Friday, June 19, 2015
Last year while advocating for exclusively pumping moms (you can read about my nursing journey with Karebear HERE) to be able to participate in the Big Latch On, I suggested WHO Code compliant pump manufacturers may possibly sponsor the event which would help increase numbers for the record challenge.  I said in the email correspondence with Joanne Edwards, the creator of Big Latch On, "I strongly believe in keeping us all together, we all have one goal, and we can show how amazing we all are. I find this is a great way to stay compliant as well as show support for EVERY lactating woman giving their baby the best."  Then about a month ago, I noticed that Ardo signed up to be a sponsor of the Big Latch On, and I was beyond ecstatic!  I had briefly seen Ardo pumps mentioned here or there and was very curious about this company and their pumping systems so I wrote Ardo and asked if I could help share information about their breastfeeding aids.
First of all, let me go into a little more detail about the WHO Code (1), why it's important and the compliancy standards.  The WHO Code was created to protect maternal and infant health nutrition concerns.  The code is designed to restrict certain marketing strategies of breastmilk substitutes.  The World Health Organization recommends "Infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development and health... Thereafter, to meet their evolving nutritional requirements, infants should receive nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods while breastfeeding continues for up to two years of age or beyond." (2)  Breastmilk has been scientifically shown to give both mom and babe a wide variety of health benefits, therefore the promotion of breastfeeding is important to ensure optimal healthcare.  What are the standards to be WHO compliant?

1-  No advertising of breastmilk substitutes to families
2-  No free samples or supplies in the health care system
3-  No promotions of products through health care facilities
4-  No contact between the company's marketing personnel and mothers
5-  No sample of gifts to health care workers
6-  No images promoting artificial feeding, such as infants on the product
7-  All information to health care workers should be scientific facts only
8-  Information about artificial feeding, such as labels, should explain benefits of breastfeeding as well as potential hazards with artificial feeding
9- Products unsuitable for babies should not be promoted
10- All products should be made of high quality and take into account the climate and storage conditions per country used
Ardo breast pumps are designed and manufactured in Switzerland. The materials used are certified for quality and safety, are BPA free, and come with a 400 hour warranty of use.
I was given the Calypso Double Plus Breast Pump for reviewing purposes.
This pump comes with A LOT! I love the options of flanges (3 different sizes) PLUS the 26 mm Optiflow inserts, which help massage the areola, creating a more ideal, efficient milk expression.

This pump is a closed system- meaning that it has a barrier between the pumping mechanism and where milk flows thorough.  Ardo calls it, "Vacuum Seal Technology," offering complete protection from contamination of germs invading the tubes and pumping mechanism.
The power adapter comes in two parts as shown below and once it's assembled, plugs into the socket with 9 volts of power.  On the underside of the body of the pump, there is a battery compartment that slides open and takes 6 AA batteries.
There are a few parts you need to put together for the Pumpset.  The flange/connector is one unit, with a lip valve at the bottom and on top, a "membrane pot" that fits inside the adapter tube cover.  The tubing slides onto the male end of the adapter tube cover and into the breast pump.  Each tube is 36 inches long, leaving ample space to find a comfortable position to pump.

As shown in the image below, it is easy to change the pumpset from single electric to double. 
1- both tubes
2- remove one tube connector
3- open port on other tube connector
4- slide tube onto tube connector
Then all you do is power on the pump and use the buttons to adjust the vacuum and cycle to your personal comfort level.  There are a total of 64 settings to ensure your comfort. The LCD Display also lights up so you can easily see the settings especially during those MOTN (middle of the night) pumping sessions.  There are two standard neck 150 mL bottles with lids included.
The pump with all components attached and ready for use is sooooo lightweight and conveniently portable.  It's quite compact compared to my Medela PISA, I love how much less room it takes, how sleek the design is and how smooth and quietly it runs! I had it almost at full power in the video below.
The instruction booklets are very helpful with cleaning information and assembly.  They do recommend a daily 10 minute boil for all parts used, except the adapter tube cover, tubing and tube connector.  
Pumping is very personal and everyone that's an experienced pumper has found their own techniques for maximum production.  However, the basics are the same for every pump: fit your breast into the flange, turn on the pump, slowly adjust it to where you BEGIN to feel the friction.  I am going to attempt to get an instructional video example of how I use this pump here in this post ASAP.  I do recommend to anyone that is pumping to make sure that the fitting is checked with an IBCLC.
I also found the Ardo Calypso to be very comfortable, and I'd absolutely recommend it to a first-time pumper, especially.  At the time of reviewing this, I was still pumping about once a week.  I was able to pull about a half ounce of milk with one power pumping session, which I thought was impressive. I'm losing my pumping skills, right now at the time of posting this I haven't pumped in 10 days.  My breastfeeding story is almost over.  It would have been nice to have the Ardo Calypso Double Plus at the beginning.  I really love this pump.  I have never seen another pump manufacturer offer so many different, helpful things within a kit.  Here's an action shot (using Pumpin Pals)!
What's my favorite thing about this product?  
There's so many things I love about it, hard to pick just one.  Being WHO Code compliant is probably most important, but also it's design and portability are high up on that list.
Is there anything that I would change about this product?
I prefer to have the convenience of the let-down mode button and I wish there was a quick switch button like this on the Calypso Double Plus.  
I give the Calypso Double Plus a 9.5/10!
You can buy Ardo products directly off their website http://www.ardo-usa.com
You can also find Ardo products, like the Calypso Double Plus Breast Pump on Amazon.

Please take a moment to LIKE Ardo USA on Facebook and tell them THANK YOU for sponsoring a giveaway here on Latched On Mom.  Yep, that's right!  One lucky reader is going to win the Ardo Calypso Double Plus Breast Pump (ARV $199.95)!
Also, thanks to Everything Home Life for co-hosting this giveaway!
All you have to do to enter is fill out the giveaway form below. Must be 18 years of age or older. Void where prohibited. Giveaway will run from 6/19/15-7/3/15. Winner will be announced on this post as well as emailed. You will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be drawn. Open to US only.  GOOD LUCK!!!
Ardo Calypso Double Plus Breast Pump

 Latched On Mom did not receive compensation to promote this giveaway, however Latched On Mom was given a free product in exchange for a review. Please see my full disclosure for more information.   This post may contain affiliate links.  This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed or associated with Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or any other social media. Prize fulfillment is the sponsor's responsibilty. If you have any questions about this giveaway, they may be directed to latchedonmom(at)gmail(dot)com.

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9 comments:

  1. This is an awesome review - I love the fact that the pump actually comes with all the various sized flanges (compared to just about everything else where you have to spend extra in order to determine the right fit!)

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    1. That is so true! This kit comes with almost everything, but just in case you do need larger or smaller flanges, you can purchase them separately. Or use Pumpin Pals!

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  2. my daughter in law is going to breast feed and would really put this to good use,,i like the size and how easy it is to use

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  3. I have only used a manual pump because I can't afford an electric one. I would say thinking about your baby or looking a photos of baby helps me pump easier!

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  4. This is awesome! I am so happy to see more "big" companies supporting breastfeeding more effectively. I also want to just share a little here. You mentioned not advertising supplements to breastfeeding moms. I want to tell you how glad I am to see this because when I left the hospital I was given 4 samples. In the middle of the night after 5 days I was sore, tired and emotional, and I knew I had those samples. Because I had them, I gave up on breastfeeding. My daughter had a doctor appointment in the morning, and if I hadn't had those samples I would have stuck it out and been able to get help, but because I had them, my daughter wouldn't go back to breastfeeding and I just gave up. I hope things are better with the next one, but the hospitals have to change first! Thanks again for sharing!

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    1. All hospitals should be Baby-Friendly and promote breastfeeding. I hope you have plenty of support this time. Hugs!

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  5. I would love to win this. I'm pumping for my 28 weeker. I've been having supply issues for a while now, but can't afford any better grade pumps.

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  6. Thank you so much for your thorough review! I'm happy to see they are compatible with standard sized bottles, and it's so quiet!!!

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