I threw my last breastpump in the trash can right along with all of its bottles and accessories. When Lucy was a baby, I had an Avent pump and a couple of bottles just for occasional use. Thankfully I'm not a mom who has to pump on a daily basis - I have lots of respect for those of you that do! I only need to use a pump in the rare case that I'm leaving baby for an hour or so and want to leave some milk for her. Other times that I've used a pump include to relieve mastitis and plugged ducts, or to pump and bottle feed while on a long car trip. (I have also done the "lean over the car seat and try to breastfeed while holding a blanket over the window so no one thinks I'm crazy" thing. Its just a bit hard on my back, lol.)
So, why did my pump end up in the trash? After choosing to breastfeed and working so hard at getting through those first rough weeks, being committed to providing the best for my baby... I was so upset to find out that the bottles and pump I put my milk in contained a toxic chemical. BPA is a hormone disrupting toxin that leaches from certain types of plastic. Ugh.
Medela is BPA free. Any of their products that come in contact with breastmilk do not contain BPA. Avent is now BPA free as well, but to me it seems like they only did this in response to consumer outrage. They do not disclose what their bottles are now made of, whereas Medela uses polypropylene and has a clear statement about BPA on their website. Medela supports breastfeeding. You can find information, tips, and even a discussion board for nursing mothers on their website. When deciding on a new breastpump, I chose Medela.
We received a Harmony Breastpump and 5oz Breastmilk Bottle Set for review. I was very thankful to have the pump when dealing with Esther's nursing issues. Rather than resorting to formula because my nipples were too sore, my back up plan was to pump and feed Esther breastmilk in a bottle. I haven't had to do that yet, we're still working on getting her to latch correctly though. The pump looks confusing at first, but it comes with clear directions on how to assemble, disassemble, and wash it. The bottles are compatible with Medela pumps and come with storage lids as well.
If you need to pump more often than I do, check out Medela's product selector to find a pump that will meet your needs. Aside from the occasional use Harmony, they also carry daily use pumps on up to hospital grade pumps. Medela pumps use an exclusive 2-Phase Expression technology that mimics the way a baby breastfeeds. The Stimulation Phase is light and fast while the Expressions Phase is slow and stronger. The Harmony pump uses the 2-Phase Expression technology also. Overall I'm happy with the quality of this pump and its ease of use.
Medela is offering one of my readers a Harmony pump! To enter this giveaway, you must be a follower of my blog (either through blogger, email subscription, or a google reader, etc.). Leave a comment letting me know how you keep up with my blog, being sure to include your email address so that I can contact you. For another entry, leave a comment and let me know where you find inspiration or encouragement for breastfeeding. I'll close the giveaway on March 19th at midnight.
Thanks for stopping by. Be sure to check back soon, I'm running a series of baby product reviews and giveaways this month including more fun items you won't want to miss!
**Giveaway is closed and a winner has been contacted. Random.org chose comment #13.**
I follow your blog.
ReplyDelete(my email is shown in my blogger profile)
My inspiration for breastfeeding is coming from talking to friends who do the same and all the straight to the point articles I'm finding on the web. I'm looking forward to giving it a try myself come July!
ReplyDeleteI follow your blog.
ReplyDeleteourcountryroad @ hotmail.com
My inspiration for breastfeeding comes from the bond I have with my baby girl who loves breasfeeding and hates bottles. I am also inspired by the saving in my pocket book :)
ReplyDeleteI follow your blog. email is niengolina @ gmail.com
ReplyDeleteOne of my inspirations for breastfeeding is the way I get to know my kids so well. I have to take time out and relax to feed them and it gives me a chance to really study them and learn all of their different cues.
ReplyDeleteI follow your blog and I love Medela products!
ReplyDeletetedandamy@cableseed.com
My inspiration for breastfeeding is to give my babies the best possible nutrition I struggled to breastfeed the first time, but I made it through and the second time was easier. We still had some issues, so I'm hoping this time will go even better.
ReplyDeleteI am a follower.
ReplyDeleteI'm a public follower!
ReplyDeleteandreapaetkau at gmail dot com
I follow u!
ReplyDeleteI find motivation by remembering how much money is saved versus buying formula!!
ReplyDeleteI subscribe and follow you by e-mail.
ReplyDeleteSamneneD@aol.com
My daughter's inspiration for breastfeeding comes from me because I continually remind her of it's benefits for both the baby and her.
ReplyDeleteSamneneD@aol.com
I am now a follower
ReplyDeletebootyemo@yahoo.com
my daughter did not want want to breast feed, so I pumped for 10 months so she could have breast milk....kids make you do the darndest things!
ReplyDeleteI follow your blog
ReplyDeletegates1215 at hotmail dot com
My inspiration for breastfeeding my soon to be second baby is knowing how good it was for my first. I made it to her first birthday and she didn't get sick once until after we weaned.
ReplyDeleteI subscribed to your rss feed!
ReplyDeleteI've found inspiration and encouragement from, of all people, my father. He was supportive of my "extended" bf'ing when my mother and grandmother were trying to discourage me. I say "extended" with scare quotes because I don't see how 23 months is all that old to wean. It's not like he was in college or anything! My other two self-weaned at a year. Well, I got pregnant, so I guess I just ran out of milk. LOL
ReplyDeleteSo here comes baby 4, and my dad is still my #1 fan! And my husband, of course!
Following you on Google friend connect
ReplyDeleteMommybknowsbest@gmail.com
The first time I breastfed my older daughter the entire month was a struggle, what kept me sane and gave me the desire to breastfeed (may sound cheesy) but looking down at that little face knowing I was giving her the best thing I could and being blessed to be able to provide the milk because some moms just can't.
ReplyDeleteI follow your blog :) :)
ReplyDeleteShanna dot brack at gmail dot com
My inspiration for breastfeeding comes from my babies and the closeness I feel when I nurse them. Also, the encouragement from my husband and the so many moms who share the same bond in the breastfeeding world. Not to mention that it's healthier and cheaper :) :)
ReplyDeleteOmg! I'm totally freaked out! I used an Avent pump with my son (now 22 months). I intended to use it with my soon to be baby too. I never knew that it may not be BPA free! Yikes! I need to win this pump!!!
ReplyDeleteI follow your blog (just today) and I have never been to your blog before this (but I WILL be back!)
My inspiration for breastfeeding originally was my mom. She breastfed all 5 of her kids (of which I am the oldest). It was always something I thought of as normal and never thought of not breastfeeding. After learning more about it I felt like I made a great decision for my children and I. Now that I am older I am breastfeeding my 22 month old even though I only breastfed my older two until a year. My new baby will be here in June and my inspiration to tandem breastfeed is to bring closeness to my toddler and his new brother and promote better bonding for the three of us.
ReplyDeletei follow your blog
ReplyDeletedsnarvesen@hotmail.com
my inspiration comes from the bond that it makes with your child. as well as how healthy it is for them. it's also such a money saver!
ReplyDeletedsnarvesen@hotmail.com
My inspiration for breastfeeding comes from watching my daughter grow. It blows my mind to think that my body grew her(with a lot of help from God of course!) from a tiny speck born at an itty bitty 4# and some change to a healthy active mobile eight month old(when she started solids) with nothing but mama milk. When I think about that it's just crazy. Plus, it's FREE and I know that it is completely safe and nutritious designed by God just for my baby. That's cool. She's now almost 13 months and I'm in no hurry for our nursing time to be over. I love nursing. :)
ReplyDeleteFollowing your blog via google friend connect (email in profile).
ReplyDeleteI follow your blog!
ReplyDeletejewelsntreasures (at) yahoo (dot) com
My inspiration for breastfeeding comes from many of my online friends whom I have learned so very much from!
ReplyDeletejewelsntreasures (at) yahoo (dot) come
I just added your blog to my list of "birth, baby and parenting blogs" on my blog.
ReplyDeletemarasmedes (at) gmail.com
I am encouraged to breast feed knowing that it is absolutely the best things for my babies! I am also encouraged by my sisters who have breastfed all their children.
ReplyDeleteandreapaetkau at gmail dot com
I follow you!
ReplyDeleteBreastfeeding is easy, inexpensive, and provudes the best for my baby!
ReplyDeleteI FOLLOW YOUR BLOG
ReplyDeleteFAMILYTIESANDGROWINGPAINS@GMAIL.COM
I BREASTFED MY 1ST AND PLAN TO BREASTFEED MY 2ND BECAUSE I THINK IT IS WHATS BEST FOR MY BABIES.
ReplyDeleteFAMILYTIESANDGROWINGPAINS@GMAIL.COM
I'm an email subscriber and follow you through google friend connect!
ReplyDeleteannasmama0702@gmail.com
I find inspiration to continue nursing when looking at my daughter! She's happy, healthy and very close and comfortable with me. You could argue she'd be like that if I'd bottle-fed her, but I like to think nursing had a little something to do with it :) I love Medela products, I'd be thrilled to win this! Thanks for the great giveaway!
ReplyDeleteannasmama0702@gmail.com
I follow your blog thanks for the chance eaglesforjack@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI was not able to breastfeed my first two do to rough c-section and my thyroid, but it is looking like I will get to this time. I am so excited, my mom and sister in law have been really supportive thanks for the chance
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