The Spectra 9 Plus breast pump is ideal for busy moms on the go. At only a half-pound, this pump is lightweight and so small that it fits discreetly in the purse. It is designed for performance and portability, making it a favorite among mothers.
Spectra Baby USA is composed of a diverse team of moms, dads, sons, and daughters. They are dedicated to “helping nursing mothers and their babies get off to the best start possible” on their breastfeeding journey. The pumps are designed for comfort and to instill confidence in breastfeeding moms. They also offer superior customer care.
In terms of accolades, they have received rewards from:
- The Bump – Best of Baby Awards 2018
- Babylist Best
- BetterBabes.org – Protecting Healthy Infant Feeding
- Mom Trends – Must Have 2016 Winner
- Mom’s Choice Award honoring excellence
- Parent Tested Parent Approved Winner
Decades ago, breast pumps were large, bulky, and heavy. They were anything but portable. They sometimes hurt and did not necessarily promote that “natural” feeling. They had one purpose, and that was to express milk.
Now, breast pumps are almost a quarter of the size, lightweight, natural, and so portable you can take them anywhere.
In selecting a breast pump, there are a few things to consider. The first is purpose. If you are pumping throughout the day while working, you may want a small, portable pump to allow you to discreetly take your purse and go into a bathroom or lounge to pump. There are some things to consider with this scenario, though.
Experts recommend using a hospital pump (S2 or S1 Plus in this case) if a mom is exclusively pumping or is relying on the pump for supply.
The second thing to consider is how natural the pump is. Breastfeeding can be difficult, and you have to be careful to ensure your milk supply does not diminish. Be gentle when removing the pump and putting it on so that the breast isn’t damaged.
The pump should mimic how a baby nurses. A letdown feature is nice, as are able to choose a suction level as the baby grows. The pump should recreate the natural experience as much as possible so that you maintain your milk supply. Furthermore, pumping should not hurt. If it does, there may be something wrong.
Double pumping may be a special consideration. A machine that double pumps save time and increase prolactin levels (milk-producing hormone) in the blood. It provides better support for the milk supply.
Additionally, an electric breast pump should be as clean as possible to protect the mother from any infections. There should be some type of motor protection and a backflow protector to eliminate harmful bacteria. You should clean equipment regularly to prevent breast infections from occurring and being transmitted to the baby.
Some moms also store milk in breast milk storage bags. They are nice and can be a convenient choice, but they are prone to leaking. For any mom who has invested in breastfeeding, spilled breast milk is like losing liquid gold. Collection bottles are recommended over pouches for storage unless you are freezing them.
The Spectra Plus
The Spectra 9 Plus breast pump is small, discrete, and rechargeable, making it easy to transport. People will not notice that a mom is carrying it in her purse – it is simply that tiny. It has a single or dual pump capacity and vacuum suction up to L10.
The Spectra 9 Plus makes pumping a very natural part of nursing. The pump has an easily accessible letdown switch designed to speed the start of mild milk flow just as a baby would. This pump does a great job mimicking the natural experience; the difference between breastfeeding and pumping is almost indistinguishable. The result is that moms can express more quicker and help the body produce and express even more.
Additionally, the LCD display allows moms to see where they are with vacuum and cycle settings. The indicator lets moms know how much charge is available, and it has a timer to show how long they have been pumping. You can also use this display to adjust suction strength and speed. As suction increases, the speed slows.
A closed system makes the breast pump completely safe because there is no way for milk to enter the pump motor. This feature is important because any milk that inadvertently enters this chamber can cause mold growth and virus transmission, which is not something that any mom wants to deal with!
Spectra Baby USA offers a two-year warranty on the pump and 90 days on accessories. It comes with the following:
- Two 24mm Breast Flanges
- Two pieces of tubing
- Two Duckbill Valves
- Two Backflow protectors
- Two Wide Neck Storage Bottles; nipple, disc, disc, and lid are included
- A 9-Volt AC Power Adapter with a detachable power cord
- Slow-flow teats are also available for newborn feeding
Spectra 9 Plus Set-Up and Operation Video
The only negatives that any users have reported are they feel there isn’t as much flexibility over the pump program as the S2 plus. They feel that it is noisier over the S2 and Dew models, although there is no evidence to support this.
Social Shout-Outs
Portability was an important feature for moms! One mom reported that she loved the portability and the fact that she could walk around at work and pump. In terms of suction, she claimed it was comparable to the S2 model.
Another mom appreciated the fact that she could pump in the car. She loved that it was effective and quiet.
Yet another mom was “over the moon” about the product. She loved that it was small and easy to use. She claimed that it makes pumping at work a great deal easier and also wished that she had it with her first baby, as breastfeeding would have been much easier.
Overall, the product DID NOT have any truly negative reviews. 71% of reviewers gave it a five-star rating.
Ambitious Alternative Choices
Willow– The Willow breast pump is wearable, which may give the Spectra 9 Plus a run for its money. It is mobile and spill-proof, plus the Willow Generation 3 fits directly into the bra. The no-spill technology makes it the only pump that you can use in any position when using milk collection bags.
It offers seven levels for suction, which is comparable to a hospital grade pump. There is also a sensitivity setting for comfort.
Milk can be pumped and easily transferred into bottles. Each container holds 4 oz or 8 oz of double pumping. Containers are easy to clean, are dishwasher safe, and BPA-free. They do recommend replacing them every three months, though.
This pump is quiet and easy to assemble. There are no external tubes or dangling bottles to contend with.
An added benefit is that there is a Willow App. The Willow App allows you to measure the nipples, stimulate the nipple to perk it up, and measure flange size. It also works for larger breast sizes that are G and H cups.
Elvie– Elvie’s wearable breast pump allows moms to express themselves anywhere. The product is said to be so quiet that you could pump anywhere and no one would notice. It is wearable and fits into a nursing bra, making it hands-free.
The pump has a simple design to clean. It has only five parts, so it’s quick to clean put back together. There are no cords involved, either.
The Elvie pump can be connected to the Elvie Pump App, which monitors real-time milk volume, tracks each breast’s pumping history, and allows you to control the pump remotely.
The pump switches from stimulation to expression mode automatically when it detects a let-down, then pauses when the bottle is full, avoiding any spillage.
Baby Buddha– This double breast pump is small and hangs around the neck using a lanyard. It is quiet, making it extremely discreet. The closed system makes it very hygienic, and the pump is BPA-free, keeping the integrity of the expressed milk intact.
It’s also comfortable. Most users like it because it eliminates sore nipples. It has a soft cushion that mimics the baby’s lips. The anti-backflow design means you don’t have to lean forward while pumping and multiple modes massage the breast and suction milk.
Gone are the days of bulky, noisy machines that hurt the breasts or nipples. Most breast pumps now are portable, silent, and for the most part, people don’t even know what a mom is pumping. There are no more complicated tubes and hookups. Pumps now stimulate baby’s sucking to increase milk production, making breastfeeding a more viable option than ever for moms.
The Spectra 9 Plus has many unique features, which makes it a favorite among moms. It is quiet, discreet, and portable so that no one knows that you are breastfeeding. All you have to do is tuck it in your purse when heading out for the day.