1.7.2018

I'm going to provide quite a lengthy review on this product as I feel that to do it justice I need to compare it to my previous pump the Medela Maxi Swing (double pump). I have also used the tommee tippee electric pump but I wouldn't put this in same league as either of these pumps and so won't be mentioning it further. Having said that buying the right breastpump for you is a personal choice and what works for one person may not be the best pump for another. My review is therefore only on my personal experiences.I did a lot of research before buying either pump and I understand that this pump is a closed pump system unlike the Medela and therefore can be sold on and used again.I initially purchased the Medela pump based on Medela' reputation but it lost suction fairly quickly and despite going through all of the troubleshooting options I couldn't get it to work properly. I therefore returned the product to the shop I purchased it from and thought I would try this instead. The Medela is a simple pump to use with two options, let down and then expression. Whereas this pump has a variety of options which in my opinion make it much better. You can set the pump cycle speed and vaccum to whatever suits you. This does make it more complicated to set up, however there are videos on their website that made this an easy process for me. As a rule you start with his high cylces and low vaccum and then once you have flow, increase the vaccum and decrease the cycles. Once you have got used to this you can adjust to a level that suits you. I prefer this as I have found that neither of my babies always followed the same pattern when feeding and so adjusting the levels during feeding I feel has helped milk flow and I think I have expressed more with this pump than others. I also found that there was a more powerful level of vaccum on this pump than others I have tried. After I watched the videos and read the quick start guide I had the pump operating and worked out within 15 minutes.I have used both this pump and the Medela as a single and double pump, when using double pumps, it's tricky to hold them both in place and change the settings. The Medela pump you only have to push one button to change setting but this one, you do need to adjust both cycle and vaccum making it a bit more tricky, but I have managed fine with practice. You can also buy a special bra to help you with this but I haven't used one.In terms of the units themselves the Medela is a smaller unit and can be attached to a belt so you can move around. You can't do this as easily with the Ardo pump as it's bigger and certainly won't clip to a belt.In terms of quality both are good quality pumps, but the attachments on this Ardo pump don't feel as good a quality in particular the tubing and the tubing attachments.In order for this or the Medala to work effectively it is essential that all parts are totally dry. Both will lose suction if the parts are even damp in my experience. This can be a bit of a pain when your in a hurry and so is worth considering and some of the Ardo parts, mainly the cushioned inserts and membranes take a while to air dry.In terms of use both are fairly comfortable to use, but the cup that goes over the breast is attached to the pump unit on the Ardo which means that it's easier to hold. The Medela cups are seperate and sometimes move during operation.I love the quietness of the Ardo pump, it's much much quieter and so won't disturb you watching TV and is quiet enough to use in the middle of the night without waking others. I also love that the Ardo pump also comes with a variety of different size breast attachments and spare valves. It also comes with cushioned inserts which I'm sure will suit some but I didn't like them.Both the Medela and this pump are mains or battery operated but you have to remove the batteries from this Ardo pump when using mains power.Both pumps come with bottle stands, I like the Ardo stands as they attach directly to the machine unit (as opposed to two seperate holders with the Medela) and so seem more practical. Also this pumps bottles are more stable and don't fall over as much. I lost loads of milk from accidental spillages when putting the Medela pumps down.The bottles with this Ardo pump do the job but they have annoying caps. The centre of the caps come off so that I assume you can put a teat in, but to my knowledge Ardo don't sell teats and so I don't know what would fit them and I find them fiddly and annoying when taking the lids on and off.I have had issues with both pumps, as mentioned the Medela lost suction and I couldn't get it fixed. I did find that the Ardo unit sometimes shut itself off for what appeared to be no reason. I called the Ardo number and they answered within a few rings and advised I was probably accidentally putting a kink in the tubing when moving around and that this would cause the unit to shut down. Now I'm more mindful of this and it hasn't been an issue. What impressed me more was that they signposted me to the troubleshooting video on their website which is great to just understand the way the pump works more and even offered to Skype or FaceTime to see how the unit was operating (they added that I didn't need to be using it for them to observe the machine working). In contrast when I contact Medela to report my issues they sent me a standard email advising to check for all the unsual problems, basically what I had already read in thier troubleshooting guide and if I had further problems I could contact the shop I bought it from.In summary the Ardo is an excellent choice and offers you the chance to personalise your breastpump, it also comes with excellent customer service and advice videos. Yes some of the parts are fiddly and feel of less quality than the Medela ones but there is also a big difference in price. Yes my Medela pump broke but it's a very easy unit to operate and it did work for me for a while and my issues may not be experienced by others.In terms of the extras that you get with the calypso to go, the bag is lovely, it's a handy shoulder bag with lots of compartments, it fits everything in well and is made of good quality fabrics. The manual pump attachment that is included I only tried once and it seemed to work well, I have tried other manual pumps and this seemed more effective. The drawstring bags with the set are also a good size and of a good quality and are handy for storing the different parts of the breastpump or the manual pump. The milk cooler bag and cooling elements didn't impress me, I have tried it twice, admittedly in warm weather (about 27c) and the bag did keep the milk cool but nowhere near as cool as the bag I used in the same circumstances at the same time for keeping my sons food cold, it also didn't stay as cold for anywhere near as long (i used the koo di fridge to go maxi for the food). However, the bag did do the job and so is a nice addition to the calypso to go set. You also get six extra bottles with this set.I hope that if you have read this far that my review has been helpful to you.

12.8.2014

As a new mum, I've used breast pumps from 2 other brands before I used the Ardo breast pump. Whilst I was at first apprehensive about trying yet another brand, I must say that Ardo has turned out to be my BEST breast pump decision. I've been pumping multiple times in a day , many times for over an hour per session, for about 6 months now and I've solely used Ardo for about ½ of these. With Ardo, my pumping sessions duration has significantly decreased; I now get more milk pumped in less time. I love this product because it's easy to assembly, easy to clean, hospital grade but affordable, quiet to operate, environmentally friendly (can be upgraded to a double pump if desired at little cost),and WHO compliant. It is also a a closed system and I can control the vacuum and cycle as it suits me. Even more, it has the best customer service ever!The assembling instruction for the pumpset and the operation instruction for the Ardo Calypso breast pump couldn't have been easier and simpler.The pumpset is made up of 4 parts that goes on the breast, 3 parts that connects it to the pump and the 2 parts that turns it into a milk storage bottle.The 4 parts include the lip valve which is attached to the base of the breast shell, the membrane pot which is inserted into the top of the breast shell and then all screwed unto the bottle.The 3 parts include the already assembled adapter tube cover, which is connected to the top of silicone tube and the tube connector at the end of the silicone tube for connection to the pump. The adapter tube cover needs to be screwed unto the breast shell before starting the pump. No need to unassemble it or wash it!The 2 parts is just the bottle cover.It also has a convenient bottle holder.It's all fiddling bits and bobs free, unlike some other pumps. Fantastic design really!The pump is light to carry and its size reflects its efficiency and effectiveness.A very important part of the pump for me is the membrane pot which separates the pump set from the connection to the pump. It provides a vacuum seal which creates an hygiene barrier / protection against contamination of precious breast milk. It's incredible how the vacuum seal turns this pump into a closed system, the best breast pump option. See www.ardomedical.co.uk/VacuuSeal.html for a diagram about how it works.You also won't believe how quietly the pump works compared to other pumps on the market. In addition to this, you can adjust the vacuum and cycle as it suits you. As advised, it's best to start with a high vacuum and cycle session to stimulate let down before adjusting the vacuum and cycle to mimic your child's sucking pace as much as possible. I find that when my flow reduces, it sometimes picks up again when I adjust the vacuum and cycle to encourage another let down. It's said to have 64 combination of settings!I also really like the fact that the pumpset is BPA free as expected and even more so, WHO compliant.To top it up, it comes with the best breast pump guarantee I've come across - "a full no-quibble manufacturer's warranty" for 2 consecutive children!Only the 4 parts that goes on the breast has to be unassembled, washed and sterilised, and the bottle cover if you want to use the bottle to store your milk.It's mains operated, but it can also be battery operated. I've only used it indoors at the mains.Furthermore, their customer service is exceptional! They support breastfeeding mothers in a way that I haven't experienced from any other company e.g. promptly sending out replacement parts (I've experienced next day delivery of parts free of charge more than once), empathetically listening to pumping problems and offering suitable solution at no cost or the lowest possible cost. Their customer service is UK based and I've spoken to women on their team who have pumped and can relate to my situation. I have found all my contact with them to be encouraging and supportive. They are not money grabbing, but rather environmentally friendly breast feeding champions who make a honest living by supporting mothers through the sometimes difficult journey of breastfeeding without exploiting their vulnerability.An altogether fantastic and affordable product from Ardo! I can't fault it in anyway.

3.7.2014

I have had the Ardo Calypso double since May this year and I love it. As a mum of two breastfeeding babies (a toddler age two and a young baby aged just 4 months) I was struggling to find time to express using my hand pump, and, if I'm honest, I was finding it a bit of a chore!Also, just before the birth of my now 4 month old I signed up to donate milk to the Addenbrookes/Rosie Maternity Milk Bank. Therefore, having this pump has been fantastic in enabling me to express regularly not only for my own children's needs but for milk donation too.I was a little sceptical about electric breast pumps as I had read a lot of conflicting information regarding open and closed systems and it came to myattention that not all retailers are very clear in stating whether their pumps are a closed system or not. This was initially the reason I was drawn to Ardo, as they very clearly state that their pumps operate on a closed system and as a retailer they are also WHO complient too (which personally matters a lot to me).When I called Ardo to discuss the pump and my requirements I found them to be very helpful, knowledgeable and a pleasure to talk to. The lady I spoke with was able to offer excellent advice such as pumping techniques to maximise my flow, thrifty tips on how to utilise old nursing bras to be able to double express hands free and spoke with a passion about visiting hospital wards on a regular basis to support both staff and new mums alike. It was very refreshing to speak to someone with such enthusiasm and passion for their role. Good customer service is always valuable but when it comes to breastfeeding promotion, positive and informative support it is not only refreshing but vital in order to normalise breastfeeding within today's society.The pump arrived the following day (very impressed at such a speedy delivery) and I found it very easy to assemble and use. The settings allow you to set the vacuum and cycle rhythm independently to be able to express in comfort. I find the shells and bottles easy to clean, compact enough to store and quick to assemble. The pump itself is quiet, although a tad on the heavy side, however it fits perfectly back in the sturdy box that it comes in (which is how I have chosen to store mine).I am a big fan of the small valve which enables you to switch from a double to a single pump. Having one breast which produces more milk than the other I often find that one bottle fills much quicker than the other. When this occurs I simple continue to express from the lesser side using the calypso as a single pump simply by closing the small valve that allows you to interchange between single and double expressing with ease!Overall, for my first experience with an electric pump, I am thrilled with the Ardo Calypso. It continues to meet the expressed breast milk demands of my two nursling's as well as enabling me to easily pump in excess of three litres of donated milk each month! Furthermore the fantastic and knowledgeable customer service of the Ardo UK team is in my opinion outstanding and altogether I highly recommend both the company and their products!

8.11.2018

I have used a few different breast pumps- a horrible Nuk one that went straight back to the shop, a Medela hand pump & an electric Medela one rented from the hospital. The Ardo Calypso is miles better than all of them. It is MUCH quieter than either the Nuk or electric Medela. You can adjust both the suction strength and frequency, with 8 levels for each- finding the combination that works best for you. It has good range of suction strengths- the lowest setting is very gentle going up to a very strong pull. The progression through the 8 settings is smooth (so it isn't like you have 7 weak settings and then jump to a strong one or vise versa). Level 3 gives a stronger setting than the Nuk did at it's highest setting.

31.1.2017

Best pump EVER! And I've gone through a few.At time of writing this pur breastfeeding journey has ended. I have 2 children and this kept me breastfeeding a lot longer than I made with my child no 2, despite food issues.1)Firstly this pump is especially quiet. I mean seriously quiet.2)power. Mains or AA batteries3) single , double or hand pump. Depends on which set you buy,,, or contact them and buy the double and ask about the hand attachment for only a smudge more... unless you also by the brgain priced colour temp bit freezer bags , any extra bottles , inc glass, the efficient breast pads, and the snazzy keep it all together messenger bag. And really decent microwave steamer bags Which all may have fallen into my shopping 'cart'

11.11.2014

Overall great product, compared really well to hospital grade pumps, incredibly easy to use and versatile and finally customer service is excellent.I used a pump in hospital and was not disappointed with the Ardo pump I used at home. It comes with a lot of different sizes pump heads which makes a SIGNIFICANT difference. Other pumps don't have this (you might be able to buy pump heads seperately), Ardo sends you various different sizes as standard and you can try them out to see which works for you.The pump is nice and strong and has a very simple to use set up where you can vary suction strength and auction frequency. This is great and works very well.It is portable - works both with a mains connection and with batteries!It is super clean and totally mess free.

20.12.2014

I purchased this pump for our second child, and am pumping exclusively. Previous to this I was using two single pumps by another popular manufacturer, that were very loud and fairly poor by comparison. We researched this pump and purchased it based upon the positive reviews. We called the company before ordering (we were desperate as the old pumps were wearing out) and found members of staff extremely helpful and supportive. We placed the order on the Friday evening, and the item arrived on the Tuesday (had we placed it before 2 we would have had it on the Monday).The calypso has an advantage over the previous pumps as it comes with different sized breast shells- may take trying a couple before

27.5.2015

This is a really great piece of equipment. When I started researching to purchase a pump I was looking at the Medela products but it was the same price to buy a single pump so based on the good reviews I went for this one. I'm so glad I did! There are lots of extras included - there are different sized pump heads, a few bottles, a bottle stand and the other pump components.In terms of usage, it is really easy to put together and start using straight away. I personally use this with a special pumping bra to hold the pump in place when I'm expressing. I also find that if I use this while I am feeding on the other side I can get a much better quantity of milk - usually around 5 - 6oz each use.

17.11.2015

Having experienced the Ardo/Ameda Elite breast pump in hospital, I felt safe ordering a double pump with Ardo. Due to a huge variety of feeding problems, we started pumping on Day 5, using the Philips Avent Electric Single. This was very efficient and I would thoroughly recommend it as a single pump. However, after continued latching problems, we decided to 'exclusively pump' so I needed to upgrade to a double pump to save time and energy! The Ardo Calypso is brilliant and does the job. The closed valve feature and the price is what sold it to me over a Medela.Incidentally, I rang Ardo as none of the breast shells it comes with (a huge selection!) seemed to fit and I needed their smaller 22mm ones.

24.9.2014

My poor little baby couldn't latch properly since birth so after trying several different options, I had to resort to expressing milk to make sure she received the goodness of breastmilk. I researched for several weeks before I went and splurged on an electric pump (I was using my philips avent hand pump till then and omg my hands were sore!). There are many pumps available on the market for various prices...you'll find that a hospital grade pump is expensive unless you rent it...but if you're planning to express long term, I would recommend THIS pump. Double electric, easy to use, improves milk supply, quiet, easy to clean and use and most importantly, closed circuit so NO risk of contamination,

29.9.2014

After having my first child five years ago and manually expressing every evening so my husband could give our child a bottle in the evening, I decided that second time round I needed something a bit more substantial and this pump is definitely that!I admit to being a but sainted when opening the box and seeing all the different parts however on looking at the instructions which are very clear and easy to follow, I soon had it assembled. There simply looked a lot of parts as it is a double pump, so two of most things!I liked how you could adjust the vacuum and cycle to suit and it really is very quiet.

1.3.2020

After doing extensive research I settled on this pump. Originally used the Medela swing electric pump but really didn’t get on with it and found I couldn’t get different sized attachments easily- I was finding the standard 24mm was rubbing to the point it cracked my nipple. I would say I have large ish nipples and 32FF boobs normally (some breast pumps seem better for smaller boobs which is why I mention this!!) The reason I went for the Ardo double (even though I only need to express one at a time) was because of the multitude of different size options that’s come with the double pump for only £20 more (31mm, 28mm) plus I like to sterilise them a lot! The pump is really easy to assemble and use,

30.12.2014

We used a Philips single pump in the first week and decided we needed a double, so we rented a medela hospital grade pump for about 6 weeks. Then we realised that we perhaps will be expressing for a good while so it will be cheaper to buy a good double pump.The obvious choice was medela again, but then decided to my homework and research other options. I was quite sceptical about this Ardo since its less than half the price compared to medela, but after reading a few reviews I decided to just go for it.Quality: Looks like its made in the same factory as medela. Even the bottles fit on eachover.Concept: Very similar to Medela, but I like the Ardo more.

26.6.2015

I had to stay in hospital for a week after having my son and he would not take to the breast. He was premature, he had a tongue tie and he had to be born via an emergency cesarean after I haemorrhaged and he was in distress. All these things I feel contributed to our failure to get the breast feeding going and after being bombarded with information about how 'breast is best' in the lead up to giving birth I felt like a complete failure when it didn't work out. Thankfully I was able to get off a lot of milk when I used the Medela pump during our stay in hospital. I bought this pump on the recommendation of Mumsnet and I am so glad I did. I feel that this pump is as good,

19.6.2015

This is a fantastic product. After many failed attempts at direct breastfeeding I still wanted to feed my baby breast milk so I have been running this machine at least 5 times a day for about 20 minutes each time for 3 months now and it has held up very well. It is gentle and extracts milk effectively. I haven't used Medela but I heard someone using the Medela Swing in the hospital and it is A LOT noisier than this machine which hums along discreetly. I used the hospital grade pumps in the hospital (Ameda Elite) which cost almost £1000 each and I think this pump is just as good - in fact I think they are produced by the same company.

Ardo Calypso - Reviews

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