It’s a Tie folks!
Harmony 4 : 4 Lactaline

I know I promised sooner, but it did take me this long to get a hang of my new toy. When you have a baby, experimenting is not really a luxury *bleh*

Anyhow here’s the verdict based on my personal experience. So take it with a pinch of salt. It might not be the same for everyone

Manual Breast Pump
(Medela Harmony, RM211.65)

My Verdict:
Harmony gives me total control: 1) Speed/Cycle — How fast I choose to pump and 2) Suction — How strong the expression to be.

In moderation, I can empty my breast in 15 minutes if they are full. For both would be around 30-40 minutes or it can go up to an hour *yawns*

There are only 3 parts to assemble and wash. Harmony is quick and easy to use without any fuss for batteries or DC to relief a much needed engorgement.

The only drawback is the time required to pump both breast separately. And not forgetting a sore wrist if you are expressing 5-6x a day.

If so, electric would be a wiser choice. Which brings me to my next verdict below.

Electric Dual Breast Pump
(Ameda Lactaline Personal, RM754.60)

My Verdict:

Once you’ve mastered the 2 dials on the pump — Cycle & Suction — the control is yours. Before that, practice makes perfect!

It took me 2 weeks playing with the dials. I was only using it once a day during the 4am expression while I’m still half asleep. I was disappointedly wondering why my yield was so poor compared to Harmony. I only found out last week from Ameda’s Technician — thinking that the pump was faulty — that the suction I used was too gentle.

After gritting my teeth with a higher suction — it wasn’t that bad — I can get the same amount as Harmony with half the time! Because I can pump 2 together *duh*

Ironically though, I still prefer using it as a single pump. That way I can hold with 1 hand and massage with the other.

Obviously there are more parts in Lactaline compared to Harmony. What I do is — a lazy person’s roundabout — I keep 1 side sterilised, and the other as my use-wash-keep aside for quick relief pump. That way, I don’t need to worry about washing and sterilising every time.

For less than RM1000, you get a dual pump that can go single, batteries or DC operated, light and compact on the go. Definitely best deal in the house!

So if you have the budget, I would highly recommend Lactaline.

If you are deciding between manual and electric, Think long term!

For example: 1) When your baby is teething and direct latch on is painful, 2) When you go back to work and 3) You want to continue bottle feeding breast milk as long as possible. Not forgetting 4) You have developed a permanent sore wrist

All the above scenarios point to an electric breast pump. And a dual would be fantastic!

Breast Pumps Sequels
Breast Pumps, pt 1 – The Research.
Breast Pumps, pt 2 – The Purchase.
Breast Pumps, pt 3 – My Verdict.
Breast Pumps, pt 4 – Ameda Lactaline Personal.
Breast Pumps, pt 5 – Manual vs Electric.

You Might Also Be Interested:
Breast Pumps, pt 3 – My Verdict.
Breast Pumps, pt 4 – Ameda Lactaline Personal.
Breast Pumps, pt 1 – The Research.
Breast Pumps, pt 2 – The Purchase.
Little Bean Sterilizer.