In this technological age, everything has become new and improved from the first, most basic design. And so it is with breast pumps. Even the basic manual breast pump has developed into the first manual that naturally stimulates milk flow that is much like breastfeeding – the avent isis manual breast pump. Its unique design has been applauded by not only women, but health professionals, as well. It was proven to be as effective as a hospital-grade electric breast pump in clinical trials conducted by the Institute of Child Health in London, UK. Pediatricians and infant nutrition specialists found that the avent isis pumped the same amount of breast milk as the hospital-grade electric breast pump in the same amount of time. Although this may sound unbelievable, it was probably due to the fact that the avent isis breast pump could pump much more comfortably than the hospital-grade electric.

All of the philips avent breast pumps have the same patented Let-down Massage Cushion. These cushions are made of a soft silicone, and they have five petal sections that stimulate the let-down reflex with their gentle massage. With light pressure on the fingertip handle, you can easily adjust the level of suction at any time to mimic your baby’s suckling pattern. This results in more milk in less time, and more comfortably.

Technology at philips avent has taken the manual breast pump, plugged it in and has given it a memory. The avent isis now has an iQ, which offers you a greater choice in faster, more effortless expressing. This electric breast pump gives you control over speed, vacuum and rhythm. Once you’ve dialed in the combination of the speed, vacuum and rhythm that’s most like your baby, the iQ learns and remembers each setting and continues at your personal pumping rhythm. Once you’ve found that rhythm, just squeeze the handle and press the control button – the pump will automatically continue. You can choose either the Single or the Twin Electronic Breast Pump. These electric breast pumps can run on battery power, too.

Sometimes when technology improves things, things can become way too complicated. But not with any avent isis breast pump. Although they’re technologically improved, they’re still simple, convenient and easy to use.

If you want a company you can trust when it comes to breastfeeding products then you should definitely go with the Phillips Avent pumps. The company has been around since the early 1980’s. Their Avent line of products began back in 2006. The company even wants to start a program that will talk to midwives, pediatricians, gynecologists, doctors and parents about new innovations that they will be releasing. You can take comfort in the fact that these pumps are actually the most trusted among mothers worldwide. In fact, Philips does business in more than 60 countries. The company focuses on innovation and does regular clinical tests which have garnered them a few awards including The Queens Award, Practical Parenting, Prima Baby, and Tommy’s.

In talking about Philips Avent line of products, let’s start with the manual Philips Avent pump, which has no batteries or plugs. That means that you don’t have to stress yourself running around looking for outlets. All you need is a strong hand and some pumping – in fact, the pump is as good as hospital pumps and in some cases better. The company has perfected the “Let-down Massage Cushion.” This cushion works on the breast and nipple and stimulates natural breastfeeding for easier milk production. This pump is travel friendly and weighs nothing.

Of course if you prefer you can get an electric Phillips Avent pump. This is also a comfortable choice and it has a memory button. The memory feature actually learns and continues to use your personal pumping rhythm in future pumping sessions, and how neat is that? There is also the Avent Duo, which also has the electronic memory. It is ultra quiet with a powerful motor. It has one button so it is so easy to use. It works gently and naturally and can actually help you to expel more milk as long as you relax and don’t get worked up. It also protects the milk from contamination and germs.

Instead of using silicone somewhere else you can have it in the diaphragm so it is easy and draws milk consistently. You can even switch from electric to manual. If you pump once or twice a day to relieve engorgement then the manual pump is fine and cost effective. As a mother you need to relieve that pain. I remember when I had breast engorgement and didn’t pump. I had to bind my breasts to expel my milk and they were very painful and uncomfortable. If only I had of known then what I know now about expressing milk!

The Avent Isis is absolutely fantastic for the value. I have the Medela Pump In Style, but I decided it was too big and bulky to take to work or on vacation. I had heard good things about the Isis, so picked it up and gave it a try.
I can’t say enough about how convenient and easy to use the pump is. I take it to work and pump in about 15 minutes, completely discreetly and quietly. You just hook up the Avent bottle (or a bottle of another brand if you have the neck adapters) and pump. I pump into milk bags sometimes, and it works great with the Lansinoh breastmilk collection bags. It’s 10x easier to take around than an electric breast pump, and there’s no plugging in or hooking up to do.
Some people say that they don’t get as much milk from a manual breast pump, but I didn’t have that problem at all. The milk flowed just as will with the Isis as my Pump In Style. And for anyone that does have that problem, the time you will save it the setup more than compensates for the slower milk flow. With the electric pump, you have to hook up tubing between the two units, which can be frustrating, because it can fall and get dirty easily. You also have to have a power source. The manual pump is just SO much easier to deal with.
Overall, you cannot go wrong with the Avent Isis. It’s very portable, extremely easy to use, affordable (a quarter of the price of the Medela Advanced when I got it), time saving, comfortable, and just as effective as electric pumps. The only drawbacks might be that some people don’t get as much milk, and that you can only pump one breast at a time. But, like I said, the extra time it takes is also saved by the convenience of the pump. Recommended.

I bought the Avent Isis Duo Breast Pump after my Ameda Purely Yours died. The motor had been getting a little suspect and one day it just stopped working. I also had the Isis Manual in the past, with pretty good results. So I got this one with hopes that it would increase my milk output considerably. I’m a working mom, so I need to have a good stock of milk available at all times for the sitter.

Overall, I’m extremely happy with the results so far. I’m getting 6-7 oz. every pumping session with the Avent Isis Pump now. I used to only get 3-4 with the Ameda. It also works significantly faster, and saves me time at work. Here are the pros and cons I’ve found in the short time I’ve owned it:

PROS:
-Adjusting the cycle and suction strength is great, and on this pump it’s very easy. The Duo lets me make the period really long and the rest period really short, or the other way around. I found that with the Ameda Purely Yours, you couldn’t adjust the two separately. If one increased, the other increased as well.
-The bags are really nice, and I usually use them to store milk in the fridge between pumpings. Very easy to seal to the pump and there’s never any leaking problems.
-Customer service is excellent. I called up when I had to replace the diaphragms, and I ended up talking to the woman for about 20 minutes. She really cared how I liked the pump and gave me helpful tips to make pumping easy.
-The cord is much less bulky than the on I had for the PY. It’s not the big box type, just a regular plug.

CONS:
-It’s very top heavy, and doesn’t stand by itself when it’s assembled. You have to hold things in place, which can be annoying with one hand.
-There are a lot of little parts and pieces to attach. Setting it up takes a little bit longer than it used to with the PY.
-It’s kind of loud. Not obnoxious, but it definitely lets you know that it’s working.
-It’s less comfortable than the PY, and I find myself sore afterwards most of the time.
-The spare diaphragms I bought were $15 each, expensive considering that they wore out pretty quickly.