Having both available to purchaseas both the Spectra and our runner-up dois key. The Pump in Style Advanced is also bulkier than our pickit weighs about 6 pounds (versus 3.3 pounds for the Spectra S1). Breastfeeding is essential for passing on crucial nutrients for a babys growth & well-being from mother to child. Take your pick from a wide range of reputed brands like Medela, BabyBuddha, Hakka, and more. The Philips Avent Comfort Manual Breast Pump includes a breast shield, silicone liner, and collection bottle. Though the pump is relatively easy to take apart and clean, one tester found the membrane assembly, which separates the breast shield from the pump mechanism, infuriatingly fussy. Even a tester who works from home appreciated the ease of toting the S1 from room to room. Depending on where, why, how, and how often youre pumping, you may want both a manual and an electric pump, or may need only one or the other. The levels were tolerable, but someone who needs to be discreet or pump near a sleeping baby would likely prefer the Spectra. We tested the Lansinoh Manual, which is a relatively popular and widely available manual pump. Its the only manual pump we tested that has a handle that swivels. (Again, not many electric pumps do.) We found the Philips Avent Comfort Manual Breast Pump is just as effective at extracting milk as our manual pump pick, and at a similar price. Double electric pumps are either battery operated or plug into a wall, and they can extract milk from both breasts at once. The pump doesnt remember settings between sessions (our pick does), though thats a flaw that can be solved with a pencil marking on the dial. Instead, it slows slightly in suck frequency when its pulling harder at the nipple. I almost looked forward to using the Spectra, which I never felt before with a breast pump, one tester said. For double electrics, that meant inserting the breast shields into a pumping bra and turning the pump on. That means giving them away or reselling them typically voids the warranty. For both manual and electric pumps, wash everything that comes in contact with breast milk after every pumping session. With my first, I pumped exclusively. It works by the simplest possible suctionsqueeze the bell-shaped collection vessel, position the shield over the nipple, then release the base. Its like, the perfect lazy pump, she writes. For moms on-the-go, browse through pump sets with a tote bag to carry the pump and accessories with ease. In both cases I would set a timer if the pump didnt have one built in. (He was born with a cleft palate, so he couldnt produce the suction necessary to breastfeed directly.) Out of the box, the action on the handle doesnt feel as smooth as the Medelas, though in testingwhen the pump is actually suctioned to a breastwe found the fine control on the suction action nearly matches the Harmonys. If you dont need a battery (because you are always pumping in a place where you can plug in) you can save money and weight by choosing the Spectra S2, which is the same pump but without a battery. Most pumps work by creating a vacuum around the nipple that sucks milk out of the breast. Much more than the Medela, another said. But as a very expensive hospital-grade pump typically available as a rental, it fell outside the scope of this guide. When suction on one breast (from a nursing baby or a single pump) triggers a letdown in the opposite breast, the one-piece Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump can catch milk that might otherwise go to waste. These models should have: We found there are also a couple of qualities unique to manuals. If the baby cant latch wellbecause of, for example, a tongue tieor if milk supply has been difficult to establish, you may be a candidate to rent a hospital-grade or multiuser pump (such as the Medela Symphony or Ameda Platinum). Its also relatively easy to assemble. Some sites erroneously recommend choosing a shield that matches your nipple diameter, but its more about tissue elasticity, said lactation consultant Angela Horman, who advised that some people need to try several shields to find the right one.) Our lactating testers all preferred the Spectra to a common competitor (which became our runner-up), and we found that outside reviewers who had experience using both this pump and our runner-up also usually preferred the Spectra. I breastfeed my second babywho was five months old when I started researching this guidedirectly and I also pump bottles for him to have at daycare. You can buy the pump with one of three different cases: a tote, a backpack, or what Medela calls the metro bag, which is the only one from which the pump can be easily removed. The Spectra takes approximately the same number of pieces (17) to fully assemble as the other models we considered. If youre away from the nursing baby and lose a tiny pump membrane, that can be a very big deal. There, pumping with the smaller side of the handle, it's easier to create the quicker, shallower strokes that trigger a milk letdown. After interviewing experts, including four lactation consultants, consulting forums for breastfeeding and pumping parents, and considering the features and reviews of 42 different breast pumps, we determined any good breast pump should have: Our research told us there are a couple of additional qualities that are specific to electric pumps. Another uses it each morning on her more productive breast while the baby nurses on the other side, and stashes away 2 or 3 ounces a day. The Spectra S1 double electric pump extracts milk as effectively as any other breast pump we tested and is also significantly quieter and easier to use than other top double electric pumps. Both the Willow and Freemie are about twice as expensive as the pumps we recommend in this guide, and neither are widely covered by insurance (some plans may offer reimbursement), but you can purchase them using HSA/FSA funds. The Haakaa squeeze pump is a single piece of silicone and cant be customizedin other words, if it doesnt work, youre pretty much out of luck. The pump has just one size of plastic shield, and comes with one 25 mm silicone liner. I spoke with Felina Rakowski-Gallagher, who until recently ran the Upper Breast Side, an independent breastfeeding resource center in Manhattan. Its smaller than the Medela Pump in Style Advanced, has a built-in rechargeable battery, and a membrane separates the pump mechanism from the milk collection, creating a closed system. At its lowest suction, we measured the Medela at 66 cycles per minute, a rate that dropped to 52 cycles per minute at the highest suctionnearly constant, but not quite. I am loving the Spectra S1. You will also know (earlier on, but still after the birth) if you need something more than the moderately priced double electrics covered in this guide. They are also useful for moms who deliver early, have twins, have a lot or very little milk supply. But theyre worth considering if you need a pumping option that wont keep you tethered to one spot. We pit Milk Stork against shipping with FedEx directly and carrying cold breast milk on a plane. First, it has better availability of parts in brick and mortar storeswhich could be crucial for frequent travelers. Some version of the Pump in Style Advanced is covered by many insurance plans. In its breast pump cleaning guidelines, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says its not possible to fully sterilize pump parts at homeeven with boiling water. If you prefer a backpack style of carrier over our pick (which is the more popular tote), this product includes the same pump hardware. Pumping helps mom keep their baby fed and saves time. 2022 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company, Simple Wishes Signature Hands Free Pumping Bra, Runner-up: Philips Avent Comfort Manual Breast Pump. When suction on one breastfrom a nursing baby or a pumptriggers a letdown in the other breast, the Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump collects it well. The Spectra brand isnt sold in stores, which means a replacement part has to be ordered online. It offers multiple sizes of breast shield, which is a plus, and is fairly inexpensive. We found this makes it more comfortable to use over longer or more frequent pumping sessions, because you can use it from whichever hand position feels bestor change hand positions frequently. The breast shield (also called the flange) fits over a breast and funnels milk away from the nipple. Ive pumped in bathrooms, on airplanes, in hotels, at my in-laws, while abroad, in cars, and once, in a backcountry tent. TheLansinoh Signature Pro Double Electric is a popular double electric pump that we researched but decided not to test. Pumping is especially useful for moms who are working or running errands and cant be around their babies. The milk collects in the bell below, then pours easily into another container. Because the Spectra S1 is relatively newits been sold since 2013 (Medela has offered the Pump in Style Advanced since 2003)its not as easy to customize this pump by buying different shields from companies other than Spectra. The pump doesnt have a warranty. There are similar models out there but we recommend the Haakaa based on its history of positive reviews. The Medela Pump in Style Advanced is louder and bulkier than our pick (its attached to an included bag) and wasnt as well-liked by testers. But it offers a couple of key advantages over the Spectra S1: Namely, better availability of parts in brick-and-mortar storeswhich could be crucial for frequent travelersand more customization using products from outside companies. For electric pumps, I also used the NIOSH decibel meter app (recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), placed three feet away, to measure how loud the motor was. Weve been testing both the Willow and Elvie for several months.For now we can say that both pumps have the potential to significantly improve the pumping experience, but are unlikely to work well for everyone, and each come with significant learning curves. When youre nursing (or pumping) on one breast, the silicone Haakaa vessel catches letdown from the opposite breast, saving milk that would otherwise go to waste. Lansinoh redesigned this pump a few years ago, and many online reviewers (and one of our testers) who had used both preferred the old model. We hope to compare that pump with our current favorite double electrics in the future. Some parts are dishwasher safe. For comparison, the Spectra tops out at 54 cycles per minute and can drop as low as 38, independent of suction strength. To research this guide, I met with Baltimore lactation consultant Angela Horman to try out pumps and review their features in person, and also talked with several other lactation consultants: Susan Burger, Tipper Gallagher, and Molly Brannigan. One lactation consultant reported that some of her clients with small hands have found operating the Harmony a little tricky. Medela replacement parts are available in stores across the US and around the world. Several online reviewers found the pump just didnt work for their breasts, and they ended up using the Medela Harmony instead. Through carefully scouring online forums and product reviews, we concluded that many people who have used multiple, similar double electric pumps also prefer the Spectra. The collection has breast pumps with many useful features like dishwasher-safe parts, adjustable speed settings, and optional battery use. Note: This guide is intended as a general introduction to breast pumps and how to use them. Newly purchased pumps have a two-year warranty. But frequent washing, combined with occasional sanitizing in a microwave steam bag or a pot of boiling water, is probably sufficient. Its silicone membraneswhich account for six of those piecescleverly separate the breast shields from the pump itself. Angela Horman, lactation consultant at Baltimore Breastfeeds, in-person interview, June 27, 2017, Felina Rakowski-Gallagher, owner of the recently defunct breastfeeding resource center the Upper Breast Side, phone interview, June 20, 2017, David Cho, lead product development engineer at Medela USA, phone interview, September 13, 2017, Susan Burger, lactation consultant at Lactescence NYC, phone interview, June 16, 2017, Tipper Gallagher, lactation consultant at The Boob Geek (Minneapolis-St. Paul), email interview, May 29, 2017, Molly Brannigan, lactation consultant at East Bay Lactation Associates, email interview, June 7, 2017, Juliet Spurrier, MD, and BabyGearLab Team, The Best Breast Pump Review, BabyGearLab, Breast Pumps, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Catherine DIgnazio et. During the time we were reporting this guide the Pump in Style was usually more expensive than the Spectra S1, though the prices have varied considerably over time. Manual pumps are small, handheld affairs that extract milk from one breast at a time. (It is often possible to hand-express that milk, too, but some people find manual pumps collect the milk more efficiently and, with an attached bottle, make it easier to collect for feeding to a baby.) Depending on your provider, you may need to request the pump through the insurance company or directly from the manufacturer. The popular Medela Pump in Style Advanced is louder than our pick and lacks separate controls for suction strength and speed, but its easier to find this popular pumps parts and accessories. With separate modes for suction strength and suction speed, its also more customizable than competitors. Two lactation experts said they were not as well-built for long-term use as our picks. This pumps handles action is smooth, so its easy to modulate suction strength by squeezing more or less. The most significant advantage the Pump in Style Advanced has over the Spectra is that its replacement parts are readily available. It has two features to recommend it: Its small, and it includes a kit to convert the breast shield and collection bottle into a manual pump (our runner-up manual pump)a pretty brilliant idea. There will often be limits on what choices are covered with, for example, an insurance plan offering a choice of just a couple of double electric options or offering to pay for a stripped-down model, or a discount on a more expensive model equivalent to the cost of the cheaper pump. The motor creates two different suction modes, which means more people may find success with it.

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