Medela Symphony Comparison - Which breast pumps are most similar to the medela symphony?

[@Ishouldntbehere6]

I rented and used the Medela symphony as soon as I got home from the hospital. I had no idea what breast pumps even were until the nurse at the hospital recommended it to me. I used that for a month and it was great but too costly for long term. I then binge watched all your videos and chose the Spectra S1. It's been 4 months now and I couldn't be more happier with it. I have also ordered the Willow Go for travel. Thank you so much Allison for all your help!

[@NewLittleLife]

Love to hear this 💕💕

[@konye618]

I used The medela symphony for about 11 weeks while my little was in the NICU, I followed the direction of the NICU lactation consultant but my milk production kind of never changed. Once I left the NICU I started using a Medela flex(bad suction, then one side stopped working). Went to the spectra s1/s2 and I prefer that to the Medela symphony. I like being able to go back and forth with stim and expression

[@sourrgrapessx]

I went from Symphony to Sonata, in 2018 I used to the sonata in hospital after my baby didn’t latch. And decided to rent one when I had baby number 2 in July2022. I use to the sonata - the same one from 2018 actually and yet great output… until recently - to put that into perspective i still get over 10 ounces totals each session. But it’s starting to slow down, I think 4 years of wear and tear on the pump has taken its toll, but I think that’s still a great life span, I starting issuing the Spectra S1 when I realized my sonata was dying earlier this month, and I love that pump too

[@hhcatca]

The Unimom Opera has been my savior! I got one secondhand and it has been worth every penny. The Sonata felt wimpy (I was so surprised to see the numbers in this video) and it’s barely portable. The Opera is nearly as comfortable to me, super strong - and it’s portable around the house!

[@NewLittleLife]

I prefer the unimom opera as well! Better in almost every way except the price 🥴

[@lyndseypaprota7286]

Did you notice a change in flange size?

[@maiathatdancegirl]

It would be awesome if you could make this exact video but with wearable pumps! I love how you explain extensive details on breast pumps. It's so annoying that most pump websites don't showcase things (cpm, vacuum pattern, etc)

[@NewLittleLife]

Noted! Comparing wearable pumps to the symphony?

[@ilovemimes]

@@NewLittleLifethat’s exactly what I was looking for! I was thinking maybe Elvie Stride since the pattern is similar with that drop off? (I use the Medela Symphony on level 4, so I definitely don’t need lots of suction). My main issue is that I used the Symphony in the hospital and when I came home to the Spectra S1 I had preordered, I haaaated the vibration, so I went ahead and rented the Symphony. Now that triple feeding is over for me, I want something portable and less heavy duty!

[@NewLittleLife]

It probably has more to do with the cycle speeds than the suction (although suction is important). The new Eufy pump has some faster cycle speeds, as does the Perifit.

[@MNArmyGirl]

I just got a Symphony from the VA for free. If there are any veterans out there bring it up to your maternity care coordinator.

[@LaToya_C.]

Very helpful! Did they give you any other choices?

[@MiVidaBellisima]

This is incredible will look into it

[@KitKat10281]

Thank you for your service! 🇺🇸

[@AmeliaH904]

Would love to see more info on the Zomee z2

[@Kelsey-es1vb]

I have the medela pump in style, and I've used the sonata and spectra with previous babies. Medela just holds up longer in my personal experience(spectra was fine, until it stopped turning on one day) . I've used the freemie as well, just when I can only pump in the car and just need to remove milk.

[@dionnagettis8684]

I have the spectru synergy gold pump, and I’ve been loving it so far. I’m only six weeks into using it. I am looking into getting the zomee2 for back to work pumping.

[@YingQuan-hf2xb]

Would love to hear how the zomee turned out? I've been exclusively using the symphony and trying to find something portable that matches up the symphony so I don't lose my milk supply.

[@amandapanda2803]

Zomee 2 is my go to pump when I leave the house!

[@catherineallen745]

The review I’ve been waiting for all my life! 🎉

[@NewLittleLife]

Yesssssss!! I get asked this question so often!

[@_ambrrrrr]

I really needed this video. I’ve been struggling since leaving the hospital & afraid of losing my supply. I have the freemie & it leaves me engorged & sore & doesn’t empty me out the way the symphony did. I put out roughly 2 oz per session with the freemie vs 4-6oz with the symphony 😢

[@JkBee]

Thanks for this. Love your channel. Please could you do more videos on the wearable pumps or cups to go with portable pumps. And the best auction for low supply

[@KelsiChristine]

I've been waiting for thissss. I have the unimom and it's wayyyy stronger than any of the pumps I've used except it's SOOOO loud

[@NewLittleLife]

I really like the unimom opera! Mine isn’t loud that I’ve noticed, What do you think of it aside from that?

[@KelsiChristine]

@@NewLittleLife it's perfect it's so strong. I've tried so many pumps and this one is so strong that I can actually use mild levels on it and get an amazing output. it beats my Spectra gold and my lansinoh 2.0. people shit on the lansinoh 2.0 but it's got a real strong suction and is super quiet. so from me to switch to this to the unimom it was a game changer. it also worked better than my rented symphony. without taking any other supplements like I was originally and without chugging oat milk like I was originally, my supply completely jumped up almost twice as much from using the unimom. I highly recommend it to anyone who can get it. a lot of people don't think about it because not everyone knows the brand or there isn't that much information on the brand, no one's really selling it on eBay or mecari either, but they literally use it inside of a lot of hospitals in the United States and that's the reason I said let me try it. 600 bucks well spent 💯 I wish there were more videos on people who weren't sponsored by them because it truly is a game changer and more people deserve a shot at trying this pump after hearing honest opinions. huge fan of your channel btw ❤️ I've used your codes for a lot of the pumps I have ❤️

[@chelseaspracklen-ramirez8939]

Ughhh wish I saw this after my NICU stays!

[@AshleyVega-n8z]

Can we get an update on this video! I got the momcozy m5 and 2 months into it i now realize it was a mistake😢 im leaning towards the unimom opera but if there is something better i would love to see it here

[@IrianThornthwaite]

I have been renting the medela for 3 months now. I am struggling to find something I can buy to be permanent pump and more portable. I started with lansinoh 2.0 and I never felt it emptied me. It’s then got the spectra s2 and I developed horrible pain/sensitivity which I feel it may be the vibration? I am not sure… but I nearly lost my supply with spectra. I went down to Laing 2-3 oz a day. Got the symphony rented and helped me a lot. Then I got the sonata thinking it will be good but I don’t know why it’s hurting so bad now that my supply tanked again and I am back to symphony. ( I do have willow go and pump able genie advance and although they don’t hurt they don’t give me a good output) I really need something I can buy and is more portable than the symphony…

[@Nancy-rk9zp]

Isn’t Ardo Alyssa also a portable pump? Wouldn’t that be included with the Zomee and Freemie category?

[@laurashortill8623]

Now that the Alyssa can be used with the Ardo wearable cups, I’d say yes, the Alyssa is comparable to the Zomee Z2 and Freemie Liberty II. But I think when this video was made use my the Alyssa with off brand cups arguably might’ve voided its warranty. But don’t quote me on that.

[@safa5033]

Thanks! Always love your reviews, so helpful. I’d love to know your opinion on how’d the Spectra dual compact portable with cups would hold up through the years for my next babies, also how single user pumps fare for the average user. Here we don’t get insured for pumps so I’m looking to buy something that’d hopefully work for my next 2/3 children. I love the idea of the dual adjustable motors and the portability so Spectra dual compact seems ideal. I don’t pump too much but once a day is a fair estimate.

[@lindsaygallagher1151]

If your looking for a pump that will last that long I would go with the opera. It’s pricy but it has dual motors and is made for multi users so it’s made to hold up and last. I would like Alison’s opinion on this question. I know from her previous video she really likes the opera as well. I bought mine second hand it was manufactured in 2020 and it’s still going strong. My spectra started having problems 3 months into my last baby

[@Natasha-tu5qs]

Hey great comparison video Alison, as always. 😊 I'm a little confused though about the spectra SG stats: you said in stimulation the cycle speeds are 70-106 cpm, but the manual gives only 64-76 cpm. Is this a different version? Something I'm missing here? Could someone with a spectra SG maybe clarify? Thanks

[@louisarawson1349]

Is the Sonata a piston pump?

[@edith3375]

I have very sensitive nips. I couldn’t even tolerate the spectra. I had to rent the ameda plantinum and it’s the only pump I can tolerate. It’s so gentle. But I want a more affordable or portable pump that compares to it. Any ideas? My body likes a fast suction. I just need a very gentle suction.

[@Missmurder8905]

Maybe the Spectra Gold portable one? It has super fast speed options.

[@dahyana]

The Willow go is actually very comfortable but I haven’t heard great things about the Willow 3.0. My body also responds better to fast suction.

[@dahyana]

The Willow go is actually very comfortable but I haven’t heard great things about the Willow 3.0. My body also responds better to fast suction.

[@dahyana]

The Willow go is actually very comfortable but I haven’t heard great things about the Willow 3.0. My body also responds better to fast suction.

[@petal8829]

The unimom opera is amazing!! But my nips can’t handle the suction on a regular basis

[@Wafa2truth]

What about the medela pump In style? Is it similar?

[@cjk3567]

I work in a nicu and one of the perks of the job is getting to use the symphony while we are here. I have a spectra s2, mom cozy wearable (can’t remember which one), a motif twist (horrible!) and a medela freestyle at home. I reach for the medela freestyle way more then any of the others. I don’t seem to respond or slower suck patterns and it’s the only pump I have that has a faster pattern. Obviously the symphony is stronger but I find my freestyle to be a good option.

[@berriosileana]

Can you share more about the Rumble Tuff Breeze? Did you do the comparison video?

[@NewLittleLife]

It’s on my list! There are soooo many pumps.. it’s such a slow process getting through all of them. I’m sorry for the delay!

[@Nancy-rk9zp]

What about pumpables genie advanced?

[@janamcelroy2164]

Can you do a video on the Ardo Alyssa? It has a lot of features I like, but I want to know more. I'm thinking of getting one for this baby, but I've had such a hard time finding it through insurance.

[@NewLittleLife]

Yes you bet. I’ve been impressed with this little pump!

[@janamcelroy2164]

Thank you. Also. I LOVE the charts and graphs in this video! Your reviews are the best 👌

[@jaime6269]

Thank you so much for this video! I’ve been using the Symphony for 4.5 months now. I really need something more portable/wearable. The Stride is not working for me. How does the Medela Freestyle Flex compare to the Symphony? Some people have also recommended the BellaBaby, Baby Buddah, and Pumpables Genie Advance. I guess my question is: what would be the best portable wearable pump to use in addition to the Symphony? I just need to be able to move around freely during the day but I would still use the Symphony for my night and morning pumps.

[@marianatecua3401]

I use the Pumpables genie advanced with the stride cups for a portable option and it works way better for me than the stride motor. The stride motor sucks in my opinion.

[@YingQuan-hf2xb]

I'm in the same situation. Also using the symphony now for about 3 months now. Stride didn't work for me either and I bought that initially and its just sitting in a corner collecting dust. I would to hear if you found a solution now to be more portable. If I can't find anything I'm just going to end my pumping journey when my son turns 6 months.

[@YingQuan-hf2xb]

@@marianatecua3401 how is the output compared to the symphony? I don't want to lose my supply.

[@jaime6269]

@@YingQuan-hf2xb I just stopped pumping last week and my girl is almost 9 months. I pretty much just stuck with the symphony because everything else seemed to give me clogs. When I had to be portable like for a long trip I would either use the medela hand pump or I eventually got the medela freestyle flex and would use that with either the flanges or hooked it up the the legendairy milk cups. I still didn’t love it though. If I would have kept pumping, I would have liked to try the unimom opera or minuet but life got crazy, my supply dropped and I finally decided I was done. 😞

[@daniellemayott5032]

Does anyone know of compatible flanges in other sizes for the ardo alyssa? Looks like it comes with a 26 size flange

[@jaredgrubbs4009]

I am struggling between the Spectra Synergy Gold and the Unimom Opera. In this video you have the Stimulation CPM as 70-106 for the Synergy Gold but the manual says 64-76. This seems to be a huge difference to me. Is this something you measured yourself or is this a video error? I used a symphony last pregnancy as a I had a NICU baby and believe one reason I responded so well was due to the CMP in the stimulation/massage mode. So when I'm choosing b/w the Opera and the Synergy that would be a factor. Thanks so much!

[@UltimateBoyMama3]

Do not get the Gold. In my opinion it’s horrible. 😢 it’s a really harsh pull & it doesn’t have the vibration like the s1/s2. Also the dual motor sucks. I tried to keep one side lower & one side higher but it just didn’t work. When putting one side higher even tho the other side would stay lower they both went up higher. Worst $315 I ever spent

[@angyebueno]

Hi! I'm using the Symphony because the suction style is strong and consistent, the portable medela one seems to vibrate the nipples in a weird way which hurts. Is that the suction pattern you are talking about? if so, then the sonata is the closest to that suction intensity my body is comfortable with?

[@NewLittleLife]

Yes, that vibration pattern on the Medela PISA Max Flow is definitely not the same as the symphony. I'm not sure they're making the Sonata anymore? You may have to move away from Medela to find a good compariable pump.

[@MileinaJuarez]

I’m in need of a new pump. My Elvie stride broke afte4 just three weeks of use. Elvie said they’d replace it, if I find proof of purchase. Now I’ll have to ask Target,if they could give me a new receipt of purchase or something because I don’t have the receipt anymore but I paid wit( my credit card, so hopefully something can be done. I considered buying the Elvie but I don’t know the strength and cycle speed. I will start working again very soon in the art studio and I need my hands free. I like faster cycle speeds though and a bit stronger suction. I’m between normal Elvie, willow go, Legendairy milk Duette with cups, genie advanced with cups. Baby Buddha has slower cycle speed, I think. It’s such a hard decision….

[@ingridgomez6075]

How do you compare the symphony to spectra S3?

[@NewLittleLife]

The spectra 3 is identical to the spectra 1, just has an extra filter for multiuser use.

[@edith3375]

What was the name of the pump you mention that had very fast cycles? Over 400?

[@NewLittleLife]

Limerick Joy - it’s another common pump used in hospitals, although sometimes you can find it on eBay for a more reasonable price! Still spendy though and not one I see being used frequently.

[@jsmagsino]

Hi, I’ve been using Spectra Synergy Gold for 6 months now. I have low milk supply even though I pump 6x/day and drink supplements that’s claim to help increase milk supply. Will it make a difference if I buy the hospital-grade Medela Symphony Plus? I don’t breastfeed. I pump and combo with formula since I can’t meet my baby’s needs with my milk alone.

[@jessicaskretta4747]

I have spectra gold also and ended up buying a symphony on eBay because I got so much better output with that. I’m going to do some more tweaking with my gold before purchasing anything else with the help of this video but I do notice a difference between the two with output. Symphony will get me empty, Gold will get me comfortable.

[@haleypolk4433]

I wanted to rent a symphony but my hospital was unable to. I’ve been working with a spectra

[@FleurdeAli]

i borrowed a symphony from wic. and no one told me that there was two different modes and my supply was worse with this pump than anyone ive ever had and Istg it was the pump....sooo.....i wonder if it was in the wrong mode.... i got it cuz my son wouldnt latch at all and i had to stimulate my supply and i couldnt get more than 15oz in 24 hours pumping every 1.5 hours and it made me so mad. cuz with my first i still had a low supply but not that low. my max output with my first was 2oz and my max output with my second was 1oz. which is ridiculous.

[@alicet8791]

I think when you first turn on the symphony , it automatically is in that"fast" mode, and after 2 minutes automatically changes to the slower mode. It's supposed to mimic a baby first latching to the breast at a fast suck until letdown and then changes to the longer suck/swallow pattern a baby would have at the breast naturally after letdown.

[@teacherlife2209]

Is the zomee 2 good enough to be a main pump?

[@nairiver]

I love mine, but 2 months in, it's not holding a charge as long, and I notice it starts strong but then loses strength within the same session. I don't even pump exclusively, and I hear their customer service isn't great, so I haven't tried to replace it.

[@proper1323]

I've been using it exclusively for 5 months, and it works well. You just have to remember to change the valves. The sensors are sensitive. Any little touch, and you can easily turn it on and off.

[@jenniecockburn8811]

It did not work for me at all. I rented it for 3 months and it did nothing for my supply.

[@NewLittleLife]

Did you find any other pumps that worked better?

[@jenniecockburn8811]

@@NewLittleLife the Elvie OG actually. Also the original Bellababy. I am a just enougher and struggled in the beginning. I did try the BEllababy Wearable and it didn't work for me.

[@jessicaskretta4747]

I want to live my Ardo so much, but I just don’t. I can’t get the output with it that I can with the spectra but having the two graphs I’ll try and do some more tweaking with it. I ended up buying a symphony on eBay and got a heck of a deal on one but will leave it in my office when I go back to work and need something for home also.

[@NewLittleLife]

Try your spectra parts on your Alyssa. It might work much better for you :)

[@Missmurder8905]

After researching, they did try to make the Sonata similar. I think there’s even a “symphony” mode on it. And I really want the Alyssa… I’m trying to get it through insurance. I got the Unimom opera through insurance last pregnancy and bought the Gold outright. I also got the Zomee through my secondary insurance, and it’s a GREAT, “little” pump. I was pretty pleased with it. But I like the z1 as it has a rechargeable battery.

[@savannahcantrell8034]

Did you like the unimom or the spectra gold? I’m interested in your opinion on them.

[@MarisaMassaria]

What about the Baby buddha ?

[@AshLy-c3i]

Bought a freemie based on your video saying it gets 152 cycles per minute and it gets less than 80. Double check your data before posting. edit: posted a video

[@NewLittleLife]

Which freemie? My data on the freemie liberty shows above 150 in stimulation mode.

[@AshLy-c3i]

@@NewLittleLife Freemie Liberty II which is the same as the Liberty according to their website. It doesn't get anywhere near 150 and I've posted a video.

[@NewLittleLife]

Mine is a couple years old now, I wonder if they’ve changed the programming. A quick google search looks like they may have updated the pump on their II version update. Where is the video? I’d love to have a look!