Portable hospital-grade breast pump, with the ability to move from the wall.
Medela Sonata was my very first pump. I remember looking at the parts thinking, how am I going to get this together and figure out how it works? A little background I have been through three pumping journeys and this third one has given me so much knowledge I didn't know the first two times I exclusively pumped. My Sonata is what I knew and the only pump I used, besides the symphony at the hospital. There wasn't a clue in my head on how pumping worked. The Sonata was my old faithful and I used it for about 3 months this time, then it died on me! I have now tried many pumps; wearable, hands-free, plugged in, not plugged in, and manual. The Spectra S1 always seemed intimidating to me like any other pump. Having to figure it out and how intense or not intense the suction may or may not be.
This will help you decide whether or not the Spectra S1 is right for you and your needs.
Big and Scary
When I started this third pumping journey I joined a Facebook group called Exclusive Pumping Mom's Support and Education. This changed my outlook on pumping and helped me feel like I wasn't alone. So many of the group members used the Spectra and I thought ah it's a little cheaper than Medela products it probably isn't good. But I ordered one off Mercari for $90 it was a steal! Never used, a brand new Spectra S1. I opened it and felt like it looked clunky and might make my nipples bleed.
Quality Control
Opening the package, I was excited about something new. My old faithful seemed like it was not doing the job anymore. Everything was there for me to get started. I sterilized the parts in my Papablic Bottle sterilizer and dryer. Getting the first flange in my Kindred Bravely hands-free pumping bra was a challenge. But thankfully later, I realized I could use different pump parts and didn't have to use that specific flange.
There were so many settings and options, and a cool little light my 4-year-old wanted to play with. It helped at night to be able to completely turn off the light, so it doesn't wake up my kids. The Sonata did not have that option it was just bright. My old friend used to use the Spectra and she was an exclusive pumper. I always wondered why she loved it and now I know! My Sonata didn't fully empty me and I am now realizing that three months into my third time pumping!
The S1 has the stimulation mode which, suction goes up to a level 5. This completely does the job of getting a letdown to happen. Next is the expression mode that can go up to level 10 suction. Then another option is to use the cycle button which, can either be short pulls or long pulls. There are even settings Spectra users like to reference that can help increase milk supply.
Likes and Dislikes
Pros | Cons |
Settings: Stimulation, Expression, and Cycles. | Bulky |
Light Setting: bright, real bright, or off | Pump parts: Bought additional parts that allowed to remove flange for handsfree bra |
Hospital-grade suction | Tubing: Bought additional Y style tubing |
Increase in milk supply | ​ |
Handle and cup holder on the body | ​ |
Long charge (4-5 hours) | ​ |
Option to use as a single breast pump or double | ​ |
Quiet | ​ |
Score
For the main pump I would give the Spectra S1 a 9.5/10. This I am comparing to Medela Sonata, Medela Maxi Swing, Imani2, Baby Buddha, and Carer Pump. This score is given by an exclusive pumping mom of three!
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Feel free to comment and let me know your experiences with the Spectra S1.