Which pump is right for me?
Your personal needs are the most important factor when choosing the best pump for you. Consider these questions:
- Will you be pumping on the go or at work?
- Do you have multiple infants to pump for?
- Do you think you'll primarily be pumping during the day or at night?
- Do you have a comfortable, discreet place to pump, or will you be pumping in a more crowded area (like the living room, the kitchen, or a not-so-private lactation room at work)?
- How often will you pump?
- Do you plan to exclusively pump?
1 Natural Way has breast pump choices for every need and situation and will be sure to guide you into the right one.
Side-by-side comparison: Spectra S2 Plus vs. Medela Pump In Style Pro
Many moms get stuck choosing between a couple different pump options. To help you out, here is a side-by-side comparison of two of the most popular breast pumps - the Spectra S2 Plus and the Medela Pump in Style Pro
| Feature |
Spectra S2 |
Medela Pump In Style Pro |
| Reviews from 1 Natural Way Moms |
4.9 stars out of 5 |
4.8 stars out of 5 |
| Pump Strength |
Hospital strength (max 270 mmHg) |
Personal (max 240 mmHg) |
| Pump Controls |
2 Phase Pumping with expression and massage modes |
2 Phase Expression Technology with one-touch let-down |
| Portability |
Lightweight (3.3 lbs.), no battery adapter |
Small and lightweight (1.18 lbs) with battery pack (batteries not included) |
| Noise Level |
Very quiet - can pump in the same room as a sleeping baby |
Very quiet - sleeping spouse approved |
| Special Features |
Included night light for nighttime pumping, timer |
Battery adapter, PersonalFit PLUS breast shields |
| Closed System or Open System |
Closed system with backflow protection |
Closed system with backflow protection |
| Warranty |
2 years on pump motor, 90 days on parts/accessories |
1 year on pump motor; 90 days on parts/accessories |
Single or double electric breast pump
Both models can be used as a single or double breast pump. This is great if you'll be pumping a lot because you can maximize your milk production and minimize pumping time.
Adjustable suction speed and vacuum
The Medela Pump in Style Advanced and the Spectra S2 Plus breast pumps are both designed to mimic the actions of a nursing baby, maximizing milk flow.
Both pumps have different settings for let-down and expression. The massage mode stimulates the let-down reflex to encourage milk to flow, using a short and shallow speed (this mimics how a baby nurses when she first latches). The expression mode has a slower, stronger suction for maximum milk production once the milk is flowing.
Additionally, with both the Spectra and the Medela, you can change the speed of suction and the strength of the vacuum. This is ideal because every woman is built differently and has different pumping needs.
The biggest differences in suction and vacuum between the Spectra vs Medela pumps are:
- The Spectra S2 Plus allows moms to adjust the suction speed and strength separately, making it easy to customize pumping sessions. The hospital strength vacuum offers excellent suction.
- The Medela Pump in Style has hospital performance with preprogrammed speed and vacuum settings. Some moms find this pump easier and more straightforward to use than the Spectra because it takes the guesswork out of when to switch to expression mode.
Open system vs closed system breast pump
The difference between a closed system and an open system is that, in a closed system, there is a barrier between your breast milk and the pump. This means that breast milk can't flow backwards into the tubing or the pump, which keeps the milk away from potentially harmful bacteria.
Both the Spectra S2 and the Medela Pump In Style Pro have closed systems. This is more hygienic than an open system, but both pumps still need to be cleaned and sterilized with every use.
Special features and portability
Both pumps come with different sized breast flanges/shields and bottles for milk storage, as well as all the tubing, valves and other parts you need to get started (both come with everything you need to start pumping). Moms find that Medela replacement parts are readily available at many retail locations and, of course, online.
