Today marks five months of breastfeeding my second baby, Everett. I am not only shocked that I’ve been able to nurse him, but also that it has been such a pleasant experience. I attribute that to several factors, but one of them is Elvie wearable breast pumps. I consider this set of hands-free, double pumps one of my all-time favorite motherhood products. So, let’s dig in to why I love them.
The Feel
First and foremost, Elvie pumps are comfortable. I love the feeling of freedom from cords. There is something so restricting about sitting upright, next to an outlet, with large flanges coming out of your bra. The Elvie is none of that. I don’t have to have a special pumping bra, I can use what I’m already wearing. It’s hard to explain, but mentally I feel much better using an Elvie. It’s not complicated and I don’t feel stuck.
It is also a more modest option. I have come along why from the discomfort and shyness associated with breastfeeding, but I still prefer my privacy. The Elvie gives me that. I can pump with my family or friends in the room and still be completely covered up.
They are gentle. I only use the lowest setting, but that has always been enough for me. Somehow, they are just less painful for me.
I do want to note that although you can walk around with them, I still find it difficult to move around too much. I prefer to sit and pump, or do just a few small things. They will move and I don’t want to spill precious breastmilk. I can’t hold my kids while I have them in or they will get out of place. I am able to drive with them in, which I love.
Cost & Insurance Tips
It’s no secret that Elvie breast pumps are expensive. A set of two is around $500. I was able to get them fully paid for by my insurance and breast pump benefit. Since Everett is my second baby, I did already have two traditional pumps from my first time around (Spectra S2 & Ameda Mya), so I felt like a wearable option suited me this time.
If you are pregnant with your first baby, I recommend using your insurance benefit to get a more expensive, wearable pump, and adding something like a Spectra to your registry or purchasing it on your own. This is to max out your insurance benefit because wearable pumps are pricey. You may want to even see if you need more than one. I am only using my Elvie pump because I love it so much. Well, I also use a manual, hand pump, but I don’t use any other electric pumps.
Also, I don’t recommend using the websites that help you get a pump. I called my insurance directly and asked what was covered. They told me I could choose any pump up to $500 and submit a receipt for reimbursement. When I had originally put my insurance information on a breast pump website, I was quoted to pay several hundred dollars out of pocket for a wearable pump. I do have great insurance, and I’m glad it worked out to get an Elvie.
Is the output different?
Short answer – not for me. This will be different for everyone, but I pump more from an Elvie than from a Spectra. One of the common things I read among Elvie reviews is that the suction is not as powerful. I haven’t experienced that, and for my nipples, it works wonderfully. This will be trial and error for every mother, but I wouldn’t let it deter you from trying and Elvie. The most I have ever pumped with my Elvies is 12 ounces. I had to stop, empty them at 10 ounces (they each hold five ounces) and keep going.
Are they sensitive?
Yes. The technology is amazing, but it’s not without quirks. Your nipples need to be aligned perfectly! This took me a bit of time to get used to, and is only an issue occasionally. I use Elvie’s advice and align the clear flange to my nipple first, then click on the rest of the pump to that. Something that’s tricky is you can’t easily see if milk is coming out. With a traditional pump, you see the bottles filling right in front of you. With the Elvie, I have to lift up my shirt, open my bra carefully and make sure milk is coming out. It is a pain when you pump for ten minutes or so, only to realize you didn’t have it on properly and nothing was coming out.
I also have learned that certain bras work better. It’s a bit like Goldilocks – one bra is too tight, one is too lose, and one is just right and helps me get the most milk. You will have to experiment with this a bit. Especially because boobs change sizes as you breastfeed.
Everyday Use
Currently, I pump every morning at 6 a.m. Everett wakes up at 7 a.m., so I pump for his first bottle and then save whatever excess I have. I do this because we started giving Everett 7 ounce bottles for his first and last feeds of the day, which helped him consistently sleep through the night. I typically get 10-12 ounces in the morning and it is my most full time of the day.
I have also started pumping around 8 p.m. after both kids are in bed, while I relax and watch TV. I get a range of 2-5 ounces at this time. I put that away for the next day’s bottles, to be combined with the excess from the morning.
If I am away from Everett for a day of work, I pump at all his usual feeding times throughout the day. I only work weekends throughout the year as a wedding planner’s assistant, so this isn’t my normal. When I am away from him for a full day, nothing is better than nursing him for the next feed. No matter how good a pump is, a baby is better and way more efficient. I am thankful to be able to nurse him and give him bottles.
Cleaning
As with any breast pump, it takes a while to get used to assembling and disassembling it. It is easy to clean the bottles and parts, but you need to be careful with the electric piece. I use pump wipes to carefully clean that and do not get it wet or put it in the fridge. You also need to be careful when sanitizing them. I recommend following the exact directions that Elvie provides because I have heard that the flanges can crack if boiled too long.
Storage & Travel Bag
At home, I have a basket from Target that I keep all my Elvie parts in. For on the go, I use a Sonia Kashuk makeup bag that fits the Elvie absolutely perfectly. I put the pumps in the bottom and all the spare parts and cleaning wipes in the top. I use a super affordable cooler from Walmart to store my milk on the go until I get home.
Overall, the reason I would say they have given me success with breastfeeding is because it has been simple to share the load. I don’t mind pumping with them, which means Everett can take bottles from others. When I was engorged as my milk came in during the first week or two, they gave me the perfect amount of relief. I remember putting them in for the first time and being shocked that after just a few minutes they relieved some pressure and I got around 3 ounces. When I pumped with Emmy, it was one of the reasons I got mastitis. I overdid it, and it was painful for me. That has to do with how much and when I pumped, but the simplicity of the Elvie, has aided in my efforts not to over pump, but to also balance pumping and breastfeeding. I’m so thankful.
If you have any questions, leave them below. Reading reviews of motherhood products is so helpful to me, and I want to help you in any way that I can.
