Once you’ve decided that you are going to breastfeed your child, you should start planning how you can make this journey easier. Pumping can and will be of immense help. The New Medela Pump In Style with MaxFlow and Spectra S2 are the most selected breast pumps. When I compare the Sectra S2 to the Medela, the Medela gets my vote for its upgraded breast shield design and hospital-grade performance.
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Spectra S2 vs Medela Pump in Style with MaxFlow (PISM)
Both the Spectra S2 and New Medela Pump in Style with MaxFlow perform similarly producing the same amounts of breastmilk. The Medela PISM does look better than the Spectra S2, in that it has a more subtle and stylish look to it, making it even more modest to take to work and other places. Silicone rims on each shield of the Medela PISM are more comfortable and they suction better than the Spectra S2. And, unlike the Spectra S2, the Medela PISM is not backlit for nighttime pumping nor does it display the suction level.
Your Pumping Needs
If you plan to work or be away from your little one for extended periods of time, start pumping and storing milk soon after you’ve given birth to make sure you have a sufficient stash. Not only that, but while you are away you must keep pumping to ensure that your supply does not decline. We’ve got some great tips and tricks that you can use to store your liquid gold and a brush-up on storage recommendations from the experts. Breast milk can be safely stored for a couple of hours in the fridge or for a few months in the freezer.
Now, the question is which breast pump should you invest in? You will find both manual and electric as well as single and double pumps on the market these days. A double electric pump probably makes the most sense as they are more time-efficient and many offer a hands-free option so that you can multitask while you pump. And the suction rhythms that many come programmed with are designed to help get the milk flowing.
See all the best breast pumps for a full breakdown of the top contenders.
Single or Double Pump
Both Spectra S2 and Medela pumps can be used as a single or a double pump. That’s a great advantage to have especially if you’re breastfeeding and pumping at the same time, or if you need to express milk more from one side.
A double breast pump will be a lot less time-consuming and will get you done in half the time a single does obviously. If you have twins or are pumping at work, a double will better suit your needs.
The hands-free design, offered by both pumps, coupled with a pumping bra will change your world. You can multitask while you’re pumping. Whether you are at work or just on the go, having the ability to do other things with your hands while you are pumping is a huge plus.
Closed System
You’re probably wondering what in the world is a closed or an open pumping system. The difference is primarily about how each is cleaned and it is very important.
Multiple users can use a closed system pump because it prevents backflow of milk into the tubing and also the motor. Closed system pumps ensure great hygiene by preventing backflow, which can also affect pump performance. And even though I normally discourage people from sharing pumps, there is less of a risk with a closed system pump. And there is not much to cleaning the tubing afterwards either.
An open system, however, is quite the opposite. It does allow for backflow. One tip to manage the back flow is to leave the tubing connected and let the pump run on its own for a few minutes after you finish up with pumping. This will clear any excess milk and moisture from the tubing and also ensure that there is none left behind in the motor. Nevertheless, it is necessary to sterilize tubing daily with an open system to keep them clean from bacteria and prevent mold.
Both the Spectra S2 and Medela PISM are closed system breast pumps.
See some of the science behind selecting a breast pump.
Adjustable Suction Speed
The Spectra S2 and Medela PISM are both hospital-grade breast pumps which means their suction capabilities are great. And, if you’re on the lower end of the milk supply, then power pumping with either of these will be sure to boost your supply.
Both breast pumps start in massage mode. This mode is designed to mimic a baby’s suckling to stimulate letdown. This short and shallow suction speed helps to get the milk flowing when you sit down to pump. Following the massage mode, the pump switches into the expression mode with slower and stronger suction. The expression mode is designed to mimic a baby nursing after letdown. And the speed is adjustable, so you can switch back and forth from massage to expression mode adjusting the speed and customize the settings to work with your flow.
One perk the Medela offers, that the Spectra does not, is the micro-vibrations felt while pumping — also designed to mimic baby’s suckling.
And, while the Medela PISM has an option to adjust the suction speed, it does not have the option to adjust the suction and speed separately as the Spectra S2 does.
Noise-level
Many moms prefer to pump at night and at work. The downside of pumping at night or at work can be the noise levels of the pump. The constant chugging sounds can wake up your sleeping baby when you’re at home and be distracting if you’re trying to discreetly pump at work.
I think the noise level of Spectra and Medela is pretty similar to each other. If anything, the Medela is said to run louder if the pump isn’t sitting flat on a surface. With the Spectra, you can comfortably pump in the same room as your sleeping baby with the lights turned off. I mentioned this because, Spectra has this awesome nightlight feature and you can see the pump’s display and control buttons for adjustments (unlike the Medela).
For those familiar, Medela PISM is quieter than it’s original PISA (Pump In Style Advanced) model.
Comfortable to Use
This is where the Medela PISM really takes comfortability up a notch. Instead of using plastic and typically uncomfortable flanges for pumping, the Medela’s flanges, called PersonalFit Flex™ breast shields, are designed with silicone around the rims. They are also oval-shaped, rather than round, allowing for an overall better fit.
The silicone and oval shape allows for better suction when pumping and doesn’t feel as rough and awkward as the traditional breast shields that come with the Spectra S2.
Accessories
Medela’s bottles are the traditional hit, tried and true yellow-capped bottles that you’ve seen with previous models.
Spectra’s bottles however, are a complete miss. The threading is so little that they do not securely attach to the flanges and there is a risk spillage if you move around mid-pump. Not only that, but when you sterilize these in boiling water, the bottle loses shape and sturdiness.
The valve that comes with Spectra does not seem to have a very long life. Especially, since removing it requires a good strong pull and that does not help the cause. You can, however, use Medela’s valve and membrane with Spectra’s kit and that should work fine.
With the Spectra, the breast shield and flange are a single piece as opposed to seperate units. And, not only is cleaning a total pain, but it also means that in case you need to go up or down a size, you would need to buy the whole unit. You can purchase different breast shields and flanges separately with Medela and it is easy to purchase replacement parts instead of buying the entire kit.
Needless to say, Medela accessories are of a much higher quality than Spectra’s.
Convenience
Medela comes with a battery pack which means you can use it anywhere even if you don’t have access to a power outlet. Much more convenient for pumping outside of your home. Unfortunately, Spectra S2 currently does not have a battery pack but you can separately purchase a car adapter if you wish to pump in the car.
Compared to the Spectra S2, the Medela PISM is lighter to carry around, but the Spectra has smaller dimensions so it doesn’t take up as much room.
Pros
Spectra S2
- Closed system
- Hospital-grade suction helps increase low milk supply
- Varying frequency and suction on both massage and expression mode
- Costs less than the Medela PISM
- Gentle and essentially painless pumping – has more of a natural feel
- Not as noisy as other pumps
- A nightlight that lets you see the display and control in the dark
- With the use of adapters can use parts from Medela
Medela PISM
- Closed system
- Hospital-performance increases milk volume by 11.8%
- Max flow micro-vibrations mimics baby suckling
- Great for travel with a battery adapter
- PersonalFit Flex™ breast shields (silicone rim)
- Excellent quality accessories (bottles, flanges, shields)
- Shields and flanges are easy to clean
- Includes cooler bag, pump bag, and battery pack
Cons
Spectra S2
- Breast shield and flange are one single unit
- Inferior quality bottles
- No battery option
- Relatively new brand to the USA so limited availability
Medela PISM
- Cannot separately adjust vacuum and suction speed
- No nightlight or display to show suction speed
- More expensive
Reviews
Here are what people are saying about these breast pumps:
Spectra S2
4 stars, 38 reviews – buybuybaby.com
Medela PISM
4 stars, 275 reviews – buybuybaby.com
FAQs about Spectra S2 vs Medela Pump in Style MaxFlow
What bottles are compatible with Spectra S2?
Directly: Avent glass and plastic wide neck bottles, Mam glass and plastic bottles, and Dr. Browns wide neck bottles.
With Spectra Bottle Adaptor: Lifefactory glass bottles, 4 and 9 oz., Evenflo glass and plastic bottles, Dr. Browns glass and plastic regular neck bottles, Medela glass bottles 4 and 9 oz.
With Kiinde Pouch Adaptor: Kiinde Feeding System
With two Papablic Adapters: Comotomo Baby Bottles
How long should I pump?
It depends upon your specific circumstances, but a good rule of thumb is 10 to 15 minutes the first few days after delivery, then around 30 minutes each time (or until the milk has slowed down and breasts no longer feel full).
Is Spectra compatible with Medela?
Not completely — Medela’s accessories are much better than Spectra’s.
In order to use Medela’s higher quality bottles and flanges with Spectra pumps, you must buy a Spectra bottle adapter.
What is the difference between Spectra S1 and S2?
The Spectra S1 is aqua blue and white and has a built-in rechargeable battery, while the S2 is baby pink and white and has only the AC-Adapter.
What is the difference between Medela Pump in Style Advanced and Pump in Style MaxFlow?
The biggest difference between these two breast pumps is that the PISM is a closed system (rather than open) and features silicone-rimmed oval-shaped breast shields for pumping (rather than circular plastic ones).
Why would I need a breast pump?
There are many situations for which you might want to consider a breast pump. Some of the most common are:
- to maintain your milk supply when your baby isn’t nursing or isn’t nursing well.
- to increase your milk supply or to induce lactation.
- because you’ll be away from your baby at work, or for other reasons.
Final Recommendation
Although the Spectra S2 has been a popular breast pump for a while, we recommend the Medela Pump in Style MaxFlow overall. The new closed system design is a huge improvement, allowing women to pump safely without the risk of contamination or mildew buildup. And in addition to this, the ingenious design of the improved breast shield (flange) with silicone rim and ingenious oval shape — offering mothers a more comfortable and effective pumping experience.
