Medela PIS

holley79 wrote: I was just wondering is anyone has the Medela PIS. I have one and I tried using it. It doesn't seem to have good suction on high.

Any suggestions? I didn't get a stupid book so I possibly could be doing something wrong, which is nothing new lately.

holley79 replied: I finally was able to find the instructions online. Only took me FOREVER. Well guess we will see if we learn anything.

TeagansMom609 replied: I have it, and I love it. I think it works great compared to the single electric pump I bought a couple years ago. Definitly worth the $250.00.

holley79 replied:
As soon as I can get it figured out I will probably love it also. I got real lucky. A lady I knew had bought one and never used it. I only paid 150.00 for it. Talk about a break. I'm just glad I found the manual online.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: I had one and it wasn't great, either.

MyBlueEyedBabies replied: i had pretty good luck with mine...where is your problem?

I did find that if I were full (kinda full was as full as I ever got) I had to kinda tip it down...don't know if that makes sense but if it were a little tipped then it could "hold" better and get the suction it needed. after a minute or so I could hold it however i wanted.

coasterqueen replied: I have one and love it. Used it for 19 months with Kylie and going on 6 months with Megan.

You don't want the setting on HIGH. That is not good. A medium setting should be all you need. Are you making sure everything is together right. Sometimes if the little white flap isn't down all the way on the horn you will get no suction. It happens to me alot because I'm usually in a hurry in the morning putting my stuff together for work.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied:
Just curious why high isn't good? I have the single Medela electric and always got a good suction and almost always had it at high. It always worked well for me.

coasterqueen replied:
I was told by a few lactation consultants, one in person and a couple online that you do not want it at the highest setting because it can damage breast tissue and unless your baby mimics like a freight train it really doesn't need to be at that setting.

jcc64 replied: Ditto what Karen said, about both the high setting, and the little white thingies.

msoulz replied: I have one that is about 8 years old and still working great. It doesn't have a high switch, just the dial to change suction, but works very well!

I do have a question for those who have used one. I get kind of a honking noise in the bottle when the suction releases. Could this be the little white things being too old or perhaps it is the pump being too old. Just wondered if anyone had experienced noise in the bottle?

coasterqueen replied:
Just when you are first pumping? Or through the entire session?

I noticed that this time around when I started pumping with Megan and I still have it going on 6 months now. I thought maybe it's because my horns are cold since I store them in the fridge here at work between sessions. It does pretty much stop about 1/2 way into a pumping session, that's why it made me think they were just too cold, but I'm starting to wonder.

I know mine is also sounding rather LOUD compared to when I was pumping for Kylie. My co-worker even mentioned she could hear the thing when she'd pass the office I was in. That made me want to run out and get a new one, but with this one still chuggin away I can't justify the expense.

luvmykids replied:
Ditto.

holley79 replied: Ok I will double check everything. Maybe it is because I am to full. I tried pumping first thing in the morning. Maybe I can hand express to make it a little "softer" maybe that will help things.

I should just tape the bottle to my BB while she is nursing. I could probably fill the thing up as much as I leak on the opposite side.

coasterqueen replied:
Hey you could pump the other side while nursing Great way to get that letdown and take advantage of it.

msoulz replied:
It seems to start during the session and last until i am done. But my horns aren't cold. I thought it might be when the milk is slowing down, like something inside is getting dry, but then that doens't always seem to be the case. Hmm, maybe I will call Medela. It is quite loud, especially when I pump at night, don't want to wake the baby! If I find out anything I'll post it. Thanks!

coasterqueen replied:
I tested the cold theory out this weekend by using regular horns that weren't stored in the fridge and I had the same problem as w/cold and what you are describing. I wonder if it's just that our pumps are old.

holley79 replied:

Just curious, why do you do this?

msoulz replied: I called Medela and they don't know why my horns are honking. She suggested replacing the old parts (mine being the orange piece and white flappy things). She said if it is sucking properly then they just don't know - and she seemed impressed that a 10 year old pump is still working!

coasterqueen replied:
horns honking..... sounds like we are talking about cars or some kind of crazy animal.

I was thinking about this more yesterday when I was pumping and I'm wondering if it's just the horns themselves. I have replaced all my white valves, but not my yellow valves.

Curious...are you using hard shell horns or soft-fit shields? I use the soft-fit shields and I'm wondering if the soft plastic is being compromised because mine are old, I used them with Kylie. I had one wear out so bad on me it had a hole in it. I really don't want to have to expense new horns though because I have many pairs. I think I'll just keep on honking for now.

jem0622 replied: The PIS was my absolute best buddy from the moment I used it. I started out on the lowest setting, and then worked up to the highest setting after letdown.

If you keep your horns in the fridge and massage your bb's before you start, you'll get faster letdown.

ETA: If suction is poor then get new valve housings (with white membranes). Also, get new tubing. The horns do not typically fail.

HTH!

holley79 replied: I figured out why I wasn't getting good suction. I have two different style horns. One works really well but the other gets no suction at all. I'm going to purchase a horn just like the one that works well. (I never make sense with this.)

msoulz replied:
Which work and don't work for you? Inquiring minds want to know!! Thanks!

coasterqueen replied:
Same here. I wanna know.

holley79 replied:
I took pictures of the horns but now I can't get them off my darn camera. Have to wait for DH.

Ok on one of the horns, where the tubing goes into the back it is at the bottom like closer to the collection container.

The other horn he tubing goes into the top area at the back. Here is a link to the one that I have that works.

Breast shield @ Burlington

I am going to have to order another like this or see if there is somewhere local I can go get one. I went to Target but I didn't see any of the breast shields there, they do carry Medela pumps and accessories though.

holley79 replied: Ok just as soon as I pressed add reply the stupid thing decided to let me transfer photos. I had technology sometimes. I think I made these clickable to veiw larger.

This is the one that does not work for me. Not sure if it's because where the tubing is or it's just not a very good model.




This breastshield works really well for me. I get better suction and it's more comfortable.



Any other suggestions?

Karen, Thank you for the advice about putting them in the fridge. That has saved me a lot of time.