How To Set Up Spectra Pump

Did yous just get an S1 or S2? Or are you looking to purchase and doing some research? Here's everything y'all need to know about how to use a Spectra S1/S2 chest pump, including assembling pump parts, what settings to utilise, and full general tips and tricks.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you lot click through and make a purchase, I'll be compensated at no additional price to yous. I simply recommend products I love! More info here.

The Spectra S1 and S2 are both dandy breast pumps! Hither's everything you need to know about how to utilise them.

(If you lot don't accept your Spectra yet, you may be able to get it free through insurance super easily hither, or you can buy it from amazon.)

What are each of the breast pump parts, what practice they do, and how do you put them together?

The Spectra S1 and S2 pump parts consist of:

• Flanges – This is the part that is placed on your breast. (They are also called breast shields or horns.) Spectra pumps come up standard with 24mm and 28mm flanges. If pumping is painful for you, you may need a different size. 20mm and 32mm breast shields are available on the Spectra Baby website, or other sizes are bachelor on amazon from brands like Nenesupply and Maymom.
• Duckbill Valves – Valves create the suction that pulls milk from your breasts by stretching and releasing each time the pump motor pulls at them.
• Backflow Protectors – This silicone diaphragm prevents milk from flowing dorsum into the tubing.
• Tubing – Your breast pump parts are connected to the pump motor via tubing.
• Bottles – Equally you lot pump, your chest milk will flow into the attached bottles. The majority of broad oral fissure baby bottles fit Spectra flanges. Some Spectra users prefer to pump into Avent bottles.

To assemble all your pump parts, beginning adhere the duckbill valves to the underside of the flange, and so screw the bottles onto the flanges.

Then, put together the backflow protectors by inserting the diaphragm into the base, so putting the top into the base of operations and giving it a twist to secure it. Attach the backflow protector into the top of the breast shield using a twisting motion.

Then, attach 1 end of the tubing to the backflow protector and the other to the pump.

To double pump, use both tubes and ports on the pump. To single pump, place the port cap on the port not being used.

How do you use the Spectra S1 and S2?

On the front of the pump, you'll see the following buttons and controls, along with a digital screen:

• Power button: Turns the pump on and off
• Bicycle Buttons (+/-): These increment/subtract the cycle speed. Cycle speed refers to how many times the pump sucks and releases per infinitesimal.
• Vacuum Buttons (+/-): These increment/decrease the vacuum strength. Vacuum level refers to the suction strength, or how strongly the pump will suck.
• Massage/Expression Button: Switches betwixt massage and expression mode. (Some people affectionately refer to massage style as "bacon mode" due to the 3 wavy lines resembling bacon.) Massage manner mimics the quick gentle suckling of a baby to initiate a letdown. Expression mode mimics slow, deep suckling one time milk flow has begun.
• Night calorie-free: Turns low-cal on and off (2 levels)

Information technology is important to notation that S1s and S2s showtime in expression mode.

Many prefer to turn on the pump first (to avoid that initial shocking jolt of a pump going total strength), press the wavy line or "bacon" button to kickoff the massage mode, then attach the flange to their breast.

Information technology is more often than not recommended to kickoff in Massage Mode on Cycle 70 / Vacuum i and slowly increase the vacuum until you have reached a letdown and the milk has started flowing (you may feel a pins and needle awareness or see the milk start to spray).

In one case this happens, switch to Expression Mode starting on Bicycle 54 / Vacuum iv or v (or any level you were using in Massage Mode). Slowly decrease your cycle speed while increasing the vacuum level.

Start off low and wearisome. Slowly increment the suction level until you are comfortable. Never pump with the suction and so high that information technology causes pain and/or damage.

Y'all may desire to switch back and along between Massage and Expression fashion, especially if you find that your milk flow has slowed downwards.

How do you have intendance of/maintain the Spectra S1 and S2?

Sterilizing and cleaning

All pump parts (excluding the tubing) should be sterilized before first apply.

Spectra recommends that all parts (once more, excluding tubing) be done afterwards each use in hot soapy h2o. They warn confronting over sterilization equally it can cause warping and damage to equipment.

You tin can safely wash bottles, flanges, and outer plastic pieces of the backflow protectors on the top shelf of the dishwasher. Never place the tubing in the dishwasher.

Never submerge your pump in water. If it gets muddied, use a clammy rag to wipe information technology make clean.

How often to supersede your pump parts

Pump parts don't concluding forever; over time, the level of suction from your pump may be reduced equally they wear out. They can get stretched and torn, and residue can build up on them.

This is especially true for exclusive pumpers considering our pumps endure a lot of apply. It is recommended to replace your pump parts using the following fourth dimension frames:

• Flanges: Every 6 months.
• Duckbill Valve: One time a month if you pump 3 or more times per day; every 2-3 months if you pump less than 3 times a day.
• Backflow Protectors: Every 3 months if you lot pump iii or more times a twenty-four hours; every half-dozen months if y'all pump less than 3 times a day.
• Tubing: If the tubing gets moisture on the inside.

What if your Spectra S1 or S2 stops working?

If your Spectra is non working properly, first try some simple troubleshooting:

• Cheque that the bombardment is charged or that the pump is plugged in, and that the ability cord is non damaged.
• Next, check to make sure that the diaphragms within the backflow protectors are dry and properly installed.
• Ostend that the duckbill valves are not torn or worn out.

If this does not assistance, you should contact Spectra Baby client service.

Spectra pumps come with a 2-twelvemonth warranty. Many moms in our Facebook group study that they are friendly, helpful, and quick with responding. It is oftentimes recommended to reach out to them via FB messenger.

Making your S1 or S2 mobile

If you lot're exclusively pumping, or pumping frequently, being able to pump in public or motility around and get things done while you lot pump is crucial.

Here are some things that can help.

Hands-gratuitous Cups

Spectra Cara Cups are collection cups that go in your bra and allow you lot to pump hands-free without pump parts and bottles hanging off of your chest. Legendairy Milk and Freemie as well make collection cups.

More on Cara Cups here.

Pump chugalug

Idaho Jones makes a pump belt that you lot tin can use to "wear" your Spectra and exist more mobile.  (It's basically a fanny pack that's designed to concord your pump.)

You can bank check information technology out here and utilize the code EPUMP10 for x% off!

Battery pack

If you accept a Spectra S2, as noted higher up, a bombardment pack like the TalentCell can help you not be tied to an outlet.

5 actress tips for using the Spectra S1 and S2

Here are a few actress tips for using these breast pumps.

1. Spectra tubing is notorious for slipping off the pump port and flange. Many people also do not similar the outside texture of the tubing. It tends to collect lint and stick to whatever fabric it touches. A tip to stop the tubing from slipping is to cut an inch off of the end. Some opt to supplant the tubing with Nenesupply or Maymom brand tubing, Medela tubing (you just have to cut off the yellow connectors), and fifty-fifty cheap aquarium tubing.
2. Some pumpers adopt to use other pump parts instead of what comes standard with a Spectra S1 or S2 for a variety of reasons. Here is how to hack your Spectra to apply Medela pump parts.
3. Occasionally Spectra brand milk collection bottles take been known to come off while pumping. Brand certain they are screwed on tight before yous start so you lot practice not lose any of that precious liquid gold. Additionally, you may want to use an alternative broad oral cavity baby canteen, like Avent Naturals.
4. There is a method to check the total number of hours you've pumped on your Spectra (though it's not officially endorsed past Spectra Babe USA). Here's how to do it.
5. If your duckbill valve is constantly slipping off while pumping, it is a practiced sign that it needs replacing.

S1 vs S2: What is the divergence?

A question that is frequently asked in our FB group is: what is the large divergence between the S1 and S2?

As far as pumping functionality, both pumps are the same. The big difference comes downwardly to the S1 having a built in battery that lasts effectually iii hours.

This makes the S1 more portable and a piffling pricier. The battery besides makes this pump slightly heavier. Nonetheless, many people besides purchase an external bombardment pack and ability up their S2's while on the go.

(More on the differences between the pumps here.)

That's everything you need to know almost how to use a Spectra S1 and S2! Exercise yous have whatever questions that I didn't answer? Leave them in the comments below!

Source: https://exclusivepumping.com/how-to-use-spectra-s1-s2/

Share this post