Spectra Pumps

[lalamomma]

Alright ladies, I know a few of you have them.... Give me your advice, thoughts, suggestions etc. 
with DD I had an Ameda purely yours and it never worked well for me.
while at the hospital I used a symphony (she was a cleft baby and having latch issues as well as jaundice). I did like the symphony, but once I stopped using it and went to the Ameda my supply basically vanished. I didn't mind pumping in general so I want a good pump in case that works better for me. 

I'm trying to educate myself more this time and pick a pump that works. 
I've read tons of great reviews about spectra pumps. 
I've heard avent naturals fit the pump well. 
I also read that some of their pumps aren't using duck bill valves now? 

Thanks ladies! 

[Widget123]

Why are your drawn to the Spetra? I'm team Medela personally. Hopefully someone with a Spetra will respond. This board has been pretty slow.

[lalamomma]

Widget123,
I'm not against Medela. In fact if I could reasonably afford the symphony I would totally do that. I've read tons about the PISA and I know it's a solid pump. I'm mostly interested in the Spectra because of letdowns. I struggled with having multiple let downs even with the symphony. I just couldn't empty my breasts efficiently. So the vibration and such seems to be really effective for some (from reviews and posts I've read) on the Spectra S1/S2, plus I've not really read anything bad except some people don't like things so they "hack" it and use Medela parts but I'm wondering if it might be more efficient for me. Some people seem to rave about it.

[lalamomma]

I guess overall I'm just looking at my options since I've not used a spectra I'm just curious before I commit.

[birch113]

I bought the Spectra S1 and love it (as much as anyone could love a pump). I'd been using the PISA previously, and it used the Symphony when my son was hospitalized. The S1 is quiet, efficient, and relatively comfortable. I love that you can control the settings so specifically. I went with the S1 over the S2 for the rechargeable battery. Not being tethered to an outlet while pumping has made a huge difference for me. It gives me more freedom to be with my son while pumping, and to get chores done while pumping when he naps. I don't like the bottles you pump into - I prefer Medela's in that respect. I haven't had enough time to find out more about hacking it with Medela parts, though. Otherwise, I'm really happy with my purchase.

[bennieangel]

I have a spectra s1 & have since June...and I love it. I didn't respond well to the medela, and I do to this. I'm currently working on weaning from pumping now but this pump has served me well. I like the portability, the closed system (back flow protectors) etc. The suction / vibration is huge for me & also I've had way less nipple pain since switching to this pump.

I never hacked it with Medela parts, I didn't mind the wide mouth bottles - I just pour into the little medela bottles / cooler for storage & keep my pump parts in the fridge. My only complaint is getting extra parts is a hassle. I wish I could just get them at target, etc.

OH! And it's SO quiet. It's awesome. I can answer the phone at work & no one is the wiser

[lalamomma]

birch113, bennieangel,
Sorry I haven't responded sooner, I haven't been on my computer in days!
Thanks so much for the reviews.
I'm feeling increasingly confident this pump is a better match for me! While the internal battery would be nice, I don't know if I can justify the additional expense since I am a SAHM. I need to give it more thought. Especially because at this point any pump is 100% out of pocket for us until our insurance (Tricare) decides what they will cover.
I read somewhere that they are using the flap valves instead of duckbill but I don't know if thats true.

[bennieangel]

lalamomma, I Would argue that the internal battery is even more useful for pumping at home. When I pump during nap time I can move from room to room, put away dishes, etc vs. being tied to a plug.

No experience with the new valves if they are different or not...sorry!

[lalamomma]

Thanks For the suggestion. I'm not decided on anything but that is a good point.

[mesmrewe]

IMO - consider just renting a Symphony if you can't afford to purchase one... Otherwise there's a more affordable brand called Hygeia that is on par with Medela that I've heard GREAT things about. What's even better is since it's a closed system you can resell a Hygeia unlike a PISA.

[lalamomma]

None of my friends who have the hygeia like them, which of course is personal preference but it's made me shy away.
I'm considering renting a symphony for a few months but it's not. Ideal to me to have to do it the whole time. Our insurance (Tricare) isn't covering pumps but is supposed to soon but we don't know what kind at all do that May factor in as well.

[babycaps]

I FREAKIN' LOVE MY SPECTRA!!!!
In the interest of time, here is the review I wrote for Amazon after switching to this pump:

This pump was a "milk" saver. Really amazing.
I had been using a combination of PISA and Medela Symphony to pump for my 7mo old. I was having to pump longer and longer each time only to get less and less milk. I switched to this pump and all of a sudden started getting more milk in a lot less time.
Cons: I need a smaller flange size than comes with this pump. This pump comes with a 28mm shiled and I use a 24. 23 would be even better but doesn't exist. So I use the tubing and parts from my old PISA with this pump. It fits as the tubing is the same size and it works very well.
Pros: It suckles the breast all the way from the back and I have a lot more control over the settings. It's really an amazing pump.
I highly recommend this.

I also tried the Ameda Platinum (hospital grade) and it was also not nearly as effective.

My only regret is not having spent the extra money to get the Spectra S1 that has an internal battery pack. That is the ONLY difference between the two pumps.


In short, I used the symphony, PISA, Harmony, and Ameda purely yours (not mentioned above) and the Ameda hospital grade pumps before settling on this one!

My 2nd regret is not having switched to the Spectra sooner! I'm still searching for the perfect fit shields though. Why 22-23mm doesn't exist is just beyond me!!!!

[lalamomma]

babycaps, thank you so much for the honest review! I find the comparisons especially helpful given that I've used a symphony and a purely yours. I actually did well with a symphony but the Ameda was so awful for me. I was a middle size I assume if I remember correctly 28ish with Medela, so I don't think I'll have to worry as much about shields, but I do worry about emptying because I struggled so much with that last time. It's a huge reason I'm leaning towards the Spectra pumps.
I really wish I knew someone with one in person, but since I don't I just keep reading online

[babycaps]

lalamomma, if you are anywhere near Chicago, I can show you mine!

[lalamomma]

I wish babycaps! That is so sweet of you!

[milfintraining]

lalamomma thank you for posting this. My insurance covers breast pumps. PISA and Spectra 9 are my tops choices. According to Spectra's website this model still uses the duck bill valves. But it's not hospital grade which suck.

I'm thinking about just paying for it out of pocket and getting the S1.

[lalamomma]

have you checked with different suppliers?
Some insurances also let people pay just the difference in price and it seems some of the places you can order the pumps from seem to be more helpful.
The PISA is a very popular model though