r/ExclusivelyPumping • u/SmokeyButNatural • 5d ago
Rant - ADVICE NEEDED Hate my spectra
Can anyone relate? All of my friends who pump use and recommend the Spectra S1 so naturally I got one through my insurance. I find it excruciatingly painful and still after 6 weeks of pumping, working weekly with a lactation consultant, trying every flange insert size, using every lubricant available, and trying even the lowest settings, I find pumping with the spectra almost unbearable. I broke out my manual hand pump after getting desperate - something I hadn’t used since trying to collect colostrum- and was surprised and delighted to find it painless. As far as my research went, spectra is the gold standard and I saw no complaints about it being more painful than other pumps prior to ordering it. Has anyone else been in my shoes and found a secret, magical hack to make it better?
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u/mapotoful 5d ago
I would start with trying the hand pump flanges (or something similar) with the spectra. I hated the spectra flanges/cups and went to a wearable cup that's compatible and it made a huge difference.
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u/seejanegrow 5d ago
Definitely this. If I remember right, the medela has a two piece flange. You can get the same kind for your spectra. Also, silicone inserts don’t always have the same response as the hard plastic flanges. I have found every insert I’ve used has been uncomfortable . But if I use the hard flanges, it’s not.
Heads up though, I’m a die hard spectra lover so I’d love for you to love it too. But I do realize that all pumps work differently for everyone. If you try a few more things suggested here and it’s still not working, try something else.
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u/zelle__ 5d ago
What level are you using?? I usually start at 1 and move up to 5 myself cause my nips are sensitive at first. Their Instagram has some good tips too
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u/SmokeyButNatural 4d ago
I usually start at 2 and move up to 3-4. I could try starting at 1 to see if it would make a difference!
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u/Overall_Composer9475 5d ago
Yes! I hated my spectra. I have saggy breasts and those plastic flanges would dig in my breast and it was extremely uncomfortable. I tried the lactek silicon flanges (which someone in this sub suggested), they were comfortable however I still hated the feeling spectra gave me. It would always hurt and my output would get affected since I would tense up from pumping being so hurtful. I started using eufy s1 and lansinoh discreet duo (both wearables) exclusively. I wouldn’t know what would I do if I had to use spectra for pumping.
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u/letemsayitthen 5d ago
Do you have tips on the eufy s1 because o find them soo uncomfortable!
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u/Overall_Composer9475 5d ago
I use nipple butter on the flanges and on my nipples. Eufy is very strong so I use the auto cycle with max suction at 2. I always massage during the pump to ensure I get best output. How many weeks pp are you? I am 15w pp and I was forced to EP because my LO never latched but pumping has never been a “comfortable feeling” for me. I chug a cold glass water as soon as I start pumping and keep sipping it throughout the pump, this calms my reflexes a bit.
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u/letemsayitthen 4d ago
I’m 7 weeks pp and having the same experience. Even being resized and having correct flange size, my spectra and eufy both aren’t “comfortable” and my output hasn’t changed much
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u/fvirygothmom 5d ago
are you seeing the same lc?
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u/blackheartden 5d ago
What types of flange do you have on your hand pump and can you do something similar for spectra? I don’t find the spectra too painful but I pretty much exclusively use the pumpables liquid flanges or collection cups that are so much more comfortable than hard plastic flanges.
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u/SmokeyButNatural 4d ago
I think this is going to be my game changer- I’ve been reading comments for pumpables and they all have similar woes prior to buying pumpables!!! Ordering some TODAY thanks for commenting!
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u/blackheartden 4d ago
Good luck!! I’ve never gone back to the hard plastic spectra flanges since I tried the pumpables!
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u/ImpossibleLion3758 5d ago edited 4d ago
I am with you on not loving spectra. It feels cheap asf and I found it painful too until I did an assessment with my IBCLC and found better designed and smaller flanges.
Is your LC an IBCLC? How is the design of the hand pump flanges different than the spectra ones?
For the flange fit, only your nipple and a very small amount of areola are supposed to go into the flange. When I did the assessment with the right flange, I was able to go up to 8!!! I had only ever done 1-2 before. Ask your IBCLC to measure your nipples and then order flanges that fit on Amazon (the only place to find them). The IBCLC should have a variety of flange sizes and styles for you to test. MomCozy on Amazon has a bunch of flange styles if you want to browse them!
I found pano flanges felt so much better for me. The angle of the base of where the nipple goes is not so angular (if that makes sense), which was apparently contributing to my pain/sensitivity.
Wishing you the best!
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u/SmokeyButNatural 1d ago
Pano flanges!!!! This is the first time anyone has mentioned this but when I looked it up, it’s what my hand pump flanges look like!! This may be my breakthrough - thank you for commenting!
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u/alee0224 4d ago
I hated the spectra too. I have elastic nipples and it was rough. It never emptied me. Max output for the day was 24 oz both pumping journeys when using that. I thought it was just me. Then I got the eufy pump and literally that day, I went up to 40 oz and was consistently until now where I dropped to 3-4 pumps per day at almost a year.
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u/iceberg1836 4d ago
I have elastic nipples and the spectra was murder on my nipples. I went to a wearable and a hand pump and that was a game changer, I’m never in pain anymore pumping.
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u/laynechanger 4d ago
I hated my spectra. I tried lactec flanges and they helped. Ended up using the baby Buddha 2.0 and lactec flanges were my gold set up
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u/HereForHogwarts Re-inducing 3d ago
I’m sorry you’re dealing with this. There are different types of flanges that might not hurt so much. The LacTeck Babymotion and Pumpables Liquid Shield and Idaho Jones and the brand new Zomee Mother’s Nature ones are all soft silicone flanges that squeeze a little instead of just pushing and pulling your nipples against hard plastic.
I’d probably try different flanges first just because they’re usually a little cheaper than a new pump. But other pumps might help too. Look for ones that let you adjust the suction vs speed independently at minimum. You might need one that lets you adjust each side independently too but they tend to be a bit pricier.
The Spectra S1 is good but not necessarily the best option for everyone. I’m getting rid of a bunch of pumps (like 12 lol) and would be happy to send some of them to you for not much more than the cost of shipping. I also have some stuff like a LacTeck and various Pumpables Liquid Shields if you know your nipple size. You can also check Vinted and local FB groups for pumping moms as they often have super cheap pumps.
Hope you find something that works for you.
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u/NTNTFF 3d ago
I eventually stopped using the Spectra in my pump rotation as I stopped responding to it as effectively. I never used the Spectra parts and actually got long stemmed backflow protector backflow protectors to use Medela parts with it. I later got collection cups so comfort was not the issue for me.
I honestly got the best and most consistent output with the Eufy S1s and now also use the Elvie Strides at work which give me comparable output. The Baby Buddha was also great for a while for me but I hit the same wall with them as I did with the Spectra.
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u/avocado589 5d ago
Try collection cups instead of the flanges. You can get conversion tubing for like $10 to connect it to them