When it comes to breastfeeding devices, rare are the companies whose breast pumps are as popular as the Medela’s are. This Swiss company has been manufacturing breast pumps for quite some time now, with their Harmony model being around in one form or another ever since 2004.
This new, updated version, is already highly popular with mothers all over the world, so we decided to see what’s so great about it and if it’s worth the money. This innovative device features the popular 2-phase expression technology, has a convenient size, and is also very quiet while working – let’s check it out!
Specifications:
- Brand – Medela ( Switzerland)
- Model name – Harmony
- Power source type – Manual
- Weight – 14.4 ounces
- Dimensions – 9.1″ x 7.3″ x 3.6″
- Dishwasher safe – No
Features of Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump
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Ease of use
The Medela Harmony is very simple to assemble and use. Like many other models, it comes with a full set of instructions, even though they’re not really necessary in this case. All you have to do is take the bottle, put the adapter onto it, place the breast flange, and then connect the expression lever. The model comes with two bottles (each has a lid), a lever for pumping, a breast flange, and a bottle stand.
This is a single pump, which means that you’ll be able to pump only one breast. Also, you will have to use your hand as the motor, which can get exhausting on some occasions. But still, the pump is efficient and can empty a single breast as quickly as the electric models – although this depends on the quickness of your hand and your milk flow.
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Efficiency
Although the Medela Harmony is a manual model, and these don’t perform as well as electric models, we were still quite pleased with its effectiveness. Even though you can empty just one breast at a time, the two-phase expression design makes the pump capable of producing favorable results.
The two-phase technology allows you start the whole pumping process with quick sucks that stimulate the milk flow and then switch to stronger and longer sucks that will express the majority of the fluid. If done correctly, you’ll get plenty of milk, and you won’t get hand cramps from operating it manually.
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Comfort
When it comes to comfort, the Medela Harmony is among the best models on the market. The 2-phase expression technology that we’ve mentioned allows you to determine exactly what suction level and the speed are most comfortable to you. This allows a gentle start, and it’s up to you to choose when you will switch to a harder suction level.
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Portability
If you’re a mom on-the-go, you’ll be pleased to find out that this pump can easily fit into a personal bag. It has a compact size and near-silent operation, which makes it super discrete – and that’s always a big plus in our book. When you’re on a cramped flight, it’s always nice to have the opportunity to empty one breast without disturbing your neighbor.
Also, you won’t have to worry about battery packs or plugs that could malfunction while you’re in a vehicle, leaving you with a not-so-pleasant feeling of having full breasts. Unfortunately, the model does not come with a convenient tote bag, and there are also no insulated bags for the milk storage. This means that you’ll need to make a separate purchase.
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Hygiene
This manual breast pump is relatively easy to disassemble and clean, although we found that the central part of the level adapter is a bit harder to clean completely. This doesn’t affect the cleanliness of pumped milk, though, since it doesn’t come in contact with the milk at all. If you’re traveling a lot, we’d recommend you to bring a gallon zip lock bag with you – you can store the pump into it before and after use.
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Noise
Unlike many other models, the Medela Harmony makes next to no noise at all. One of the things that contribute to the quietness of this pump is the presence of the soft rubber cover. We really liked the smooth flow of motion of this pump, and we’re sure that this advantage will be of crucial importance for moms who like to stay discrete.
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Convertibility
One of the best things about this model is that it can be converted into an electric breast pump. This is achieved by purchasing a separate conversion kit and allows you to pump more milk in less time when needed. This is not something we see often on the manual models and definitely deserves a huge praise.
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BPA-free
Medela ensures that all components of this model that come into contact with breast milk are BPA-free. There are no harmful chemicals to worry about!
What’s wrong with the product?
- Pumps only one breast at a time
This, obviously, takes more time than it does with a double-pumping model. This will also cause the second breast to let down, and you will lose some of that valuable breast milk.
- Can be exhausting to use
Even though this goes for all manual pumps in general, we still had to mention it. If you’re planning to use this model long-term, you have to know that it requires more physical effort than the electric models do. Try to avoid very long sessions, or you’re risking getting hand cramps.
Conclusion
The Medela Harmony is easy to use, compact, comfortable, hygienic, quiet, and efficient. It certainly won’t be the answer for every mother, but it can definitely be a convenient and affordable solution for those who aren’t pumping frequently and are traveling a lot. In our opinion, this model can also be an excellent companion to an electric pump, even though it can be converted into an electric model itself. We really liked all of the features, and we think that the small disadvantages of this model shouldn’t stop you from considering it for purchase. We recommend it!
