Willow Willow Go

Thread: "What’s the strongest wearable pump?"

I may be in the minority, but I only pump with my Willow Go wearables and don’t even use my Spectra anymore. I love being hands-free and my output is the same as it was before, but it’s also worth noting I’ve always been lower on the supply side (low enough to where I supplement a lot with formula as well).

Thread: "Best wireless hands free breast pump to use when I return to work as a teacher?"

I’ve tried willow go and Elvie and the Elvie is the quietest on the market. Idk how they get it to be so quiet. The willow go is nice more affordable but to me it was way to hit or miss and there was days I’d have to hand express Bc it wouldn’t work. Another thing to note about wireless pumps, even though they are hands free- they are NOT leak free. Meaning you can’t bend over and move your body in a typical way when pumping with them in your bra without risking milk spilling out. The ONLY actually leak free pump is the original Willow when used with the collection bags. The original willow uses constant suction and takes a few weeks of adjustment since the suck pattern is constant. Sizing for the willow flanges are also vital Bc of the constant suck pattern it can tear up your nipples if you don’t get it right. The flanges unlike other pumps needs to be your exact nipple size or 1mm bigger. (In comparison to other pumps where suggestion is 2-3mm larger than nipple size) oh and also bra fits are incredibly important for any wireless pump you get. They have to be able to snuggly support your wireless pump without being too loose or too tight on your breast. Teachers are now also federally covered under the pumping act so your school is legally required to give you enough breaks to pump. If they don’t you could report them to the department of labor [pump act info](https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/teachers-to-get-breastfeeding-accommodations-under-new-law-its-about-time-they-say/2022/12)

Thread: "Pros/cons Elvie vs Willow"

I love my Willow Go! There is a 2 week adjustment protocol that requires some extra work. But it's a game changer! Make sure you also have a wall pump (I have a Spectra) as well. If you have any questions about it, don't hesitate to ask!

Thread: "Recs for best handsfree pump?"

I had momcozy s9 but just got the willow go. It’s much gentler and empties me better. There’s an awesome lady on YouTube that is a lactation consultant and has her own channel called New Little Life. She compares all the pumps (is not sponsored by any of them) and what works for her clients. She said that the way momcozy suctions (like pushed not pulls or vice versa can’t remember) actually inhibits supply over time. I obsessively researched this and watched a bunch of her episodes. Good tips for flange sizing and supply issues. I also did other research and wound up with Willow Go as my wearables. Good luck!!! https://youtu.be/qJShsy1pI2I?si=VG97b9RYkFGtllOJ

Thread: "Hands free breast pumps"

The replacement parts are insanely expensive and they recommend you replace everything every 3 months.

Thread: "Pros/cons Elvie vs Willow"

I just got a willow go last week to use when out and about - it’s not my primary pump (spectra s1 is). It’s a tad uncomfortable when I’m in the car, but other than that no real complaints - it’s been a lifesaver and made life (and my mental health) drastically better as I’m able to pump and get myself and my daughter ready for school in the morning without headache and a half hour earlier. I was worried about supply issues since I read that wearables typically don’t pump as much as hospital grade pumps, but to my pleasant surprise, my output is only an ounce or so less than what I usually get with my spectra. I will say it takes an extra five mins to get there, but I’m fine with that since it’s a wearable pump. The only other complaints I have so far are that it only comes with charging cables, not a wall plug which is annoying to keep switching out my phone charger with. And the parts are a lot and kind of hard to put together.

Thread: "What are the best Wearable pumps?!"

Also chiming in. This is the site the lactation consultant gave me for my spectra. There are a few options on it. I started with the first after my milk came in. Now, I've mostly been using the second option. It works great for me. I usually get 6-8oz each pump. https://pumpingmamas.com/spectra-pump-settings/

Thread: "Momcozy's M9 Mobile Flow review"

Thank you so much! This was so so helpful! Are you still liking them? I broke down after hours on end of research and bought the m9, but I’m scared to open it and find out I don’t like it and can’t return it lol. So here I am reading real reviews from lovely mothers such as yourselves 😂. I was also torn between the willow go and m9.

Thread: "Hands free breast pumps"

M9 ALL THE WAY. I say this as someone who had the willow go, Elvie stride, spectra S1 and several other momcozy pumps

Thread: "What are the best Wearable pumps?!"

I'm having good luck with my Willow Go. The only con is the cost and they leak if you bend forward. I've worn them around my family at holidays and they didn't notice I was pumping. I wear them every day in my commute. People complain about the number of parts but I find them easy to clean since they're not tiny little pieces. I also have the Bella baby but I have elastic nipples so it was a little uncomfortable for me. They're also a little bulky for me since I have a large chest (32G/H) so they'd be impossible to hide. But I think for an average person they'd be good.

Thread: "HELP. Can't decide between Willow Go and Elvie Stride!"

I have the willow go. I used it as my primary pump for almost 4 months at work. It is possible to use the fridge hack, maybe after one or two pumps, but most of the time the duck bill will NOT stay on after a use because of the grease from the milk so fridge hack wasn’t always possible. Battery life is good, I’d get three 25 minute sessions before it started turning red (dying). What oz I got with my medela in 15 minutes i’d also get with my willow, but I’d have to really crank up the suction power which meant having to charge more often. I switched back to my medela for work just because the fridge hack was so hit or miss and i don’t have enough time to wash and dry after every use, but I still use the willow at home.

Thread: "Best wearable pump 2024?"

Willow Go with the 7oz cups! I wouldn’t still be pumping if not for these pumps - it’s all i’ve used and am now 12w pp. I get the replacement parts covered by insurance. I’ve had no loss of suction and use all the old parts in addition to the new ones i get each month. I get between 5 and 7 oz total per pump and pump 5-6 times a day. They last 3-4 pumps until needing another charge. The customer service is awesome too - completely replaced mine when i had a charging issue and let me keep the old ones.

Thread: "Opinions on wearable breast pumps"

I have the Willow Go and I am using a Medela Symphony as my primary and an Ameda Mya Joy plus (battery powered with flanges) or whatever as my “insurance” pump. The Willow Go sometimes gets me comparable output to the Medela, I’m still working on settings as I got it recently. It’s definitely better for ME than the Ameda… but also, I wouldn’t use it as my primary pump, but for one pump or so a day it’s great. I wish I could believe it’s as good as the Medela though I hate it so much less.

Thread: "What are the best Wearable pumps?!"

Off-topic to OP's question, but may I ask what settings/routine you use with your Spectra that makes you think it comparable to your Willow Go? I respond well to my Willow Go but I'm not vibing with the Spectra S1 for some reason.

Thread: "Hands free breast pumps"

Wish I had seen this comment or thought of this before I got mine!

Thread: "Which wearable breast pump would you recommend as a primary pump? (FTM)"

I have the Willow Go, it looks like the Willow Sync is built on top of the same design only with 1 motor instead of motors on both side (and for like a third of the price). Assuming it works the same as the Go, I found it worked well as a primary pump and I got basically the same output as my Spectra. The only issues I had with it, and I think could be an issue for any wearable, is that sometimes the suction around the nipple isn't well aligned and I could go a full 15 minutes before realizing nothing was pumping. Since it's in your bra, it's a lot harder to see what's happening than with a more traditional pump. I found wearables kind of heavy though and many times I end up not being able to do stuff while pumping anyway so I don't jostle it and dislodge the suction. Not sure if this is an issue with all wearables or maybe my bra just sucked.

Thread: "Best wearable pump 2024?"

Just wanted to add regarding willow go, a big game changer for me was changing out the inserts! I had the willow brand 19mm ones, and they SUCKED, it messed up the suction. Once I tried the legendairy 19mm inserts I had a lot better output. But still not as good as my wall pump but what can you do 🤷‍♀️

Thread: "What are the best Wearable pumps?!"

I have the S2. I’m not sure if they have the same options. I start with the bacon button for a couple minutes at setting 2 to 3. I then go to 54:3/4. After than I ride to 38:3/4. This transition is about 10 minutes in total and I’ll start again. If my nipples become less sensitive I’ll up the suction, and occasionally will pop back to the bacon button(70) in between settings 38/54.

Thread: "What’s your favorite wearable pump?"

I have the willow go and like it.

Thread: "Hands free breast pumps"

I tried the willow go and hated it! I ended up returning it and getting my money back because it was so awful. It is soooo finicky to close and if it’s not closed properly the suction doesn’t work. Even when I did get it to work I only got 1/3 of my usual outfit. Highly recommend the Medela hands free, I tried the mom cozy as well and the Medela was by far my fav.

Thread: "Pros/cons Elvie vs Willow"

Do you mind me asking what the extra work was? I exclusively use my spectra but just git a willow go. I only produce 3extra oz a day for baby and I don’t want to accidentally thank my supply.

Thread: "Choosing between Elvie and Willow Go — any advice?"

Never tried the Elvie, but I love the Willow Go. It's so comfortable, gentle but powerful suction, and easy to clean. It can be a little finicky about the parts being put together the right way, but I really only had an issue in the beginning when I was figuring it out. Also, I have had a problem with milk sloshing out if I fill the containers a little too much and hit a bump in the road or if I don't walk really slow.

Thread: "Pros/cons Elvie vs Willow"

I’ve used both. I own both. I like willow go better as it empties me more, but the momcozy does it’s job as a backup.

Thread: "Choosing between Elvie and Willow Go — any advice?"

It was the original willow, so not exactly the same. Sorry, I should have specified. As a first time parent, the opaque covering made positioning and monitoring for issues basically impossible for me. Which I think is also true for the Willow Go. I do think willow customer service telling me that it was defective but not offering a replacement could happen for any of their models though.

Thread: "HELP. Can't decide between Willow Go and Elvie Stride!"

Check out bemybreastfriend on Instagram if you haven’t already. She has some really thorough reviews on both and recommends the willow go.

Thread: "Elvie vs Willow Go pump?"

I exclusively pumped with my first. I had the spectra and Elvie stride. Output was much much better with spectra. Elvie ended up being reserved pumping on the go/ in public. I don’t know anything about the willow go but if I got another hands free pump I would get one with the motor built in to each cup.

Thread: "HELP. Can't decide between Willow Go and Elvie Stride!"

Honestly, I appreciate this comment. 😂😂😂 Like I said in the very beginning I was dead set on the elvie. Then with a little bit more research, I'm thinking the Willow go would be better for me personally, but I guess it's just hard for me to actually be like okay. Yes, even though so many other people say the other one, this one is probably going to be better for you. So I think I'm going to order this one. But I also told my husband to not be surprised if I have to end up buying the other one too just to see. Lol

Thread: "HELP. Can't decide between Willow Go and Elvie Stride!"

Wanted to echo that the Willow go isn’t made for the fridge hack. I didn’t listen because it worked for 2-3 sessions when I first got my pumps but as the parts age the duckbills definitely pop off with refrigeration. I still love my Go but just alternate with an extra set of containers so I only use each set of parts once. I also have the original elvies and don’t know how I used them almost exclusively for 3 months. They hurt so bad. The Willow go changed my pumping experience. So gentle, no pain, effective milk removal. The profile of them is pretty big though, significantly bigger than my elvies. Not sure how compare to the stride.

Thread: "Elvie wearable vs. Willow Go?"

My LC told me she liked the willow go the most, then the Elvie, then the medala. I went with the willow and I'm mostly happy. I don't have access to the 360 in Canada, but although it's more clunky and has weird shaped parts/milk bags, I would have appreciated the ability to bend over with no leaking. I will provide my thoughts below. I try to remember that if I were pumping 20 years ago, I'd be happy with any pump at all, and really, I'm lucky to have it today. The willow go is just fine for me. The following is more like a synopsis of my observations and some troubleshooting tips to refer to if you actually buy it, rather than a critical analysis to help you decide purchasing it (as it's a long and convoluted explanation), but I hope it helps. After purchasing it, there is very little info/helpful reviews online to guide me in my questions and challenges. Features I like about the willow go: 1. It's chargeable and I can run for 2.5 sessions, 25 min each Con - it's lithium battery operated. So other than the children in the Congo who are mining lithium for yet another device, it is also an air travel consideration, fire hazard, and you cannot charge while using (unlike a portable). Also, I have to really think hard when I'm disassembling for washing up, because I'm really really worried that some day I'm just going to toss the pump motor into the soapy water by accident and without thinking (because we are all so tired and brain fried) I think this is the reason it tells you not to use the fridge hack ie don't chill lithium batteries. The manual isn't super clear on the reasons behind its warnings of what not to do 2. It's app controlled. You can use the buttons on the thing without the app or internet, and at first I hated the app involvement, but I like the app now. It tracks things for you. Con - sometimes the app doesn't sync, requires internet, sometimes it erases your pumping data, it does not track volumes using a sensor or anything you must record it manually It times out at 25 min automatically. This seems like a con, but actually, you don't want to exceed 30 min per session as it can damage breast tissue. I think you can change settings if you want. So, 25 min per breast is actually ideal 3. You can do things free handed! I know this is a general feature of all wearables but yay! Con - it isn't leak proof. I cannot bend over more than 45 degrees if it's got more than 2 oz inside. I cannot go for mindless walks because it will slosh. I've gotten really good at squatting like I've got a book on my head. 4. The parts are easy to wash. People complain about long drying times, but I use hottish rinse water and flick it around in the air before setting on the dry rack. It dries in minutes in my dry western Canadian climate. If not, a quick wipe of paper towel takes care of it. Bacterial concerns aside, do ensure the suction parts are completely dry to avoid interfering with efficiency or getting moisture inside the motor (there is a small suction hole to be aware of Cons - the parts warp over time and are expensive to replace. You should definitely replace if any damage is observed, or if the plastic gets cloudy or scratched. It says not to use a bottle sterilizer but boiling is fine? I used my Phillips avent sterilizer anyway (as the initial sterilizer event) and I think it did actually warp the parts. Technically, steam is just ever so slightly hotter than boiling water so maybe that's why. The valve seems to pop off the white plate part now, but it seems to work ok either way. I attribute this to warping. Parts are sooooo expensive. Like, $150 to replace them all, which you are supposedly to do every three months, but that should depend on frequency of use and wear and tear. Use your discretion. I haven't tried to submit an insurance claim for that and I'm not sure it applies. So, I also got mine paid for by insurance but this is maybe a cost to consider if you go the willow route At one point, I must not have been cleaning it well enough because I had to scrape a thin film of milk around the flange edge of the white plate. Be mindful of this as it's a bacteria hazard but also affects leakage. People complain about leakage and I have also noticed this. You can troubleshoot by good cleaning, avoiding excess heat, replacing parts as they wear, and leaving forward at the end of your session to "suck" any milk forward (or pull it off your tits while it's still running). I do get a few drops out the nipple holes and if you don't fit the container parts together fully and completely, lord help you 💦. I haven't had much trouble with the containers themselves leaking as long as I fit the top edge together first and then seal it all up. In general, you do need to get used to fitting it all together. The medala is much easier for that (I don't know about elvie), but once I got used to it, it's fine. 5. You can buy a nice little case for it. It's hard sided and has saved my pumps while outside the home because I'm clumsy Cons - it's $100 and not insurance covered. It only fits the pumps and just barely fits my charge cables and a thin package of pump wipes. I have to carry an extra bag for my related equipment/bottles. ALSO, it does not include the usb bricks for charging, only the two cables! 6. It's a sleek design that fits inside your bra. It has the highest capacity of all wearables. It comes with 5 oz containers and you can buy 7oz containers as an add on (although i can't buy them from the website available in Canada). Cons - I look like a mechanical Dolly Parton. It's still pretty big and although relatively quiet, I still explain to people what the noise is and why my bra is huge. My husband says it sounds like tiny screaming goats. 7. There are imperial and metric measurements on the containers. Once you get the hang of it, you can easily pour them into bottles by inverting it Cons - these measurements are often inaccurate because of the distribution in the container. If the line is just a little off, you can read it inaccurately and I find I'll assume I pumped 2 oz (for instance) but my evenflo bottle only fills 1.5 oz If you aren't used to the container, milk initially pours out in a steady stream, but because of the splash protector, there is often a second gush of fluid that changes the stream and you have to be mindful of catching that too. I also find it hard to empty the last few drops

Thread: "Hands free breast pumps"

I had the momcozy and hated it. It made me so sensitive and in so much pain. I now use the willow go and I love it. I have the spectra as my main pump and use my willow go when I need to do things while I pump. Edit: I also get the same amount of milk from the Willow vs the Spectra. So this is a plus.

Thread: "Hands free breast pumps"

I only downside of the. Willow Go for me is the number of parts to wash (5) and they can't be steam sanitized. I get great output though and it feels more comfortable pulling than my spectra!

Thread: "What are the best Wearable pumps?!"

Have you considered getting the 7oz cups? It's bigger in your bra obviously but worth it!

Thread: "What are the best Wearable pumps?!"

I have tried the Willow Go, Momcozy V1, and Momcozy V2. I also have the blue and pink spectra. The Willow Go is very heavy in the bra and one of the motors quit working very quickly and didn’t hold a charge well. I changed to Momcozy when that happened, and overall, I’ve liked them much more. The cups are very light in the bra. The V1 I like at work as I can put the motor on the keyboard drawer and keep working. The V2 is a great portable as it has a clip and can fit in a pocket if need be. Both motors hold a multi-use charge and the cups are large capacity. Replacement parts aren’t as expensive as the Willow Go either, so that is nice. I do feel like the Momcozy empties me just as well as the spectra, unlike the Willow where it was good on the go but I still didn’t feel all the way empty. Hope that helps!

Thread: "What are the best Wearable pumps?!"

I tried Bellababy the black LCDs, momcozy the older style and the M5, and the Willow Go. I honestly liked Willow Go the best but it’s a pain the wash and dry every time. So I’d recommend the m5 instead. I’m sensitive to rough suction and I can’t say the M5 is comfortable but it’s the best wearable I’ve tried. I also like the Medela collection cups.

Thread: "What are the best Wearable pumps?!"

I like my Willow Go. It is more bulky/heavy compared to a lot of other wearables out there. But to get more power/better suction level seems to be the trade off there. Depending on the day I get almost my same output give or take an oz. I do have to pump ~10-15 mins longer than I would with my primary pump. I tried the Momcozy M5 since everyone seems to love it, it just didn’t work for me. I was getting basically no output despite multiple tries and playing around with the settings. Loved how much lighter it was than the Willow Go, though! Wanted to like it! My favorite portable set up is my Pumpables Genie Advance with the Medela collection cups (I know they get a bad rep for the way the brand priced them, but I got them with my Amazon registry discount so $75). I love how easy to use the Medela cups are and how easy to clean they are. I get my same output with the cups as I do with the PGA liquid shield kits. I don’t mind the tubing to make sure I get the same output.