When you’re breastfeeding and need to pump milk for your baby, you may not have the time to regularly sit down with the pump and all the accessories to express your milk.
It can be difficult if you’re on the go or at work. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t still pump milk for your baby. Other pumps aim to make it more convenient.
If you’re a new or expectant mom, chances are you’ve heard of this product because a lot of people are talking about it. It’s a wireless and wearable pump that allows you to express your milk without the traditional breast pump setup.
How does it work and is it worth the money (because it isn’t cheap)? We’re going to take a look so that you can decide if this wearable breast pump is right for you.
In this article
How Does the Willow Breast Pump Work?
One of the main perks about the Willow Breast Pump is that it is completely hands-free and cord-free. It comes with two cups that fit into your bra. There are no tubes or dangling bottles.
Before you even order, you need to determine your flange size so that you get the one that fits you best. This will affect how well your pump works, so you want to be accurate.
You need to measure your nipple size and then compare it to the Willow size to get an accurate reading. Willow lists the sizes as follows:
Nipple Size Willow Size
17-19mm 21mm
20-22mm 24mm
23-25mm 27mm
When you order your pump, you’ll see the three different sizes to choose from. When you turn the Willow Breast Pump on, milk is pumped into spill-proof storage bags that are located inside the pump.
Each bag holds up to four ounces of milk. The pump can maintain suctioning while you go about your business.
There is an app you can download to keep track of your pumping sessions and how much milk your body is producing. It will also tell you how strong the suction was for each session.
Once you’re done, you can pour the bag into a bottle or put the bag directly in the fridge or freezer for storage. There is also the option to buy reusable breast milk containers that are compatible with the Willow pump.
Unlike the bags, these can be washed and reused. It’s a matter of personal preference as to which one you choose.
Willow Wearable Breast Pump Benefits
As we mentioned above, the appeal of the Willow Wearable Breast Pump is that it is hands-free. Many women who have used this product comment on the fact that they don’t have tubes or bottles dangling from their breasts.
Here are some other things that many women who have used this breast pump enjoy:
It’s discreet
You can use the pump at work or home while you’re doing other activities.
It’s quiet
While traditional breast pumps can get a bit loud, women who have used the Willow Wearable Breast Pump comment on how quiet it is. This is a huge perk because you don’t want the pump to make a lot of noise, especially if it’s discreet.
Easy to track
The app makes it easy to track how much milk you’re expressing as well as how long you’ve pumped for.
Storage made simple
If you choose, you can take the storage bag directly from the pump and put it in the fridge or freezer. This eliminates the chance of you spilling it before your baby gets it. Also, the bags are leak-proof which is a huge plus.
Dishwasher-safe and easy to clean
The two parts that you need to clean can be put in the dishwasher if you don’t want to wash them by hand.
Things to Consider with the Willow Wearable Breast Pump
While there are huge benefits to using a wireless, wearable breast pump, there are some things to consider before hopping on board.
It’s not cheap
Compared to traditional breast pumps, the Willow Wearable Breast Pump will run you around $500. You also have to take into consideration the fact that you will need to continue buying the storage bags unless you decide to use the reusable containers.
Also, if you were looking for your insurance to cover the cost, you may be disappointed. Many insurance companies don’t cover it, but you can check with yours to see if they might.
It may be a bit uncomfortable
Women who have used this pump have commented that it can be difficult to make sure that your nipples line up with the pump. You may have to do some adjusting to make sure that it fits correctly.
Once it does fit correctly, some women find it uncomfortable to have the cups inside their bra. Others commented that it’s not as discreet as they would like because the pumps increase the size of their breasts, which makes them noticeable.
Collection bags may be too small
If you tend to pump a lot of milk each session, the bags that hold four ounces of milk may not cut it. This may lead you to question the convenience of using the pump if the bags aren’t going to hold all of your milk.
You need to remember to charge it
One full charge is set to last more than two full pumping sessions. You want to be fully charged before you put the cups in. The pump only comes with one charger for two pumps, so keep that in mind as you plan ahead.
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The Willow vs. The Competition
The Willow isn’t the only game in town when it comes to wearable breast pumps. There are other models that are comparable. There is the Freemie system that also works off the concept of a hands-free pump.
The cups are compatible with several different pumps. The cups replace the bottles and flanges that you’ll find on the more traditional pumps. This allows for more discreet pumping. It’s just a fraction of the cost of the Willow.
There is also the Elvie system that is another hands-free option. It sells for about the same price and touts itself as being completely silent. It has an app just like the Willow.
It works on the same concept with no bottles or tubes. While the two products are very similar, some users say the Elvie doesn’t hold the charge as well as the Willow.
Bottom Line
As you consider whether the Willow Wearable Breast Pump is right for you, consider how much you’re going to use it. If you plan on using it while at work regularly to make pumping more convenient, it may be worth the money.
But, if you think you’re only going to use it a few times because you spend a lot of time at home, you may want to consider sticking with the traditional breast pump.
Convenience, cost, and usage all need to be factored into your decision before you invest in one.
