DescriptionFeatures and Benefits Insulated bottom half cooler for storing breast milk or other cold storage items Top compartment holds breast pump and supplies Insulated front pockets help keep up to three 240 ml bottles cool Nine internal pockets help keep everything organized Wet wipe side pocket for easy access to wipes Premium 100% waterproof fabric Wipeable internal lining Comfortable, wide padded shoulder straps Sturdy carrying handle Strong double stitching throughout Metal support frame helps the bag keep its shape Afbp Sydney Breast Pump Backpack Gray in Gray Agate Show
Hey Mama! If there was ever a breast pump showdown, it’s this one. The great debate of the Spectra vs Medela. Both are kind of household names in the pumping space, and most insurance companies offer full coverage of both. At a glance they seem pretty similar; both double electric, classic-style breast pumps. They’re both popular and highly reviewed, too. So what’s a mama to do? I’ve set out to try out and review as many different breast pumps as possible; from Willow to Elvie, Motif and more. But today, I’m here to deliver a complete Spectra vs Medela review. Spectra vs Medela in a nutshell? I get good output with both pumps and they’re legitimately both solid options. But if I’m choosing between the two, I’m going Spectra. It’s got some additional features that push it over the edge, and it seems to be more efficient. But there’s a lot more to it than that! Read on for a full review including pros and cons of each pump! Then decide for yourself which is the right choice for you. Get more support from the @mommy.labornurse Instagram community! Join over 550k mamas for tips and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Spectra S2 breast pump reviewThe Spectra S2 at a GlanceThe Spectra S2 is a traditional, double electric pump with a closed tubing system. This means no milk or moisture can accumulate in the tubing. It’s a very well-known and popular pump, and for good reason! There’s really nothing bad to say about it. I used this pump for my entire first breastfeeding journey and it got the job done well. If your insurance covers the Spectra and you don’t want to deal with reimbursement or other options, I say go for it! But let’s get into the details a bit more. What’s included with your Spectra S2How to use Spectra S2: My settings and suchI always think it’s helpful to hear how other people use their pumps, especially as a first-time mom. A few of you even messaged me to tell me you pumped way more than usual by following my tips! Hooray! Okay so here’s how I use the Spectra S2 (and I’m an old pro, remember this was my only pump with my first!)
It took some trial and error, and tips from others but this totally works for me! @Legendairymilk put together an awesome cheat sheet with all this info. It’s shared in my pump review highlight so go check it out! 6 Pros of the Spectra S21. Tried and trueOld faithful! This is a great pump, it does an AMAZING job. I used a Spectra S2 for my whole breastfeeding journey with Walter, and honestly, I loved it. I thought my body responded really well to it, and I never felt full afterward. 2. Affordable even without insuranceThis pump is pretty affordable even if you don’t have insurance. The pink one is $160, and the blue is $200. The blue Spectra does have added features (including a built-in battery for wireless pumping!) so the added cost does make sense. If you do have insurance the pink one is almost always fully covered under most insurance plans, with the blue being a small upgrade. 3. Easy to clean partsI like the Spectra parts a lot! I personally prefer the duckbills that the Spectra (and Motif) offer over Medela parts. I feel like the suction is great, and they are super easy to replace as needed because they all have a universal fit. This pump also doesn’t have too many parts to clean! And who doesn’t love that? The Medela definitely has more tiny parts to clean 4. Nice additional featuresOkay, these features are really what set the Spectra apart from the Medela for me. Here’s what I love about the overall design and function:
5. Massage modeAka the bacon button, hah! But yes, I DO like the ability to toggle back and forth as needed between stimulation mode and slower pumping. I had never really done this before, but it’s a cool feature! It’s an easy way to try and get more milk out. Side note: you can also do this with Motif, but not with Willow. 6. It’s a closed systemClosed system – yup! Those backflow protectors keep it a closed system pump, so the tubing will never accumulate milk. (Motif is also closed.) I personally do not think I would get a pump that is not closed! Once moisture or milk gets into the tubing it must be replaced. And if you don’t notice/aren’t on top of it, mold can develop which totally skeeves me out AND poses a potential health risk. I’m kinda like, why wouldn’t you just opt for a closed system and not have to deal? 2 Potential drawbacks to this pump1. Longer pump time than the Motif LunaOkay, so the Spectra is faster than the Medela, but personally it does take a bit longer to pump with this pump vs the Motif that I was using. It obviously depends on how full I am at the time, but personally it’s a bit longer for me! I AM still able to get the same amount of milk out, but just takes a lil longer. 2. You have to stay plugged inThe Spectra S2 does not come with a battery option. You have to be plugged into the wall and really this is the most significant con for me! I should note that you can buy a battery pack to add on, or opt for the blue version which comes standard with a battery option (which is why is it’s more expensive!). Medela Pump in Style breast pump reviewMedela at a glanceOkay, so this is another classic-style double electric pump. But the Medela pump is different than other double electric breast pumps I’ve reviewed in that it’s not a closed system. It has a unique tubing system, and technically moisture and milk can back up into the tubes (more on this in the con section). Another big difference about this pump is that it doesn’t use little duckbill valves like the Spectra and Motif. It uses a unique suction system. The bummer about this is that it makes for more tiny parts to clean and keep track of. However! I actually learned a little hack that a duckbill valve fits right on the flange! I totally do this because I don’t like using that little suction part, hah. How I use my Medela Pump in StyleAgain, I want to go over my settings because I think it can be sooo helpful to hear what others are doing. So yeah, here we go:
What’s included with your Medela Pump in Style
Medela pros: 5 Things I like about this pump1. The priceThis pump is covered by MOST insurance companies FULLY, from what I can tell! It’s retail price is also cheaper than even the Spectra, so if you’re paying out of pocket this is definitely a solid budget-friendly option. You can actually snag it right on Amazon. 2. Easy to find partsThe parts are easy to replace and widely available. They even have them at Target! 3. Let down buttonI do like that it has a “let down button” similar to the “bacon button” that Spectra has. I also like that it automatically switches over to “slow mode” too after 2 minutes of use, or you have the option to hit it manually yourself. 4. It works!Output was the same for me personally! I feel like I pump just as much with this pump as I do with my Motif/Spectra. I actually like the stimulation that this pump gives me OVER Motif/Spectra too. It’s just…different…that’s the best way I can describe it. Motif/Spectra are more of a vibration, Medela is more of a pull. Call me crazy, but the pulling felt more similar to actual breastfeeding to me…this may not be your experience though! 5. Battery pack comes standardEven though this pump DOES need to be plugged in to the wall, it comes with a handy dandy battery pack you can attach, so if you’d like to be mobile, you have the option to do so! Medela cons: 6 reasons I wouldn’t get this pump1. No timerI have to admit this is a MAJOR downfall for this pump. I am a stickler when it comes to times. I don’t feel like I had to pump TOO much longer compared to my Motif/Spectra (I felt it was most similar to Spectra in terms of how efficient it was – Motif is still all time quickest for me) But come on, just put a little timer on there so I don’t have to look at my phone to see how long I’ve been pumping for! This is one of those lacking little features that just kind of bugs me. 2. No lightAgain, not a super huge deal. But I like that Spectra has a light for MOTN pumps. With the Medela you’ll be pumping in the dark, or needing to put on a separate nightlight. 3. Lots of parts to cleanThis pump definitely has more parts to clean than a Spectra/Motif pump. I don’t like cleaning things so that is a con in my book. 4. It’s kinda loudThis pump reminds me of a squeaky bed. I much prefer that vibration sound that Motif/Spectra has. But meh, it’s not that big of a deal. Thought I would add that though, just so you’re aware. For exclusive pumpers, this could get really annoying, especially during nighttime pumps. 5. It’s not a closed systemLame! Yes, so unlike Motif/Spectra, this pump is not closed, as in, you can get milk to back up into your tubing. If you ever see condensation build up in your tubing, that means it’s time to replace it. For best practice, after you get done pumping with this pump, let the pump run for a few minutes unconnected. This helps to decrease the likelihood of getting condensation build-up in there. 6. The bottles tip over sometimesTHIS MAY BE THE WORST PART OF IT ALL! I love Medela bottles…I used them with Walter, and I now use them with Ryland. But they are lightweight, and sometimes they can def tip over with the flanges attached. BEWARE!!! Spectra vs Medela: the bottom lineI 100% recommend the Spectra over the Medela. Having used both (and a number of other pumps) if you have a choice go for the Spectra. Overall, it has better features and is more efficient. The Medela is a good pump – it gets the job done. But it’s just not as great as some of the others in my opinion. Remember, at the end of the day both of these pumps work! You will effectively express milk with either pump which is the number one goal. But I know for me, the Spectra comes with less of a headache and makes the whole act of pumping a little more tolerable. I think we’re all here for that. But if you’ve got choices, go for the Motif Luna!BUT WAIT! Of ALL the pumps I’ve tried, the Motif Luna is hands down my favorite. With the Motif Luna, my pumping sessions are shorter and more productive than with the Spectra OR the Medela. I also love that the Motif is quiet and wireless to boot. Go read my full review of the Motif Luna, and thank me later! If your insurance will cover it, GO FOR IT, mama. Looking for more breast pump reviews and resources?Here are some of the most popular articles:
Happy Pumping!
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