Product Review: miPump Deluxe Double Breast Pump
Product Reviewed: miPump Deluxe Double Breast Pump by The First Years Price: Retail is $99.99 (have seen online for as low at $79.99 at Target)
Availability: You can purchase the miPump directly from The First Years or from variety of retailers like Amazon, Babies R Us,Target, Wal-Mart & more.
Product Features:
- Comfortable flexi-fit breast shield ensures soft, proper fit
- Simple to assemble and use
- Quiet
- Efficient--quick cycle time, adjustable suction levels with LED display
- Compact - so small it's easy to bring on-the-go
- Unique handle gives you a free hand to multi-task while pumping
- Electric or battery-operated (uses 4AA batteries, not included)
- Two 5 oz. Breastflow bottles
- Adapters so you can pump directly into ANY bottle
- Cooler bag with two reusable ice packs
- Stylish tote for discreet travel
- Does not contain Polycarbonate or Epoxy
Review:
Since I am no longer a nursing mommy, this is actually a "Q & A" type review from a mom who was willing to try out the miPump Deluxe Double Breast Pump and provide feedback for readers here on PPP. Thanks to my friend for sharing her thoughts on the miPump!Overall first impression of the pump?
"I was almost a little intimidated at first due to the fact that it was so small and lightweight and the fact that everything just sorta tucks into a tote bag. The pump I had used before was a much larger, much heavier one made into a bag, so I will be honest I was not sure if I was going to be able to adapt to something like this. Also, in the past I have used more solid breastshields and this pump comes with very soft, flexible ones, so I was worried about getting a good fit/suction.
Once I got everything out and cleaned and hooked-up I realized it functions just like any other pump, only in a much smaller, more portable package. It does have a handle that you can use for one handed pumping, but you don't have to use it if you feel more comfortable the traditional way.
As for the flexible shields, they flexed and with the suction made a great, comfortable fit. With my old pump I had to buy a couple of different sizes of breastshields to get a comfortable fit, but these are comfortable for me right from the get go."
How does this pump compare to other pumps?
"In comparison to the more expensive pump that I used in the past, I would say that this pump is a great personal use pump and definitely meets my pumping needs. Right now, I only need a pump a few times a week, but like the convenience of a double pump.
I like the fact that it can be used with batteries or the plug in case I am stuck somewhere and cannot find an outlet. With my old pump I had to buy an adapter for battery operation, so this is a great thing not to have to buy.
The tote bag is much lighter weight than a traditional double breastpump and that was a big plus for me as well. I just feel like the overall portability of this pump is a great feature."
Is the pump easy to use and clean?
"I have used both hospital pumps and another brand personal pump in the past and I would say the pump is just as easy to clean (or difficult depending on your opinion) as any other breastpumps. They all have little bits and parts that you get used to cleaning after doing it about 100 times.
As for ease of use of the actual pump, same for ease of use. It functions just as easily as any other double pump and as a mom who has nursed quite a bit in the past I thought it was easy to use."
Are there features you don't like? Are there features that you are impressed with?
"There weren't any features that I did not like about the pump. The handle for one-handed pumping is sorta a take it or leave it feature for me. I don't really need it, I like the old fashioned way, but that is merely personal opinion. I find it hard to multi-task when I pump, I can do it sometimes when I nurse, but pumping not so much, I usually just sit there and read and relax.
As for features I was impressed with, overall performance, size and portability- especially in comparison to more expensive pumps. The bottles that came with the pump, the Breastflow Bottles (we will have a separate review of these on PPP), I like those a lot. It is quite, not silent, but but I have heard less expensive breastpumps are quite loud and this was not the case, which surprised me."
Anything else you would like to share? Do you feel like this pump is a good value and would you recommend it to others?
"I think that this pump is definitely a fair value and would be a great pump for moms who need a pump occasionally at home or at elsewhere. Lets face it, some moms just don't have it in the budget to spend $300 on a pump that's only going to be used occasionally, but they want a nice pump, in my opinion this would be a good option for those moms.
Overall I was pleasantly surprised by the performance and am glad to have had the opportunity to try out the miPump for a review. It is such a handy pump and I really like it."
We will have a separate review for the Breastflow Bottles that my friend mentioned, so be sure to check back for that. We will update this review with a link as soon as we have the review up. Thank you again to my friend Michelle for her great input on the miPump!
Looking for more information on the miPump? You can check out a great information video of the miPump on The First Years site.
Disclaimer: PennyPinchingParent.com did receive the miPump from The First Years for review.
