I reciently purchased the new whisper wear breastpump. I bought into all the advertisements and hipe, believing this was the answer to all prayers. Well it is not! First let me state that for six weeks I had been using the avent isis manual pump. I could express about 6-8 ounces in about 20 minuites. I needed a better pump for work so I shelled out $240 for this pump and waited anxiously. I read all the manuals, and I frequented the company's website to be fully informed on the product. When I recieved the pump, I sterlized it, assembled it properly and tried my new investment out. First, one of the slider switches was broken and we had to take out the batteries to shut it off. Second, the other pump cycled slower than the other- even with new batteries. After 30 min. I only expressed less than 4 0z. and the next time I tried, the batteries died 10 minuites into the next pump! After a legnthy crying spell, I called the customer service center for help. The very nice woman on the other end told me that they were experiencing problems with the breastshells. The moulding technologhy was not perfected and the silicone was probably too rigid and draining on the batteries. For this problem she would send me two new shells when they came into the company's hands- aprox. 1 week later. She also told me about a product they sold with rechargable batteries (an even bigger investment). Then she instructed me to send them the pumps for service- but I would have to pay for the shipping cost!!! This is unacceptable for the customer to have to pay for a products repair if its due to manufacturing defects. After this, I decided that whisper wear was not a company I wanted to invest my breastfeeding experience and longevity with. I contaced a lactation specialist at a local hospital and she informed me that she was not impressed with this pump at all. She attended the convention when this was unveiled and the demo seemed to be smaller and quieter. She purchased one and tried this on all types of breasted women with poor results. It was impossible on women with large breasts because the tubes hanging down were not long enough. Also, she questioned why the company would not send out demo pumps and consultants to hospitals like ameda and medela would. It is not their policy. Luckily, I complained enough to the retailer that they agreed to take back the pump- as long as I purchased another. I chose a medela traveler. WOW!!!! It is worth every penny! It is even quieter than the whisper wear, that pump sounded like two cameras zooming in and out really fast and really loud. The first time I tried the medela I expressed 7 ounces in 10 miniutes!!! Let me say that this pump restored my faith in continuing breastfeeding when I return to work. This pump is more cost effective when you figure that you don't have to pay for special expensive bags. If I seem angry, let truth be told I am!! Whisper wear is preying on every breastfeeding womans deepest anxieties and fears to sell a product that needs more work and research before it is sold for such a high price to the public. I am not only talking about the cash aspect but a womans ability to provide the best nutrient for her child. I was able to recoup the cost but I wonder how many women spent the money and are unable to afford another option. Please pass caution on to anyone who is considering this purchase to wait and see if whisper wear can evolve into what it promises to be.
Thanks for the post. I was so excited to hear about whisper wear. Quiet, efficient, hand-free pumping sounds like a dream come true, especially for nursing and pumping moms. It definitely sounds like they need to do some more product research. I haven't heard from one customer who has had success with the pump. I will stay away from that one.
