Willow Pump is NOT a Wash and Wear Fabric

Pumping

Jul 22

“Why is the Willow Pump so tricky when it costs $500?”

For the miraculousness which is wearable pumps, the one thing the Willow Pump is NOT is a wash and wear fabric.

You cannot expect to pull the Willow out of the box, set it on your breasts, hit start, and achieve success. This commonly frustrates parents who buy the Willow Pump right before a vacation or party away from their baby and then get super stressed that they pumped virtually no milk (not to mention separating from a newborn early on is stressful on both parent and baby).

While we fully support having a life outside of your child, it is also important to recognize that separation of a nursing mom and baby is actually more stressful than stress relief in most cases. That stress can inhibit the ability to pump when you’re away from your baby and no pump is going to change that. Some will be fine, but others will not.

Free Download: Willow Pump Quick Start Cheatsheet

That is why there are numerous Facebook Groups dedicated to supporting lactating parents with this pump. Check out our pumping support group and Willow Pump Chat Unofficial.

We hear all the time, “But for $500, I should be able to just put it on and pump for my baby.” Sorry, not sorry. If you’ve done ANY research or due diligence, you’ll know that much like natural fabrics, you’ve got to iron out the wrinkles over time.

Okay. It’s time to have a real conversation real quick about how ridiculous these statements are:

Price doesn’t equal ease of use. The Spectra isn’t easier to use than the Evenflo because it costs more.

The price point on a breast pump is related to the features the breast pump has to offer in comparison to its competitors. Some of these features will increase ease of use, some of them will facilitate options the others can’t.

The Willow is expensive because it’s an engineering marvel. You can fit the entire pump in your bra, and pump into leak free bags allowing you to pump anywhere, anytime, in any position. Please do a handstand while pumping with your Spectra and let me know how that goes…. I’ll wait.

You are paying a premium price for that feature, and that feature alone. This feature is highly desirable and it commands a high price point even if it lacks features other pumps may have.

To use this pump you may very well need a variety of flanges, inserts, and professional sizing support to find your proper fit. Your nipples may change dramatically through your breastfeeding journey and they may be very sensitive to small changes in sizing. Again, you’ll have to iron out the wrinkles.

YOU NEED TO OWN A TRADITIONAL PUMP, TOO!

I do not recommend owning just a Willow Pump. Why? Because it takes time to adjust to Willow. Traditional pumps are still the amazing pumps we need them to be, and you may have times when you’ll need to set your Willow Pump down and use a traditional pump (Yes, I know, that SUCKS). I advise all my clients to own a traditional pump, too. If you aren’t keeping up with your part replacements, sizing changes, etc., and you end up with nipple damage or pain, you will have to put the Willow Pump away and use a traditional pump until you are healed.

Who Can Help Me?

You may have to hunt for a lactation consultant who has experience with this pump to get the support you need. It’s a niche product, and it takes time and energy to learn about it sufficiently enough to provide the necessary care. This type of specialization may command a higher price for care, or there may be a waitlist to get in. This factors into your decision to invest in this pump.

How Long Does it Take to Adjust?

This pump works different than other pumps, and you will likely need to spend some time using this pump to train your body to respond properly to the pump. You may get lucky and this doesn’t happen. You may be unlucky and your adjustment make take a few weeks. It’s a known chance when deciding to use this pump.

Replacement Parts Cost Money (and they are required to be replaced):

The containers are finicky and may not last more than a couple months. The flextubes last 60-90 days and aren’t cheap. The bags are expensive. There will be ongoing costs.

Is the Willow Pump Right for Me?

If you want success out of the box guaranteed, and limited ongoing costs, this may not be the right pump for you, and that’s okay. It is okay to say what you want is a pump that is easy to use, less expensive, and that’s your priority versus leak free pumping.

It’s also okay to say you want the freedom that Willow alone can provide, and you are willing to invest the time and money into this pump if that’s what is right for you.

RESEARCH! Yes, DO IT!

You need to research any breast pump you are considering, and to look at not just the initial costs, but the ongoing costs over time. You need to make sure the pump you choose fits your budget and your needs. You need to understand how much work you will have to put into making it work.

Breast pump technology is advancing, and these specialty pumps are going to keep coming to market. They are going to trade ease of use for some desirable features, and for some parents, these features may be what enables them to pump when nothing else could have worked for them. They are going to have drawbacks and flaws. No pump will ever be right for every person.

So STOP equating price with ease of use. You are setting yourself up for failure and disappointment. Take the time to do your research and make an informed choice for yourself, and then, live with the consequences of that choice - good or bad.

We have created a dedicated list of steps in what we call, “The Adjustment Protocol for New Users” that NEEDS to be followed, or you purchased a glorified paper weight.

The Willow Pump Adjustment Protocol for New Users:

Just like you don’t begin a marathon on race day, the Willow Pump requires a little training and effort on your part to get your body used to the differences.

Remember: It can take 2-4 weeks to full adjust to Willow, but it differs from person to person.

Sizing:

Willow’s Sizing is WRONG! It is INCORRECT IT DOES NOT WORK. Use Genuine Lactation’s Rulers to figure out your size or book a professional sizing consultation by someone who specializes in Willow.

Are you a New Willow User with Low Output?

If you are within 0.5oz of your normal output, continue use.

If you are more than 0.5oz from your normal output, go through the following checklist.

USE WILLOW AT LEAST 2 TIMES PER DAY:

Try: Pumping with Willow on one side and nurse/pump on the other to help trigger letdowns & quicken the adjustment time frame. Start with 15 minutes and then switch.
Try: Pumping with Willow for 15 minutes on both breasts & then empty with your regular pump. As you get more from Willow, increase your time with it and shorten your regular pump time.
Try: Hand expressing before putting Willow on to get your body ready to letdown.
Try: Massaging the breast around Willow either by hand or with a massager like Lavie.

THINGS TO CONSIDER:

If you are pumping after nursing, you can expect lower output.
Make sure you have the right bra. Check out the Bra topic section in our pumping support group for top recommendations, and proper fit.
Check your flange size. Remember, Willow sizing is smaller than traditional pump sizes.
Check alignment to ensure your nipple is centered in the flange.