Exclusively pumping - Ardo Calypso or Medela Freestyle?

[RogueV]

Any thoughts?

Currently using a Medela Symphony which I am renting. Would like breast pump that is lightweight and portable.

Have used the freestyle before but I know it can be prone to losing suction- it is also £100 dearer than the Ardo.

Is the Ardo as good as everyone says it is?

[TheVeryHungryTortoise]

Hi! I exclusively pump and have just bought a second hand Calypso from a friend who only used it twice (her baby wouldn't accept bottles.) I bought brand new pumpsets so anything milk touched was brand new. I really like the Calypso and had previously rented the hospital grade Ardo Carum which I'd say it is very close to in quality. I haven't ever used Medela though, so can't comment on the difference. The only downside to the Calypso is that it doesn't have a battery so you can't use it on the go (I used to punp in the car on long journeys with my partner driving ofc )

I also have a lesser known breast pump from a company called Bellababy: www.amazon.co.uk/Bellababy-Electric-Breastfeeding-Touchscreen-Breastmilk/dp/B07CWKTBJQ?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

Which to be honest is also very good and I'd recommend to anyone before spending lots of money! This one also has a chargeable battery so I use this for when I'm out.

[RogueV]

Thanks Tortoise!

How is exclusive pumping going for you? It’s hard work isn’t it!
I bought a second hand freestyle from eBay - got it andit was filthy so sent it bac. Bought another second hand one off eBay again and it doesn’t seem to have any suction which is putting me off buying one! It could just be a one off. Experience is telling me to stick to what I know.

There is an offer on in boots at the moment with points so will buy one from there. Plus if I buy new it’ll have a warranty I suppose.

[bubblegumbottles]

The Elvie pump is about as lightweight and portable as you could possibly get, I'm in love with mine. You can just pop it in your bra and crack on with whatever you were doing!

[RogueV]

Hi bubbles

I had a look at Elvie - the reviews are a bit mixed. Do you manage to pump a decent amount? It just looks too good to be true!

[bubblegumbottles]

I manage really well with it but I'm not exclusively pumping. I do have friends who also have one and aren't 100% on it but I'm definitely a fan :)

[TheVeryHungryTortoise]

Hi Rogue! I'm 11 weeks in to exclusively pumping now (my son is 17 weeks) and yes it is incredibly hard. How have you been getting on with it? How old is your baby?

Fair enough, that would put me off buying second hand too. And aren't the medela pumps open systems? So that would pose a problem. And having a warranty is always best!

I had dreamt about owning an Evie (makes pumping look so easy!) as PP mentions but for a double it was a little bit too expensive compared with others on the market. I heard mixed reviews too, some seem to have problems with suction I think, but my old midwife said that she loved hers!

[RogueV]

DD is 6 weeks tortoise so I have loooooong way to go yet!

How many times a day are you pumping? Are you managing to get out and about?
I’m expressing 5 times a day and managing to freeze around 150ml so I’m tempted to drop a pump session in the next week or so. I have a 3 year old so it’s hard when he’s at home!

[RogueV]

Ended up buying a Medela Freestyle by the way

[NameChange30]

Is the Medela Freestyle open or closed system? I know the swing is open system so I ruled that one out.

"The only downside to the Calypso is that it doesn't have a battery so you can't use it on the go"
That's not true, the Ardo Calypso does take batteries - I used it with batteries when I went back to work because the room didn't have a power socket. I bought rechargeable batteries and a charger, would have burned through a LOT of disposable batteries otherwise!

I know OP has bought hers now but FWIW (in case it's useful to anyone else reading) I was very happy with my Ardo Calypso.

[Moralitym1n1]

I ended up not doing much pumping but I used Freemie hands free cups along with a spectra S2 pump, which was very convenient.

The spectra S1/2 is a dream.

The Freemie cups could be used with a small portable pump like their own Liberty one or a spectra m9 (I think) to be completely mobile.

The Freemie cups plus liberty pump would be a lot cheaper than the elvie.