Medela Swing: Portable efficient breast pump

If you breastfeed, even if you don’t work full-time, there will be some occasion for someone else to feed your baby.  Hand expression is always possible, but like manual pumps, they can be tedious and cause hand fatigue.  That’s why the Medela Swing single electric pump breast is a great option for moms who need to pump just once or twice per day, or a few times per week.

Similar to the more expensivePump In Style Advanced, the Swing has 2-Phase Expression® technology for maximum milk flow.  The stimulation mode simulates baby’s initial rapid sucking, which causes your milk to let down.  Then after two minutes, or when you press the button, the expression mode mimics baby’s slower deeper sucks.  It also has adjustable speed, which is important for finding what works best for you.  Unlike the Pump in Style models, you have to set it each time.

One of the key features of the Swing is its portability because it can operate both on batteries or AC power.  It means that you can pump anywhere.  Even if you don’t need to pump in your car, or a place without an outlet, it’s great because you can easily move around with it- it has a shoulder/neck strap and a clip to clip it to your pants.  Of course, it’s not meant for serious multi-tasking but if the phone rings, you can go answer it. (But note that it’s not completely hands-free.)  I also  like that you’re not tied down or tangled up in electrical cords.  It’s also very small so you can easily fit it in your purse or briefcase.

I found the Swing to be almost as efficient as my Pump in Style Advanced model, which is notable considering that the Swing costs half as much.  The Swing retails for $150, while the Pump In Style Advanced sells for $300 or more (depending where you buy it).  Note that the Medela Single Deluxe, $65, does not have the 2-Phase technology.

The Swing includes one SoftFit breastshield which I think should be provided with all Medela pumps (they come with a hard plastic breastshield) and a thin drawstring-close storage bag.

I also highly recommend the Medela Pump & Save Storage Bags.  You can pump directly into the bag and then refridgerate and/or freeze the milk in them.  They are much easier to use than their CSF bags. The Pump & Save bags attach to the breastshield with an adhesive strap and then zipper close, while the CSF bags require you to thread a twist-tie through the bag, then tie it onto the breastshield, and then roll it up to close it.  The CSF bags are not leak-proof or as easy to use as the Pump & Save bags.