Being Bridget

As I prepared for my trip to Belize a few weeks back, I knew I needed to find a wireless breast pump that I could use without worrying about plugs. I had heard horror stories about pumps in foreign countries sizzling the minute they got plugged in, so I wanted to make sure I had something that was easy, portable and most importantly something that worked.

Insert: The Elvie. I had done a bit of research on wireless pumps and ultimately decided on the Elvie because it didn’t require plastic bags that needed changing or repurchasing. My everyday pump, the Medela Symphony, was this way and I liked the simplicity of it – not to mention the environmental impact. The Elvie is also discreet. The pumping/suction is almost silent, and the device isn’t huge, so you’re able to wear it under your clothes without it being obvious.

The great thing about the Elvie is that you can also socialize with others while wearing it. Being a new mama can be isolating, and there is nothing worse than having to go off on your own to pump multiple times in a day. Plus, if you have more than one baby, being attached to the wall pumping for multiple sessions a day just isn’t realistic. The Elvie gives you freedom to move about and multitask. It’s a win-win.

As for the set up and parts – it is pretty straightforward. If you remember when I first opened the Elvie I was alarmed at how many parts there seemed to be. But then I realized that they included two sets of bottles and parts, so it really wasn’t as much as it looked. Plus – with two sets, you can always have one set drying, while using the other. Speaking of cleaning – the parts are super easy to clean. There are five parts – the electronic hub, the plastic breast shield with a rubber suction seal, a bottle, a plastic top, and a little rubber valve.  After using I just rinse them in hot soapy water and then sterilize them in these microwavable bags.

The biggest downside to the Elvie is the relatively small bottles in which your milk flows into. It only holds 5 oz per breast,  which is somewhat understandable since it is designed to fit inside a regular nursing bra, but is still not a lot if you’re a big producer. I think that if I ever get to the point where I’m producing more milk per session than the bottle holds, then I will just pause the device, pour the milk into a larger storage container or bag, and then continue. Another downside is the learning curve associated with this pump. The first few times I used it I wasn’t able to consistently get my nipple aligned and pumping correctly. With practice though, this got easier.

Tips for using the Elvie:

• Download the app. The app will monitor milk volume in real time, track pumping history for each breast and allow you to control the pump remotely.
• Don’t be alarmed if the suction switches – the Elvie automatically switches from ‘stimulation’ into ‘expression’ mode when it detects your milk is letting-down.
• I always worried the bottle was going to overflow but then realized the device also has an auto switch off! This put my mind at ease especially when I was in public and couldn’t see how much milk was in each bottle without standing in front of a mirror or taking it off. I never had to worry!
• The tighter the bra, the better the suction. Elvie sells these little bra strap adjusters to pull your bra tighter, but I have never needed them. I just use my regular nursing bra and adjust the straps while pumping if need be. Works well enough for me.
• You should feel a pretty tight suction right away. If you don’t, pull out and try again. I found this section on the Elvie website really helpful. They suggest cupping the breast and inserting the nipple into the shield. They also have a line on the plastic shield that can help you line up if you need to.
• Buy this battery pack. Our travel day on the way home from Belize was long and I had to pump using my Elvie several times. My airplane seat didn’t have an outlet and I was never near a plug long enough to recharge them, so I was extremely grateful for this battery pack. Can you imagine if they had died and I needed to pump? I’m not sure what I would have done!
• Buy this manual breast pump because if all else fails, you will need it. It’s easy to use, easy to clean and doesn’t take up any room in your bag. The worst case scenario is being someplace and not being able to express your breastmilk and no one ever wants to be in that situation!!!

All in all, I would highly recommend the Elvie. It works, it’s discreet, and although it comes with a hefty price tag, you are sure to get your moneys worth if you pump regularly. Let me know if I missed any questions – happy to answer any in the comments!