Willow Breast Pump
Breastfeeding can be a challenging experience for new mothers, especially when they need to pump milk for their babies. Traditional breast pumps can be bulky, loud, and inconvenient. However, a new option on the market is the Willow Breast Pump. In this article, we will provide an in-depth review of the Willow Breast Pump and evaluate its features, advantages, and disadvantages. We will also look at alternative options and provide some genuine customer reviews.
What is the Willow Pump?
The Willow Breast Pump is a wireless breast pump, that enables you to move around and perform other activities while pumping milk. It consists of two pumps, one for each breast, that can be placed inside your bra and secured to create a secure latch. Once you turn on the pump, it will begin to extract milk from your breasts.
Instead of going directly into bottles, the milk is collected in a bag or a reusable container that is placed inside the Willow pump. You can control the pump through an app on your phone, which allows you to turn it on and off and adjust the suction strength. The app also provides information on the duration of your pumping session and the amount of milk you have expressed.
How does the Willow Breast Pump work?
The Willow Breast Pump works by using suction to extract milk from the breasts. The pump has two cups that fit inside a bra and a motor that creates a vacuum to draw milk out of the breasts. The pump is designed to mimic the natural suckling pattern of a baby, so it is more comfortable and efficient than traditional breast pumps. The Willow Breast Pump can also be controlled through an app, allowing you to adjust the suction strength and pumping speed.
What are the Pros of the Willow pump?
Some of the pros of using a Willow include:
1. Mobility
Undoubtedly, the most significant benefit is the ability to move around freely and perform other tasks while pumping, such as cooking, taking care of your baby, or working.
2. Spill-proof
The Willow Breast Pump offers the unique feature of pumping into spill-proof bags, enabling mothers to pump while lying down or bending over. This feature is exclusive to the Willow Breast Pump, making it the only hands-free pump that provides this option.
3. App and smartwatch integration
The application enables you to monitor the amount of milk you are expressing in real-time, while also keeping track of your pumping duration and volume for your convenience. Additionally, the app can be synced with an Apple Watch, allowing you to monitor your pumping progress and control the pump without the need to carry your phone with you.
4. Suction can be customized on each side
With the Willow Breast Pump, you can adjust the suction level individually for each breast. This means that if you require a higher suction strength on one side and a lower suction strength on the other, the Willow Breast Pump is one of the few pumps that allow you to do so.
5. Noise level
The Willow Breast Pump produces a low hum and is quieter compared to other breast pumps, but it is not completely silent.
6. Pump parts are easy to clean
The Willow Breast Pump has a simple cleaning process as it only involves two parts: the flange and the flex tube. However, if you are using Willow’s reusable container, it would be a third piece that needs to be cleaned.
What are the Cons of a Willow pump?
There are a few cons to think about:
1. Learning curve
Some users may require some time to adapt to the Willow Breast Pump since its suction mechanism works differently than other pumps. Traditional pumps use a “tug and release” suction, while the Willow 3.0 utilizes a “continuous latch” suction.
Additionally, some users prefer to switch to stimulation or letdown mode again after the milk flow stops to trigger another letdown. However, this is not possible with the Willow Breast Pump.
2. Nipple alignment
Aligning your nipple correctly can be challenging when using the pump since it is not visible under the device.
3. Oversuppliers may need to switch bags/containers during sessions
If you have a large milk supply and typically pump more than 4 ounces per breast, you will need to pause your pumping session and replace the container or bag midway through. The Willow Breast Pump has an automatic stop feature that activates when the pump detects that it is full.
4. Cost of spill-proof bags
Opting for spill-proof bags can lead to additional costs. However, for many people, the major concern is the high price of the Willow Breast Pump.
Features:
- Power Option: This device has a Power Option of an Internal Rechargeable Battery and a Suction Strength of 245 mmHg.
- Closed System: It has a Closed System that prevents milk from entering the tubing and comes with a 1-Year Limited Manufacturer’s Warranty. It is also BPA-Free.
- The device is designed to be wearable and fits in a bra, allowing for hands-free pumping with no cords, tubes, or dangling bottles. There are 7 total levels of suction available, including a sensitivity setting for comfort.
- Smart suction technology is included, which automatically transitions from stimulation to expression mode at letdown and adjusts based on your unique suction preferences to help you get more milk.
- The device can be connected to the Generation 3 Willow app (available for iOS and Android) for volume tracking, history, and personalized tips. Additionally, users can control their pumping session using their Apple Watch, including the ability to start, pause, and increase or decrease suction levels. Real-time volume tracking and automatic session history recording are also available.
The willow breast pump comes with:
- 2 – Pumps
- 2 – 24mm Flanges
- 2 – Flextubes™
- 2 – Cleaning Brushes
- 24 – Spill-Proof Breast Milk Bags (4 oz.)
- 1 – Charging Cable
Is the Willow pump worth it?
The answer to this question is highly personal and depends on factors such as your budget and current life situation. If you have limited funds and only plan to pump at work in a designated lactation room with an electrical outlet, then the answer would likely be no. On the other hand, if you have a larger budget and anticipate needing to pump multiple times throughout the day while on the go, then it may be worth investing in a portable breast pump.
If you want to buy this to the link given below:
FAQs
The Elvie and Willow breast pumps differ mainly in their flexibility of pumping positions. While the Elvie allows some movement, the Willow claims to enable pumping even while lying down, which is a significant advantage.
Willow ensures a continuous latch while pumping, like your baby breastfeeding. You can pump in any position without worrying about leaks. It’s not just the Milk Bags that are spill-proof, but Willow also offers leak-free mobility during and after pumping, which no other pump does.
Upon experiencing battery drain during several pumping sessions, she discovered that the Willow Pump’s battery is optimized to sustain five consecutive sessions.