The First Years: miPump Review and Giveaway {Ends 10/15}

As a new mom to be, I read and researched every thing I could before my daughter was born. I wanted the best for her so that is what I looked for in baby products. There is so much out there for new moms, it can be OVERWHELMING! Our mothers and grandmothers could only dream of some of the products that we have today to help us "raise" our children.


One of my favorite companies as a new mom was Learning Curve's The First Years. I found The First Years' products to be affordable and exactly what I needed as a new mom. Before Gracie was born, I did tons of research on bottles. Do you know how many different kinds of bottles are out there? I knew that I would pump and had heard so much about nipple confusion so I was determined to find the best bottle for breastfeeding - I wanted one that resembled the breast the most so that my daughter could go back and forth easily.

The First Years Breastflow bottles were exactly what I was looking for. I really think these are the best bottles out there for breastfeeding moms and I have tried many different kinds. What I love about the Breastflow bottles is the fact this bottle has two nipples! That might sound strange but it actually works just like the breast does. Baby has to open her mouth wider to latch on and has to compress it very similarly to the breast.

These bottles helped me because I was able to see Gracie's latch and where I was going wrong breastfeeding. She also learned how to breastfeed properly using these bottles. With these bottles, baby controls the flow of milk. With many bottles, the milk just starts flowing out but not with the Breastflow bottles I have used these bottle with both of my children and love them! The only issue I had was the fact that if you take the lid off, you need to drain the milk out of the nipples back into the bottles or else you will get milk everywhere. They are also a little harder to clean because you do have to clean two nipples.

Right before Gabriel was born, The First Years sent me a miPump Double Electric pump to review. This pump is supposed to small, sleek, and quiet.

The first thing I noticed about the pump when I received it was how small it is. The motor fits in the palm of the my hand which I love. The first thing I thought was how easy this pump would be to carry with you. The double pump also comes with an adorable brown and blue tote bag in which to carry your pump. It is a stylish, unnoticeable way to transport your pump if you need to take it to work or on a trip.

The pump fits the Breastflow bottles which is another factor I love because I can pump right into the bottle and then just put on the nipples when it is time for him to eat. The less you have to move breastmilk around, the less chance it has to come in contact with bacteria and other things.

When I tried the pump, I found it was super easy to use because it comes with a handle that connects to both parts of the pump so that you can pump both sides but only have to hold the pump with one hand. The pump is relatively quiet when you pump. I still think that others would know you were pumping when you are using this but it is much quieter than other pumps that I have used. The suction and strength of the motor were fantastic - comparable to a higher end pump that I had used.

This pump also has the ability to be battery operated which is wonderful because you can pump anywhere. As long as your batteries are not low (takes AA batteries), it works just as well as being plugged in to electricity.

There are few cons to this pump that I found. 1) You can not purchase larger breast shields for this pump. This can be a little bit of a struggle if you are a larger breasted woman. I wouldn't let this deter you from this pump though because in my next post, I will share another product that will solve this issue. 2) It is an one person use pump so you can not share it or sell it later. For the price though, I do not see this as a major issue. 3) You can not just pump one side - you have to always pump both sides.

The pros of this pump far out way the cons though. 1) The cost - $59.99 for the Single or $79.99 for the Double Electric. This is a wonderful price for an electric pump. Super affordable compared to many other brands of pumps. 2) Lightweight - I have seen and carried pumps that much heavier than this one. It weighs about 2 pounds, maybe less. 3) Compact - love this! 4) Cute design 5) Discreet way to carry it - I love the tote bag - it is trendy and looks just like a purse.

Overall, I would definitely purchase this pump for an affordable way to pump for my babies. I have used this pump for 7 weeks exclusively so I could write an accurate review. I really do love it and would highly recommend it.

You can purchase this pump at Walmart, Target, Babies R Us, and even online at Amazon.com.

Learning Curve has been so generous to offer to give a miPump Double Electric Breast Pump (Retail Value - $79.99) to one of my readers.

Win It!!

(make sure you note the new extra entries this time)

1. Join Learning Curves' email list to the first to learn about new products and special offers. Come back and leave comment telling me you did so. This will be verified. You must do this one first!!! Please leave me your name and email address in the comments.

Extra Entries:

2. Enter one of the breastfeeding giveaways that I have going on right now. Leave me a comment letting me which giveaway you entered. This will be verified.

3. Refer someone to this giveaway. They must leave an extra comment letting me know that you referred them. (You can refer as many as people as you like - you will receive one entry for every person that you refer!)

4. Become a follower of this blog. Please leave me a comment telling me that you did so.

5. Subscribe to this blog by email (this is found in the left column of the site). Leave me a comment telling me that you did so. (Check your SPAM after doing this to verify your email address so that you will receive the updates in your email.)

5. Follow me on Twitter and tweet this statement: "I just entered to win The First Years giveaway (RV $79) at a Keeper at Home @rachaelcoe http://tinyurl.com/nw4gem" Please leave a comment here letting me know you did so.

6. Become my friend on Facebook and post this as your status: " just entered to win The First Years giveaway (RV $79) at a Keeper at Home @rachaelcoe http://tinyurl.com/nw4gem" Please leave a comment here letting me know you did so.

This giveaway ends October 15, 2009 and is open to US residents only. Make sure that you leave your email address in each comment. Leave a separate comment for every entry that you make so that these will count for you! Have fun and I look forward to announcing the winners of this great giveaway!

Thank you, Learning Curve , for sponsoring this giveaway and for making supporting breastfeeding mothers. Thank you for making an electric pump that is not only excellent but affordable for all types of moms!

Disclosure: This review is based on my own opinion of The First Years' miPump and Breastflow bottles. You may or may not agree with my opinion. I was sent The First Years' miPump to review and keep. I choose to write about the Breastflow bottles. No one from The First Years was involved in the writing of this post.