When comparing Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump vs Spectra Baby Double Electric Breast Pump, the Slant community recommends Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump for most people. In the question“What are the best breast pumps around $150?” Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump is ranked 2nd while Spectra Baby Double Electric Breast Pump is ranked 3rd. The most important reason people chose Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump is:
The Medela manual breast pump is useful as a 'just in case' travel companion, an inexpensive alternative when there are no electrical outlets for you to plug your electric pump in. It's also efficient for short sessions because they require less setup and cleanup compared to electric pumps.
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Pros
Pro A cheaper alternative to electric breast pumps
The Medela manual breast pump is useful as a 'just in case' travel companion, an inexpensive alternative when there are no electrical outlets for you to plug your electric pump in. It's also efficient for short sessions because they require less setup and cleanup compared to electric pumps.
Pro Efficient in stimulating milk flow
The handle swivels a full 180 degrees. Pumping with the smaller side of the handle allows you to create quicker and shallower strokes that trigger a milk letdown (when milk is stimulated from the breast and flows quickly).
Pro Reduces hand discomfort common during manual pumping
The Medela Harmony has an ergonomic swivel handle. It makes it comfortable to use over long pumping sessions since you can adjust it to whatever angle your hand feels best
Pro Can closely mimic your baby's nursing style
The Spectra S1 is more customizable than its competitors. It has separate controls for vacuum (suction strength) and cycle (suction frequency). They are easily adjustable to imitate your baby's own nursing pattern. It also remembers your settings between sessions so you won't have to toggle the controls when you start pumping.
Pro Keeps milk out of the tubing
This Spectra breast pump has back flow protectors, making it a closed system pump. This prevents your milk from coming in contact with the pump motor to maintain your milk's sterility, and prolongs your pump motor's lifespan.
Pro Great to use for nighttime sessions
The Spectra is one of the quietest electric pumps. It only emits a gentle whirring sound. And since it has a night-light and a backlit digital LCD, it is convenient to use in the dark without waking your baby or partner sleeping nearby.
Cons
Con Requires meticulous cleaning
The Medela Harmony, although it has fewer parts than its electric counterpart, has small parts that are hard to reach in and clean.
Con Settings don't revert to Level 1 when starting
Since it saves your last session's settings, it starts at the same suction level of your last pumping session. If you ended at Level 11 which is the maximum, it will start pumping at Level 11 when you next use it. That may be surprising for some moms who are expecting a soft massage mode at first.