Spectra Gold Pump Settings
This article is about the breast pump settings on the Spectra Gold and Spectra Gold Portable breast pumps. It will provide an overview of the different Spectra pump setting modes. It will highlight the settings differences between the Spectra Gold and Spectra Gold Portable, as well as make some recommendations on how to find the best Spectra settings for you that will maximize milk production while remaining comfortable. It will mention a few of the other Spectra pumps but will remain focused on the Spectra Gold and Spectra Gold Portable pumps and their settings.
As a 7+ year user of Spectra breast pumps, I have a lot of personal experience in using with these pumps. This article is most valuable for someone who is trying to optimize their Spectra pump settings or who is researching which breast pump may be the right one for them and wants to ensure they understand the key settings and features.
Spectra Gold Pump Settings & Spectra Gold Portable Pump Settings
Spectra Gold and Spectra Gold POrtable Pump Settings Overview
First, we will introduce a few terms you need to know to understand Spectra pump settings. These include pump modes, suction strength, and cycle speed. We will cover each of these in detail.
Note that this post is not sponsored by Spectra or any other entity; my opinions are my own. This post may have affiliate links, which means I may receive commissions if you choose to purchase through links I provide (at no extra cost to you). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about these links in my disclosure policy.
Spectra Breast Pump Modes
Spectra breast pumps, including the Spectra Gold and Gold Portable, are designed with two primary modes: Massage mode and Expression mode
Massage Mode - this is your “warm up” mode. It is meant to trigger your milk let down by mimicking the suckling of your baby.
I usually use Massage mode for the first 1-2 minutes of pumping.
Massage mode allows for some adjustment of suction strength and cycle speed, but not as much as in Expression mode.
You will know you’re in Massage mode when a three wave symbol is displayed on the left side of the timer.
Expression Mode - once your letdown occurs and your milk starts flowing, you should switch to Expression mode.
This is the most efficient pump mode for the remainder of your pumping session.
Expression mode also allows for more adjustment to the suction strength and cycle speed.
Suction Strength on Spectra Breast Pumps
The suction strength of a breast pump is the vacuum pressure that is used to pull milk out of the breast. In simple terms, you can think of it as “how hard” the pump is pumping (as opposed to cycle speed, which is “how fast”). Increasing suction strength will result in more pull and stronger pressure; a lower suction strength will have less pressure and feel less intense.
Each Spectra breast pump has adjustable suction strength. One difference is how many different levels of adjustable suction in Expression Mode. Here is the breakdown:
Spectra Synergy Gold has 15 different levels of suction in Expression Mode
Spectra Synergy Gold Portable has 12 different levels of suction in Expression Mode
The other most popular Spectra breast pumps, including the S1 and S2, each have 12 levels of suction in Expression Mode
It’s important to know that m ore suction strength doesn’t necessarily mean more milk output. Some women may find the highest suction strengths uncomfortable, whereas others (myself included!) prefer stronger suction.
Ultimately, to maximize milk supply and the amount of milk you pump, it’s important to find the right combination of comfort and effectiveness that feels best for you.
I recommend starting at a low suction strength and gradually working your way up to a higher suction strength. You can always back down if it becomes uncomfortable. You do not want to be in pain while pumping as that can impact your milk flow and make you less likely to continue pumping over time.
Cycle Speed on Spectra Breast PUmps
The cycle speed is the frequency of suctions that occur per minute, or in simple terms, “how fast” the pump pumps. It is measured in cycles per minute. Massage mode typically has a higher cycle speed with more cycles per minute than Expression mode.
Cycle speed settings is one key area where the Spectra Gold and the Spectra Gold Portable differ significantly:
The Spectra Gold pump has 10 different cycle speeds total—5 for Massage Mode, and 5 for Expression Mode. They are fully adjustable.
The Spectra Gold portable has only 2 different cycle speeds—1 for Massage Mode, and 1 for Expression Mode. They are not adjustable.
You might be wondering whether this difference matters and if adjusting cycle speed is important to your overall pumping experience.
I have personally found it to be extremely helpful to be able to adjust cycle speed on my Spectra pumps, so this is an important consideration. If you are looking for the best possible milk output and overall pump performance, I would recommend choosing the Spectra Gold pump due to being able to fully customize all of the pump settings. That being said, the benefit of the Spectra Gold Portable is that it is significantly lighter and more portable for moms who need to pump on the go or travel with their pump. If this convenience is important to you, then you will be just fine with the Spectra Gold Portable as it still offers 2 different cycle speeds and 12 different levels of suction strength. At the end of the day, Spectra makes excellent breast pumps, so you can’t go wrong in my opinion!
Pro Tips For Spectra Gold and Gold Portable Settings
Comfort Is Key: A higher suction strength and cycle speed does not always mean more milk. You’re more likely to keep pumping if it’s a comfortable experience for you, which can result in providing breast milk for your baby for a longer time. Focus on finding a suction strength and cycle speed that is effective at removing milk AND comfortable for you—both are equally important!
Experiment With Your Pump Settings: Finding the best combination of suction strength and cycle speed that works for you might take some experimentation. Don’t be afraid to keep trying different combinations until you’ve maximized efficiency, milk production, and your comfort. This may take some trial and error, so it’s best to have patience as you figure out the right combination for you.
Mimic Your Baby’s Suckling Pattern: If you’re doing a combination of nursing and pumping, it’s helpful to observe your baby’s sucking pattern while nursing to help inform your pump settings. You can set a 1 minute timer and count the number of times they suckle. Also take note of the intensity of the sucking pressure. You can then try to mimic both the cycle speed and suction strength that will trigger your letdown most efficiently and maximize your milk production.
Troubleshooting Common PUmping Concerns
Low Milk Supply
If you are experiencing low milk supply, you should try the following tips:
Ensure you pump frequently (or nurse frequently) and that you’re fully emptying the breast each time. Milk supply is based on demand, so if you’re not fully emptying the breast frequently enough, your body will not product more milk.
Milk supply also relies heavily on getting good nutrition, hydration, and sleep
Ensure you are using the correct flange size. Spectra offers 5 different flange sizes, so be sure you are using the one that fits you the best.
Try switching back to Massage mode again about halfway or 2/3 of the way through your pumping session to see if you can trigger another letdown.
Experiment with different breast pump settings until you find the best combination for you
Pain or discomfort
If you are experiencing pain or discomfort, you can try the following tips:
Try lowering the suction strength on your Spectra pump. Pumping should not be painful.
If you are doing a combination of nursing and pumping, you may be experiencing nipple pain or discomfort from nursing. Ensure your baby has a proper latch. You can use a topical nipple cream to soothe chapped skin between nursing or pumping sessions. When this has happened to me, I try to switch to exclusive pumping for a few days until my nipples fully heal.
Replacement Spectra pump parts
Your Spectra pump parts might need replacement over time, or you may want to purchase extras to have on hand. It is easy to order Spectra replacement pump parts. Here are some of the most commonly replaced pump parts:
Here is what the Spectra website recommends for frequency of replacing pump parts.
Recommended pump part replacement frequency
Finding the perfect Spectra pump settings for your Spectra Gold or Spectra Gold Portable is about maximizing milk output while ensuring a comfortable pumping experience. The Spectra pumps, especially the Spectra Gold, has a lot of flexibility with its settings that allow you to customize your pumping experience. If you need more personalized advice, I recommend reaching out to Spectra’s customer support or a lactation consultant for personalizes advice.
I wish you plenty of milk output and happy pumping!
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