Product Spotlight: Breast Pumps & Accessories

mvt2003

This is a place for FTMs to ask questions about, S+TMs to share their prior experience with, and everyone to share what they're eyeing in the world of maternity, baby and postpartum products. Each week we'll spotlight a new category of product to help streamline and make it easier to refer back. In this thread we're discussing breast pumps and accessories. 

Please use the prompts below to try to share as much relevant info as you can in a format that is easy for those reading to navigate and respond to.

For S+TMs: 

• Individual (e.g., lifestyle) factors that might influence your choice:
• Favorite breast pump:
• Link/picture:
• Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.):
• What you like and don't like about it:
• Is there a breast pump you don't have but are considering? Why?:
• Is there a breast pump you've tried that you absolutely hate? Why?: 
• Additional thoughts on pumps?:

For FTMs:

• Breast pump you're interested in:
• Link/picture:
• Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.):
• Any questions for S+TMs?:

To view past Product Spotlights or the upcoming schedule, see: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1IrF0iah5XaJFdFTHzNVcIEq4ujZTwq_j1bG9W-bovNs/edit#gid=0

clevans1

• Individual (e.g., lifestyle) factors that might influence your choice: I'm a Certified Lactation Counselor if that makes a difference? 
• Favorite breast pump: SPECTRAAAAAAAAA
• Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.): It wasn't covered by my insurance but the $150 out of pocket was well worth it.
• What you like and don't like about it: The Spectra S1/S2 pump has a closed system so it doesn't allow milk to flow through the motor. It is quiet, has a night light and carrying handle, is gentle but has high suction options for those who need it. The only thing I wish is that it were a little smaller, but I have heard mixed reviews on their smallest, most portable pump (S9) so I didn't purchase one. 
• Is there a breast pump you don't have but are considering? Why?: I am considering a Baby buddha or other tiny portable pump this time around to have in addition to my Spectra. 
• Is there a breast pump you've tried that you absolutely hate? Why?: Some people adore their Medela pumps. I had an awful experience. The motor was loud, even the lowest setting was painful to me, and I had terrible output with it. I ended up getting a staph infection in my nipple that my IBCLC believes could have been introduced by Medela Pump In Style Advanced's open-system and reintroduced every time I used the pump, which didn't allow me to heal.
• Additional thoughts on pumps?: There are so many new pumps coming out these days. Look for a closed system and a variety of suction and speed options since everyone's body reacts differently to different suction and speed levels. Also, more important than the pump itself is properly sized flanges for optimal comfort and output!

treebagel

I thought my medela PISA was fine, I’d use it again at least as a back up option. But I absolutely loved my medela swing! It’s a single pump, and it is so small and clips to pants so i could walk around and pump. Batteries lasted forever on full power. No matter which pump I pick this time, I will use kiinde adapters and storage bags for bottling, since they convert directly into bottles. I thought that was sooo convenient last time. 

momtomesthree

@clevans1 I’m so interested in the Spectra this time!! Do you have any tips for use?? I find it a bit confusing which is the only thing holding me back. 

princessjenney

STM but answering as a FTM for this because I was a SAHM with DD so I never pumped. Now I will work full-time so this is a whole new world for me lol

• Breast pump you're interested in: I applied for the Freemie Liberty Pump through my insurance. I watched a few youtube videos and the freemie cups look like such a cool concept.
• Cost: $189
• Any questions for S+TMs?: if you pumped at work, what was your pump schedule like?
• Pic:

clevans1

@jfcmomoftwo I watched a few YouTube videos and pinned a few Pinterest posts of example methods of using the Spectra in regard to suction level and speed prior to using it, which was helpful. I was anxious and overwhelmed when first trying it but it wasn't difficult to adjust to at all. Just start low and work your way up with the suction level!

@princessjenney I had a terrible space to pump for my last baby but thankfully a supervisor who was very flexible with pumping times. That being said, I started out pumping 20 minutes 3 times per 8.5 hour workday but my output wasn't keeping up with my son's intake so my IBCLC recommended 12 minute pump sessions 4 times per workday. Making this switch was annoying as it disrupted my day more but was SO worth it because it allowed me to keep up with my son's intake and make it past my one year goal of exclusive breastfeeding. 

juliebeannn

Everything @clevans1 said about the Spectra.  I had the S1 which was great.  I was an exclusive pumper, so I spent A LOT of time with my pump and the Spectra made it as painless as possible.  I also love the S1 (over the S2) bc it was rechargeable, so I would use an old strap to wear it around while I pumped.  It was so great to not be tethered to the wall for HOURS a day.

manillabar

wow I totally thought I posted this yesterday but it was sitting here in drafts the whole time 

I had a Spectra S2 last time and I really liked it! I didn't think it was that confusing (although like a month into it I realized I was confusing the two settings, haha).  But it worked well for me. I didn't last very long with breastfeeding, but I'm hoping to do better this time around. My insurance covered it completely last time and I'm hoping the same is true this time. 

I used edgepark to order and it was really smooth. I just put all my info into the site and they contacted my insurance company and my doctor and took care of it all.

mommingandrunning

• Individual (e.g., lifestyle) factors that might influence your choice: First kiddo I was planning to work, but due to his birth and 48 day PICU stay I ended up being a SAHM for a year. I'm back to full-time work this time and my job as an itinerant educational audiologist means I spend most of my day in my car bouncing between schools. 
• Favorite breast pump: I rented a hospital grade Medela pump for the length of my son's PICU stay and it was so worth it. I wouldn't wish a NICU/PICU stay on ANYONE, but if you're there, just rent the hospital grade pump - it makes a massive difference. Then, once he was home, I used my Medela Pump-In-Style. I definitely preferred the hospital grade one haha - just had more power, more consistency, and didn't feel like it might die. But, the Medela Pump-in-style did the job and I had no complaints. 
• Link/picture:
• Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.): Got the pump-in-style through insurance and did not pay for it. I simply got what my insurance covered, but switching it up this time. 
• What you like and don't like about it: The pump was compact, got the job done, and was simple. Towards the end of our nursing/pumping journey I ran an overnight race in the mountains and was able to buy a battery pack for the pump so that I could pump while camping. It was convenient. There was nothing I disliked other than the fact that I used the hospital grade first which just generally felt more powerful. 
• Is there a breast pump you don't have but are considering? Why?: This time! I'm considering the Spectra 1 primarily due to my job. The rechargeable feature is HUGE with how much time I'm in my car for my job. I'm willing to pay for this one out of pocket if I need to. 
• Is there a breast pump you've tried that you absolutely hate? Why?: Nope
• Additional thoughts on pumps?: I responded to a hand pump maybe once or twice, but at some point it just wasn't doing the trick for me. I always needed an electric pump; which is fine but it would have been nice to just use the hand pump for short trips away from baby. Pumping is hard - I did it solely for the first 5 weeks, and then again for about the last 2-3 weeks of a one year long pumping/nursing journey; put the time and money into it and make it as easy as possible for yourself. 

Yiggle09

I posted this in February forum.

I just wanted to second the aeroflow website. I suggest the bravado pumping bra it hooks onto your nursing bra. I prefer it over the medela bra because you have to hold both sides and cups on usually with like your wrists to zip the medela bra up and there isn't any upward support like you get with your bra straps. My left boob has a tight fold on the inner part and I felt the area didn't get drained well with the medela bra compressing instead of holding the cups to you. For those who will be traveling I suggest the medela freestyle it has an amazing suction and battery life. Also the medela pump has a brand new design just released this month. It's the medela pump in style with max flow. I chose to go with that and bought a second hand freestyle as I had given everything away thinking i was done with babies. Both are "closed systems " so no milk transfer from another woman unlike the old pump in style advance. I know people love spectra but I didn't respond to it. I need it "rough" lol spectra is supposedly more similar to the child's drinking habits. It has a vibration as opposed to medela that is more like a tug suction motion. If I could have a medela symphony I would be in heaven it's the pump most hospitals have in the maternity room. There are also things called pumping pals they are angled flanges instead of the straight madonna poke your eye out cups this way you don't have to lean forward while pumping you could relax back in the chair instead. I second the duck bill valves they make a considerable difference and are easier to clean. Make sure to change them every three months. Don't forget to inspect them because a break in them will reduce suction. Collect your parts in a wet bag / ziploc and refrigerate for the day so you save yourself cleaning and packing. Always pack a towel or paper towels because sometimes milk will pool in the cup and not go down to the bottle and when you pull it off your chest the milk will fall. Also sometimes your fingers are clumsy something drops there goes your pants. Edited to say use coconut oil instead of lanolin and use the coconut oil on your flanges for lubrication so you don't pump dry. I feel lanolin is very thick hard to spread on sensitive nipples. I also don't like that it's an animal product from sheep oil secreted by sheep. I prefer coconut oil again because it's a natural anti inflammatory. Rub some of your own breast milk or coconut oil for sore cracked nipples. 

manillabar

Ok I have a question re:pumping bras. Anyone with larger breasts find any that worked well? I didn’t have much luck last time but I’m hoping I’ll be more successful with pumping/breastfeeding in general this time around and a pumping bra that fits/works well would be awesome

Yiggle09

@manillabar I think I heard simple wishes pumping bra was good for larger breasts from my ep group

finnflan

I hated pumping and the cleaning of all the parts. I got to the point where I just dreaded having to use it and ended up switching from the electric double pump to the Avent single hand pump. It’s weird, but I found that to be SO much better to use. It takes a bit longer and a bit more work as you have to manually do it, but it mentally let me keep going with it. So throwing that out there as an option for people to keep in mind. 

Also, it may not technically a pump but omg the haakaa. It’s essentially a silicone catcher that you suction onto whatever boob you’re not feeding from or pumping and it catches the letdown from that side. If it works for you it’s amazing. I would get a minimum of 1-2oz every time (and I definitely filled it on occasion which is 4+oz), which was so helpful in building up a fridge and freezer stash, plus it kept me from leaking everywhere when I was nursing in one side. 

princessjenney

Bumping this to see about a Pump Bag recommendation for work... 🧐 I ended up ordering a Spectra S1 through my ins and bought the freemie cups.

clevans1

Not specifically a pumping bag but I used our Fisher Price diaper bag from our first as my pumping bag with my second using my Spectra, and it worked great! Much less expensive than most pump bags and the zipper came all the way down on each side so I could leave the pump in the bag. You could even pump with the freemie cups with the backpack on your back, if you wanted to!

sunny_native14

@finnflan I second the haaka! I used it so much while nursing and it was nice to build a little freezer supply without having to use a pump and clean everything. Plus, I found it reaally helped with engorgement- I would just pop it on when I felt too full and it was a quick relief. I was home for the first year and didn't use my real pump very much. 

juliebeannn

Anyone else considering getting an Elvie pump? 

kloe818

These are what's covered by insurance. I'm still in the research phase...but since it's 100% covered, I don't have to worry about making a decision RIGHT NOW.

·         Ameda Finesse

·         Evenflo Advanced

·         Lansinoh Signature Pro

·         Spectra S2 Plus

·         Medela Pump in Style.

jemjed

I also am a fan of Spectra. I had gotten an Ameda from insurance which was eh. I paid out of pocket for the Spectra and didn’t regret it. I got the rechargeable one which was awesome.

@princessjenney I got a Sara Wells pump bag on amazon I think on prime day. It was huge but amazing. I’m a teacher so in addition to all the pump supplies I also carried my laptop, charger, papers to grade, lunch, etc in there. I loved the separate compartments.

@manillabar check out Kindred Bravely! I bought two and they were amazing. Comfortable to wear all day and easy for hands free pumping. 

princessjenney

@jemjed I can't wait until my pump gets here (waiting on my insurance), so I can test out the diaper bags I have to see if something i have will work. Those sarah wells bags are super nice tho!