@nlc8424 Thanks for the info! I will definitely keep that in mind. Do you happen to know if the S2 comes with a car adapter? I don't really see an instance when I wouldn't have access to power, and if the power were to go out either at work or home, I would have my manual as a backup. Trying to decide if it's worth it to get the rechargeable battery pack or not.
Me: 32 DH: 32 BFP #1: 1/23/2012 DD: Born 9/20/2012 BFP #2: 12/30/2017 DS: Due 9/10/2018
@southernlady07 You never know where you'll pump. I car pumped so many times because that was what ended up being convenient. Out running errands but don't want to go home/into a bathroom to pump and you're tired of living your life in 3 hour increments? Car pump. I'd highly recommend either a battery or car adapter option.
+1 to suggesting having either a battery pack or car adapter. I used mine a lot when DS was a bit older and I was going to events where I'd be without him long enough that I'd have to pump. I would pump in the car on the way there and back so I didn't have to worry about it at my destination. It was really handy!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________ MMC 8/5/15 at 8 weeks DS born 9/13/16 BFP 1/13/18 - EDD 9/20/18 - It's a boy!
@southernlady07 I don't believe it does. Maybe there's a package on Amazon that has both the rechargable battery pack and a car adapter? I haven't looked yet for that.
@nlc8424@Patience7150@DanyTargaryen I may see if the car adapter from my Medela works with the S2, if not it looks like they are pretty cheap on Amazon. My Medela did have a rechargeable battery so I didn't have to worry about it, but I can only remember using it in my car maybe once or twice in the 13 months I used it. I am sure it will be nice to have the option especially having an older child in activities, etc.
Me: 32 DH: 32 BFP #1: 1/23/2012 DD: Born 9/20/2012 BFP #2: 12/30/2017 DS: Due 9/10/2018
@southernlady07 I never pumped in my car or away from an outlet, but that totally depends on personal preference and lifestyle and pumping needs, etc. I also had a manual pump that I could have used if I needed to in a situation where I couldn't access electricity or whatever. I was also just a part-time employee mainly pumping at work, sometimes at home, so my pumping needs weren't extreme.
2/13 Blighted ovum, D&C -- 6/13 MC -- 8/14 DD born -- 3/17 MC -- 9/18 DD2 born Expecting again -- EDD 7/27/20
I know I’ve posted a ton on this thread with a billion questions so sorry!! One more lol. Now that I’ve narrowed down my options (and I’m happy with them! Yay!) I scrolled back up to the beginning and took in all your feedback on Medela vs Spectra s2. My only remaining issue is that reviews online say Spectra is so much quieter. I’m sold on the Medela I think with every other aspect (even open vs closed system, doesn’t seem like a huge deal if it ranks so high up) but noise is a concern. If I’m hiding in a conference room or even (hope not) the bathroom at work pumping, is the Medela so loud that it will be heard through the door? And is Spectra so quiet that it won’t be?
@ashh2018 I haven't used the Spectra, but the medela isn't super loud. It's a whooshing sort of noise (something about hearing subliminal voices in electronics, I swear my pump talked to me!), but it's easy to have a conversation over it in the same room. I'd say a closed door in an office (unless it's a totally empty silent office at 2 am or something) you probably wouldn't hear it through the door/wall.
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Me: 33 DH: 32 Married 7/18/15 1st born at 35+4 on 6/6/16 Team green turned BLUE! 2nd born at 38+6 on 8/30/18 Team green turned PINK! Due with #3 on 6/6/20 Team Green
@ashh2018 There's a woman who sits in an office kittycorner from mine with a Medela, and I can hear the machine when she's pumping. I don't think that someone who isn't pregnant or pumping would know what the noise is, but I have noticed a few times. I'm leaning toward the Spectra for this very reason. But again, I don't think MOST people would notice.
@adirat do you hear it with an office door closed? I'm probably overthinking, just trying to figure out what to expect. I don't think I can try it out in the store lol
@ashh2018 - I don't think the Spectra is that much more quiet than the Medela. A bit, but not enough that I would make that your deciding factor. I shared our pumping room with another mom and we both had Medelas. If she was already pumping when I got to the room I could not hear her pump running through the closed door - I would only hear it once I opened the door.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________ MMC 8/5/15 at 8 weeks DS born 9/13/16 BFP 1/13/18 - EDD 9/20/18 - It's a boy!
@ashh2018 I’ve only used the Medela PISA, but one of the reasons I decided to go with the Spectra this time is because it has a higher suction strength (250 mmhg compared to 235 mmhg for the Medela). I have a couple friends who have used both pumps and they said they had better output with the Spectra. I’m excited it’s quieter, too!
Me: 32 DH: 32 BFP #1: 1/23/2012 DD: Born 9/20/2012 BFP #2: 12/30/2017 DS: Due 9/10/2018
@ashh2018 I was completely sold on the Spectra, but when I talked to the Aeroflow lady and we talked about the Medela vs the Spectra i decided to go with Medela. I know you were asking specifically about the noise, which I have no experience with since I am a FTM too. What sold me on the Medela is the availability of accessories if I forgot something at home I could go almost anywhere and get new things. You have to order Spectra things as they are not as readily available and in everyday stores. If I already had a Medela I would get the Spectra as my home pump and Medela for travel/work, but since this is my first and only one is covered Medela made the most sense.
No matter what pump you get, I highly recommend buying a full set of spare parts to keep at work. I'd also have some extra empty bottles or milk bags at work too. I've heard too many stories of moms forgetting a piece they brought home to wash the night before!!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________ MMC 8/5/15 at 8 weeks DS born 9/13/16 BFP 1/13/18 - EDD 9/20/18 - It's a boy!
@ashh2018 I totally have been skipping over this thread and dont get notifications for tags so I am so sorry for not answering you!! It looks like you have it figured out now but just to answer you I did not get much feedback on the finesse. I did a lot of research so I feel pretty decent with getting the Ameda even thought not my first choice.I still have my Medela PISA as a backup if I absolutely hate the Ameda
My spectra S2 arrived from Aeroflow today! For anyone with Cigna, I couldn’t find aeroflow as an in network supplier so thought I was out of luck. Turns out Aeroflow orders through carecentrix (DME company that is in network for my plan) so I was covered- free pump and I paid $30 for a bag. Definitely worth the call!
@ashh2018 awesome. I would get a normal popular brand double electric, and then get the Freemie double manual pump with these cups. Awesome sauce. They do hinder some women's supply, but even if you only use them occasionally they're worth every penny. if you search Freemie, I have raved a ton about them already.
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Me: 33 DH: 32 Married 7/18/15 1st born at 35+4 on 6/6/16 Team green turned BLUE! 2nd born at 38+6 on 8/30/18 Team green turned PINK! Due with #3 on 6/6/20 Team Green
Newbie here (I’ll post intro in a sec) but wanted to give a rundown of my experience with breast pumps. I had to exclusively pump with my son and had a harmony, Pisa, and spectra. I preferred the spectra over all of them. It was most comfortable, the sucking on it is different. It is quieter than the PISA for sure but not significantly so, just a different type of noise. I still used all medela parts with the spectra but you can buy medela spectra adapter by maymom on amazon for pretty cheap. So I preferred the medela parts with a spectra pump. For car pumping if I didn’t have my spectra I had my PISA and my husband just bought an adaptor for the cigarette lighter to have a regular plug. I just kept that in my pump bag. Hope this information helps!
@ashh2018 so I was in this new Mom group leading up to my sons birth and one of the classes we did was we brought in our pumps and they showed us how they all worked. The Spectra was significantly more quiet than the Medela. Like so much that we didn’t even know if it was working when we first turned it on.
@southernlady07 when I got the Spectra two years ago, it did not come with a car adapter.
My pump came in today and I am so SO SO excited about it! Look how tiny it is! I am literally going to just stick it in my pocket and walk around while I pump lol just because I can. Oh! And they gave me a free handsfree pumping bra!
ashh2018 I used the Medela InStyle last time and it was loud. I will be using the Freestyle this time. I was very curious about the Spectra but they don't sell it where I live.
@mauishay OOOOOO is that the S9? I was probably going with that one since I may have to pump on the go a lot at work. I really liked my S2 so I'm pretty confident I will also like the S9. Was the bra through your insurance or just a bonus from spectra?
@EErin86 yeah this is the S9. That was totally my thoughts too. I have the s2 and love it but and so excited to have this for work and trips. I think it was through my insurance, I just ordered mine through pumping essentials and it poped up with I was ordering.
@mauishay is it as quiet as the S2? Is it a double pump or single? How does it compare to the S2? I got the Medela InStyle because i wanted the portability, but would not be opposed to buying my own second pump if it was small like that for travel. I frequently make day trips where I have to fly somewhere so convenience and weight are important to me.
@klj0228 it’s a double. On the highest it’s still super quiet. Honestly it’s been a while since I’ve used my S2 so I can’t say for sure but if I had to guess, I would say it’s just as quiet. Now the true test is if it’ll work as well.
How did I not know about duckbill valves last time? I'm so excited to use those versus the valve+membrane. Ordering some extra off of Amazon to have on hand!
How did I not know about duckbill valves last time? I'm so excited to use those versus the valve+membrane. Ordering some extra off of Amazon to have on hand!
Right??? Months into my pumping journey last time I discovered the Nene supply duckbills. They worked just as well as the Medela valves + membranes and less pieces to worry about!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________ MMC 8/5/15 at 8 weeks DS born 9/13/16 BFP 1/13/18 - EDD 9/20/18 - It's a boy!
@DanyTargaryen I actually read anecdotally that some women experienced greater milk output with the duckbill valves versus valve+membrane since there's less room for error. You're flipping screwed if your membrane isn't perfectly flat and if there's a tear in it.
@nlc8424 - Yes! It's so hard to tell when the membrane should actually be replaced. I always had a whole bunch of extras at work just in case. Too delicate for something so important!
This conversation has reminded me I should buy more duckbills. I have some left over from DS1 but not many and they're cheap enough I'm probably better off with new rather than using the year-old ones.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________ MMC 8/5/15 at 8 weeks DS born 9/13/16 BFP 1/13/18 - EDD 9/20/18 - It's a boy!
Re: Product Spotlight 4/16: Breast Pumps + Accessories
BFP #1: 1/23/2012 DD: Born 9/20/2012
BFP #2: 12/30/2017 DS: Due 9/10/2018
MMC 8/5/15 at 8 weeks
DS born 9/13/16
BFP 1/13/18 - EDD 9/20/18 - It's a boy!
I may see if the car adapter from my Medela works with the S2, if not it looks like they are pretty cheap on Amazon. My Medela did have a rechargeable battery so I didn't have to worry about it, but I can only remember using it in my car maybe once or twice in the 13 months I used it. I am sure it will be nice to have the option especially having an older child in activities, etc.
BFP #1: 1/23/2012 DD: Born 9/20/2012
BFP #2: 12/30/2017 DS: Due 9/10/2018
Expecting again -- EDD 7/27/20
DH: 32
Married 7/18/15
1st born at 35+4 on 6/6/16
Team green turned BLUE!
2nd born at 38+6 on 8/30/18
Team green turned PINK!
Due with #3 on 6/6/20 Team Green
MMC 8/5/15 at 8 weeks
DS born 9/13/16
BFP 1/13/18 - EDD 9/20/18 - It's a boy!
BFP #1: 1/23/2012 DD: Born 9/20/2012
BFP #2: 12/30/2017 DS: Due 9/10/2018
MMC 8/5/15 at 8 weeks
DS born 9/13/16
BFP 1/13/18 - EDD 9/20/18 - It's a boy!
I needed that reminder about spare parts, thank you!
DH: 32
Married 7/18/15
1st born at 35+4 on 6/6/16
Team green turned BLUE!
2nd born at 38+6 on 8/30/18
Team green turned PINK!
Due with #3 on 6/6/20 Team Green
Im planning to get the set with the actual pump, but i believe I can also use the cups with a Medela or Spectra too.
@southernlady07 when I got the Spectra two years ago, it did not come with a car adapter.
My pump came in today and I am so SO SO excited about it! Look how tiny it is! I am literally going to just stick it in my pocket and walk around while I pump lol just because I can.
Oh! And they gave me a free handsfree pumping bra!
I think it was through my insurance, I just ordered mine through pumping essentials and it poped up with I was ordering.
ETA: in summary, duckbill valves mean less stupid tiny little parts to clean and keep track of
MMC 8/5/15 at 8 weeks
DS born 9/13/16
BFP 1/13/18 - EDD 9/20/18 - It's a boy!
@DanyTargaryen I actually read anecdotally that some women experienced greater milk output with the duckbill valves versus valve+membrane since there's less room for error. You're flipping screwed if your membrane isn't perfectly flat and if there's a tear in it.
This conversation has reminded me I should buy more duckbills. I have some left over from DS1 but not many and they're cheap enough I'm probably better off with new rather than using the year-old ones.
MMC 8/5/15 at 8 weeks
DS born 9/13/16
BFP 1/13/18 - EDD 9/20/18 - It's a boy!