I FOUND THE ONE. **Review Post

Namastè!

Happy early morning-ness.

You know how you need a thing, but there are several versions of that thing available? Different brands, different types, different options?

You shop around. You try a couple, or a lot, of those options. You stumble upon one that you have heard about, but you THINK you found the one. Yet the one you keep hearing about tugs at you til you just have to find it.

Meet my Spectra S2.

Note: I received the Spectra Baby S2 in exchange for demo and honest review. While the product itself is sponsored, all opinions are mine and mine alone.

Y'all. Y'all. Y'all.

First off, a little history. My baby has all but completely weaned, for days on end. If I didn't pump, I'd be struggling for supply on the days he does still nurse. When he doesn't latch, I moonlight as an exclusive pumper. It's very different than nursing, and I'm not really fond of it.

Enter, my SpectraBaby S2.

Y'all.

The SpectraBaby is the new kid on the block. These little powerhouses have only been available in the United States since 2013. Don't let that fool you though, as they have been manufactured in Korea and sold in other countries since 2000.

But this new kid isn't at all an underdog...

First off, let's talk about the power in this baby. It is a hospital-quality pump, first off. That means, for the uninitiated, that this pump is a closed system (it has a barrier between the actual pump mechanism and your pump kit to prevent contamination or mold buildup). I hadn't heard about closed pumps except in hospital settings. Since those pumps cost thousands, I never investigated them much.

...wrong, Tayè. The SpectraBaby delivers the same power and extra protection (by way of the closed system)--and it costs less than a nice dinner out for my family.  The SpectraBaby S2 is about $199, and as of March 3, 2017 it is covered by some insurance plans. (Check your provider.)

Them Features, Tho...

The S2 might be the new kid, but it is certainly not the underdog. This cute little powerhouse has a bevy of tricks and fancies to make pumping a breeze. It has a completely adjustable vacuum, as well as two modes of employ. I really dig the massage mode. I've found that by switching between massage (aka letdown) mode and regular suckling mode  I get more milk per session. I don't have to tell you how big a deal that is. With all the possible setting combinations there is simply no way a mom could not find her own ideal mode.

Beyond the total adjustability, the S2 boasts a digital display, an ultra-quiet motor (it sounds like a tiny drummer doing a tiny march--who would ever think a breastpump could sound cute?!), and a night light. The night light has two levels, a brighter mode for those who prefer it, and a muted brightness I love for when I'm watching television while pumping. I pair my S2 with a Lactalite clip on, so I never have to wake Hubby Namastè with an overhead light assault.

Assembly!

Assembling the pump kit for my S2 was a snap--literally! The pump kit is two pieces. The horn and connector are one piece, and the valve is the other. Snap them together, then twist on the bottle. Connect the tube and you're ready! It takes no time at all. I legit couldn't even time it.

Another super point of yay for the S2: THE BOTTLES. They are wide-mouth. (They're also super cute.) I am able to use my Avent bottles with the S2.

Getting Down to Business.

I didn't sleep well last night, so I was able to keep all my nocturnal pump sessions. The easy assembly made the S2 an instant win. The night light is phenomenal by the way. With two settings, it can be bright or muted for a softer glow, and it's perfect for those night sessions. Not jarring enough to hurt my eyes but bright enough for me to see. Paired with my Lactalite, this pump is my perfect spark in the dark.

The S2's suction--excuse me, suckling!--is not mechanical at all. If you didn't hear the motor (which is super quiet, by the way), you might literally zone out and think it was a baby latched on. I kid you not, it's seriously that gentle. This pump truly does not pull, and it does not hurt even at the highest setting. (I stay in midrange with vacuum settings.)

The Milkness...

I have heard many times, in many circles, that the S2 is very good for beginning or maintaining milk supply. Having used it myself now, I will offer my guess as to why.

Note: I'm NOT an IBCLC, nor am I an MD. I am simply a mom who has tried many things in my quest to have the best possible nursing experience.

Why do I believe the hype?

1. Supply and demand. If you are pumping more often, you will naturally begin to pump more milk. Your body adjusts over time to the demand for milk by what? Supplying more to meet said demand.

2. Demand and production. When the demand is greater, so too is the production. When your pump is as comfortable to use as the S2, you won't mind using it regularly. This becomes a...

3. Solid routine! 'Nuff said.

The S2 is so unlike other pumps. Trust me, I have tried many.

When I used my S2, I wasn't feeling tugged and pulled. The pump doesn't just suck. It legit suckles, like a robotic baby. Because it was much easier on my nips, I didn't balk at sitting for my 30 minutes. (My night sessions are 30 minutes, because I usually only do two.) With the S2 those 30 minutes did not feel like medieval torture. I actually watched my favorite show ("Designing Women"--Sugarbaker now, Sugarbaker forever!) while making my baby's morning milkies. 

What's that thing we say now? I was so unbothered.

Totally related--the milk flows better with this type of suction, in my humble moo-mommy-cow opinion.

Clean-up!

The S2's cleanup is a breeze, y'all. The connector and flange are one piece, and that one piece is so easy to wash. I use a very small bottle nipple brush to clean inside, and the rest of course, just wash with a dish cloth. I use Seventh Gen dish soap and hot water, then dry on a bottle rack between sessions. It takes me less than ten minutes to clean my pump kit, a time frame I'll likely be able to whittle down of I'm ever in a time crunch.

Travel

I actually had the S2 in the car this morning. I didn't go anywhere,  but I was testing how the pump might perform while on the road.

Note: SpectraBaby also has the S1, which is essentially an S2 with a built-in rechargeable battery. Interestingly enough, I like the S2 so much that I won't switch! 

There are aftermarket car chargers available if you prefer. I like to keep my pumps branded to their own, i.e. I don't use the aftermarket stuff. In travel, the S2 will be with me, ready for use at every feasible stop. Even the absence of battery does not dim this pump's shine for me.

I use my infamous Coach bag to carry my sweet little S2. It just seems to me that a pump this incredible should have an incredible bag. The pump and the necessary accessories fit neatly into the bag, with minimal issue. If I were to go to, say, NYC, I'd use my favorite backpack to schlep my S2 gear.

Bottom Line

Let's face it  regardless of how fancy a pump is, and what features it has, the fact of the matter is, this is a machine and not your baby. It's difficult to want to sit and tether yourself to these machines. Add in the pressure to produce enough to feed baby, plus the added stress of maintaining your pump schedule when you aren't at home all day (work, school, etc.), and it's easy to see why pumping can be difficult.

I'm not saying the S2 is a magic fix for all issues. 

Y'all know I avoid blanket statements like a preggie avoids laughing while standing after week 26. (For me it was week 20, but you get me, I'm sure.)

What I am saying is that, as a mom who now exclusively pumps for days at a clip, the S2 is a magic fix for all MY issues. Namely, the comfortable suction, adjustability for said suction, and the features that make this pump one I don't mind being tethered to while I make those milkies.

I'm super glad I found out about this thing. I'm even more glad for the opportunity to demo and review it, and gladder still that I get to keep it.

I'm very careful with my recommendations. Can't just be endorsing any old thing. I definitely recommend this pump, ESPECIALLY for moms who pump often or will be doing so long-term.

Namastè!

-- Tayè K ♡