Willow Pump vs. Spectra 1 Pump Review

TIME STAMPS SO YOU CAN JUMP AHEAD:
0:00-0:25: Intro
0:26-1:28: logistics of willow pump/demonstration of how it is put together
1:28-2:19: showing breast pump on under breastfeeding shirt and bra
2:19-2:57 :listening to the willow pump in initial suction/stimulation phase
3:00-6:32: wearing my son with pump and demonstrating it in different outfits
6:32-7:07 : working with the willow pump app
7:10-7:36 :willow pump power pumping, stimulation and expression
7:36-8:06: willow pump battery life
8:10-9:00-: willow pump collection after pumping, i.e. the “flip”
8:50-9:20: air in bag
9:00-9:20: accuracy of the app in how much you have pumped
9:20-9:48- cost of the bags
9:48-10:00: freezing of the bags
10:00- : demonstration of spectra 1
10:15-10:30: vacuum and suction on spectra 1 compared to willow pump
10:48-11:09: pick up son while pumping with spectra 1
11:11-12:15: issues with willow: turning on/off, no light in flange, continuous pumping after 25 min
12:16-12:57: willow pump customer service/video tutorials/paper tutorials
13:00-16:42:: BIGGEST issues with willow pump, 1) doesn’t pump as much as spectra 1 2) Cost, followed by explaination
16:43-18:39: cleaning of the willow pump vs. spectra pump
18:40-19:33: conclusion
Description
Review of Willow Pump and Spectra 1 Pump. Thorough review, including
*basics of how the willow pump works and logisitics since it’s a unique pump that goes under the bra
*let you listen to how it sounds on, when it’s silent, during normal conversation, with our AC on and during the initial suction phase, the stimulation phase and the expression phase
*let you see how it looks with multiple different outfits
*go over some of the pros, and cons including
-the cost
-how much it pumps compared to the spectra
- how it links to the phone app
-the details of stimulation/expression phases and what you can/can’t adjust
-how accurate the app is on telling you how much you have pumped
-working with customer service
-the delivery
-battery life
-air filling the bag
-freezing the bags
-the cleaning pros and cons and how it compares to the spectra
*then I will go into the spectra1 and pros and cons of how it compares.

[@krislukauskis3208]

Terrific comparison and great review of the Willow pump!

[@MamaD_and_Family]

I'm looking at the Willow and my second choice is the Spectra and this is the best/most thorough review and comparison I've seen, thank you for posting this! (Also, I know this video is over a year old but you mentioned the Willow pump is not covered by insurance, but I called my insurance and they said they will reimburse for the cost of the Willow pump, so to anyone interested definitely check with your insurance specifically)

[@randomlyboring8358]

I would never let go of my spectra, it's the best, i don't mind plugged to the wall, but it dries me up, fast, even hand expression gets me nothing after pumping,

[@MrsHollyBliss]

I’ve tried the world’s most “advanced” breast pump, the Willow. Here’s my story... I bought the willow in hopes of not being stuck to the wall pumping every three hours. I was so excited when it came in the mail, but I waited to use it until I had practiced and gotten it down pat. My husband and I spent about three days practicing and putting in bags, latching etc. when I finally turned it on for the first time it latched properly so I was really happy, but within seconds the pain was so great I had to take it off. I use the Spectra and always start on level one and work my way up to level 12 over a period of about an hour. I pump about 6 oz at a time so when the Willow started on high during stimulation phase it was too much for me. When I took the pumps off of my breasts, my nipples had both turned black! Not blue or purple, but black. I called Willow the next morning and made an appointment with my doctor etc, so come to find out I now have tissue damage and am unable to pump or produce any milk. My poor baby has been drinking formula ever since this happened a few days ago. I’m devastated!! It’s a long story but she aspirated water and had to stay in the NICU for the first week of her life so I wasn’t able to produce as much milk as I should have and she had a hard time latching so I’ve been exclusively pumping ever since. I tried so hard to get my milk supply up, I’ve seen three different lactation consultants, tried every herb and cookie etc and finally started taking Domperidone which helped greatly! Unfortunately as soon as my milk supply was up to par with baby’s needs the Willow damaged my tissue and now I produce nothing but a few drops. It’s been four days now I’ve been supplementing with formula. I hope to God it’s not permanent. I’m livid. I’m sad. I’m completely devastated... be careful if you use the willow, it does not have variable suction levels during stimulation phase, which takes anywhere from 5-15 minutes. It just goes straight from zero to tear off your nipples!

[@jennifercarter7526]

thanks for sharing Holly! I would have been devastated if this happened to me!!! I usually go to the highest suction on the spectra, so I guess that might be the difference? Has anyone else had this happen? Sounds super scary. Did the doctors or you figure out exactly how it happened? I mean did your nipple get stuck in the suction hole or was it just the suction strength? Ironically one of the biggest complaints I had with the willow was that the suction wasn't high enough. Did you ever get your milk back or your money back for the willow?

[@amberlin8668]

So glad I read this first, I pump pretty low and would also have horrible pain if this happened to me. Geez so sorry you had to go through that!

[@randomlyboring8358]

Oh god poor mama much love I'm sending for u and ur baby! Look, u can get ur milk back, i got mine back aftet long week in nicu with iut pumping or bf, i managed my way, now we are doing great! I got my spectra and thanks to it i got my milk back, usually go on the low like 38 cycle level 4 suction, and the letdown is level 3 too lol i never work up, the milk just flows.. So if i was u i would have de attached my self so fast!

[@marikarot]

Sorry to hear that. How are you doing now? Did u get your supply back?

[@reshmamahbubani7239]

You will get your milk back! Do not worry. Sorry this happend to you. How are you now?

[@danielleoakley382]

Thank you for this review!! I think this will work for me while I teach my students!

[@anitamjenkins]

Wow, this video is so incredibly helpful! Thank you for posting this!

[@lontzk]

Thanks for all the time marks!!!!

[@kristiansmith1468]

Hi Jennifer, I love your tutorial and your baby! Heeeheee....But, I have a question...do you know anything about the comparison between the Freemie with the Willow?

[@ctopanga14]

Thank you for this video!! Super helpful. I have an S1 from my first baby and now that I'm pregnant with #2, I am researching if there's a better option for pumping out there.

[@luanne80]

You needed to try the Spectra with freemie Cups!!! It's perfect and better so that baby don't knock off your bottles.

[@Oleanderlullaby]

I had to turn my volume all the way up to hear it atall and im in my quiet room with the window cracked. Imma need this for my next baby for sure. Medela pumps are sooooo loud

[@sarajanesaturnionghiem4813]

Really informative review! Thank you SO MUCH!

[@smharris6732]

Great and far the best review on this product. So descriptive and detailed oriented. Looking fwd to your other videos @ Jennifer Carter

[@amanda4422]

Wish there wasn’t so much background noise. My office is very quiet. So I wanted to really know how loud it is.

[@ayaabuhassan4961]

So helpful! Thank u so much for this.

[@mazaine6504]

I love my S1 too. 😊 Tried many pumps including ameda but it seems the motor of spectra s1 is the best my ameda could not stand a 40mins pumping session its struggling. Love the amazing suction of the s1 though too bulky to bring with me at work lol.

[@tinacordova2334]

Great review!

[@amymulvihill36]

So helpful! Thank you!

[@raechelle1985]

There is a hack for getting the air out of the bag and removing the milk from the bag so you can reuse the bag. Of course this is not recommended by the company but eh we do what we have to to save money :)

[@raineeuhrich8777]

Rae Carr can you share your hack please

[@jennifercarter7526]

awesome! How do you do it?

[@raechelle1985]

facebook.com/groups/1794658577491934/about/ There is a facebook group. It is private so you will have to ask for membership but the moderator is really cool. There is a video in the group.

[@raineeuhrich8777]

Jennifer Carter can you do a video on how to hack the breastmilk bags for the willow once you figure it out

[@jennifercarter7526]

I'll work on it, but actually it's pretty easy once I tried, you just squeeze the bag so the air is on top, then push with your nails on the opening and the air comes out!

[@marielaavila9182]

Thank you for this review!!

[@noneya9536]

Great video ! Thank you 🙏

[@hollysearson4628]

I used the highest setting on Spectra and every other pump I’ve ever used. The damage was from the Wilkes suction, it started off too high. I have permanent damage and my doctor said I may never regain feeling in my right nipple. I’m devastated.

[@hollysearson4628]

Willow’s*

[@fioaid88]

Did you use any kind of lubricant before pumping?

[@jesscalderon3766]

Hi if you had to pick between the pumps which one would you pick if you only could have one pump ?

[@mshapurji]

Hello! You were on the pump for a pump session and got about an ounce on each side. Was this after you fed your son? Or is that a typical amount that you'd get from a pump session? Asking because I am wondering about the willow's suction strength.

[@frantz1z]

I like your carrier! Which brand is it?

[@katrinak7939]

where did you get your hoodie?

[@ashamaree369]

May i ask where you bought your nursing sweater/hoodie?

[@bridgethennessey1140]

Yea I'm curious too!!

[@nonnonbutlove1642]

I think you find them on Amazon.

[@AmeliaRose-xw7jl]

Where did you get the willow pump, i can't find any

[@raechelle1985]

Amelia Rose www.willowpump.com

[@angelkaye1982]

how do you clean the OTHER parts of the spectra pump? like valves, tubing, and backflow preventor? cheers!

[@randomlyboring8358]

They don't need cleaning dear. Only the sheild and bottle. It's a close suction. You just change the sheilds (comes with filter and tubing) once every 3 month

[@senecahouston1225]

I think the willow is great in theory, but it needs some more help

[@bevantash]

The trauma to breasts and nipples freaks me out, but as I have a lot of cross-country flights coming up for work, the Willow seems like a good pump for airtravel. Are you still using it? Have you learned anything new since February that might be helpful? Thanks

[@TinkEsquire]

Have you compared your production with the spectra vs medela? I used the pump in style with my 4 year old and it was fine but I got a spectra to use with my 5 week old and my production is miserable with the spectra. I thought I might be imagining it so I pumped with my spectra till I couldn’t get any more even with compression/massage and then followed up immediately with my old medela, and got an additional 1.5oz out of each side. As far as I can tell it’s because the suction on the spectra just isn’t as strong as on the medela. Anyway, I’m going back to work in 3 weeks and was looking into the willow but if the suction isn’t as strong as even the spectra then I doubt it’ll work for me so I’m wondering your thoughts on that.

[@masselin]

I could never pump anything at all with my Medela. After I had my second daughter, I got the Spectra s2 hospital grade pump. I now have pumped five ounces for the first time ever! But, what I realize may have also been a factor, is that the 24mm flange was too big for me! I still can tell that my Medela doesn't have as great suction. I use it as a back up pump at my mom's house and it just does not compare to my Spectra. I would contact the company and let them know!

[@daniellemartini6411]

Margaret Mayhugh which Medela?

[@vtbhoward]

I am concerned with electromagnetic exposure, radiation, or just having electric devices so close to breast tissue (a very sensitive area). Otherwise, seems best for traveling....

[@nonnonbutlove1642]

Didn't think about that...hmm

[@elizabethgonzalez46]

How heavy is the willow pump?

[@jennifercarter7526]

Just measured it, one pump is 10.5 oz or 300 g

[@jennifercarter7526]

that is without the flange, with flange it's 12.6 oz or 360 g

[@elizabethgonzalez46]

Jennifer Carter thankyou

[@fioaid88]

What is that thing you put your baby in at the beginning of the video?

[@jennifercarter7526]

Ergo baby carrier. I also really like the Moby wrap and the Amazon version of the Moby wrap (not brand name).

[@farahclaveria6316]

hello anyone here is willing to donate not used breastpump

[@stephaniemccann7291]

hellohellohellohellohellohellohellohello

[@kemiadebajo8194]

There's an Android app now

[@onlinestorytime6875]

In other words the willow is not practical and not worth it.