And one of those choices are to breastfeed or to not breastfeed….but the other, not talked about as often choice, is to PUMP! When I had Charlotte, I chose to try breastfeeding. As I was a part of the WebMD forums, I basically had the living crap scared into me regarding I would be damaging my child’s brain if I didn’t. Lucky for me, I didn’t even get milk till a week after my child was born. (and it came in with a vengeance to a double D boobs size on my size B frame).
When I was in the hospital, I did send my charlotte back to the nursery so I could sleep. I gave specific instructions to BRING HER BACKwhen she was hungry and wake me up. Imagine my surprise at 7am when I woke, having slept the whole night. I was told she wasnt hungry. Ok…hmm, now that was fishy. I may have been a new mom, but I wasnt stupid. My newborn didn’t eat from 10pm till 730am? I caught a nurse that I knew (i enrolled her into nursing school actually) and she went to find out what was up. You guessed it…they fed my baby formula. At least I realized she wasnt going to die from it, but I was pissed.
6 weeks into breastfeeding and never having a moment of peace, I decided….ok, time to pump. And i changed to pumping for a few months. MomDot wanted to offer a lucky mom the same choice. Its true that so many moms have to go back to work and are not able to breastfeed during the day and need to pump and store the milk. And then there are moms like me..who just want to sleep, but still offer their child the best their body can make.
There is nothing that makes it easier to pump, then the Medela Pump In Style® Advanced, in a shoulder slouch bag. Medela’s Pump In Style Advanced is a double-electric personal-use breastpump with Medela’s research-based 2-Phase Expression technology, proven to get more milk in less time. The popular line of breastpumps includes the Shoulder Bag, Backpack and Metro Bag. To learn more visit http://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com
Features and Benefits
- Let-down mode: Simulates your baby’s initial rapid suckling to initiate faster milk flow.
- Expression mode: Simulates your baby’s slower, deeper suckling for maximum milk flow in less time.
- Feels more like your baby than any other retail pump
- One-touch ‘let-down’ button designed for faster milk flow
- Customized pumping with adjustable speed and vacuum control
- Stylish bag contains everything your need to pump
- Battery Pak for pumping anywhere, anytime
- IMPORTANT: This product is a single user item. Use by more than one user may pose a health risk, performance questions, and voids the warranty.
- Chosen for you and your baby – All parts that come into contact with breastmilk are BPA/DEHP Free.
What’s Included
- Convenient shoulder bag design
- Battery Pak (8AA batteries not included)
- Removable cooler carrier
- 4 collection containers & lids
- 2-24mm PersonalFit™ Breastshields
- Breastfeeding Information Guide
- 2 valves
- 4 membranes
- Cooling element
- Instructions
Contest:
What you can win: A Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breastpump 2008, MSRP $279.00
How you can win: Tell us WHY breastfeeding is important to you/pumping is important to you and WHY having this breastpump would really assist you in nursing your child. Let us know….did you fail last time and now want to really try? Do you have to go back to work a week after your child is born? Do you not have funds for a pump? Do you know someone this would really make a difference for. We want to know!
One entry per person
Winner will be chosen:We will actually be PICKING the winner, it will not be random. The three MomDot MEOs will be reading all the stories and picking our favorite. So please really put some thought into your story on why you need this breastpump. We want it to go to a mom (or on behalf of a mom) that really needs it and is focusing on breastfeeding and pumping. Feel free to enter FOR someone in their name. US shipping address only
Contest ends on Sept 30th, winner will have 48 hours to claim thier prize once announced or we will pick a new winner.
*momdot believes whether you choose to breastfeed, pump, or formula feed, you are doing the best for your child*
Hello, this pump would really help out because I have experienced breastfeeding/pumping with using manual products with my first child who is now eight years old. As a result, I did not enjoy it at all and the expected bonding just was not there; just pain and agony. My hands would tire out from squeezing the bulb that was connected to the bottle and suction only to get a few drops in the bottle. It would take me hours upon hours just to fill up two bottles at the most. With this being said, I would spend most of my time breastfeeding and not storing. This would not have been such a bad thing if I did not have to leave my child with a nanny while I went to work. I ended up mixing what I had with regular formula which defeated the point in my opinion. My child was so used to breastmilk that he actually refused the mixed version and would eat just a little until I picked him up from the nanny. I had to sit with him for about 40 minutes to an hour to feed him before taking him home. The situation made me feel guilty because we would be the last to leave the nanny everyday. I would sometimes rush the feeding because of this guilt. This is a horrible and discouraging situation for anyone to have to experience but, I have not given up on the idea of breastfeeding. I still believe that it is best for the baby and will definitely need the right product this time around. Please consider me for the Madela breast pump that I’ve heard so much about. I am a Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse and I encourage mothers to use an electric pump to make things easier for them and their babies. I would like to refer a product to them from first-hand experience. Thank you so much for offering a product that does not give women an excuse not breastfeed.
Well since I am currently pregnant with my first child, I do not have any past experience to draw on but I am really looking forward to breastfeeding our child. I will get a few weeks off work but will then have to return to work full time. Since I intend on breastfeeding for at least 6 months, upto to a year (depending how it goes) a pump will be crucial to that plan. I would love to be able to pump and send the milk with my baby to her care provider. I also find it important that my husband get the experience and joy of feeding our new baby so I need to pump so that he can have that experience. I have researched the Medela pump in style and found that would work best for me. I love that it comes in a discrete and stylish bag and can pump both breasts at the same time for efficiency while at the office. I started saving up for this pump but I am finding it difficult with all the other baby items and medical bills that keep popping up. Winning one would be great but not winning would not stop me from eventually buying one.
I’m one of those people who is a fantastic breastfeeder, but a terrible pumper. It was ALWAYS a struggle with my first. Some days we stretched as far as we could go, and I often took my lunch break to quickly go and nurse because there wasn’t enough milk to leave behind. I carried my pump all over and even tried pumping in-between nursing at home and overnight just to try and get a little more I could leave with the baby the next day. I was lucky to have an easier time pumping for my second – not easy – but easier than the first go around.
Pumping (even when difficult) allowed me to go back to work without too much guilt and continue to provide for my babies even when I couldn’t be with them. Now that I’m expecting baby #3 in January, I’m looking forward to continuing this amazing thing that my body can do, and I know that a good pump is crucial to our success!
I wasn’t going to enter this contest…until over this weekend my Pump in Style (original) started showing its age! My pump has been a workhorse through 2 babies – one of whom is still nursing at 11 months. (Actually, I swear my 4 year-old would still be nursing if I let him (or, if breastmilk came in a chocolate variety!) My first nursed for 22 months!
My original pump is finally wearing out after serving me so well. The “suction” knob is no longer sensitive and I can only get a couple of settings. I know from experience that you need to have all of your options there – what works one day doesn’t always work the next! (Just like so many other aspects of parenting!) So, we’ll be needing a new one. If I were lucky enough to win it, I’d likely put the money toward a Trevi twin stroller (unless the stars align and I’m so blessed to win that!)
I consider myself lucky to have had such a wonderful breastfeeding experience. I know it isn’t easy for many people, and believe me – we had our moments too – but it’s been so rewarding to be able to provide for each of my children in this special way. Thanks for the amazing opportunity!
Breastfeeding is important to me because I know it is the best thing I can do for my children to give them a healthy start in life. I’m currently nursing twins and would love a breast pump to help me out
I think breast feeding is the best for all babys I am hopeing that my daughters baby will be doing the same as my children this pump would be a great gift for my daughter
I’m having my first in April and I really want to breastfeed but I’m going to have to go back to work soon after giving birth so this would help me out tremendously since they are also so pricey.
I bought my breast pump second-hand, when my daughter was born. That was almost seven years ago. When I bought it from its previous owner, it was already five years old. It never did work as well as others I had heard about, possibly because it was so old, but I was just glad to have one. Unfortunately, the vacuum dial was broken, so it only pumps on the “OH DEAR GOD IT’S SUCKING MY NIPPLES RIGHT OFF MY BODY!!!” setting.
I used it during breaks at work, but was never able to get much milk. I would pump for 45 minutes to an hour (boy were those ta-tas sore!) and would get about two ounces. It was so disappointing. I used to get up in the middle of the night to pump while my baby and husband were asleep, just to try to build up a supply. Still, I didn’t get much for the effort and lack of sleep. I was nursing/pumping at least eight times a day, for close to an hour each session. She seemed full after nursing, so I thought she was getting enough.
When my daughter started daycare, the ladies told me she was starving, and that I either had to send more milk (which I couldn’t seem to get enough of) or formula (which I really wanted to avoid). She would scream most of the day. Once I broke down and started her on formula, she was fine. Her entire personality changed. She wasn’t starving anymore. They would mix the formula with what little milk I sent, so she was still used to the taste and would nurse at night. But I felt terrible. I really wanted to exclusively breastfeed her.
After she was weaned, my friend became pregnant and borrowed my pump. That makes baby number three being fed from this poor machine.
Then I had my boy, almost two years ago, and used it again. Four babies! In about twelve years! Being nourished from this one breast pump!
Once he started daycare, it was the same story all over again. He was starving, and I had to send more milk or formula. I mentioned to a friend my lack of milk, and she let me borrow her new Medela Pump In Style breast pump. Immediately I was getting four to six ounces per twenty minute session!!! On the “Oh wow! Is it actually sucking milk out of me? Why, I’d never even know it if I weren’t looking” setting. Without my nipples being ripped off for an hour a time, four times a day!
Please have mercy on my baby that’s on the way. Please have mercy on this poor pump that has lived a nice long life, and fed four babies in twelve years. Please have mercy on my ta-tas and pick me. I would love to have a new Medela breast pump.
All joking aside, it’s not easy to breastfeed for a year or longer, but it’s what’s best for the baby. Which is why I choose to do it. Both of my children had to have formula, not because I didn’t produce enough milk, but because my pump can’t get enough out. I would love to exclusively breastfeed my third baby, and this pump would be able to make that dream a reality. It’s a luxury we can’t afford, so winning it will be the only way that will happen.
I plan on breatfeeding when my baby is born in November. I didn’t have to make a choice between breatfeeding or bottle feeding because I’ve always wanted to breastfeed my baby. However, one thing is what we want and another what really happens. I’d love to win this pump so that I’ll be prepared if anything goes wrong with my breastfeeding. Even if I’m able to breastfeed, I’d like to use this pump so that my husband can participate in the feeding of our baby.
Thanks for the opportunity!
Well not sure if this contest is for international. I just want to tell you that I have mini electric medela and been using it since give birth to Sean. I loves it because I was unable to breastfeed direct so I have it by my side every time I pumped than I bottlefeed Sean.
This is best gift ever for mom to be or mom that still bf.
Wow where to start? I am a mother of 3, the youngest 10 months, the oldest 4. I nursed my first 2 exclusivly. My 4yr old was until he was 18 months. My 2 year old was until she was around 20 months when she stopped after i had baby #3. she did nurse a few times after that but soon stopped It got to be too much for me to nurse both of them. I remember those moments nursing my first two. I will never forget them. To me breastfeeding is extremely important. I love the close bond I feel with my child while we cuddle and nurse. Those first few nursing months are the ones to cherish. Its a time you’ll never get back. It makes me feel extremely important to know that I’m providing hte proper nutrients and vitamins for my child, that my body freely does that. The way they look up into my eyes as they nurse, and that look of gratitude. To see all the love they have for me in their eyes. Its a feeling thats indescribable. As my child grows she nurses a little less. Its a sad growing step for me. Which means milk supply is going down some, and I would love to be able to pump and build that supply back up. And she loves sippy cups. I would love to be able to pump and have her drink that as opposed to other things. That way I know exactly what she’s getting. I wish I would have had a pump shortly before I had her I would have pumped and saved it for 20 month old who weaned shortly after the 3rd was born. I could never afford a pump like this. I had a small hand manual pump but it didnt work very well, and i’d rarely get anything, I’d spend forever tyring to pump and get very little for all the work I was doing. It was the manual one that hooks up to the machines at the hospital. I know i had plenty of milk because on the machines I could pump and get milk but with the manual it was like nothing was happening. This one would have saved me. There are times now that my husband and I would love to go out on a date but we cant because what if the baby needs me and needs to nurse. I dont want to give her formula either. We have been married for almost 7 years, and we havent been on a date just the 2 of us in a very long time. at least 3 years ago. I’ve considered going back to work but worry about the nursing the most. We really could use the money of me going back to work but I dont want to give up nursing just yet. I would love to nurse my baby for another year. I know we arent done having children either so I would get a lot of use out of this. It would help so much If the older one was still nursing to be able to pump and give her that while still providing enough milk for the baby. I know I’d use it at least 2 times a day. and those long nights when she sleeps all night, this would really come in handy. I dont know If you’ve had those nights where its just soo hard to sleep because you are so full.
This next part my sound kind of weird to some of you, but it is something I’ve thought of. I’ve considered Donating milk for babies in the hospital, but I dont have a way to pump and send the milk in for them to test to make sure that I could donate. It would be nice to be able to donate to those babies in need. I know you’re thinking well thats not that bad. Well here is were it gets interesting, my Uncle died last year from cancer. There are lots of studies out there right now showing the Breastmilk can help cancer patients. I would love to be able to pump and donate the extra milk to them, for just that chance that it could help them and that they’d beat their cancer. I know its not a cure for cancer but I would feel extremely needed and important knowing that I was contributing that way. That I was giving these people a chance to have something to help them live. To help them in a way that not many can. Even if i’m not able to use it for that, because I know there is a lot of testing of the milk to make sure everything is perfect, I would still love to have it to pump provide milk for my own baby. To possibly give my husband a chance to feel even a glimpse of hte special bond it has made for my baby and me. A bond that will never be broken.
Thank you so much for considering me. I never win anything, call it bad luck if you will, But i’m hoping and praying to win this one, but being considered is a great opportunity. Thanks again.
Breastfeeding is a miralce in my eyes. I have had a horrific time getting and keeping my milk supply for my daughter. It has been a struggle. We rented a pump from the hospital, however due to unforseen circumstances had to stop that. So I have been trying to manually pump and believe me it’s not easy! I think it’s a gift to be able to feed your child your own milk. Not only helps you bond but gives them natural nutrients that they NEED! I would so love to win this.
I breastfed my first two. My son decided to quit cold turkey one day. I HAD to wean myself, so I talked to my friends and one had a pump I could borrow, I just needed to purchase the horns. (I couldn’t afford the whole set.) It worked wonderfully and my son still got my milk in a cup. I would like to have a set for myself, so I can go to work. I love being bonded to my children in a way that no one else can. I also love the health benefits for all of us! Thanks for your giveaway! cookiecutter72 AT hotmail dot com
I am a 35 year old soon to be 1st time Mommy!!! I am also a full time special ed./regular ed. pre-school teacher who plans on returning to work shortly after giving birth for a number of reasons. I know that taking more time off is not an option, so being able to breast feed will give me and my baby time to bond, essential time to bond, before having to return to my 35 “other kids!” Our district does not have paid maternity leave and my husband is visually impaired and does not get paid paternity leave either. His hope is that he will be able to bond by feeding our baby with pumped milk as well, since he can not provide the breast itself! Neither one of us makes enough money to have any extended time off, so purchasing this breast pump on our own is very cost prohibitive…We both feel very strongly about having a green baby, doing everything we can to promote health and well being, with the first step being mothers milk. Because we both will be returning to work so soon, it will be essential for us to pump and have that mothers milk available for our baby on a regular basis! Luckily, my colleagues are all VERY excited about the new baby and understand how important pumping is for us and they are all welcoming pumping with open arms in my office. I appreciate you taking the time to read this and hope we are blessed with the pump for ALL of our benefits!
A little about me..I’m 23 years old and have been married for 3 years. We have a beautiful 14month old child and just found out we’re having another!!! YAY!
With my son i breastfed for over four months. I am not one of those women that feels comfortable breastfeeding in public and would CONSTANTLY be hiding in dressing rooms, cars, other rooms in houses away from everyone else, and random other places! I missed out on so much because he was wanting to eat every 2 hours! I had a breastpump, but it wasnt a good one and i would LOVE to have a better one so that i could breastfeed the new baby on the way for a lot longer!
My son also had a problem with latch on. The part that connects his tongue is shorter and I opted not to have him “clipped” so the latch on was VERY VERY painful for me…ESPECIALLY for the first month! Near the end it was so incredibly painful and my breastpump just wasnt cutting it, so i just gave up. I regret that now and wish i would have had a better pump so that i could have continues to give him my breastmilk. It was very hard on me and I felt like a complete failure! Even now i get a sinking feeling in my gut and I hope with the next I will have a better pump and its latch on wont be as painful as my sons!
Thanks for considering me, this is a WONDERFUL and generous giveaway!
I am choosing to breastfeed because I believe it is the safest, most considerate choice I can make for my baby. I want to give my child any advantage possible and the research linking increased intelligence and an overall healthier baby are undeniable. I am also interested in the bonding opportunities I will have with my child during breastfeeding.
This breast pump would be helpful to me because I am and nurse and I work 12 hours shifts. Since that is a very long time to be away from my baby, it would be beneficial to be able to take this to work with me and pump milk for my baby on the days I am away.
Please help me contribute to a healthy smart child by picking me to win this contest!
My daughter was induced and I truly believe that was the reason i was not able to breastfeed. I tried SO hard for 2 months. Pumping, taking supplements, drinking tons of water, everything and still no milk came in. I was devastated not to be able to have this with her and now that I am pregnant with my second child, I am desperate to be able to experience the benefits of breastmilk. Emma has suffered from many ear infections, pneumonia, colic, reflux and I truly believe that not getting breast milk led to that. I don’t want my next child to go through that.
I gave away my Medela Pump in Style Advance when I wasn’t able to breastfeed to a friend who needed it and had no money.
Now that my own financial situation is pretty dire, I am not able to afford one of my own and worry that I will be forced to formula feed my child that I am pregnant with.
Medela Pump In Style® Advanced is a boost for nursing mothers. I am nursing my 10 month old because Mother’s feed is the best feed. Though some of my friends asked me to wean after 6 months I did’nt go for it. A breast pump is an essential for working mothers like me. A breast pump helps a mother to pump and store the breast milk. Sometimes the milk production is in excess and the milk just wastes away. So, a mother can pump the excess milk and store it in a freezer. In situations when mothers are unwell with fever, flu, cold etc., is best to avoid directly nursing the baby. In such cases, it is an excellent choice to pump breast milk and feed the baby whevever required. This helps the mother to prevent from passing on the infection to the baby. So, a breast pump plays a vital role helping both mother and the baby. I prefer Medela because it is so elegant, portable and advanced in technology and can be used anywhere and everywhere. It is a unique pump very functional with let-down mode and an expression mode similar to a baby’s nursing style.
“Medela is an advanced technology solution for nursing mothers.”