Web site: MedelaBreastFeedingUS.com
Price: $399
Type: Professional
Comments: Medela actually brought something new to the world of breast pumps in early 2017: the Sonata Smart Breast Pump. Just as we were moaning about a lack of innovation in this category, Medela stepped up. They’ve decided to bring breast pumping into the modern world with a pump that connects to a free app (called MyMedela).
The app collects information on your pumping sessions directly from the pump and lets you know how much you’re pumping, how long and how often. Additional features of the app include typical baby tracker info like weight, height and diaper changes. It warns you if the vacuum is leaking and trouble shoots. You’ll also find research articles on breast feeding within the app.
But what about the pump? The Sonata appears to be based on Medela’s hospital-grade Symphony pump. It’s designed to be super quiet (more quiet than the Pump in Style [PIS] or the Freestyle) and includes the 2-Phase Expression Technology that makes the PIS so great. It’s small and lightweight so it is discrete when using it at the office but the battery life is short (about an hour).
The pump is designed with a touch screen, audible buttons and no knobs like some of their older pumps. It has an on/off switch with a pause function for up to two minutes. It comes with a double pumping kit, two sets of breast shields in different sizes, four 5 oz. bottles, a cooler, bottle stands and adapter. The bag is made for easy access with a wide open zipper.
If you’re wondering what the downside might be, it’s the price. At $360, the Sonata is quite a budget buster. The price did drop a bit from the official retail price of $400, but over $350 is still a lot to ask. That’s pretty darn expensive.
Parents have complained about cleaning the Sonata and Medela has tried to make that a bit more intuitive. They ship the pump disassembled so parents can see how it comes apart. They also do not have tiny parts that can get lost. And finally, the Sonata is a closed system, so you shouldn’t be getting milk in the tubes.
We do love the quiet motor on this pump–it’s the quietest we’ve found. And the app is a great idea. Overall, it’s a great pump. Rating: A-
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