This post is about how to use spectra s2, as well as some tips from myself, an exclusively pumping mom.
Three days after coming home from the hospital after the birth of my daughter, I just could not take her crying anymore.
She had already lost about her 8% of birth weight so I was rightly concerned about her feeding. She cried so much and it was such a struggle to get her to latch properly.
I lacked the information, knowledge, and support to get her evaluated for a tongue/lip tie and to work with a lactation specialist.
So with deep frustration, I told my partner, “Go get me my breast pump.”
I had gotten the Spectra S2 for free through my insurance. I did my research on which breast pump seemed to work best, read reviews on Amazon, and Spectra S2 just seemed like the best choice for me.
With my baby crying out of hunger, I plugged the breast pump and began extracting milk. Within 5 minutes, I had 1.5oz of breastmilk to give to her to calm her hunger, and within minutes, she devoured it and I felt extremely guilty about how hungry she had been.
I kept pumping to feed her (thus becoming an exclusively pumping mom) and had to learn all the tips and tricks from different sources throughout the internet to successfully use the breast pump.
What we can take out of this story is that I had never used a breast pump before. I didn’t even know I had to measure myself (I was using the 28mm flange (ouch!).
I had maybe touched it once when I received it on the mail when I was 6 months pregnant, and then again before birth to wash the pump parts.
Despite all of this, the Spectra S2 still came to the rescue even with my little knowledge on pumping.
READ MORE: Spectra S1 vs S2: Which is Better for You?
How to Use Spectra S2
As an exclusively pumping mom, my breast pump became my best friend. I did this for 12 months, so I had to learn everything I could to make my journey easier to continue to feed my daughter breastmilk.
In this article, I will be as comprehensive as I can be to tell you everything you need to know about how to use the Spectra S2, from the settings to when to replace your pump parts to where you can purchase them for cheap.
Why Should I Choose the Spectra S2
If my experience above was not enough to convince you that the Spectra S2 is beginner friendly and user friendly, then read on.
The Spectra S2 is one of the most renowned breast pumps, and it is so for a reason. The Spectra S2 is also one of the most popular breast pumps, along with the Medela in Style, because of how inexpensive it is for what it does and its quality of work.
Furthermore, many women can get the Spectra S2 for free through their health insurance. And if that is not the case, I have seen people find the Spectra S2 at Goodwill for as cheap as $15 (this is due to how many women get them for free through their health insurance and choose to donate it when they do not use it).
The Spectra S2 is also hospital grade, which means that it is more powerful and effective than other personal-use pumps, such as the many that you may find on Amazon, as well as manual breast pumps.
List of the Spectra S2 Parts
Here are the following Spectra S2 pump parts and their functions:
Flanges: Your pump comes with 2 different sized flanges; 24mm and 28mm. Get properly sized to know your flange size, you may even need to purchase a different sized flange. The flange goes directly on your breast and the flange size should correlate to your nipple measurement.
Duckbill Valves: These valves create suction within the pump to your breast to help pull the milk out. The valves contract when you’re pumping.
Backflow Protectors: The silicone membrane also works similar to the duckbill valves, where they contract as you’re pumping. The backflow protectors help prevent milk from going into the tubing. Make sure it is properly on to prevent issues.
Tubing: The tubing connects the breast pump parts to the pump motor.
Bottles: Once the milk is expressed, it is going into a bottle. Bottles can easily be replaced with bigger bottles depending on your milk output. I opted to change the Spectra bottle for a 9oz Avent bottle due to convenience so I wouldn’t have to empty the 5oz Spectra bottle throughout my pumping session.
What Are The Spectra S2 Settings
As seen in the image above, Spectra S2 comes with seven buttons and a digital screen. Below is a list of what each button does:
- Power button: Turns on and off.
- Cycle Buttons (+/-): These buttons adjust the cycle speed. Per the Spectra Manual, “The cycle speed is measured in CPM (cycles per minute) on your breast pump and refers to how many times the pump ‘sucks’.” (Source)
- Vacuum Buttons (+/-): These buttons adjust the vacuum level. Per the Spectra Manual, “The vacuum level is measured in mmHg on your breast pump and refers to how strongly the pump will ‘suck’.” (Source)
- Massage/Expression Button: This button is known as the “Bacon” button due to its appearance. What this button does is when you press it, you go between massage and expression mode. Massage mode is a quick gentle “suckling” to mimic a baby’s way to initial a letdown, which is when breastmilk begin coming out quicker. Expression mode is meant to mimic the slow and deep “suckling” of a baby when they are drinking milk through stronger suctions to draw down the milk.
- Night light: Turns the nightlight on and of.
READ MORE: What is the Difference Between Spectra S1 and S2
How to Use Spectra S2
Okay, you’ve made it this far and you are ready to start pumping!
Before you put your flanges on against your breasts, turn the pump on and press the “bacon” button. I cannot tell you how many times I jumped from the strong strength and force (and lowkey pain).
We do this because, for some reason, the pump begins pumping in expression mode, but we want to start lighter with the massage mode.
By pressing the “bacon” button, you are putting the pump in massage mode. Remember, we always want to start pumping in massage mode.
The general consensus is to beginning pumping in massage mode on Cycle 70/Vacuum 1. From there, you can slowly increase the vacuum level until you feel or see a letdown. (I personally did not feel my letdowns, so I relied on hearing the milk hit the bottle).
When your letdown has began, it is now time to switch to expression mode.
The general consensus for expression mode is to begin pumping on Cycle 54/Vacuum 4 or 5. From there, you can slowly decrease the cycle speed and/or increase the vacuum level/strength.
If you are just beginning to pump, you may have to start very light. Increasing the vacuum level does not mean you will have more milk output.
It will take a bit of trial and error to find what works best for you. Some women only like using massage mode and claim they get more milk that like.
You can also go back and forth between both massage and expression mode to help stimulate your breast differently to signal your body to produce more milk.
How To Clean and Sterilize Pump Parts
Before their first use, you should sterilize all pump parts, with the exception of the tubing.
After every use, the pump parts (with the exception of the tubing) should be washed in hot soapy water. Or, if you use a dishwasher, the bottles, flanges, and outer pieces of the backflow protectors are dishwasher safe and need to be placed on the top shelf.
The duckbill valves and the silicone pieces of the blackflow protectors must be hand-washed.
Do avoid sterilizing your pump parts often because that can result in deterioration and damage.
How Often Should You Replace Your Pump Parts
When it comes to replacing your Spectra S2 breast pump pump parts, it depends on how often you use them. I found myself replacing my duckbill valves every 4 weeks since I was pumping every single day, multiple times a day. If you use your breast pump more sparingly, you don’t have to replace them as often.
It is important to replace your pump parts often because the parts wear out, they begin to lose suction, which results in lower milk output.
Here are the signs that your pump parts need to be replaced:
- You are getting less milk than what is considered normal for no apparent reason
- You have not replaced your duckbill valves in 4-6 weeks
- If your duckbill valves keep slipping off
- You have no replaced your backflow protectors in 4-6 weeks
- There is moisture in the tubing
Below I have listed all the pump parts with how often you should see into replacing them:
| Pump Parts | When to Replace |
| Flanges | Every 6 months |
| Duckbill Valves | Every 3-5 weeks if you pump > 3x/day; or every 2-3 months if you pump < 3x/day |
| Backflow Protectors | Every 2-3 months if you pump > 3x/day; or every 6 months if you pump < 3x/day |
| Tubing | When you find moisture, or see any wear and tear |
Maymom is a great alternative to replacing your pump parts at an affordable price.
Extra Tips to Use Spectra S2 From an Exclusively Pumper
- Include one power pumping session a day to help you increase your milk supply.
- Make note of how many hours your Spectra S2 has. This can also affect how well it works.
- The night light is a savior for late night pumping sessions.
- Invest in the Legendairy Milk Cups for a hands-free and slightly discreet option while still getting the benefits of the Spectra S2. This is the best purchase I did for my exclusively pumping journey.
- Due to the price, I opted to buy them through the Mercari app “secondhand.” I browsed Mercari often to find people posting the Legendairy Milk Cups at a discounted price, and would only buy those that had never been used – that is something that you should note when buying secondhand items, specially breast pump parts. Many moms invest in many products while they’re nesting and find themselves never using them, which is why you can find many great deals on apps like Mercari, and Facebook Marketplace.
How to Use Spectra S2
Whether you bought the Spectra S2 or got it for free through your health insurance, I hope you are able to use it to get maximum milk output (I know that was the case for me!)
I recommend reading Spectra S1 vs S2: Which is Better for You? next.
P.S. If you would like to know more about cloth diapers and cloth diapering your baby, you can learn more on: Everything You Need to Know About Using Newborn Cloth Diapers.
Other Pumping Posts:
- Best Portable Breast Pumps
- What is the Difference Between Spectra S1 and S2
- Spectra vs Medela (Spectra S2 vs Medela Pump in Style Review)
- How to Use Medela Breast Pump (Medela Pump in Style)
- Motif Luna vs Spectra S2
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- Fixing Postpartum Hormone Imbalance After Childbirth & Breastfeeding
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- Nursing Cart Essentials
- Baby Registry Must Haves (Free Checklist Printable)
- Best Postpartum Care Package Ideas
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- Why You Should See a Prenatal Chiropractor During Pregnancy
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