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The Medela Symphony
Breastfeeding is a beautiful and natural process, but it's not without its challenges. Breast pumps become an essential tool for mothers who face difficulties in breastfeeding directly or need to be away from their babies due to work or other commitments. The Medela Symphony is a hospital-grade, double electric breast pump designed to be effective and comfortable for mothers. It is the #1 breast pump brand used in hospitals and is known for its powerful suction, gentle operation, and variety of features.
A Brief Overview
Medela, a Swiss company, has been at the forefront of breastfeeding solutions for decades. Their commitment to supporting breastfeeding mothers is evident in their range of products, and the Symphony Pump is no exception. Designed with both the mother and baby in mind, it is a hospital-grade, double electric breast pump that promises efficiency, comfort, and adaptability.
Innovative 2-Phase Expression Technology
One of the standout features of the Medela Symphony Pump is its 2-Phase Expression Technology. This technology mimics the natural nursing rhythm of babies. The first phase, known as the 'stimulation phase', replicates the rapid sucking rhythm babies initiate when they first latch on. This helps stimulate the milk flow. Once the milk starts flowing, the pump switches to the 'expression phase', which mimics the slower, deeper sucks of a feeding baby, ensuring efficient milk extraction.
This technology not only ensures maximum milk output but also reduces pumping time, making the process more comfortable and efficient for the mother.
Designed for Multiple Users
Being a hospital-grade pump, the Medela Symphony is built for durability and prolonged use. Its design allows for multiple users without compromising on hygiene, provided each user has her own personal pumping kit. This makes it an excellent choice for mothers who might be sharing the pump or for institutions like hospitals and lactation centers.
User-Friendly and Adaptable
The Symphony Pump boasts a user-friendly interface with clear and intuitive buttons. Whether you're a first-time mom or a seasoned pro, the pump is easy to assemble, use, and clean. Moreover, it offers adjustable settings for both the stimulation and expression phases, allowing mothers to find the most comfortable and effective setting for their unique needs.
Benefits for Premature Babies
For mothers of premature babies, the Symphony Pump offers a specialized initiation program. Premature babies have a different sucking rhythm, and this program is designed to help mothers establish and maintain their milk supply when direct breastfeeding might not yet be possible. By supporting these mothers, Medela ensures that even the most vulnerable babies can benefit from the invaluable nutrition of breast milk.
Quiet and Portable
Despite its robust performance, the Symphony Pump operates quietly, ensuring a discreet and peaceful pumping experience. Its design is also compact and portable, making it easy to move around, whether you're at home, at work, or traveling.
Support and Accessories
Medela offers a range of accessories to complement the Symphony Pump, from different breast shield sizes to ensure a perfect fit, to convenient storage bags for milk collection. You can start with this kit on Amazon, which includes everything you need to get started - tubes, membranes, valves, PersonalFit breast shields (24 mm), connectors, and breast milk bottles.
Their customer support is also commendable, with a wealth of resources available online, from instructional videos to FAQs, ensuring that mothers have all the information and assistance they need.
The Medela Symphony vs. Medela Symphony PLUS
The Medela Symphony and Medela Symphony PLUS are both hospital-grade breast pumps designed by Medela, a leading brand in breastfeeding products. While both pumps are built on the same platform and share many similarities, there are some differences between the two. Here are the primary distinctions:
Programs and Phases:
Medela Symphony: This pump typically comes with the standard 2-Phase Expression technology, which mimics a baby's natural nursing rhythm. The two phases are the "Stimulation" phase and the "Expression" phase.
Medela Symphony PLUS: The PLUS version includes an additional program designed specifically for mothers who have premature babies or are experiencing difficulties with milk production. This program is called the "Initiation" phase, and it's meant to help initiate milk supply when it hasn't come in yet. After the initiation phase, mothers can then switch to the standard 2-Phase Expression technology.
Purpose:
Medela Symphony: Designed for multiple users in a hospital setting, it's ideal for mothers who need to pump frequently. It's also suitable for home use for mothers who need a more robust pumping solution.
Medela Symphony PLUS: Specifically designed with the needs of mothers of premature infants in mind. The initiation phase helps stimulate the breasts to establish and maintain milk supply, especially when the baby is not able to breastfeed directly.
Price:
The Symphony PLUS might be priced slightly higher than the standard Symphony due to the added initiation program.
Accessories and Parts:
Both pumps use the same parts and accessories, making it easy for mothers to switch between the two if needed. The kits are sold separately. You can get your own kit on Amazon.
Performance and Efficiency:
Both pumps are known for their high performance and efficiency in milk expression. However, the Symphony PLUS offers the added benefit of the initiation phase for mothers who need that extra stimulation.
User Interface:
The user interface on both pumps is very similar, but the Symphony PLUS will have additional settings for the initiation phase.
It's essential to note that the choice between the Symphony and Symphony PLUS should be based on individual needs. For mothers of full-term babies who are not experiencing significant challenges with milk production, the standard Symphony might be sufficient. However, for mothers of premature babies or those facing difficulties in establishing milk supply, the Symphony PLUS with its initiation phase can be a game-changer. Always consult with a lactation consultant or healthcare provider to determine the best option for your specific situation.
Where Can I Get The Pump?
Rental Options: Given that the Medela Symphony is a hospital-grade pump and can be on the pricier side, many hospitals, lactation centers, and pharmacies offer rental options. This can be a cost-effective way to use the pump without committing to a purchase, especially if you only need it for a short period.
Official Medela Website: Medela often sells its products directly to consumers through its official website. This is also a great place to find detailed product information, user reviews, and any ongoing promotions or discounts.
Local Baby Stores: Many specialty baby stores carry Medela products, including the Symphony Pump. It's always a good idea to call ahead and check availability.
Online Retailers: Websites like Amazon, Walmart, Target, and BuyBuy Baby often stock the Medela Symphony Pump. Shopping online can also give you the advantage of reading user reviews and sometimes finding discounted prices.
Pharmacies: Some larger chain pharmacies have a baby section where they might carry hospital-grade breast pumps.
Local Hospitals: Some hospitals have lactation departments or stores where they sell or rent out breast pumps. Even if they don't have them in stock, they can often provide recommendations on where to find one.
Lactation Consultants: If you're working with a lactation consultant, they might have insights or connections on where to get the best deals or rentals for the Medela Symphony Pump.
Remember, if you decide to purchase or rent a used Medela Symphony, always get a new personal pumping kit for hygiene reasons. The Symphony is designed to prevent milk from getting into the pump mechanism, making it safe for multiple users as long as each user has their own personal kit.
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