Willow Go: The Newest Wearable Pump Review
Willow Go: The Initial Review
I can honestly say I have never been as excited to write an initial review as I am right now! The Willow Go is a fantastic pump and holds a lot of promise for supporting the needs of many pumping parents.
The Willow Go…
Uses wireless hubs for discrete and portable pumping.
Is reasonably quiet - not heard in a room with normal background noise.
Comes with 21 and 24 mm flanges.
Uses standard USB chargers making charging on the go a breeze (works with the TalentCell battery pack if you need to recharge without an outlet).
Battery lasts for 3-4 pump sessions.
Has 2 modes with 6 suction levels for stimulation and 9 for expression.
Has reusable containers that hold 5 ounces (7 ounce containers are available for purchase).
Vibrates for extra stimulation!!!
Uses STANDARD SIZING between 0-4 mm depending on size, shape, and elasticity of the nipple.
Is designed to make milk transfer very easy and minimize spills.
Is not leak-free (Willow Gen 1, 2, and 3 are still the only leak-free pumps on the market).
Is an excellent price at $329.
Has a more natural profile because it sits lower on the breast and gives a more natural curve.
Willow Go: Issues to Consider
Nothing is ever perfect, and everything comes with issues to think about:
The silicone diaphragm and duckbill valves are made of a smooth, silky silicone that in other pumps has been shown to hold milk fat if they are not cleaned super well. These parts will need a thorough washing with a good breastmilk soap to keep residue from forming.
The duckbill and diaphragm are supposed to last 90 days with regular use. They are a proprietary design, which means they are only available through Willow and authorized dealers. The cost of these isn’t known yet, and supply chain issues could be a concern to watch.
The outer shell of the milk container is thin and somewhat flexible - more so when warm from washing. This presents a concern for possible warping, but it is labeled as dishwasher safe.
If wearing an underwire bra, the underwire of your bra CANNOT touch the pump, or it will lose suction because it pulls it.
Willow Go: Things You’ll Need to Learn
Willow Go Breast Pump Assembly Video
Assembly: While assembly is actually fairly easy once you have done it a few times, it does take some work to get it right. Until you are very used to assembling and disassembling this pump, you may want to pay very close attention to make sure you get it right. Be very careful not to wash the hubs or accidentally stick them in the fridge/cooler with the fridge hack. The donut shaped hubs sit in the middle of the pump setup and would be easy to accidentally damage.
Alignment: Like all wearables, you have to get used to putting THIS particular pump on correctly. The good news is, the design places the flange tunnel in an easier place to facilitate alignment.
Settings: This pump has two modes, stimulation and expression. Each one has 6 levels of suction. You can toggle back and forth between the modes using a button on top of the hub, and you can use the up/down buttons to change suction levels. You will have to play with it a bit to see what feels best for you and is most effective. This is a good learning curve to have, options are good!
No Auto Shut Off Based on Milk Collected: The auto shutoff is based on time alone and stops at 25 minutes. You will have to pay attention to output if you are at risk for overflowing the 5 or 7 ounce containers. The good news, if you have to empty mid-pump, it is easy to get the milk poured out without making a mess.
Willow 3.0 vs. Willow Go Comparison © Genuine Lactation
Willow Go: The App Features
Connects you with your how-to and help resources!
The instructional videos are very helpful.
Tracks how long you have been pumping.
Tracks what suction level you are on.
It DOES NOT keep a pump log for you!
Willow Go: Overall Impression
The Willow Go Pump is actually pretty awesome!
It’s gentle enough for frequent use, strong enough for good output, and pretty easy to use. The concerns for parts are easily remedied with a good wash routine, and hand washing to prevent warping extending the longevity of parts.
The is the first pump that has been able to outshine my Willow Gen 2 and 3 in terms of making me reach for it above others. I’ve seen a nice increase in milk production while testing this pump due to how well it has performed.
Can it beat out my love of Willow Pump’s leak-free pumping laying down? No!
Only Willow Gen 1, 2 and 3 provide that unique freedom. But, for everyday routine use, this pump is likely more than enough for the majority of pumping parents’ needs in a wearable pump!
I would highly recommend this for any parent who is looking to use Willow Gen 1-3 with solely containers as this provides identical freedom in a more cost effective, comfortable, and easy to use package.
Like the other pumps we’ve reviewed, download our Willow Go Quick Start Cheatsheet or view our main Willow Go Information page today! And Happy Pumping!
