm assuming the Lansinoh pump they make, as well) is a closed system that's safe to purchase used. You can buy your own kit to use with the pumping mechanism, but it's also possible to sterilize the parts that might have come into contact with viruses.

I recently was a first time mom with the same dilema. I purchased a hand pump and then received an electric pump free. And electric is the way to go! I think that as far as which pump to get? It all depends on what works best for you and it, like most of motherhood, is trial and error! If you want to try that pump, I say try it... If it doesn't work, try a different one! I used a Lansinoh hand pump and an Ameda electric. They both worked fine, but the hand pump is a lot more work. Good luck!

Hello, I am a supporter of the Medela Pump in Style also. I have 3 kids, Nick (3 1/2), Sophia (2 1/2) and Gianna (7 mos.) Gianna is still nursing and I am kicking myself for not investing in this pump from the beginning. Trial and error led me to it. It is expensive, but easy, convenient, and renting a pump would cost almost as much, if not more... I also used playtex drop ins, less dishes to do, for all three kids. You can pump and store in any type of bag or bottle and add it to the drop in. I would also recommend trying the generic (Target, Walgreens, CVS) drop ins, they are the same and WAY cheaper! Back to the pump, most hospitals will give you sterilized fittings for whichever pump you have and they come with if you purchase one new. I have a sealed package (from baby #3) at home with all the sterile accessories, just incase...
Lastly, if you plan on having more babies, the Medela pump in style is even more worth it! Like I said I wish I knew then- 3 1/2 years ago- what I know now.... It would have saved me a lot of stress and discomfort with the first two.
Good Luck and congratulations!!
J.