*This is a review written by blog contributor Amber. Product provided by The First Years, all opinions are her own.*
This breast pump from The First Years was a life saver in a number of ways! As a teacher, I was lucky enough to be able the take the year off after having my son. Staying home with my kids made it easier for me to nurse and it was nice not to have to do much pumping. The problem came when my son turned one and we found out he had a lot of food allergies. Being allergic to milk, soy, eggs, wheat, and peanuts made me want to continue nursing him for even longer to help fill any nutritional gaps. This issue came to light when I had to go back to work when he was about 13 months old.
I have only had a hand pump, which was fine for the occasional pumping I needed to do. But going back to work, IÂ needed something better. This Breastflow Memory Pump has worked great!
First of all, I love that I can pump both breasts at the same time. This means I can get work done at my desk while I am pumping. With all the adjustability, it is easy to make both of the shields fit securely and the handle allows me to hold everything in place with only one hand. The pump also comes with two different sized soft and comfortable shields so that you can easily choose the correct one.
Second, I love the electronic display on the pump. This pump keeps track of how much you pumped, from each side, what speed you used (there are 3 speeds and 8 different levels of suction), the duration of the pump, and the time and date of each pump. Being a math teacher, I love keeping track of data. I like that I can even look at the pump history while I am pumping. The pump can also be plugged in or it can be charged so that you can pump without being near an outlet.
I honestly cannot think of anything negative to say about this pump, although I can only compare it to a hand pump I received free from the hospital. The only mother I wouldn’t recommend it for would be someone who needs to pump very rarely/little.
What other features does this wonderful pump have?
I like the really cute and non-breast pump looking bag to keep everything in. It has lots of compartments to put everything in its own place and has a matching cooler with a contoured ice pack that fits perfectly around the bottles of milk.
This pump is also very easy to clean. Everything easily comes apart for thorough cleaning and it is simple to put it all back together. I was able to put everything together for the first time without even looking at the directions. It was so easy, I actually pulled out the directions assuming there must have been something I missed. But, nope, it really was that easy!
This pump also comes with two Breastflow bottles with 2-in-1 nipples. My son is done with bottles, but I wish I would have had this when he as younger, maybe I would have been able to give him a bottle instead of not being able to leave him for too long! The soft outer nipple is supposed to mimic the feel of the breast. The inner nipple allows baby to better control the flow.
Overall, I think this pump is wonderful! I would highly recommend it to anyone that needs to pump because they are going back to work. This pump is a great deal at $179.99 at Target. It does so many more things than some of the more expensive pumps out there.
GIVEAWAY: One lucky reader will win their own Breastflow Memory breastpump from The First Years! See the rules below and use the form to enter–good luck!
Each household is only eligible to win 3 TOMY products, via blog reviews and giveaways, each calendar year. Only one entrant per household per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.
*This is a review written by blog contributor Amber. Product provided by The First Years, all opinions are her own.*
I am excited to experience everything! Especially bonding the first few weeks. I am also anxious to breastfeed and am reading up on tips now so I will be ready next year 🙂
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Emily Dickey Reply:
November 1st, 2013 at 7:37 am
kellymom.com was my favorite place for breastfeeding help – or head to FB or twitter to ask moms who’ve been there, they’re the best support! <3
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I am excited to be able to breastfeed baby #2. Unfortunately I was unable to with our first. I look forward to the bonding.
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I am a new mother and my most precious memory is when my son reached out and touched my face. I love this!
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Emily Dickey Reply:
November 1st, 2013 at 7:36 am
Aww, that is sweet! <3
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Most memorable experience from the beginning was when my little guy started saying mama – melted my heart!
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Emily Dickey Reply:
November 1st, 2013 at 7:35 am
Awww, yes, that is a wonderful moment!! My little girl just went from saying mama to mommy and I love that too 🙂 Next up is when she learns to say “love you!”
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As an first time expectant mother, I wince at the idea of breastfeeding but having a memory pump will help me transition gently to embrace breastfeeding completely!
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Emily Dickey Reply:
November 1st, 2013 at 7:35 am
No worries, don’t wince, it will all work out! If it’s hard at first, it will pass and it becomes like second nature. I’ve been there–good luck!
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I think it will be a little rough at first, but once we get the hang of it, it will be easy 🙂
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I can’t wait for the snuggles and to see what my baby looks like
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The best part is when they are little and rocking them at night. And snuggling and whenever they do something new is amazing!
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My most memorable early experience was seeing my baby smile for the first time.
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I imagine the most memorable early experience would be to hold my baby in my arms for the first time!
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I am looking forward to seeing baby for the first time, and the journey of breastfeeding!
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With my son, my most memorable experience was when he’d stop breastfeeding just to look up and smile. My son is now 14, so #2 has been a long time in the making. I think at this point I’m excited about everything. I can’t wait to just hold our new baby in my arms.
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Holding them for the 1st time!
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I am looking forward to breastfeeding and bonding. I love to cuddle!
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I am looking forward to bonding and seeing her for the first time. Cannot wait!
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cant wait to experiance it all
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Not to give up if your breast feeding its not easy
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i love the way they just look at you and depend fully on you when you are nursing!
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I have teenagers and a 2 year old. It was pretty amazing how much stuff I forgot when the little one came along. I certainly have more patience now than I did when my big kids were little. We may be trying for another.
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the first time baby smiles at me.
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SAVOR EVERY MOMENT and take lots of pictures
but don’t be surprised when you look back at the pics of your newborn and see them and think later, “wow, he looked like an alien”
🙂
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I would love to win this for my oldest daughter who is about to be a first time mom.
For me it was always important to breastfeed as it to me creates a bond between baby and mom that nothing else is like. I’m so glad that I did with all of my children.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
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My most memorable experience would have to be the birth of my son – the instant joy and love that I immediately felt was like nothing else I’ve experienced.
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Each of my kids has had a different most memorable moment. I’ll never forget the day we brought #2 home from his NICU stay.
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Most memorable moments are the ones when I wake up and snuggle with the little one before the other kids are up.
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I think early parenthood will be challenging (getting used to new schedules, a new member of the family, ect)but I think that it’s all worth it to see your child grow and hit mile stones. So excited!
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Waking up to find my husband holding our daughter. Then me holding her for the first time. So much black hair we don’t know where it came from, lol. It’s lightened up so much since then.
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this would be for my daughter in law she does not what to expect ..its really cute
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I’m looking forward to bonding with my son.
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The best memory is cuddling with my new baby the first night home
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My most memorable moments are definitely snuggle time. My son who is 3 will sometimes say ” but we haven’t snuggled yet” and of course we stop whatever we are doing and snuggle. We currently have baby #2 on the way 🙂
It was hard continuing to breastfeed after going back to work with just a manual pump. This would be perfect! Thanks for the opportunity.
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i think the first steps will be most memorable
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I think the most memorable moments will be spending time with my child
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my most memorable experience was the first mommy I love you out of the blue
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I think the most memorable moment was when I found out I had a daughter and she was healthy after trying for 13 years 2 have another baby 🙂
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