The Willow Wearable Breast Pump
This pump is almost too good to be true.
Willow Breast Pump: A wearable breast pump that can be used from any position with milk collection bags and has a reusable milk container option.
The Willow Pump is an engineering marvel that dramatically changes the way breastfeeding parents can express their milk, providing a level of freedom unheard of even a few short years ago. The only downside is that in order to get the right fit with this pump, and to make it work for you, there are some tricks and tips you need to know about!
(If you don’t need a 100% leak free pump, seriously consider the Willow Go Pump instead. It’s going to be a much less significant learning curve.)
The Number One Thing To Know With the Willow Pumps:
FLANGE SIZING!
The biggest step you need to take to make the Willow Pump work for you is getting the right size flange - which means you need to get measured properly.
Click to Schedule an individual flange fitting consult now!
Or check out these DIY sizing options!
Then, follow these 6 Steps to Willow Pump Optimal Fit Success.
Resources To Help You Meet Your Goals:
Need expert support to make your wearable pump work for you? Join Wearable Pump Paperweight Prevention on Facebook.
This group is heavily screened to prevent scammers and those with less than honorable intentions from joining. We take the safety of this group very seriously.
Want tips and tricks as you get started with your Willow Pump?
Willow Pump Quick Start Cheatsheet
Put this free download in your pumping bag to give you peace of mind when you are pumping and need to reference an issue you may be having.
The 6 Steps to Willow Pump Optimal Fit Success
Step 1: Understand How the Willow Pump Fits
In order to understand the fit we are trying to achieve for optimal pumping with the Willow Pump, we must have a proper flange fit.
The Willow Pump requires a fit that is closer to the nipple in size than a traditional breast pump flange.
If there is excess space around the nipple (especially more than 3 mm) the constant suction will cause the areola to be pulled into the tunnel, and there will be significant pain and swelling.
Step 2: Assess the Current Nipple Condition
Assessing the current condition of your nipples is vital to progressing with the Willow Pump.
Have you been using the wrong size flange for some time? Do you have nipple pain and damage?
If either of these is true, it may be necessary to address the condition of your nipples prior to sizing for the Willow Pump. Damaged and swollen nipples will require larger flanges to accommodate the nipple, which will delay healing, and possibly cause further nipple trauma. Nipple pain and damage should be assessed by a lactation consultant to address the root causes and help you heal properly.
Step 3: Measure Your Nipples
Let Me Repeat: Measure Your Nipples! Without measuring, you can do insane amounts of nipple trauma hurting your breastfeeding goals.
Use the FREE L-shaped ruler to get the exact size in millimeters of your nipples. Use the FREE Wearable Breast Pump ruler to assess how you feel about a particular size of flange or insert for your body.
Step 4: Consider the Shape of Your Nipples
What Size is Likely to Produce an Optimal Fit Based on Nipple Shape?
Based on a basic understanding of your nipple shape, you should be able to utilize the free nipple rulers and come to a conclusion about an accurate sizing for your pumping needs. This helps to shut down bad advice givers who say you’ll need a flange fit that is exceedingly larger than your given measurement.
Flat and Inverted nipples ARE tricky to accurately size and professional sizing is recommended.
Step 5: Consider the Elasticity and Length of your Nipples
Elastic nipples are nipples that stretch and swell easily, filling the size of flange or insert used even with appropriate sizing. Elastic nipples can be a little tricky because:
a.) If you have been using the wrong size flange, you may have residual swelling that makes your nipple appear larger, requiring multiple sizings as swelling decreases.
b.) Suction can actually pull elastic nipples into a flange tunnel that is too small causing pinching, pain, and damage.
c.) Conventional "wisdom" for flange sizing says if the nipple touches the sides of the flange, the flange must be too small, BUT with elastic nipple tissue, this will always happen.
d.) Elastic nipple tissue combined with longer lengths of nipples can make the shorter inserts too short to accommodate the full stretch of the nipple tissue.
With elastic nipple tissue, we want to assess if the length of the insert is adequate for the stretch of the tissue during pumping. This may require using an insert slightly larger than average to obtain the needed length. Pumpin Pals and the Ameda Flexishield are the longest inserts available.
BeauGen cushions are often used for elastic nipples, too. BeauGen cushions work for many people, but for some they actually "grab" at the breast tissue and are the shortest of the inserts available to use for the Willow. In some cases, the nipple stretches past the BeauGen cushion causing a mushroom effect that is incredibly painful.
Freemie vs Maymom
A common question that comes up when selecting inserts to achieve the optimal flange sizing is if Freemie Inserts or Maymom Inserts are better than each other. The answer is this all comes down to the size you need, the length you need, and which insert makes the most sense for your particular sizing needs.
Step 6: Nipple Fit Guide for Willow Pump (updated May 2021)
Consider your size, shape and elasticity to determine which flange and insert setup is right for you.
Remember:
Measure your nipples for the EXACT size in millimeters. No guessing!
Normal Nipples- add 0-1 mm
Flat nipples- add 2 mm
Inverted nipples- add 2-3mm
——————-
Consider how elastic your nipple tissue is, and decide if the longer inserts closest to your size might be the best option for you.
When in doubt, seek help from a lactation consultant.
Check out this guide below.
The Willow Pump Adjustment Protocol
Click to download the PDF.
Willow Pump Flange Sizing Chart (10mm-13mm)
10mm
MayMom Inserts
in a 24 mm Willow flange or milk container insert
Hard Plastic Flange Hack
11mm
Currently there are no options for 11 mm. Try options for 12-13 mm.
12mm
Hard Plastic Flange Hack.
Hard Plastic Flange Hack for Willow Pump
MayMom Inserts
13 mm Maymom Insert in a 21 mm Willow Pump. Flange Compresses to be 12mm.
Willow Pump Flange Sizing Chart (14mm-17mm)
15mm
Freemie FitMe Inserts
15 mm Freemie FitMe Insert in a 24 mm Willow flange or milk container insert
MayMom Inserts
15 mm Maymom Insert in a 24 mm Willow flange or milk container insert
Pumpin Pal Silicone Flange
Pumpin Pals X-small Blue Silicone Flange in a 24 or 27 mm Willow flange or milk container insert
Hard Plastic Flange Hack
Hard Plastic Flange Hack for Willow Pump
Willow Brand Inserts
Willow Brand 15 mm Inserts in a 24 mm Willow Flange or Container- Coming Soon!
16mm
Freemie FitMe Inserts
16 mm Freemie FitMe Insert in a 24 mm Willow flange or milk container insert
Pumpin Pal Silicone Flange
Pumpin Pal X-small Blue Silicone Flange in a 24 or 27 mm Willow flange or milk container insert
17mm
Freemie FitMe Inserts
17 mm Freemie FitMe Insert in a 24 mm willow flange or milk container insert
MayMom Inserts
17 mm Maymom Insert in a 24 mm Willow flange or milk container insert
Pumpin Pal Silicone Flange
Pumpin Pal X-small Blue Silicone Flange in 24 or 27 mm Willow flange or milk container insert
Hard Plastic Flange Hack
Hard Plastic Flange Hack for Willow Pump
Willow Brand Inserts
Willow Brand 17 mm Inserts in a 24 mm Willow Flange or Container
Willow Pump Flange Sizing Chart (18mm-21mm)
18mm
Freemie FitMe Inserts
18 mm Freemie FitMe Insert in a 24 mm Willow flange or milk container insert
LacTek BabyMotion Flanges
18 mm LacTeck BabyMotion Flange in a 24 mm Willow flange or milk container insert
Philips Avent 19.5mm Cushion
Philips Avent 19.5mm Cushion in a 24 or 27 mm Willow flange or milk container insert
Pumpin Pal Silicone Flange
Pumpin Pal X-small Blue Silicone Flange in a 24 or 27 mm Willow flange or milk container insert
19mm
Freemie FitMe Inserts
19 mm freemie fitme insert in a 24 mm Willow flange or milk container insert
MayMom Inserts
19 mm maymom insert in a 24 Willow flange or milk container insert
BeauGen Cushion
Beaugen Cushion in a 21 mm Willow flange or milk container insert, 21 mm Freemie FitMe, or Maymom insert in a 24 mm flange
Pumpin Pal Silicone Flange
Pumpin Pal X-small Blue Silicone Flange in 24 or 27 mm Willow flange or milk container insert
Philips Avent 19.5 mm Cushion
Philips Avent 19.5 mm cushion in a 24 or 27 mm Willow flange or milk container insert
Hard Plastic Flange Hack
Hard Plastic Flange Hack for Willow Pump
Willow Brand Inserts
Willow Brand 19 mm Inserts in a 24 mm Willow Flange or Container
20mm
Freemie FitMe Inserts
20 mm freemie fitme insert in a 24 mm Willow flange or milk container insert
BeauGen Cushion
BeauGen cushion in a 22 mm Freemie FitMe insert inside of a 24 mm flange or milk container insert
Pumpin Pal Silicone Flange
Pumpin Pal Small Pink Silicone Flange in 24 or 27 mm Willow flange or milk container insert
21mm
Willow Flange for Milk Bags
21 mm Willow flange for milk bags
Willow Milk Container Inserts
Freemie FitMe Inserts
21 mm Freemie FitMe insert in a 24 mm Willow flange or milk container insert
MayMom Inserts
21 mm Maymom insert in a 24 Willow flange or milk container insert
Ameda Flexishield
Ameda Flexishield in a 24 mm Willow flange or milk container insert
LacTek BabyMotion Flanges
21 mm Lacteck BabyMotion Flange in a 24 or 27 mm Willow flange or milk container insert
BeauGen Cushion
Beaugen Cushion in a 23 mm Freemie FitMe insert inside a 24 mm flange or milk container insert
Pumpin Pal Silicone Flange
Pumpin Pal Small Pink Silicone Flange in 24 or 27 mm Willow flange or milk container insert
Hard Plastic Flange Hack
Willow Pump Flange Sizing Chart (22mm-25mm)
22mm
Freemie FitMe Inserts
22 mm Freemie Fitme insert in a 24 mm Willow flange or milk container insert
BeauGen Cushion
Beaugen cushion in a 24 mm Willow flange or milk container insert
Pumpin Pal Silicone Flange
Pumpin Pal Small Pink Silicone Flange in 24 or 27 mm Willow flange or milk container insert
23mm
Freemie FitMe Inserts
23 mm freemie fitme insert in a 27 mm Willow flange or milk container insert
Beaugen Cushion
Beaugen cushion in a 25 mm Freemie FitMe insert inside of a 27 mm Willow flange or milk container insert
Pumpin Pal Silicone Flange
Pumpin Pals Small Pink Silicone Flange in a 24 or 27 mm Willow flange or milk container insert
24mm
Willow Flange for Milk Bags
24 mm willow flange for milk bags
Willow Milk Container Inserts
Freemie FitMe Insert
24 mm freemie fitme insert in a 27 mm Willow flange or milk container insert
MayMom Inserts
24 mm Maymom insert in a 27 Willow flange or milk container insert
LacTeck BabyMotion Flanges
24 mm LacTeck BabyMotion Flange in a 27 mm Willow flange
Beaugen Cushion
Beaugen cushion in a 26 mm Freemie FitMe flange inside a 27 mm Willow flange or insert
25mm
Freemie FitMe Inserts
25 mm freemie fitme insert in a 27 mm Willow flange or milk container insert
BeauGen Cushion
Beaugen cushion in a 27 mm Willow flange or milk container insert
Willow Pump Flange Sizing Chart (26mm-27mm)
26mm
Freemie FitMe Inserts
26 mm Freemie FitMe Insert in a 27 mm Willow flange or milk container insert
Larger than 27mm
Under Construction
Want to be professionally sized?
Willow Pump Hacks
These hacks were created back when flange inserts were far less abundant- and they are not 100% risk free. Unless you are 100% sure you can’t use a conventional setup I strongly recommend reconsidering these hacks. It’s 2024 now and things have improved!
Hard Plastic Flange Hack
This new hack allows parents who measure at less than 13 mm to benefit from a sizing option more ideal for them as well as for people who dislike/cannot use silicone inserts. This hack has also helped clients for which a different angle of flange can make a world of difference in their comfort! Currently those who size at 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, and 21mm can use this hack. Click to read about this exciting Willow Pump Hack!
12mm Willow Pump Hack
14mm Willow Pump Hack
Willow Gen 3 Pain Hacks
How to Clean the Willow Pump
The Willow cannot be sanitized in the microwave, as there are metal screws in the flanges.
You will need a thin cleaning brush for cleaning the flextubes and the end of the flange.
The valve on the reusable milk containers is prone to milk build up which causes errors.
Using the smaller brushes to clean around the valve, and vinegar soaks as needed help keep the pump working well!
So now that you have achieved your optimal fit, what’s next?
Getting the best output with the Willow Pump requires a bra that holds these pumps firmly in place. Most people have the best luck with a stretchy full coverage bra, that provides firm support to hold the pumps in place.
Your bra should fit snugly enough that it holds the Willow Pump firmly enough against your chest that you can not see the blue pad on the flanges.
Pro Tip: If you are experiencing pinching with the Willow Pump, try pushing the top of the pump firmly against your breast. If this resolves the pinching pain you need a firmer or tighter bra fit.
Recommended Bras for use with the Willow Pump
Recommended Cleaning Supplies for the Willow Pump
The Willow Pump’s Popularity
The Willow Pump has an immense online following, with many tips, tricks, and lessons learned collectively since hitting the market.
Check out these two Facebook groups to learn all of the hacks, tips, and tricks you could ever want to make this successful.
