Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breastpump With Metro Bag - Medela 57036

by Medela

Product Features

• Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breastpump With Metro Bag - Medela 57036.

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 10 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B0011E5LXK
• UPC: 020451570303 020451570365
• Item model number: 57036
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,109 in Baby (See Top 100 in Baby)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)

Product Description

Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breastpump With Metro Bag - Medela 57036.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

173 of 173 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A lifesaver to say the least!! Medela has awesome customer service too!, May 8, 2010

By 

Jessica Goeller "AussieDO" (Holmes Beach, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breastpump With Metro Bag - Medela 57036 (Baby Product)

Firstly, I am a resident doctor and knew when I got pregnant that I would have to pump in order to give my child exclusively breast milk, so I researched all of the options available, polled some Obstetricians who breast feed and other doctors and nurses at the hospital where I train, and I chose Medela.

I also have the medela hand pump, which is great to bring to a quick outing where you can go to the bathroom and pump once and not have to carry the electric pump with you.

TIPS AND TRICKS--I began pumping within days of birth because I knew going back to work within 4 weeks that I didn't want my son to have difficulty taking the milk from a bottle. During my time at home and after I returned to work I figured out a few things:
1. It is very tedious to have to hold the flanges against you for the 15 mins I had to pump every 3 hours, so I found a hands free solution and that is 'Simple Wishes Hands Free Pumping Bustier Bra'. I am able to insert the pumping devices into this bra and read or use the computer, or just be hands free while pumping. It is such a lifesaver that I bought two and I wear them everyday. I found that if I distract myself while pumping that I pump until I am empty rather than giving up just when
2. The flange that comes with the pump is not 'one size fits all'. It is important to have the lactation consultant in the hospital 'fit' you for the right size for your nipple. I had to go up a size, and then I had no trouble getting everything out.
3. Make sure you follow Medela's guidelines to allow the pump to run about 4-5 mins after you detach the bottles to remove the condensation in the tubing, as this will protect your machine and decrease contamination.
4. When you are done, leave the tubing attached and coil them together into a circle the size of a large orange, and tuck them in the pump box and close.I haven't had any issues with damage doing this.
5. If you are pumping at work, there isn't always a microwave handy to sterilize after each pumping, so find a sink and run the water as hot as it gets and rinse out the pumping attachments (excluding the tubing) with hot water. Sterilize nightly after washing with soap and water. The 'Munchkin Bottle and Nipple Brush' is awesome for cleaning the bottles and the pump equipment. For some reason the dishwasher can't remove all of the fatty residue of milk from it, so it is best to wash by hand...especially the bottle nipples. I also bring an extra large zip lock storage bag to keep my pumping stuff inside in my bag so they won't make everything else wet.
6. I really didn't like the medela nipples as my baby wouldn't take them. He loves the Nuk orthodontic series. Eventually we got the Nuk orthodontic 10oz bottles with the wider base and they are awesome (UPC 015000788735 ). The medela bottles, however, are great for storage and don't leak.
7. Medela freezer storage bags are great, but do leak and are pretty costly, so I switched to the Lansinoh after reading reviews and prefer them, just make sure you 'burp' or take all air out of the bag after putting the milk into them to prevent freezer burn.
8. The metro backpack is large and can accomodate all I need, but it doesn't close at the top, which is a little annoying, but I make it work.
9. I have used the car charger and the battery pack successfully on long road trips, and they provide equivalent suction.
10. One lady mentions the suction isn't enough...my son has great suction when he does feed, but I find if you pump for 15 mins (even if you haven't pumped for 5 hours) you can still get enough suction to get the milk out. I always wait for the 'second let down', or use the 'let down' button stimulate me to get it. It is important to pump until completion so you get the foremilk, mid milk and hind milk (hind milk has the fatty stuff in it that makes my son sleep longer--4 month old and 7hrs in a row).

BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE
I called Medela when part of the tubing broke off because I hit it against something hard--they sent me new tubing for free, no questions asked.
I called Medela when my pump stopped working after 4 months (I know everything mechanical can have possible defects, so I figured they would cover it under warranty) and after trouble shooting over the phone, they sent me an entire replacement for free (all I had to do was ship back to original product with them paying for shipping). To me this is above and beyond service. I would recommend Medela to people just for the customer service, let alone for the fact that their product is brilliant.

NEGATIVES
1. I always use a nursing pad underneath the pump as I remove it from my breast, as it would drip onto my clothes otherwise (and breast milk leaves a water mark until it is laundered) but I expect this as I really can't see another way (unless it is way more expensive) to prevent this.
2. If you leave the bottles attached by the tubing as you set them down on a hard surface you increase the chance of them tipping over and the milk spills out of the top of the attachment. The hole there is necessary for the pumping mechanism, so you have to carefully set the bottle down and make sure you use a large enough bottle to pump into otherwise it can spill over while pumping.
3. I have found it sometimes difficult to find the separate pieces to buy (I have two sets of pumping supplies so I can take a fresh one in the morning while the other can be sterilized.
4. The cost is pretty steep, but I found it to be very worth it.

All in all, this product has saved me a lot of trouble and a lot of money. If I didn't pump my own milk, besides the myriad of reasons breast milk is best, it would cost me >$150 per month for formula. And residents get approximately $12 an hour for the hours we put in and my husband stays at home and goes to school, so we couldn't afford it otherwise.

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Forget the bag, the pump is great, July 7, 2008

By 

Lisa Roa "nurselisa_99" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breastpump With Metro Bag - Medela 57036 (Baby Product)

No, the bag does not stay closed and yes it is heavy, but the pump itself was the most important part to me. I pump full time because my son had such trouble nursing. I pump 8 times per day, so I really have used this pump hundreds of times. It works fast and is easy to clean and operate. I have never had any issues with it at all. I tried a hospital grade pump first and it felt like it was going to rip me apart. This was a relief in comparison and I was very glad to have it. It's quick to set up on the go with the battery pack and I use the cooler bag to transport milk for his feedings while away as well as to hold the milk I pumped. It stays cold for hours and does not sweat. There is room in my bag for my phone and a book so I have something to do while I pump. I use this at home mostly, and the pump itself is small and easy to operate with one hand. If you intend to pump more than occasionaly, I would recommend this. I didn't buy it for fashiion, despite it's name. I needed serious results, and I got them. I pump for 15 minutes every 3 hours and I usually get between 5 and 6 ounces per pump. My son eats 24 ounces per day, so I get to freeze about 4 bags of 4 oz each for later. I did not get as much from the other pump and it took 20 minutes at a time.

71 of 75 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good pump (I think!) but poor bag, January 20, 2008

By 

D. Grzegorski "Darlene" (Red Bank, NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Thhis is the only pump I have ever owned, and it does the job well. I like the "clean work surface" that's included, the battery power pack, and the mesh pockets on the side of the pump for storing the tubing and AC adapter. I have been using it at work for 3 months.

However, I would not spend the extra money on the metro bag. Yes, it looks stylish and it is made of nice sturdy material, but unlike in the picture often seen with the product, the flap does not hang neatly and there is no closure to keep it from flying open. When the bag contains all the pump items, the flap rests on top and does not even fold over. The strap has no grippy strip and the bag is always slipping from my shoulder. Scrunching up my shoulder combined with the misshapen look of the bag undo any style this bag is supposed to have. If I were to buy again, I'd go for the simple black bag, which is usually about $30 less (although I don't know if that bag would behave the same way).