How do breast pumps work?
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Breast pumps come in different shapes and sizes.
They also come with different functionalities that give them their uniqueness that will make you prefer one over the other.
Breast pumps also come with either manual or electric functions.
Each of these has its advantages and disadvantages.
While manual breast pumps may be tiresome to use because of having to operate it by hand, it can come in handy for use when traveling or outdoors since it does not require you to connect them to electricity to be able to use it.
However, this has been made easier by the arrival of battery-powered breast pumps that make the work even easier on the mom while pumping milk for their baby.
Breast pumps have different parts that make it possible to successfully express milk.
These parts are breast funnels or flanges or shields, valves and membranes, connecting tubes, bottles for milk collection, and other parts that may be specific to certain brands.
Breast pumps work by mimicking your baby’s suckling action to stimulate milk flow.
The breast shield which is frequently called the funnel or flange is the part that is placed onto the breast’s areolas to creates the suction to receive the milk that is pumped from the breasts.
This is usually connected to the milk collection bottle through the tunnel and the tubes.
Using a breast pump
The first step in using a breast pump is in assembling it.
This can be different for different pump brands and may vary also depending on whether the pump is manual or electric.
To assemble all your pump parts, you need to first attach the valves to the bottom of the flange or funnel then screw the storage cup bottle firmly to the flange.
If you are using a storage cup, ensure that you attach it to its adapter first before fixing it on the flange.
The next is to assemble the backflow protectors by inserting the pump’s diaphragm into the base then attach it to the top.
Then you can attach the backflow valve to the tip of the flange.
You need to twist it to the top to securely fit it and form a tight seal around it.
You then can attach one end of the tubing to the backflow protector and then the other to the pump.
Then your pump is ready for use.
Breast pumping can be a demanding experience since you need to keep up with your baby’s demand for milk.
This might require you to pump your milk every two to three hours.
If not used correctly, breast pumps can cause nipple and breast trauma on the mom’s breasts as they express the milk.
Most of the common causes of breast and nipple injuries are the use of flanges or funnels that do not fit very well and the improper use of the breast pump.
Sometimes, either because they don’t know or want to finish the milk pumping exercise faster, some moms have the breast pump at the highest setting.
This can be very uncomfortable since breasts differ on how much pressure one can exert on it and nipple sensitivity also vary for person to person.
It is important therefore that you set the speed at a level that is comfortable for you.
Spectra vs Medela breast pumps
There are myriads of breast pumps in the market. Each comes with different features that will determine its functionality.
They have almost similar parts with each brand aiming to make breast pumping a pleasant and comfortable experience for each mom.
This article will attempt to look at the Spectra breast pump in comparison to the Medela breast pumps, the two most popular brands with breast pumps, in terms of their effectiveness.
Medela has been a leading brand in the breast pumps market with the largest market cover while Spectra is a new entrant into the market.
Spectra breast pumps
Spectra breast pumps come in different forms with the common ones being the Spectra S1 and S2.
The difference between the two is that Spectra models are in how they are powered.
Spectra S1 has an inbuilt rechargeable battery making it a portable option for the breast pumping mom.
Spectra S2, on the other hand, has to be plugged into a power source for you to pump breast milk.
Their pumping technology is the same.
Spectra breast pumps are said to be the most advanced breast pumps in the market.
- Medela breast pumps
Medela breast pumps are designed to have two phases in the pumping process commonly known as the two-phase technology.
The first phase is the stimulation phase which mimics your baby’s motions of suckling fast to trigger your milk flow, a process commonly called letdown.
Once the milk flow is now steady, the second phase begins.
This phase is much slower and mimics the regular suckling pattern your baby has and reflects the time your baby needs to swallow the milk.
The most common models of Medela pumps are the Medela Pump in Style Advanced which is commonly known as Medela PISA.
The Medela PISA comes in variations of battery-operated breast pumps and those that need a power socket to operate.
Comparing the Spectra and Medela Breast pumps
This article will compare the use of Spectra S2 and Medela PISA since they are operated in almost the same way.
Spectra S2 and Medela pumps can be utilized either as single or double pumps.
This comes in handy when you want to pump milk from both breasts or you need to pump from one breast as you are feeding the baby on the other.
Spectra has a closed system in its tubing that prevents the backflow of milk in the tubing and pump motor.
This is unlike the Medela pump that is an open system.
The closed system helps in keeping the pump clean and prevents from having bacteria from flowing back into the milk which may, in turn, contaminate it and make it unsafe for your baby to take.
Because of backflow protection, the same pump can be used by multiple users.
This is advantageous in a hospital section for mothers who need to express milk for their babies.
Spectra S2, although a little larger than the Medela PISA pump unit, is lighter which makes it easier to transport especially for the traveling mom.
Spectra S2 has a digital motor that is fully customized.
This is unlike Medela’s dials, Spectra’s control units allow you to choose and specify the exact strength of the machine’s suction during the pumping process.
It also allows you to save your settings so that you do not have to reset every time you are pumping.
This will suit you in making your breast pumping experience a pleasant one.
Spectre S2 also has a stronger motor than the Medela PISAs.
This is a better choice for the mom who is struggling with their milk production.
As a result, the Spectra S2 is well known for its role in boosting milk flow thus making it a favorite among moms who struggle with inadequate milk supply.
Spectra also has a few extras like night light which will allow you to pump milk for your baby without having to wake up your baby at night.
It also has an automatic setting that turns off the pump in case you fall asleep while pumping.
However, Spectra S2 has its downsides too.
The fact that it is not battery powered is a disadvantage to it.
You have to ensure that you have it connected to a power socket for it to work.
This can be disadvantageous especially when you need to travel since you cannot freely pump the milk at your convenience.
Spectra’s backflow protection carries with it the other advantage of not having to let the pump run for a few more minutes after a pumping session as in Medela pumps.
Medela gives this provision of removing tubing and letting the motor run for a few minutes to let the milk that is still in the system to be pushed out.
Typically, after about 20 minutes of a breast-pumping session, you do not usually want to linger waiting for the pump to run.
Spectra S2 vibrates when placed on an uneven surface when in use.
While this may not be a huge problem, you have to be careful where you place it.
A precarious position may have it fall right to the floor while in use.
However, compared to Medela, Spectra’s buzzing is quieter.
Therefore, you can use your breast pump when your baby is sleeping without waking them up.
Conclusion
With those said, considering Spectra’s technology of customizing your pumping to your needs, its gentle emulation of your baby’s suckling by massaging the breast, its low vibrations making your pumping a discreet and quiet time, its backflow protection, and its high motor power, Spectra scores higher than Medela in making your pumping experience not only comfortable but a fulfilling one too.