Spectra - S1 Plus Electric Breast Milk Pump for Baby Feeding - Convenient Breast Feeding Support

This is one of the two best purchases I have made as a new first-time mom (the other is the Snuza Portable Baby Movement Monitor)!Here is some background about me: I am an exclusive pumper. I hemorrhaged very badly after the birth of my son, and my milk supply was extremely late coming in and extremely low due to the large blood loss. My son is a large baby (he weighed 10 pounds 1 ounce at birth and 15.5 pounds at 8 weeks), and he started to have difficulty due to so little milk. He became dehydrated and began losing weight very quickly. At 4 days old, I began supplementing with formula using a SNS at first and then a bottle. He wouldn't stay latched long enough (even with the SNS) to empty my breasts and tell my body to make more milk. Working with a lactation consultant, I decided to make the switch to exclusive pumping when my son was 3 weeks old. I began renting a Medela Symphony for the first 3.5 weeks. It did help my milk supply increase some (I went from 4-5mL every 2 hours to .5 ounces), but I found it painful to use even on the lowest suction. It also was very heavy and not portable - it was difficult even to move it from room to room. It was also pretty loud, although my son found the white noise it created to be soothing and it did not seem to bother him. I knew I had to purchase a pump since I would be going back to work eventually. After many hours of research and comparing different pumps, I took the leap of faith and bought this pump. (I was leery because there were so few reviews and very little information available about this pump and brand in the U.S.)Once I decided to purchase a Spectra pump, I was undecided about whether to get the S1 or the S2. I didn't know if I could justify spending over $100 more for the battery option. I am glad I spent the extra money on the S1 since this is something I use at least 6 times every day. The battery option is definitely convenient, and I use it often. However, I wouldn't consider it a necessity for me, but that's just my opinion based on my individual situation!I could not be happier with my decision! Not only does this pump empty my breasts better than the Medela Symphony, it is also MUCH less painful, even on the highest suction setting. My son is now 13 weeks old, and I've been using this pump for 2 months. My milk supply is still not enough to stop supplementing, but it has increased from .5 ounces every 2-3 hours to 2.5-3 ounces. (I am also taking Fenugreek, but I have been taking it since my son was one week old. In addition, I realize this increase is likely in part due to my blood supply increasing.)This pump is quiet enough that I can pump in the middle of the night while in bed with my husband beside me and my son in the co-sleeper next to me and it never wakes or even disturbs either of them. It is also VERY portable and lightweight, especially for being a hospital grade pump. I started back to work this week, and I can pump several times a day in my office and no one is bothered or even knows I am pumping. I did not think the nightlight was important or a feature I would care about, but I use it every night and have found it to be very convenient for pumping in the dark without disturbing anyone.If you are wondering (like I did) if this pump is too good to be true, wonder no longer! This pump meets and exceeds all of my needs and expectations as an exclusive pumper! I would highly recommend it to anyone.Note: I also purchased two of the Spectra Baby USA Silicone Massagers and I would not recommend these. Not only did they do nothing for my milk supply, but they were extremely uncomfortable and even painful at times. I used them twice and that was it. They are unnecessary as this pump functions great without them!

I ended up going the route of exclusively pumping and therefore needed a pump much more than originally expected. I was gifted a barely used Pump in Style before I had my son and I used that 4-8 times daily for the first 3 months of his life. It worked well and I was able to feed him and build a freezer supply while on maternity leave.After I went back to work, I quickly realized I needed to pump much longer than allowed on my break in order to pump enough to feed my son (and to not feel uncomfortably full). I had to use some of my lunch hour which was also super busy running errands. A full time working mom uses every bit of her spare time to get things done so that she has more time with her kids. :) It was killing me to spend so much time pumping in a closet when I could be getting something done.I came across this pump and decided to purchase it even though I already had a perfectly good pump. Here is what I love about it over the Pump in Style:Pros:It is so quiet. Like many other reviews mention, I can pump while my son is sleeping with no fear of waking him. I also felt more comfortable pumping at work because I knew no one could hear me.My pumping time is less than half of what it was before. With the Pump in Style, it took me 30-40 minutes to get 8-10oz. With the Spectra, it takes me 18 minutes to get 8-10oz.I haven't had a let down issue yet! In the past I have had problems getting a good letdown and I would get uncomfortably full despite trying to pump. It was the worst! It hasn't happened with the Spectra.Pumping is much more comfortable. Pumping exclusively takes a lot out of a girl's nipples. I was constantly sore with the Pump in Style even though I used Pumping Pals (a more comfortable flange) and several other ointments to reduce friction. The Spectra gets milk out so comfortably that it barely feels like I'm pumping. It took a few days to adjust to the Spectra when I first got it but now I could never go back to a regular pump. Many have described is as feeling much more like nursing and I have to agree. Not exactly, but it doesn't feel so artificial. I think it helps me to pump faster because it feels more natural to nursing.The included battery and light. It is awesome to have the battery option included and not have to worry about bringing batteries. It will last for 5-6 good pumps and is a life saver when I grab everything but my ac plug (happens more than you think when you are in a hurry). The light is handy for late night pumpings and is always where you need it. I don't use it a ton, but it is so helpful when I do.Timer. SO HELPFUL AT WORK. I would always forget to check the time I started pumping while at work. The timer helps me keep track of time so that I don't go over my break time.Cons - These are minor compared to pros for me:The flanges that come with the pump don't fit Pumping Pals so I had to purchase the kit to make Medela stuff work. I already had the Medela stuff so I didn't want to purchase several sets of the Spectra stuff.Bag. I didn't get the pump with a bag because I knew I could find a bag that would work. I have to admit that I miss just pulling a flap down and having the pump ready to go (like the Pump in Style). The Spectra is easy to pack up and pullout of a bag though so it's not too bad.