Pumping with Symphony at the hospital

1. Always use the correct breast shield size for successful and comfortable pumping!

2. Always double pump (both breasts at the same time). Double pumping 8 times in 24 hours ensures you a better milk supply now and in the long run.

3. Always check you are pumping in the correct pumping program. Symphony offers two research-based programs, INITIATE and MAINTAIN.

4. Make sure you pump at your Maximum Comfort Vacuum.

5. Pumping should never hurt! If you experience any pain while pumping, please contact the healthcare professional near you.

• A badly fitting breast shield can reduce the amount of milk you express and cause pain during pumping.
• A big breast does no equal a big shield size: The size of your nipple is the deciding factor!
• The breast shield tunnel should surround your nipple closely, but leave enough space for the nipple to move back and forth freely without rubbing on the sides of the tunnel.
• It shouldn’t pull too much of your areola into the tunnel while pumping

See downloads for full instructions on how to find the right breast shield size for you.

• Click here if you have a disposable pump-set
• Click here if you have a reusable pump set
• Not sure what pump set you have? Please use the pictures below as reference and/or ask the healthcare professional near you.

To support you best, Symphony offers two research-based programs, INITIATE and MAINTAIN. It is crucial you always use the correct program!

• INITIATE is meant to support you directly after giving birth. It mimics the sucking and pausing rhythm of a newborn during the first days of lactation. 
• Use MAINTAIN after your milk has “come in” or at the latest on day 6. This program then imitates the sucking rhythm of a healthy baby during established lactation.

* Medela has recently updated the protocol for when to switch from the INITIATE to the MAINTAIN program for Symphony. This change is implemented gradually, so you may encounter different instructions during this transition period (1x20mL or 3x20mL). We assure you that both versions are safe. We recommend the new instruction of switching after pumping 20 mL in one session, as it simplifies the process and is easier for you to follow.

How to pump in INITIATE

How to pump in INITIATE

• The INITIATE program will run for 15 minutes including pauses, then stop automatically.
• The MAINTAIN program will run in two phases: The stimulation phase will run for about 2 minutes, then switch automatically to the expression phase. You may also change to expression phase manually, if your milk starts flowing earlier.
  NOTE: The MAINTAIN program does not stop automatically, but has to be switched off manually after you are finished. Generally we recommend double pumping for approximately 15 minutes per session.

Whether pumping in INITIATE or MAINTAIN, make sure you always pump at your Maximum Comfort Vacuum level to achieve the best results. Set the comfort vacuum by rotating the vacuum adjustment knob as follows:

• First rotate the knob gradually to the right to increase the vacuum slowly to the point where you feel a slight discomfort.
• Then rotate left again to reduce the vacuum by one bar – so really just a notch! – and reach your Maximuum Comfort Vacuum setting.

• Your disposable set for single use has to be discarded immediately after use!
• Your disposable One-day pump set may be used for 24 hours or 8 pumping sessions, then it has to be discarded. Make sure to clean the set thoroughly after each use following the instructions below.
• Your reusable pump set may be cleaned by hospital staff. If not, you can clean it yourself using the video on “How to clean your One-day pump set” as reference. For the full cleaning instructions please refer to the instructions for use for your Symphony hospital pump.

How to clean your One-day pump-set in hospital

Or find our QuickCard on how to clean your One-day pump-set >

• Don't forget: organize a rental pump for at home

• Chances are, your milk supply might still need some help when you and your baby go home.
• Or maybe your baby cannot breastfeed ( effectively) yet and you need to keep pumping so it gets all the goodness from your milk.
• The good news is: Symphony is also available for rent and can support you throughout your whole breastfeeding journey, also if you experience breastfeeding issues later!

Click here for everything you need to know about Symphony rentals.

• Your body has prepared for breastfeeding during your pregnancy, now your breasts need your baby's suckling as a stimulation to start producing milk.
• If your baby cannot breastfeed (effectively) yet, your Symphony breast pump will support by mimicking your baby´s natural sucking rhythm – while at the same time extracting the valuable first drops of colostrum for your baby.
• To best support your milk coming in, you should breastfeed or double pump 8 -12 times in 24 hours, with no break longer than 5 hours.

Find your breast shield size here

Symphony® PLUS quick guide

QuickCard in multi languages

Instructions of use for Symphony in Hospital