Hands Free Pumps

The whole time I was pregnant and someone asked me if I was going to breastfeed, I would tell them that I would give breastfeeding a fair shot, and if it worked...great, and if it didn't...that was okay too. 

It did take 5 very long days for my milk to come in (I did not go into labor naturally), but once I figured out that breastfeeding was going to work out, I knew I needed a plan for when I went back to work. I know there are laws in place that allow women to pump in peace, but I am a teacher. I didn't want someone to come in and cover my class while I went and made some liquid gold (I can be am controlling when it comes to my students). 

So, I came across two hands free breast pumps, the Willow 1.0 and the Elvie. I have included information about both pumps for you to make a choice based on what you are looking for in a hands free pump. I have also included the pros and cons of both pumps based on my experience with each one. 

Both of these pumps are purchased as two separate pumps, so they operate independently. When Lewie was sick and wasn't nursing great, I would wear one pump on one side while he nursed on the other. Otherwise, I would use them both at the same time. 

They both have different suction settings. On the Willow I never increased the suction. On the Elvie I have but didn't necessarily need to. On both pumps you can change to the letdown setting or they will automatically go into that setting after a certain time. 

Sizing

The Willow offers breast shield sizes in 24mm or 27mm. If you buy a milk container, you can get the 21mm breast shield. 

The Elvie offers breast shield sizes in 21mm, 24mm, and 28mm. The Elvie pump comes with 24mm and 28mm but you can purchase 21mm if that's the size you need. 

Storage

When I used the Willow 1.0, the milk bags held 4 oz. and when the bag was full, the pump automatically shut off. Then, I would have to remove the pump, and get the remaining milk into the bag, which was struggle sometimes. This would frequently happen during a letdown, so by the time I replaced the bag and put the pump back in I wouldn't produce but a few more drops of milk, and then I wasted a bag. However, now they have reusable milk containers, so this process would be a whole lot easier and less expensive. 

Elvie has 5 oz. bottles that store milk while you pump. Having that extra ounce was really all I needed. Occasionally the pump would shut off indicating that it was full, but I could start it back for a few moments, if needed, to let the letdown finish. The process of changing out bottles is very easy and quick. 

Care for Parts

The Willow only has 2 parts to clean. If you use the milk container, it adds a third part. These parts can also be put in the top rack of the dishwasher, but I always hand wash all of my pump parts. 

The Elvie has 5 parts to clean. Some of these parts are also pretty small. In addition, when using the parts after a wash, they must be completely dry in order for the pump to work.

Price

The cost of the Willow and Elvie is $500 unless you just want to purchase only one of the pumps. Insurance may cover these depending on what you have. You can also use your HSA or FSA to purchase them. I was not able to use either of these, but the investment was worth it, and I would definitely do it again if it meant I was able to be this successful in my BF journey. 

Apps

Both of these hands free pumps have apps that Bluetooth with the pumps. The app tells you the battery life, the suction setting, and how much milk you have pumped. It allows you to track your pump session and your milk output. 

Noise

The Willow is a quiet pump, while the Elvie is a silent pump. 

Battery

Both pumps take about 2 hours to charge. The Willow provides you with one charger while the Elvie provides you with 2, if you buy the double pump. I have found that the Willow has a longer battery life. I think you could get 4 pump sessions out of the Willow, while I can only get 3 out of the Elvie. 

Pros and Cons based on my experience

The Willow

Pros:

1. You can wear it anywhere and anytime. I never had any issues with it leaking or the milk being spilled no matter how active I was. 

2. It stores the milk for you, and syncs nicely with your phone.

3. It has few parts, and they are easy to clean and assemble. 

Cons:

1. If you have the 1.0 it can get costly. It was costing me $3 a day, on top of the $500 I initially spent. However, generation 2 and 3 has reusable milk containers that would eliminate the $3 a day cost. 

2. They are louder than the Elvie and are more noticeable. 

3. The suction was quite strong, and it took a while to get used to because it was uncomfortable at first. I realized later, that I was wearing the wrong size breast shield, but even my friends that were wearing the correct size said the suction was quite strong. It is definitely something you have to get used to. 

The Elvie

Pros:

1. You can reuse the parts, which saves $3 a day. With both pumps I made sure I had enough parts to last a whole day without washing between sessions, but I liked how these stored the milk in a reusable bottle.  

2. It is not noticeable and fits quite comfy. The Willow tended to stick out a little further. When I'm pumping with my Elvie, no one notices, and I am not uncomfortable.

3. It is a lot quieter. It makes very little sound. 

Cons:

1. It can leak if you lean over or are walking fast, causing the milk to slosh around. I haven't had this problem in a long time, but it can happen. 

2. The battery life will last for 3 pumps only. 

3. There are more parts to clean than the Willow and the breast shields and suction parts must be 100% dry before you can use it.  

BF is not for all. If is it not for you, know that it is okay. It is extremely hard. It's actually how I came to name my blog. Grit and Grace is exactly what it takes to BF. I have never in my life faced something so challenging. It takes a lot of research and trial and error to do what's right for you, your baby, and your family. I so wish we had more education/tips and tricks on BF at our fingertips. There are lots of places on social media that you can find to help you throughout your journey, but you really have to look and be open to different views. 

I have used both pumps in many different places while doing many different things. I pump frequently in the car. I pump daily at school. I have pumped multiple times during different conferences I have attended. I recently went to Broadway in downtown Nashville and listened to some good music on the rooftop of Kid Rock's place while pumping. I even took my pumps out while walking down Broadway and the people I was with never even noticed. No shame. 

In my opinion, these pumps don't limit what you can do while BF. I don't have any excuse that I can't go somewhere or do something because I have to pump. Pumping is so simple with the Willow or the Elvie. 

I carry my pumping bag around with me, and a lot of people just think it's a purse. 

Both pumps are great; it depends on what you are looking for/care about with a pump. As always, if you have any more questions about either pump or BF, please reach out!

-Lauren