It's that time... I have to choose a breast pump. My insurance says I'm eligible for a "double electric breast pump" as long as their suppliers carry it.
Which pumps worked or didn't work for you?
-
I currently own three pumps and returned a fourth, but I only ever use my Spectra S1. I’ve been EPing with it for 11 1/2 months now, and it’s been great. Insurance will probably call it an upgrade and not cover the full cost because it’s one step above the basic Spectra (S2), but not having to be next to an outlet is a game changer, especially when I was pumping in a conference room at work. It sucks differently than the Medela, it’s hard to explain but it’s got a little bit of a pulse to the suction vs the Medelas and others that just pull, which makes it more comfortable for me. If you do go with an upgrade shop around for price. I bought mine from the first place I saw, but could’ve gotten it like $80 cheaper from another site. Also freemie cups are great. I couldn’t get an Evie to work for me, but I regularly use freemie cups with my Spectra for a more discrete set up.
-
@karenbme: thanks so much for the info! I feel like your feedback is really valuable, as an EP mom. I had a Medela last time and it wasn't that great at all, so I'm interested to look into this brand!
-
With three kids, I tried the Medela Pump In Style, Spectra S2, and the Freemie freedom. Hands down, I vote Spectra. The suction and settings are way better and I got more milk with it than the others far and away.
ETA: The Spectra S2 never bothered me because I was always near an outlet. Even my car has a compatible outlet.
-
@Shantuck: thanks for that feedback! I'm going to be mostly pumping at home, so the outlet might not be an issue for me either.
-
@MoonMoon: For me, at home at least, cordless means I can move around if I need to. The Spectra isn’t the most portable, but I have it on a carabiner that I hook up to a belt I have that originally was for going on hands free runs with my dog. I‘ve also pumped outside in my yard and at my family’s camp this summer (freemie cups). But up to you if it’s worth it.
-
@MoonMoon: I have the Spectra S2 and you can get a battery pack for it from Amazon if you find you need it after the fact. I use it to pump in my car sometimes.
-
@karenbme: @Clementine12: so I looked it up using my insurance approved providers site and it looks like it would be a $75 fee for the Spectra upgrade. I'm going to be at home for 6-7 months, and I'm trying to decide if I need it or not. Either way I'm going with the Spectra!
-
@MoonMoon: you can still check other sites - I used aeroflow both times and they dealt with insurance for me. I think the battery is cheaper than the upgrade (but more parts etc)
-
I have both the spectra S1 and S2 (got S1 with my first and the S2 this time). I love them it's a great choice! Another option for if you need the ability to use it in your car would be a power inverter, like this: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Inverter-Charger-Credit-Black/dp/B0716VDMVM/ this would allow you to plug it in in your car.
-
Yes to the Spectra! I had the one where you can plug it in or use the battery. It was much better than the Medela that I had with my first. I also mostly EP'd and it was easy to use and worked well.
-
If you are going to be pumping on the go, the best advice I got was to go with the medela. I can't tell you how many times I had to go into target really quick for a part that I forgot at home.
-
@Marfi: @Chuckles: I ordered the Spectra and it just arrived! I'm excited to check it out. I won't be EPing or pumping while driving, so hopefully this one will fill my needs, but good to know about the power inverter should I need to!
@agold: that's actually a good point about parts being more readily available. I still have the Medela around somewhere that I used for my son, so maybe it'll come out of retirement at some point?...
-
@agold: @MoonMoon: Target carries the Spectra parts too!
-
Amazon also sells off-brand Spectra parts (nene supply and maymom) and you can get them next day. I also bought lacteck flanges this time (silicone instead of hard plastic) and they were so much more comfortable. I used them with my spectra as extra flanges.
-
@MoonMoon: if you have the medela parts, maymom makes long stemmed backflow protectors that you can get on Amazon to connect them to the Spectra. I got a bunch of free medela parts from the hospital while DD was in the NICU, and it all works great together.
-
@Shantuck: Ooh, instagram served me so many ads for those when DD was tiny. I always wondered if the worked, glad to hear they do
-
@Shantuck: @karenbme: amazing! Thanks for this information.
-
3 kids later; Spectra hands down!
-
Had the Medela with my first, and although I haven’t done much pumping this time around (did a lot in the beginning to boost supply, and was syringe feeding to supplement those first few weeks, now baby is EBF and won’t take a bottle :/), I got the Spectra S1, and it was so much better.
Reply
Subscribe to our newsletter
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
19 comments