The New Trend in Breast Pumps: Massaging Breast PumpsSponsored Links
by Matia Bryson (continued)1 | 2 The Avent Isis Breast Pumps - This breast pump comes in a manual version and two electric versions, the Avent Isis IQ Duo and the Avent Isis IQ Uno. The Avent breast pumps have other original features, but they do all have in common the massaging petals or bumps on what they call the Let-down Massage Cushion. These massaging petals are positioned on the areola and move in and out with the rhythm of the pump. With the massaging petals, the Avent breast shields fit a 24 millimeter nipple. Some users find they need to remove the Let-down Massage Cushion and lose the petals and the massaging action for a proper, frictionless fit. These pumps seem to rely mainly on suction to produce results, like a traditional pump. You can even see the “point and relax” nipple action in the Avent website’s video for the Isis IQ Duo, even though I do believe they have the vacuum strength turned down to low. There is more information on breast shield fit issues here on this website. Medela and Ameda are the longest established and most reputable makers of traditional breast pumps. Their most recent innovations have been in areas of design not related to massage: the 2-Phase Expression feature in the Medela Symphony, Medela Pump In Style Advanced, Medela Harmony and Medela Swing breast pumps and the Hygienikit feature in the Ameda Purely Yours, Ameda Elite and Ameda hospital breast pump rental kits. These companies have each made one small contribution to the massage trend: the Medela SoftFit breast shield and the Ameda Flexishield flange. These parts work with any of their breast pumps of the same brand and massage by flexing in a more static way, accompanied by the traditional tug-and-pull suction. Are these massaging breast pumps more comfortable, more effective at expressing breast milk, or at least, do they feel more like a baby nursing than other pumps?I have read hundreds of breast pump reviews and I find the two major complaints against breast pumps are issues of comfort and effectiveness at removing breast milk. Addressing just the comfort issue, there can be many causes of discomfort and it is important that women investigate and eliminate those causes in their breast pumping to prevent injury and to expedite milk let-down. However, I am inclined to believe this unnatural tug-and-pull motion can be the cause of emotional and physical distress to women, like it was for me, until they get used to it or overcome it with persistence. Now who can object to massage? Massage is such a nice term that evokes images of day spas, manicures, facials and relaxation under the hands of a professional masseuse. Of all these massaging breast pumps on the market only the Playtex Embrace Breast Pump has received enough independent consumer reviews (at least one hundred) to satisfy me that consumers have reached a positive, though not unanimous, consensus about it. The other breast pumps are just too new or have not been marketed extensively enough to know whether women will find them more comfortable or more effective than traditional vacuum-only pumps. I applaud efforts to redesign and improve the breast pump, but I am still hoping for a time that most breast pumps will fulfill their promise of feeling just like baby. I can only now endorse the Playtex Embrace Breast Pump, along with Medela, Ameda and Avent breast pumps for their past record in satisfying the consumer. Page: 1 | 2
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Medela Breast Pumps Economy Personal Electric Breast Pumps (details) |
Where to watch breast pumps in action:Avent Isis IQ Duo Breast Pump - click on the graphic of the pump that says "see it in action, play video." Playtex Embrace Breast Pump - this video appears to have been removed from the Playtex website in early 2007.
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