To learn how to use your Medela Pump in Style Advanced, start by gathering the pump, its kit parts, bottles, and the model’s instruction manual. Before handling the kit or your breasts, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. [1]
Having the manual nearby helps you follow the instructions for your specific pump instead of guessing during your first session. Set the items within reach so you can check the assembly steps as you get ready.
Gather what you need
Bring together the pump, the kit parts that came with it, and the bottles you plan to use. Keep the instruction manual beside them; for example, open it to the assembly section before you begin. Follow its directions for putting the Pump in Style Advanced together, since the manual is the place to check model-specific steps.
Make handwashing your first step
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before you touch the breast pump, kit, or breasts. [1] This gives you a simple starting routine: gather the items, wash your hands, then handle the pump kit using the manual’s directions.
If a step in the manual is unclear, pause and check the instructions for your exact Pump in Style Advanced model rather than relying on memory. Once you have the pump, kit parts, bottles, and manual together, you’re ready to move on to the separate setup and pumping steps.
What to prepare before you start
Before you start, make sure your hands and the milk-contact parts are clean, dry, and ready for use. This simple check helps you begin with a tidy setup rather than rushing to fix a loose or damp part once you are settled.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling the pump kit. Take a moment to wash your hands again if you have touched something that could soil them—for example, a phone, a used tissue, or a pet’s food bowl. Clean hands are a practical first step before you handle the parts that will touch milk. [1]
Separate the parts that come into contact with milk and wash them before use. Follow the cleaning directions for your kit, and give each piece room to air-dry fully; for example, place washed pieces on a clean drying area instead of stacking them while wet. Medela’s instructions say to separate and wash parts, and the preparation guidance for this pump says to assemble them once dry. [1][2]
Do a quick setup check
Once the parts are dry, check that the kit is assembled as directed in the manual and that the tubing is securely attached. A quick look at each connection can help you catch a part that is not seated properly before you begin. [3]
Keep this check focused on readiness: clean and dry milk-contact parts, assembly that matches the manual, and secure tubing. You do not need to take every piece apart again if it is already clean and correctly assembled; just inspect the setup and correct anything that looks loose, damp, or out of place.
If you are unsure whether a piece is assembled correctly, pause and compare it with the instructions for your Pump in Style Advanced kit rather than guessing. That gives you a clear next step without turning setup into a longer task than it needs to be.
How to use the pump, step by step
Place the pump and plug it in. Set it on a stable surface within easy reach, then sit where you can stay comfortable during the session. Plug the pump into an outlet before you begin. [3]
Connect the tubing and kit. Attach the tubing to the pump, then put the pump parts together as directed in the instructions for your model. Keep the kit close enough that the tubing does not pull when you shift in your seat. [3]
Position the breast shields and start gently. Center each shield over your nipple so it can move freely in the tunnel, then begin with a setting that feels comfortable. Use the controls and directions in your manual instead of guessing at settings for a different Pump in Style version.
Pump at a comfortable level. If the sensation becomes uncomfortable, reduce the setting rather than trying to push through it. When you are ready to stop, switch off the pump first, then detach the kit carefully so expressed milk stays in the collection bottles.
Transfer the milk. Pour the expressed milk into a clean, suitable container, taking care not to spill it. For example, hold the bottle steady on a flat surface as you transfer the milk, and close the container when you are done.
A simple rhythm can make the steps easier to follow: settle in, start the pump, and pause to check that the shields still feel comfortable. If you need to adjust your position or reach a control, switch to a posture that feels steady before continuing. Use your model’s instructions whenever you are unsure how a control should work.
Build a simple, comfortable pumping routine
Make your pumping routine comfortable and easy to repeat by choosing a relaxing spot, adjusting your position when needed, and following the feeding plan that works for you. Small choices—like keeping the pump controls within reach and setting up a drink nearby—can make a session feel less rushed.
Choose a spot that works for you
Pick a place where you can sit comfortably and reach the pump controls without stretching. For example, you might use a supportive chair with a small table beside it, rather than balancing the pump on your lap. Keep anything you want during the session, such as water or a phone, close enough to reach.
Try to make the space feel calm and private if that helps you relax. You might dim a light, put on quiet music, or choose a spot where you are less likely to be interrupted. These are comfort options, not steps you have to follow; use what makes pumping easier for you.
Adjust for comfort
If suction feels uncomfortable, lower it and check that your position feels right instead of pushing through pain. Pause to reposition if needed, then choose a setting that feels comfortable. A session does not need to feel painful to count as a useful part of your routine.
Notice what feels comfortable from one session to the next, and make small adjustments rather than trying to force a particular setting. If you are unsure which control changes the suction or another setting, check the instruction manual instead of guessing. Use the manual for indicators or controls that are unclear.
Fit pumping into your feeding plan
Choose a routine that fits your feeding plan and any guidance you have received from a lactation professional. For instance, you may plan a session around a time that works with your day, then adjust the routine if your needs or professional guidance change. There is no need to copy another parent’s schedule just because it works for them.
If you have questions about how pumping fits your individual plan, bring them to your lactation professional. Keep the routine manageable: a comfortable place, controls you can reach, and settings you understand are practical starting points.
Clean up and avoid common setup mistakes
After pumping, clean the milk-contact parts and check the setup if your Medela Pump in Style Advanced does not work as expected. Small cleanup habits can help keep the next session straightforward, while checking connections can help you spot a setup issue before you assume the pump is faulty.
Clean up after pumping
Take apart the kit and wash the parts that touched milk, following the cleaning directions in the manual for your pump. For example, separate the bottle, breast shield, and other milk-contact pieces instead of washing the assembled kit as one unit. [1]
After washing, avoid touching the inside of bottles or lids. Set them down in a clean place without reaching inside to reposition them; the manual specifically cautions against touching these surfaces. [1]
A quick cleanup check can keep you from overlooking a milk-contact piece. Before putting parts away, look over the items you used and make sure you have not left a washed bottle or lid where it might be handled inside. This is a practical reminder, not a substitute for the manual’s cleaning instructions.
Check the setup when something seems off
If the pump does not seem to work as expected, check that the tubing is connected and the kit is assembled properly before changing your routine. For instance, if you notice little or no suction, look at the tubing connections and the assembled kit rather than repeatedly adjusting controls. [1]
You can make this check in a simple order: look at each tubing connection, then review how the kit fits together. If something looks loose or out of place, compare it with the instructions for your pump and correct the setup before trying again. [1]
Do not assume every Pump in Style version has the same controls. Confirm the instructions for the exact model you own before relying on a control’s appearance or position; a familiar-looking pump may not match the version covered in another set of instructions. [1]
Keeping cleanup and troubleshooting separate can make the end of a session easier: wash the milk-contact parts as directed, avoid touching the inside of clean bottles and lids, and check the connections if operation seems unusual. When you are unsure which instructions apply, use the manual for your exact pump model.
A straightforward way to use your pump
The simplest way to use your Pump in Style Advanced is to follow the same calm sequence each time: prepare clean parts, assemble and connect the kit, pump at a comfortable setting, then clean the parts that touched milk. [1][3]
Before you begin, wash your hands and set out the parts you need on a clean surface. [1] Put the kit together as directed and attach its tubing to the pump. [3] For example, you can check that the bottles and shields are ready before you settle in, so you are not searching for a part once you start.
Sit in a position that feels comfortable and gives you room to reach the controls. Start with a comfortable setting rather than trying to choose a setting based on what someone else uses; if a control is unclear, pause and check the manual for your exact model. The available instructions do not specify a single setting that works for everyone.
When you finish, take apart and clean the milk-contact parts according to the manual. Keep clean parts together so they are ready for your next session, and avoid touching the inside of bottles or lids after washing. [1]
A small repeatable routine can make setup feel more manageable: prepare the clean kit, connect it, get comfortable, and check the instructions whenever you are unsure. Keep the Pump in Style Advanced manual nearby for exact assembly and control details. For your next session, use it to confirm any step or control you do not recognize rather than guessing.