Customer reviews from medela.com
Medela - Sonata - yellow
Average customer rating
3.8
(150 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 150 reviews
5 Stars
67
4 Stars
37
3 Stars
13
2 Stars
20
1 Star
13
75%of customers recommend this product.
(
107 out of
143)
Customer Reviews for Medela - Sonata - yellow
Customer Rating
4
Work horse!
on March 3, 2018
Posted by: Ahric9
from PA
Gender:Female
I received this pump as part of the wee spring parent panel. I found the Sonata easy to set up and use. Very straightforward! I like the sleek design and that it’s very compact. Unlike my other Ameda pump, the tubes on the Sonata do not collect condensation and don’t get moldy - a huge benefit and time saver that you don’t have to run pump to dry tubes. The pump is super quiet and smooth. I liked the responsiveness feature - I could just sit back and relax (for once!) while the pump adjusted the flow. What I didn’t like where that the bottles were very heavy! If I wanted to be hands free, I needed a pumping bra on to hold up. Otherwise the bottles are super top heavy and won’t stay attached. They also fall over if you don’t use the bottle stands. The bottles have a lot of parts - but they are all on the larger side which make them super easy to clean. I just put mine on the top rack of dishwasher. Overall this is a great pump and a huge upgrade from the standard models.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Response from medela.comBy Lisa, Customer Service, March 5, 2018
Thanks for the great feedback on the Medela Sonata pump. Your comments have also been forwarded to the appropriate team regarding the bottles and the pump parts. Feel free to reach out to us for assistance.
Written by a customer while visiting medela.com
Customer Rating
5
Quiet and Efficient!
on March 4, 2018
Posted by: Cydney
from Boise, Idaho
Gender:Female
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Thank you to the weeSpring Parent Panel for sending me the Medela Sonata Breast Pump to try and review. For the past 9 months, I breastfeed my daughter when I am with her at home, but pump 3x during the day at work. I received another breast pump through insurance that I had been using up until now. Around month 9, I noticed my production starting to drop despite my efforts to bring it back up (additional pumping sessions, breastfeeding on demand, lactation teas, etc.). Enter the Sonata - this breast pump is incredibly efficient. So much so that my production increased almost immediately. I love that it is hospital grade without being overly bulky or heavy.
Some of the features that I fell in love with were:
1) The user interface, it is digital, very intuitive, and allows you to control the settings, while looking extremely nice
2) The timer function! I was forever forgetting how long I had been pumping with my old pump - with this I do not have to worry as the machine starts timing when you start
3) The internal battery function - it is so convenient to not have to carry charger/cord around with you wherever you need to pump. The battery also lasts a decent amount of time (3-4 days with regular use) on a single charge
4) How light the pump is! I honestly couldn't believe how non bulky and sleek looking it is. I bring this to work with me every day and it is much lighter than my other pump. I also have it sitting on my desk at work and it is very elegant looking
5) How quiet the pump is! I am fortunate enough to have a private office but the walls between our offices are very thin so the loud suction noise of other pumps always made me feel self-conscious. The Sonata is so quiet that my co-workers are not able to hear it through the walls
6) The MyMedela app is very convenient for keeping track of your pumping sessions.. Although I think I would use/appreciate the app more if I had this pump when I first started pumping
7) This pump is priced incredibly well for being hospital grade. I searched around for other hospital grade pumps and they were easily double, if not triple, the price of the Sonata
1) The user interface, it is digital, very intuitive, and allows you to control the settings, while looking extremely nice
2) The timer function! I was forever forgetting how long I had been pumping with my old pump - with this I do not have to worry as the machine starts timing when you start
3) The internal battery function - it is so convenient to not have to carry charger/cord around with you wherever you need to pump. The battery also lasts a decent amount of time (3-4 days with regular use) on a single charge
4) How light the pump is! I honestly couldn't believe how non bulky and sleek looking it is. I bring this to work with me every day and it is much lighter than my other pump. I also have it sitting on my desk at work and it is very elegant looking
5) How quiet the pump is! I am fortunate enough to have a private office but the walls between our offices are very thin so the loud suction noise of other pumps always made me feel self-conscious. The Sonata is so quiet that my co-workers are not able to hear it through the walls
6) The MyMedela app is very convenient for keeping track of your pumping sessions.. Although I think I would use/appreciate the app more if I had this pump when I first started pumping
7) This pump is priced incredibly well for being hospital grade. I searched around for other hospital grade pumps and they were easily double, if not triple, the price of the Sonata
Some of the things about the pump I didn't like were:
1) The transition from stimulation to expression phase. The first suction of expression phase is always a little rough for me, but the feeling only lasts for a moment and does not take away from the overall enjoyment of the pump
2) The bag that comes with the kit (which has nothing to do with the actual pump itself) is a little non-functional. It is awkward to carry and not very fashionable.
3) The bottle components are a little bulky. There are a number of parts to put together, 5 including the bottle, that are very large and cumbersome. I use a hands-free pumping bra and I need to have it tight around my chest in order to hold the bottles up. What is nice about these parts though, is they are all dishwasher safe and there are no nooks or crannies for water to get stuck in and mold.
1) The transition from stimulation to expression phase. The first suction of expression phase is always a little rough for me, but the feeling only lasts for a moment and does not take away from the overall enjoyment of the pump
2) The bag that comes with the kit (which has nothing to do with the actual pump itself) is a little non-functional. It is awkward to carry and not very fashionable.
3) The bottle components are a little bulky. There are a number of parts to put together, 5 including the bottle, that are very large and cumbersome. I use a hands-free pumping bra and I need to have it tight around my chest in order to hold the bottles up. What is nice about these parts though, is they are all dishwasher safe and there are no nooks or crannies for water to get stuck in and mold.
Overall, I think this is an amazing, hospital grade pump with only a few minor flaws. It is quiet and efficient, while still beautiful.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Response from medela.comBy Lisa, Customer Service, March 5, 2018
Medela is appreciative of the honest response. I'm glad to hear that your overall experience was a positive one. Please know that we would be happy to speak with you to troubleshoot if needed. Please feel free to contact Customer Service so we can walk you through some steps to assist.
Written by a customer while visiting medela.com
Customer Rating
5
Love this Pump!
on March 4, 2018
Posted by: Mel Stutz
from Aberdeen, MD
Gender:Female
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I am very happy with the Medela Sonata Breast Pump. Compared to the pump I was using before, the Sonata is far superior. It is much quieter and does a more efficient job. I definitely noticed an increase in my milk output when using this pump compared to my old pump. It is so quiet I don't worry about waking my husband or daughter, also there is no need to raise the volume on the TV. Being able to charge the pump and carry it where ever I need is extremely convenient. The carry bag and milk cooler bag are wonderful for pumping while out. I love the idea of the MyMedela app but it didn't always work for me. The blue tooth connection would cut in and out at times and not always record my pumping sessions. But I really liked the MyMedela app for keeping track of how much I pumped and then also using the same app for recording other data such as feedings, changes and sleep. I have been telling everyone I know that pumps how wonderful this pump is. Thanks to the weeSpring Parent Panel for providing me with this Breast pump.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Response from medela.comBy Lisa , Customer Service, March 5, 2018
We appreciate the positive feedback on the Sonata pump. Medela appreciates it when mom's take time to share their thoughts and comments with us. Please feel free to reach out to Customer Service for assistance with the app if needed.
Written by a customer while visiting medela.com
Customer Rating
5
LOVE this pump!!!
on March 4, 2018
Posted by: aclaraway
from brooklyn, ny
Gender:Female
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I LOVE this pump! I pumped almost exclusively until my older son was 12 months and I am now a working mom with a 6 month old. Honestly this pump is a game changer for me. It much more comfortable than any other pump I have used in the past. I would almost call it gentle. I was very skeptical but I seriously get more milk from this pump than my other pump!! About an extra half ounce for me each session. I also love the battery - after lugging around disposable batteries for traveling on planes for a year and a half, this is so awesome. No batteries or cord needed when it is charged. Additionally this pump is SOO quiet that you hardly notice it. I am used to pumping in meetings and it seems like no one even notices when this pump is running. Thank you Medela!! and thank you WeeSpring parent panel for this pump.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Response from medela.comBy Lisa, Customer Service, March 5, 2018
We are glad to hear that you had an awesome experience with your Sonata pump. Thanks for the great comments!
Written by a customer while visiting medela.com
Customer Rating
5
High tech makes pumping easier
on March 4, 2018
Posted by: JAworkit
from Nashville, TN
Gender:Female
I received this Breast pump from the weeSpring Parent Panel. I love the Medela brand. I was very happy to see the bottles & lids I already had fit perfect, it’s nice to be able to interchange them. The display on the motor doesn’t fully display for me (see photo). All of the other icons do work. The Medela app allows me to see how long I’ve been pumping so I’m still able to know my duration. I enjoy being able to see how long I’ve pumped as well as inputting my oz collected. I do wish that part wasn’t manual as it is an additional step. There are 14 pieces to be washed with this pump. I’ve used another pump previously that was much fewer pieces but not as quiet while in operation. This pump is quiet & efficient. I also love the bag and milk storage cooler with ice pack that comes with it. The stand to keep the bottles upright was genius & helps prevent spills!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Response from medela.comBy Lisa, Customer Service, March 5, 2018
We're sorry to hear that you feel the Sonata display is blurry and glad to hear that your overall happy with the pump. Some light bleed is normal, the display can look blurrier at night when the light bleed around the numbers is more pronounced. Please contact Customer Service for assistance if needed. We are here to assist.
Written by a customer while visiting medela.com
Customer Rating
4
This pump is amazing!
on March 4, 2018
Posted by: Hae1211
from Denver, CO
Gender:Female
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Thank you, thank you, thank you to weeSpring Parent Panel for providing me this AMAZING pump to try out. I have had two other pumps, both closed systems, one battery operated and one was plug in. I primarily use my plug in at home and the battery operated one when I go to the office. It was such a welcomed change to use the Sonata at home. I wake up excessively early to pump while my son is still asleep. I no longer need to worry about unlatching myself from the pump to go get him if he cries, which he always does when I pump, I can just take the pump with me. I will say that handle isn't the easiest to hold onto, but that's such a small price to pay for portability, I just need to make sure I've got a good hold on it.
The battery lasts about 2.5 pumping sessions of 30 minutes each, I do wish that was a tad bit longer. I'm going to Florida later this month and would like to not have to charge the battery, but I will most likely need to.
I am interested to know how much replacement parts are for it. With other pumps you need to replace the parts ever couple of months. I don't feel like you would need to replace the parts with this pump unless you tore the diaphragm. The parts seem pretty sturdy, so I would assume the parts would be a little more expensive than the traditional ones, but if you only had to replace them once a year, that would be great.
The Sonata is lightweight, absolutely beautiful, as far as pumps go. I like that it's easy to use, it kind of takes the guess work out of pumping. Some people may like the ability to change levels, but I always wind up doing something else and forgetting all about it. I like that I can just turn this on and if I remember to switch, great, but if not, the pump has me covered. I love the whole pump package, it came with a little cooler with an ice pack, some bottles, a pump bag, and the pump. I have been so pleased with the gentleness of the pump and the ease of use.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Response from medela.comBy Lisa, Customer Service, March 5, 2018
Thank you for the great comments! It's good to hear how the Sonata has made your pumping journey a good one. Please feel free to visit out website for the parts and prices available for the Sonata. You can also contact Customer Service for assistance if needed.
Written by a customer while visiting medela.com
Customer Rating
4
A great pump for all pumping moms
on March 5, 2018
Posted by: nmartin9
Gender:Female
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] This is a great breast pump! There are so many awesome features that made pumping more enjoyable. I love how quiet it is. I was able to pump while my baby slept right next to me without waking him up. It is also very powerful considering how quiet it is, but gentle at the same time. Having a hospital grade pump is very important to me because I get nipple blebs, and having a good pump is key in getting rid of them. The amount of milk I express is greater as well. Another key feature of this pump is that it is portable. I absolutely love that! Before I had this pump, we would have to pull over to feed my son on road trips. Now I am able to pump in the car and feed him without stopping. The MyMedela app is also very handy for keeping track of pumping sessions. It can keep track of what side you pumped on, the amount of milk you pumped, and how long you pumped for. It also gives you great tips and advice. I previously had a different pump from the same brand, and this pump is the clear winner!
I only have two complaints about this pump. I was a little disappointed to find out that many of the parts from my previous pump were not compatible with this pump. However, this kit gives you everything you need, so it's not a huge deal. My second complaint is that there are a lot of parts, which makes cleaning a longer process. Overall, this is a great pump, and I would recommend it to other pumping mothers. Thank you WeeSpring Parent Panel for giving me this wonderful pump to try and review!
Pros:
1. Quiet
2. Hospital grade
3. Portable
4. MyMedela app
1. Quiet
2. Hospital grade
3. Portable
4. MyMedela app
Cons:
1. Is not compatible with many parts from previous pumps.
2. A lot of parts.
1. Is not compatible with many parts from previous pumps.
2. A lot of parts.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Response from medela.comBy Lisa, Customer Service, March 6, 2018
It's great to hear that this personal use pump with hospital performance was able to increase your milk expression. We welcome the feedback and love it when mom's share their thoughts with us. I have forwarded your comments regarding the parts to our team in charge of continuous improvement.
Written by a customer while visiting medela.com
Customer Rating
5
Great Features and Performance
on March 5, 2018
Posted by: elocjay
from Tennessee
Gender:Female
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Overall, I was really pleased with this pump. I have never used an electric pump before, and as such can only compare it to the inexpensive hand-held pump I purchased when my baby was first born. However, the features of this pump are amazing and I will definitely never go back to the hand-held pump! It works quickly and efficiently once you find the right size breast shield. I love that the pump is customizable in terms of the shields - neither of the two that came with it worked very well for me (it would express milk but it took a long time and expressing all the milk was difficult). I was able to purchase one size smaller, though, and it worked so much better from that point on. My one complaint would probably be that it was difficult for me to determine what size breast shield I needed - the instructions are clear but it is much easier said than done and required a lot of trial and error.
In all though, the features are fantastic. It's very convenient that the pump hooks up easily to the app; I'm terrible at tracking manually, so it's really useful that it sends the information automatically. It definitely was not disruptive in terms of noise, either - I don't have any other electric pump to compare it to, but the noise level did not bother me at all. I love that it can be used without being plugged in, if needed, and that it has an option to help with let down in addition to the traditional pumping setting. It's super nice to be able to pause the session if needed without stopping the whole thing, too. In addition, it's really easy to take apart and clean the parts that need to be washed frequently, which is a big plus.
I think the carry bag and accessories that it comes with are wonderful, as well! Everything fits neatly in the bag if you need to take the pump on the go and it's very discreet. I also really appreciated the custom cooler that perfectly fits the bottles for easy storage while out and about.
I love the ability this pump gives me to take some time to go do things by myself occasionally while still providing the nourishment my baby needs and keeping my supply up. I would definitely recommend it!
In all though, the features are fantastic. It's very convenient that the pump hooks up easily to the app; I'm terrible at tracking manually, so it's really useful that it sends the information automatically. It definitely was not disruptive in terms of noise, either - I don't have any other electric pump to compare it to, but the noise level did not bother me at all. I love that it can be used without being plugged in, if needed, and that it has an option to help with let down in addition to the traditional pumping setting. It's super nice to be able to pause the session if needed without stopping the whole thing, too. In addition, it's really easy to take apart and clean the parts that need to be washed frequently, which is a big plus.
I think the carry bag and accessories that it comes with are wonderful, as well! Everything fits neatly in the bag if you need to take the pump on the go and it's very discreet. I also really appreciated the custom cooler that perfectly fits the bottles for easy storage while out and about.
I love the ability this pump gives me to take some time to go do things by myself occasionally while still providing the nourishment my baby needs and keeping my supply up. I would definitely recommend it!
I received this breast pump from the weeSpring Parent Panel in exchange for my honest review.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Response from medela.comBy Lisa , Customer Service, March 6, 2018
We're very happy to know that the Sonata worked so well for you. Your comments have been sent to the correct team regarding the breast shield sizing. You may want to reach out to a local lactation consultant for proper sizing if needed.
Written by a customer while visiting medela.com