Breastfeeding is very crucial in the growth of babies. Therefore we as parents are always willing to go the extra mile to provide all nutritional requirements for our babies. Different breastfeeding regimes are suitable for different situations, depending on your schedule, your milk production rate, your babies health & age, medical history, etc. whatever regime you choose be it strictly breast milk no formula, formula only, a mix of milk and formula, breast sucking only, pump, etc. you must always keep in mind your child’s growth and health. Therefore detailed research and consultation with your doctor are necessary.
That said one accessory comes highly recommended in helping you supply adequate milk for your child i.e. the breast pump. There is a broad range of breast pumps from manual to electrical not forgetting the high-end hospital grade. If you are looking for comfort and efficient production then a hospital grade breast pump is a must-have.
A short reckon around the internet would probably lead you to the Medela Symphony. The Medela Symphony is a very popular breast pump and is on almost every mother’s shortlist of breast pumps. Therefore you will most likely be considering the purchase of this breast pump, we decided to give you a detailed review so you know exactly what you would be getting and what you should watch out for.
Quick Navigation
Medela Symphony Review
When it comes to comfortable and efficient breastfeeding you can’t go wrong with the Medela Symphony breast pump. Most doctors recommend it to mothers and for good reason to. The Medela Symphony breast pump has a lot of features that make it possible for it to double and in some cases triple your milk production.
This breast pump is at the top when it comes to high end sophisticated electrical breast pump. Although a little pricy it is worth every penny.
Features
First, let's go through the numerous features that make the Medela Symphony breast pump stand out of the crowd
1) 2-Phase Expression Technology
This new high tech feature has been seen to increase mother's milk production by 18%. Proven to achieve milk ejection and control, the 2-phase expression technology makes the Medela symphony truly remarkable. This innovation asides from increasing efficiency the 2-phase expression technology also improve comfort as it mimics the sucking motion of a nursing baby.
2) Symphony 2.0 Program Card
The symphony 2.0 program card has an inbuilt chip that stores all information about the pumping program ensuring that your breast pumping isn’t just mechanical but intelligent and computerized.
3) Two separate Independent Membrane Unit
This allows you to switch between simple or double pumping quite easily. By removing one of the kits you can pump through only one breast while leaving the other to rest or pump your two breasts simultaneously depending on your comfort.
4) Adjustable vacuum
The Medela Symphony has an adjustable vacuum that makes it easy to adjust the pumping rate. In cases of sore or cracked nipples adjusting the vacuum would make pumping as comfortable and pain-free as possible. With over nine different suction settings to choose from you can go fast or slow depending on your pace and comfort
5) Cleaning and Maintenance
The Medela Symphony is very easy to clean and maintain. You can take it apart, clean and reassemble in a jiffy. It is also very easy to repair as it comes with a warranty that ensures that your investment is safe. It takes some time to fix, however, within this period rental is offered to ensure that your milk production doesn’t suffer.
Pros of the Medala Symphony
- Very portable and easy to carry. It comes in two different bag styles: a tote bag and a metro bag style.
- 2-year warranty: the Medela symphony is returnable.
- Highly efficient
- Very comfortable and gentle on your nipples
- Very useful for long-distance travel as it has a battery pack that comes with 8 AA batteries so you can go for a long time without charging. It also has a line cooler bag with an ice pack that can store up to 4 bottles keeping them cool for later use.
- Very quiet: It doesn’t make any of the irritating whirlings and wheezing sounds breast pumps are known for
Cons of the Medala Symphony
- It shuts down after over 30 minutes of use.
- Customer service has been reported to be subpar especially when it comes to retrieving warranties
- Very fragile: It’s a rather sophisticated machine and not meant to be roughly handled. It is sturdy enough and designed to be portable. However, a few bad hits and you have a damaged unusable breast pump.
- Very pricey. As expected of a high-end machine the Medela symphony is priced a bit on the high side. It’s cheaper than most double pump electrical hospital grade machine but it is still a bit high for most parents.
- The kit is sold separately.
Customer sentiments
Customers love the Medela Symphony breast pumps as it meets all breast pumping needs comfortably and efficiently. Except in cases where the pump gets damaged and a replacement is difficult to acquire the Medela symphony provides an awesome customer experience
FAQ about Medala Symphony
How long should I pump with a breast pump?
For most breast pumps especially the easy to use, electrical type like the Medela symphony it is advisable to pump for nothing more than 30 minutes preferably less. The Medela Symphony automatically shuts off after 30 minutes of use.
Can I buy a second-hand breast pump?
Yes, you can. A lot of used breast pumps are easy and available to buy. Most mothers opt for used breast pumps mainly because they are cheaper. However, it is highly unadvisable to purchase and use a second-hand breast pump. Experts continuously warn against health and safety risks.
Acquiring a second-hand breast pump might save you a few bucks, but it sure isn’t worth the risk to your health and that of your baby.
What are the side effects of using breast pumps?
There is a shortlist of possible side effects from using breast pumps. However with good hygiene, regular cleaning and most importantly choosing the right breast pump you would be safe as you enjoy the numerous benefits of pumping.
Irrespective of how often you clean your breast pump or how well you take care of yourself do not hesitate to consult your doctor if anything feels off.
Verdict
We did a detailed look Medala Symphony review. The Medela Symphony is no doubt a good choice when it comes to purchasing the perfect breast pump. Comfortable, efficient, portable, sturdy the Medela Symphony is a full package. However, there are a few warning signs when it comes to this breast pump most of which we have outlined in the cons. It is advisable to be very careful with it as getting a replacement might not be easy.
Other than fragility and price the Medela Symphony is one of the best breast pumps in the market