Medela Symphony Breastpump
Ever since the introduction of the revolutionary ground-breaking technology of Natural Expression, Medela has been coming out with newer versions of breastpumps that incorporate this technology. The Medela Symphony is one such, in a long string of products.
"Natural Expression" is a two-phase program that mimics closely the infant's own naturally instinctive nursing rhythm, in which there is a rapid, high-frequency "Let-Down" phase which stimulate the breast tissues to let down, followed by the second phase in which there is an abrupt drop of the frequency, along with a deeper and longer suction.
The Symphony incorporates this technology; and as if that wasn't enough, also brings with it a never before feature known as a Program Card, which is a futuristic provision of Medela, where pumping programs can be stored. Hi tech has finally touched the infant bottle!
Symphony allows greater freedom to the mom with options that allow both automatic and manual switching between the two pumping phases described above. If the mother begins expressing milk much before the preset time for the first phase to be over, she may begin her second phase by manually hitting the appropriate button on the kit. She also has complete control over how much vacuum should draw at her breast tissues, and she can also determine the cycle frequency when the milk starts flowing into the collection bags. Symphony is ever alert to her every needs!
The pump mechanism and the collection set have a hydrophobic membrane separating them. The unique feature of this membrane is that it allows air to pass through, but does not let any liquid to pass through. One drop of liquid touching the membrane makes it go totally impermeable, and the kit stops working! The only solution at this stage is to let the membrane dry fully in the air, before attempting to reuse it. This drastic control is necessitated in order to protect the electric circuitry inside the pump and the motor from coming in contact with any liquid.
The sleek design of the Symphony also includes a brilliant LCD display that indicates various parameters in operation, such as the current pumping phase, the present vacuum level, the status of the batteries, etc. Electronics wizardry was never so useful for the mother, as it is now in Symphony! And weighing about 6.5 pounds without, and around eight pounds with a battery, its a handy piece for the breast- feeding mother to have around!
The Symphony is happy to receive power supply from any 120V outlet. Alternatively, it can function with a separate battery pack that allows full pumping for up to one hour. Overnight charging is required for the battery pack to rejuvenate itself, after it has exhausted its energies in that one hour of pumping.
Before using it for the first time, and subsequently, once a day, it is highly advisable to sanitize the equipment. All the parts that come in direct contact with the breast and milk should be disassembled and washed. The parts may be boiled in a pan for about twenty minutes; after which the excess water may be drained off and the parts cooled in the open pan. The cooled parts should be left to dry in the air. The company strongly advices against any use of microwave equipment for sanitizing the parts, lest it should cause any damage.
After the milk has been fully expressed, excess milk may be stored in a deep freezer to inhibit the growth of bacteria. Milk stored thus can be used over a period of three to six months. Special freezers, where the temperature can be maintained at about minus twenty degree centigrade, breastmilk can be stored for approximately six to twelve months.
The Symphony incorporates the best features that the world can offer to the discerning mother. Properly used, the equipment can make expressing of milk an enjoyable experience.