Breastfeeding can be hard, especially with newborns. You can barely step out of the house or get enough sleep because you don’t know when your baby will wake up to feed.
However, as a breastfeeding mom, you still need time to spend at work, rest, or on other activities. This is why you would need a functional breast pump to accompany you on this journey.
Spectra S1 is the breast pump of choice for many moms. But is it worth the hype? Find out in this review. We also included feedback from real-life moms on their experience with the product.
Product overview
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The Spectra S1 electric breast pump is a product of Spectra Baby USA. It uses natural nursing technology to extract milk from the breast. The suction level mimics that of natural breastfeeding as closely as possible.
Spectra S1 breast pump works for single or double pumping, and you can get the best results when using authentic Spectra baby accessories.
It has a blue and white color combination. Each pack contains:
- One hospital-grade pump
- Two medium-sized flanges
- 46 oz large neck bottles, but no nipples
- Two suction tubes
- 2 diaphragms
- 2 valves
- 1 AC wall adapter
- A Carry tote and bottle tote
Pros of Spectra S1 breast pump
Pros
- It is a hospital-grade breast pump. Hospital-grade pumps are stronger and better for establishing milk supply early
- It has a closed system which puts a hygienic barrier between your milk and the pump motor. This prevents your milk from contamination and makes it easy to clean because every component that your milk will touch is easily washable.
- The pump motor is quiet, and you can use it in public.
- It empties the breast during each pumping session, increasing your milk supply.
- The bumping parts are BPA free
- It is portable and has a rechargeable battery to help you pump on the go.
- It has adjustable suction levels to help you pump with ease
Cons of Spectra S1 breast pump
- You only get one size of flanges when you order the product, but you can buy other sizes separately
- It needs wide neck bottles, but you can buy the adapter separately
- It may be too pricey for moms on a budget
Features and benefits of Spectra S1 breast pump
It is a hospital-grade pump
Hospital-grade pumps are stronger and can extract more milk in less time. They are highly efficient and have little or no discomfort. It is a great idea for moms with inadequate milk supply.
It is lightweight and great for travel
This item weighs only 3.3 pounds, and it’s a breeze to carry around. It is also easy to assemble and use.
The battery is rechargeable
If you’ve ever hated spending money on extra batteries, you will appreciate the Spectra S1 breast pump. The Spectra S1 uses a lithium-ion battery, which can last up to 3 hours of use. This is like pumping two to three times, depending on how much time it takes to extract milk from your breast.
You can time each pumping session with the timer
The timer lets you know how long you pump to help you make good use of your pumping time. If you pump for 20 minutes, you can spend that time doing some chores that require sitting instead of watching how much flow you still have.
Two levels of built-in light
Blue light is terrible for the eye, especially at night. That’s why people love this electric breast pump for its two levels of built-in light.
As a new mom, you will likely pump in the middle of the night so you can catch as much sleep as possible. Here, you appreciate the lower-level light that makes it easy to fall asleep when you’re done expressing.
Closed system pump
The closed system keeps the breast milk you express safe from bacteria and other contaminants. This is because it provides a hygienic barrier between the pump motor and the breast milk.
Also, cleaning is easier with closed systems than with open ones.
BPA-free parts
Your baby is safer without BPA. BPA is a component for producing hard plastic. Some manufacturers use these plastics to produce baby bottles. BPA can leak into baby food or drink when put in the container. This chemical interferes with the development of an infant’s nervous system. It can affect their behavioral development, thyroid function, and brain growth.
The plastics Spectra Baby uses for breast pump parts are free from BPA.
Digital control
No two moms are the same; some let down milk faster than others. With the digital control of the Spectra S1 breast pump, you can choose the right rhythm and speed for your body. You can also save the most suitable settings, so you don’t spend time every time setting your speed.
Adjustable suction
Spectra S1 breast pump has a separate suction adjustment different from this Speed adjustment. There are 12 different suction levels, with the highest being 300 mmHg. Some breast pumps have a maximum suction level of 250 mmHg.
However, not everyone will be comfortable with the maximum suction level from Spectra S1. So, you can adjust to a comfortable suction level with this pump.
Spectra S1 vs. other breast pumps
Medela Symphony breast pump
Medela Symphony Breast Pump is a good choice for exclusive pumpers. It has hospital-grade strength, with a two-phase suction system. This product will drain out all your milk in each section, thereby increasing milk production and flow
Compared to Spectra S1, it has a unique system to prevent milk overflow. However, it is pricier than Spectra S1. Also, the pump is so bulky that you cannot carry it around.
Medela Freestyle Breast Pump
Medela Freestyle Breast Pump has similar features to Spectra S1. One of them is that it has massage and express mode. It also allows you to switch back and forth to find the right timing for letting down milk.
However, Spectra S1 has more features. The Spectra S1 has a quiet pump motor and digital screen. These two features make it easy to pump at night or in public.
Philip AVENT
Philips AVENT best pump is a double electric pump with many accessories. When you buy a pack, you will get two 4-ounce bottles, two breast cushions, two sealing discs, two nipples, and a travel bag.
Though it has more accessories than Spectra S1, it is more expensive. This price difference accounts for the extra accessories you get.
Haakaa Breast Pump
Unlike spectra, this breast pump is manual and doesn’t have rechargeable batteries. However, its hands-free feature makes it effortless to use. Since it is one piece, it is easy to clean and carry around.
This breast pump is cheaper than Spectra, and great for moms on a budget. But you will love Spectra more if you want a more robust pump engine for double pumping.
Spectra S1 vs. S2
Spectra S1 and S2 are all hospital-grade electric breast pumps from Spectra Baby USA.
Spectra S1 is more suitable for busy moms who don’t work from home. It has a quiet motor that makes it great for use in a car, at home, at work, or on a plane. The built-in battery makes it more portable, and you can express your milk anywhere, without an immediate need of a power socket. However, Spectra S1 is more expensive than S2.
The Spectra S2 is perfect for moms on a budget, and insurance can cover the entire cost. It is also more powerful with adjustable suction levels than the S1. Also, Spectra S2 doesn’t have an in-built battery; hence, it is not portable. You need to connect to power before pumping.
You can use the Spectra S2 breast pump if you are a stay-at-home or work-from-home mom. You can also use it if your schedule won’t demand pumping in public.
How Spectra S1 breast pump works
This pump starts with the expression setting, so you must turn it on and press the three lines or bacon button to activate the massage feature.
Place the flanges over your nipples after activating the massage feature. Allow the machine to stimulate your breast to let down milk. The shallow pressure mimics how a baby starts sucking breasts.
It will start applying a deeper but slower suction pattern to extract the milk. This is the express mode. The suction pattern is similar to how your baby sucks milk that has let down.
If you’re not comfortable with the timing between the massage and express modes, you can switch back and forth until the setting is convenient for you. This will help moms who have trouble letting down milk quickly.
How to care for your Spectra S1 breast pump
Spectra says that you must wash all your Spectra breast pump parts, besides the tubing, in hot soapy water before the first use and after every use. Do not immerse the pump in water. Use a clean wet rag to wipe it when it is dirty.
Your tubing should never be in the dishwasher. But you use the dishwasher’s top shelf to wash the flanges, bottles, and other plastic parts of the backflow protectors. Also, do not over sterilize your breast pump parts to prevent warping or damage.
Exclusive pumpers should replace their pump parts frequently. Even when you do not pump exclusively, replace your Spectra S1 pumping parts when you notice that its suction strength is reducing. You can also replace them in the following time frames:
Parts | Time frame |
Flanges | Every 6 months |
Backflow protectors | Every 6 months if you pump at most 3 times a day or 3 months if you pump at least 2 times a day |
Tubing | When there is moisture inside |
Duckbill valve | Once a month, you pump at most 3 times a day or every 2 months if you pump at least 2 times a day |
Reviews from real-life moms
Chelsea Roller liked the pump
Chelsea Roller works with Rank Fuse Digital Marketing. This is what she said about the Spectra S1:
“I used a Spectra S1 breast pump with my first child, and I am planning on getting another one for baby number two later this year. I really liked this pump because it made pumping at the office easy. While there is a bit of a learning curve, I feel like that is probably the case with every pump on the market. Plus, unlike some of the other popular pumps, there are a lot of different flange sizes available for the Spectra, and I had the ability to actually find a size that worked well for me.
The internal battery also made it possible to pump on road trips if necessary. I didn’t feel the need to carry around an extra car charger or frantically find a private place with an outlet while we were out and about.”
Oberon also liked the product
Oberon Copeland is the CEO and owner of VeryInformed. This is what she said about Spectra S1:
“The Spectra S1 breast pump is an excellent choice for moms who are looking for a quality, affordable option. This pump is designed to be lightweight and portable, making it perfect for on-the-go moms.
It also features a closed system, which means that milk cannot back up into the pump or tubing. This is a great feature for moms who want to ensure that their milk is always fresh and clean.
Additionally, the Spectra S1 comes with a two-year warranty, so you can be confident that it will last.”
Amber used it for 3 years and loved it
Amber Rogers is the founder at My Chicken Guide, and said this about the breast pump:
“Overall, the Spectra S1 is an excellent choice for moms who are looking for an affordable, high-quality breast pump.”
I used the Spectra S1 breast pump over a combined period of 3 years with both of my children. I found the pump to be well priced and powerful. It is a hospital grade pump and I loved how very efficient and comfortable it is when pumping breast milk. It can also be cordless and run off battery so that is invaluable when wanting to move around while pumping. It also has some helpful functions like telling you how many hours of pumping you have done in total.”
Sharon loved it
Sharon Dylan is the Co-Founder and Career Coach of Management Help LLC. She said:
“I used a Spectra S1 breast pump about three years ago after my daughter was born. Though I was able to do direct latch for three months, I needed to go back to work after that so I had to use the breast pump to still have milk for my baby. I loved the product! Unlike the other breast pumps that I’ve tested, this one does not hurt my breast as it extracts milk because it mimics the sucking motion of a baby. With that, my breast thinks that my baby is directly feeding and my milk production continues. I also like that it was very portable and light so I was able to put it in my bag and carry it anywhere. My overall experience with this pump was really good.”
Kelly said the pump is durable
Kelly Marohl is the owner and designer of The Greenspring Home blog. She is a mom of two under 4. She said:
“I used the Spectra S1 pump to exclusively pump for both of my babies. Although my health insurance plan only covered the S2 for free, I chose to upgrade to the S1 so that I could move around freely without worrying about being plugged in.
The rechargeable battery was an absolute game-changer for exclusively pumping. It allowed me to pump anywhere in a room while always caring for my fussy baby. If I needed to grab something, the ability to hold the pump while walking around was so key.
I would choose the S1 breast pump again and again! It kept its speed and power throughout two years of heavy use.”
FAQs
Is Spectra S1 a hospital grade?
Spectra S1 is a hospital-grade electric breast pump with a built-in, rechargeable battery.
Which is better, Spectra or Medela?
We prefer Spectra over Medela because Spectra is more efficient than Medela and has better features like a quiet motor and separate suction and speed adjustment levels.
Can you double pump with Spectra S1?
Yes, you can double pump with Spectra S1 electric breast pump.
Conclusion
Spectra S1 breast pump is one of the best breast pumps any mom can have. It is easy to use and clean, and highly effective in pumping milk. Moms also prefer S1 because of the rechargeable battery and quiet pump motor. Buy Spectra S1 breast pump on Amazon.
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