Elvie pump reviews?

[Fedfedfedup]

Currently trying to pump to increase supply using my Medela swing but it's just so time consuming! Considering the Elvie but

1. Pricey!
2. Have heard mixed reviews particularly about the suction power

Would appreciate honest reviews about this pump so I can decide whether to get it or not!

Following

I exclusively pump so invested in one elvie to use for out and about when I am away from the house for a long time (obviously haven't been able to use it for that purpose yet!). I have used it a few times and although the suction doesn't feel as strong as my plug in medela, it does a good job at getting the milk out. I love the fact that it detects when milk is coming out and alters the suction. The app is good for controlling the pump but the bit that shows the volume if collected milk isn't exactly correct, I think it depends on the position you are in that changes the amount shown. I haven't had any issues with leaking like reviews mention, I am concerned about this happening so don't tend to move too much with it on. The pump automatically stops when it thinks the bottle is full, which can be a problem for me as it tends to stop at 120ml and I have to empty the bottle out or change it. I find it best to do breast compressions when I pump, but can't do this with the elvie.
Are you able to double pump with your medela? You might find that it is the quickest way to get expressing done over just using one elvie. I know that it enables you to move about but because of potential leaking I wouldn't be very active using it anyway. I hope this helps you.

It offers more flexibility than other pumps and I found it did offer enough suction. But mine broke (battery died, would not charge) and I think it's quite a common problem - but they did replace it for free.

I bought the double Elvie pump and i’m now 4 months in and really regret it! I hand express through the day now and only use the pumps once at night when i’m feeding my daughter. The suction is crap, they leak all the time and if it isn’t placed exactly right on your nipple then you take it off and realise no milk has come out! Which is very frustrating and happens all the time. It can feel as if it’s pumping but then you take it off and there’s nothing. You can’t really move around with them on either unless you have a super tight bra to hold them in. I find that dismantling them, cleaning and sterilising all the parts is more effort than they’re worth. I am thinking of buying a hand pump and going with that instead. There are design flaws with the Elvie, and definitely better pumps out there. The Medela one i used in the hospital was so much more reliable - yes you are hooked up to tubes but the Elvie ones are not really that discreet and they make noise so i wouldn’t use them in public anyway so using one with tubes wouldn’t bother me at all. I wouldn’t recommend the Elvie at all!

I've just ordered the pippeta pump, it's hands free aswell but only £45, i also had a 15% on code. I don't know if its any good but it has good reviews on their website and its a hell of alot cheaper than the elvie x

I’ve only ever used the Elvie so I can’t compare it with anything else. It took a while at first to get the right suction and express a good amount but once I did I found it was handy being portable to put it in my bra and get on with things. The app was ok, you can keep track of everything and control it via the app but after a while I just used it whenever I had to and not bother with posting my logs and tracking my progress.
Abit of a design flaw is that when you finish expressing when you release your boob from the device milk can drip out where you’ve expressed when you place the Elvie on a surface. Annoying as your right it’s expensive and you’d think they would of designed it in such a way that that doesn’t happen!

I know what you mean about them leaking when you take them off too - i usually lay them flat straight away to avoid that but they do get very sweaty and greasy from the milk so have to wipe down my boobs afterwards too. Definitely on the hunt now for a hand pump.

@Springtimemam

I've just ordered the pippeta pump, it's hands free aswell but only £45, i also had a 15% on code. I don't know if its any good but it has good reviews on their website and its a hell of alot cheaper than the elvie x

Hi @Springtimemam just wondering how you got on with the Pippeta pump as I'm really keen to get it but can't find too much online about it, apart from their website and the occasional mention... thanks in advance!

I’ve got very big boobs and it’s not great for me. I have to hold it in place which kind of negates the hands free aspect, and it doesn’t have very strong suction. Although it’s hard work, I get much more milk by using the handheld mam pump.

I’ve got the single Elvie as BF & wanted partner to be able to bottle feed when I needed a break & he wanted to be able to feed DD too.
Took me a week to get anywhere with it as the positioning etc takes some getting used to. I nearly gave up but I’m so glad I didn’t as it’s so efficient now. The only thing I will say is that you’re still restricted to a degree as you need to be careful not to tip forward so the milk leaks so bending down or leaning can be tricky & you need to stay aware. I also follow bemybreastfriend on Instagram & she swears by the willow over the Elvie.. not sure if you can get the willow in the UK but worth a gander.
If you do decide to opt for the Elvie I would really recommend watching their videos on how to attach and persisting with it, I used a mirror every time to latch the shield and still do occasionally.

Another pro for the Elvie was pumping on the go - I regularly pump whilst in the car on the way out for the day with my partner which is sooo useful.

If it’s hands free pumping you’re interested in, Amazon has lots of pumps that can do that for £40-60. I don’t have experience with the Elvie as I’ve only heard negative things and I think it’s a crazy price

Wanted to notify you that if you do buy this pump and want to store it away for long term use you need to make sure you charge/update the software frequently otherwise long term storage can cause the pump to be redundant. I hope you do not find yourself in my position having to buy a new pump because the old doesn't last more than a year in offline mode!! I was disappointed with how little support I received from Elvie too!