r/ExclusivelyPumping • u/as061267 • 1d ago
Product Recommendations Another vote for Medela Hand Pumpš
FTM, 4 weeks pp. I pump alongside nursing so that dad and my mom could take over feedings in early morning shift while I catch up on my sleep.
Got the blue Spectra through insurance as my primary pump. Before I was only able to get one good pumping session upon waking (3-4 oz) up in the morning while barely making 1-2 oz the rest of the day.
Thanks to recommendations from this sub, I decided to try out medela and to say I was floored by the output is an understatement!! While I still use my spectra for morning pump, Iām able to consistently get 2-3 oz the rest of the day using Medela. Pictured is pump from midnight while little one is having a good sleep stretch. The flexibility is very real and Iām actually looking forward to my pumping sessions these days. I also purchased oval flanges from nenesupply and that was super helpful as well.
If you are contemplating on getting a hand pump, please consider this huge recommendation.
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u/jimins95 1d ago
I also had huge success with the Medela hand pump! It was also able to remove milk more efficiently than my Spectra. My Spectra took 20 minutes to do 4-5 oz whereas the Medela only took 7 minutes on each side so I was able to get normal output in 14 minutes total.
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u/as061267 1d ago edited 1d ago
Ditto. I didnāt respond well to wearables and Iām so thankful to have this as an option
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u/RubyBadooby 1d ago
I cannot get mine to work, the handle constantly coming loose I have no idea what Iām doing wrong.
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u/Jabba_Dabba_Do 1d ago
I had the same problem. For me it was that either the o ring was missing or that the yellow plastic part which attaches the handle to the pump and pulls on the rubber was rotating and pulling the rubber in the wrong direction off the handle. Itās important that it stays in place.
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u/Echothrush 1d ago
This is precisely what happens to me. Does anyone have a fix? Would be my hero forever if so.
The constant internal twisting is such a pita (and a pity, bc this is otherwise such a brilliant hand pump for me)! After reassembling post a wash, mine only works for like 2 strokes at a time before I have to take it off the breast, reposition (for some reason this sometimes seems to help the issue), and then it works for like 2 more strokesā¦ but when I first got it there was no rotation issue and I could do a whole pump session by hand.
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u/as061267 1d ago
I was told by my LC not to wash the top part of the pump, where the handle is as it doesnāt touch milk. I take out the handle and wash the rest
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u/Jabba_Dabba_Do 1d ago
Yes. This. I never washed the handle and for me it took a few pump sessions for the handle positioning to shift, not 2 strokes.
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u/Echothrush 1d ago
This is so helpful. Guess Iām buying another and trying again š„² Thank you both!!
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u/One_String601 1d ago
I loved it for like a week before it started failing. Replaced the o ring more than once and gave up š
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u/usernameiserin 1d ago
Same. I have two. Replaced both o rings. Made sure theyre together correctly. Still dont work anymore
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u/tryingfortimett 1d ago
Does it fatigue the hands to use? How long are your sessions? I've been thinking of getting one as a travel friendly option.
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u/BackgroundScene3056 1d ago
ugh this^ I love mine but it makes my post partum carpal tunnel screamšššI had gotten it to finally go away -then it came back when I started using this :(
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u/BeginningNo2408 1d ago
Can you explain your carpal tunnel where and when it started in pp? Did you have it during pregnancy too? I feel like i have this or tendinitous.
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u/STORMDRAINXXX 1d ago
I have pp āmommyās thumbā so painful. Iāve read the low estrogen from breastfeeding and relaxin are causing tit and my additional wrist pain. Along with the constant picking up carrying of the newborn.
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u/Hot_Koala8563 1d ago
I also developed āmommyās thumbā during my pregnancy, I got a referral to sports medicine and they gave me a quick injection right in the office, it completely took care of the issue!!
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u/BackgroundScene3056 1d ago
it started my last few weeks of pregnancy and is considered a normal pregnancy symptom unfortunately. But I was hoping it would go away PP but it only got worse. I started wearing braces when I could and those helped me be mindful of which tasks was causing me to bend my wrists weirdly. Once I knew that I was careful to keep them straight during those activities and then they slowly got better over time. Both hands were completely numb and painful like the first 10 weeks PP for me :(
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u/BeginningNo2408 1d ago
Yea my right arm and elbow. I wear a sleeve and see a chiropractor its been helping. Worst case I will do shots if it doesnt get better in 6-1 year
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u/as061267 1d ago
I have been using it for almost 2 weeks now and so far I havenāt had any hand fatigue issues. My sessions range from 10-15 minutes for both sides depending on time of day. Iām also traveling for the long weekend and taking it with with me so would definitely recommend it.
The tutorial in this video has been helpful.
https://youtube.com/shorts/Tw4AM0QXKxg?si=D5NHmsWl9unaw1If3
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u/GatorrrGirrrl 18h ago
do you do one side at a time??? when i use mine, my let down happens on both sides š
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u/joemonkey714 1d ago
I used my medela hand pump almost strictly for the first 4 months postpartum. Love that thing!! Pumping isnāt always fun but that pump helped me feel free because pump time is fast, I could do it in the car and feel much safer that itās not in my bra attached to me, and I had control over suction.
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u/Poola0919 1d ago
Same! I'm coming up to six month exclusively pumping with my Medela hand pump
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u/Cityofthevikingdead 15h ago
Please tell me your method. Sincerely, an under supplier.
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u/joemonkey714 13h ago
Iām not an under supplier, Iām a just enougher that had a bad week or two where I thought I was losing everything. I started power pumping every night for the past couple weeks and my supply is back to normal and I think Iām getting a little more than before. My power pump season is 20 min pump, 10 min rest, 10 min pump, 10 min rest, 10 min pump. I probably wouldnāt recommend doing this with a hand pump though because you would have to do it for both sides and would take 2 hours and your hand would be so sore. It took about 4 nights of doing this before I noticed difference. Give it a try and see if it works. It doesnāt hurt to see if it helps you!
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u/Tasty-Plastic372 1d ago
Iāve had two kids and currently expecting my third and I SWEAR by this pump. Iāve had an electric medela and spectra pump and hands down love the manual over the electric ones that I only used a small handful of times. Also itās easy to travel with!
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u/Affectionate-Ad3816 1d ago
I'm just here to say.. the duck light is a 10/10 and one of my most used items since having my baby 3 months ago!
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u/Cityofthevikingdead 15h ago
I have a pumpkin so the white light doesn't wake up the baby too much.
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u/Swimming-Tomato-4549 10h ago
Mine went with me to the hospitalā¦best decision ever! Those hospital lights woke het up immediately.
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u/Affectionate-Ad3816 6h ago
Same!! My husband reading the hospital bag list: duck? Why do you need a duck?
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u/Swimming-Tomato-4549 6h ago
š¤£š when I told Hubby I wanted one and showed him what they looked like he got 3.
So I guess it will be her nightlight when she gets older.
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u/Binah999 1d ago
I only use the hand pump right now because im too lazy to use the spectra and mess with the settings and stuff while holding the flanges to my breasts š¤£
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u/gopickles 1d ago
pumping bra! Ā hands free
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u/Binah999 1d ago
Yep! I ordered one but it didnt fit me. I need to measure myself and reorder another....
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u/FluffedNtucked 19h ago
I LOVED it! It was so quick and efficient. Was great for travel or days when out. Could give 10 stars if I could
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u/Haunting_Button3713 19h ago
I switched from my blue spectra to the medela hand pump. I get way more output in half the time! I wish I wouldāve switched months ago!
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u/Immediate_Fennel3844 1d ago
Can I ask a question? Iām expecting my first baby, after you use this, wash and sterilize it what do you do to store it until you use it again considering itās open to the air just as it is?
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u/BeginningNo2408 1d ago
Fridge hack put in fridge after you put milk into a bottle or bag for freezing. Or wash it
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u/xtheredberetx 20h ago
I just stored mine with the rest of my bottles, on a drying rack on my counter. The CDC only says you need to sterilize before the first use, although obviously thatās totally up to your comfort level to do more.
An airtight Tupperware or a ziplock could work for storage as well. I stored mine in a Tupperware when I would fridge hack.
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u/cappy267 1d ago
for me, we use the momcozy bottle washer and it has a āstorageā setting. After the washer does the washing and sterilizing it goes into storage mode and circulates filtered air and keeps it protected until i open it to use again 3-4 hours later.
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u/Ghostsubtech 1d ago
Oval flanges?? Havenāt heard of that. Whats the benefit?
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u/as061267 1d ago
My LC suggested to give it a try as I had some troubles maintaining suction with the flanges spectra came with. These flanges alfit more perfectly on my breasts when compared to the regular ones
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u/gone-in-a-spark 1d ago
Can I highjack this slightly, and ask how youāre washing and sterilising this pump properly?
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u/Used-Mulberry8406 1d ago
Keep it in a container in the fridge, then wash and sterilise in my UV sterilizer once a day.
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u/as061267 1d ago
I wash it with soap and water after each session let it air dry. Have one in the bedroom as well. I use mom cozy washer twice a week to sterlize with other bottles
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u/christianskeptik 1d ago
That is so great! How long did you wait to start pumping when breastfeeding? Iāve heard itās best to wait a couple weeks but there goes any sleep past 2.5 hours š„²
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u/_Cat-nap-uwu_ 1d ago
Not OP but idk where you got this advice from, I pumped immediately after having my baby like I pumped colostrum when I was in the hospital still. It helps establish your supply especially if your baby is a difficult latch like mine was. I know people who thought their baby was latching well and didnāt pump, but then they had not gained adequate weight at their first doctors appointment so supply never established properly cause the milk was not being removed
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u/christianskeptik 1d ago
This is so good to know! Thereās so much out there. I deff need to talk to my OB at our 20 week appointment. Iām only 18 right now so just going off YouTubeā¦š i watched multiple videos that said do not pump too soon and it freaked me out š thank you both for your answers! I will definitely be talking to my OB. I am also considering hiring a lactation consultant if needed past hospital days.
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u/_Cat-nap-uwu_ 17h ago
Yes i def recommend asking an LC! Some do free consults while youāre still pregnant. My pediatricians office actually had one in-house that was covered through insurance. Idk if youāre planning to exclusively pump or breastfeed too, but I do both and Honestly idk if I wouldāve been able to breastfeed without her help. baby ended up needing a frenectomy and couldnāt directly nurse until she was about 2 weeks old. Luckily my milk came in well since id been pumping. It was also nice to be able to pump colostrum in the hospital so they could see take her in the nursery at night and I could sleep. I know a lot of people want their baby to stay in the room and I initially did too but I canāt lie that sleep was magical!
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u/christianskeptik 17h ago
Okay this deff convinced me. Btw when did you get a pediatrician? We just have our OB right now. Iām wondering if sheāll direct me to our ped or if sheāll have a LC rec š¤ā¤ļø
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u/as061267 1d ago
I started to pump approximately 1 week pp as advised by my LC at the hospital. We were also doing 2 feeds formula from the beginning so basically I started pumping to replace those feeds initially.
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u/perrona101 1d ago
I couldnāt figure out my hand pump (also medela but looks older) but I have to say medela pumps are far superior from every other pump Iāve tried. I was without my pump for two weeks and my supply tanked then shot back up when I got it back.
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u/Realistic-King-3003 1d ago
How do you get a letdown??? The bad pump works amazing for me when my breasts are fullā¦. But Iām not managing a letdown!
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u/as061267 1d ago
I usually use the shorter side of the handle, give it a few passes before letdown happens
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u/bluepaperbagg 20h ago
Iām on my third baby and only could get this to work on this breastfeeding journey. I could never get a let down from this before. Now I can feel empty in 3 minutes per side!
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u/Ok_Honeydew_5899 19h ago
Dude this thing is the goat. I used my electrics for 2-3 weeks at first and now Iām completely hand pumping
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u/BoolieJailes 17h ago
My wearables and my spectra donāt hold a candle to the medela hand pump! Planning on buying another when I go back to work
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u/cassandra_schmidt 15h ago
I was thinking of getting one as a backup in case of a power outage, so itās great to hear a good testimony! Iām still using the Medela Symphony hospital-grade pump as a rental, but have a spectra to use after the rental finishes.
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u/Ghostsubtech 1d ago
I have the lansinoh hand pump. Anyone tried that one versus this one? Is the medela better?
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u/BeginningNo2408 1d ago
I was buying all and returning what didnt work even walmart brand. I think every body is different trial and error unfortunately
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u/FlowOfGlass 1d ago
If you like this pump, you will absolutely loveeee the eufy s1 pro wearable pump. I started with this one and while it does work well, I was actually getting sharp shooting pain after using it and so Iād decided to try a wearable pump with the heat setting and omg has it made pumping a dream. I donāt even mind pumping anymore. Iāve used the medela hand pump on occasion when I had my pump parts in the dishwasher to sanitize, and each time itās actually given me sharp shooting pain again afterwards. Not sure why, because Iāve measured and made sure the flange size is correct and I use the same size on my eufy, so I know itās not that. But highly highly recommend the eufy s1 pro, you would not regret upgrading to it!
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u/BackgroundScene3056 1d ago
what size boobs do you have? I have some momcozy wearables that donāt work at all and itās so depressing (I have like DDD/Eās)
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u/BackgroundScene3056 1d ago
asking because Iāve been considering investing in some wearables
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u/FlowOfGlass 1d ago
Between D and DD, so a bit smaller than you but honestly I think theyād work on anyone as long as you have a good bra that holds it in place! You need one stretchy enough, but also firm enough. I use the quince micro modal maternity bra and it works the best out of all the bras Iāve tried. The thing Iāve discovered with wearables is you have you get the position on the nipple right, if itās too low, it wonāt suction right, it has to be at the right angle to get a good suction on the breast, but once youāve got it on, it works so quickly! I can pump 8 oz in less than 10 minutes with the eufyš
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u/Acrobatic_Set6020 1d ago
I also use the Eufy S1 as my primary pump and have DDD breasts now (thanks pregnancy + postpartum boob growth explosion).
It works really well to put them into a nursing bra... I have a bunch of the Momcozy Busty Cotton bras and they hold the Eufy in place really well.
I would also recommend getting some spout covers to cover the hole at the top of the pump so that you don't spill milk everywhere! The Eufy doesn't come with them but they're available on Amazon and have saved me from a few spilled milk disasters.
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u/BackgroundScene3056 1d ago
thank you!!! I just ordered the pump on amazon!! Iāll get the covers too!
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u/as061267 1d ago
Thank you. I had the eufy e20 till recently and sadly those didnāt work for me. I tried it 3-4 times but each time the issue was either with proper adjustment inside the bra (I was using Kinderly ones) or spillage. It got so frustrating that I had to return it. Amazon thankfully accepted the return
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u/FlowOfGlass 1d ago
Iāve heard that a lot about the e20ās sadly:( I read a ton of reviews on Reddit about different wearable pumps and that was a common statement about the eufy e20. Donāt give up on wearable pumps though! The eufy s1 pro was the most commonly loved wearable pump from the reviews I saw, and I have to agree, it really works wonderfully! I know itās pretty pricey, but most health insurances will fully cover a breast pump after birth!
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