How To Use Spectra Pump Settings

It's likely that you're here because yous're set up for some instruction on how to apply the settings on that cute lilliputian Spectra Breast Pump you've been playing touch and go with.

And you need detailed answers to questions similar, what is that button for with the bacon icon?

In all seriousness though, nosotros will go over all of the important Spectra S1 and S2 settings and get yous ready to use your Spectra like you lot've known her forever!

Let's get started, mama!

Difference Between Spectra S1 and S2

The nice matter about the 2 most common Spectra Breast Pump models S1 and S2, is that the buttons and settings are the same.

The merely differences betwixt Spectra S1 and S2 is that the S1 (the blue version) comes with a rechargeable battery, giving it the power to be cordless and perfectly portable.

Whereas, the Spectra S2 (the pinkish version) does not have a built-in bombardment.

Materials

Spectra S1 or S2 Breast Pump

Instructions

(Power Push) Turns on breast pump.
(Bike Speed Buttons +/-) These control how quickly the pump suctions.
(Vacuum Strength Buttons +/-) These control how potent the suction level of the pump is.
(Let-Downwardly Mode Button) This button alternated between massage and expression mode. Massage mode enables quick shallow pulls to stimulate a let-downwardly and expression mode enables slower, but deeper pulls to help pull out the well-nigh milk during a let-down.

Notes

Please save this Spectra Breast Pump Cheat Sheet to your pumping and breastfeeding Pinterest board. Or, print it out and keep it at your pumping station.

This post may contain chapter links. Full disclosures hither.

Spectra Pump Settings

At present that you've been introduced to each button and their function, permit's get you acquainted with Spectra's settings and what each one is used for.

What Does Wheel Mean on a Spectra Pump?

The bike speed on a breast pump is adamant by cycles per minute (CPM) and this measures how many times the pump pulls or sucks and releases per minute.

Think of the cycle speed on a chest pump in comparing to how a baby nurses.

When a infant is hungry and feeding at the chest, they will try to initiate a milk letdown by suckling faster. This represents more cycles per minute.

Spectra has half dozen cycle levels that tin can exist increased or decreased using the plus and minus buttons.

What Does Vacuum Mean on a Spectra Pump?

Vacuum way is the suction strength setting. This is comparable to the force at which a baby would suckle at the breast.

Depending on how high the vacuum level is set on your pump, you could potentially experience some discomfort if you lot are new to pumping.

Be sure to start out depression and work your way up, if needed.

This goes without saying, but if y'all are experiencing pain while pumping, stop right abroad and evaluate what could exist causing information technology.

Still, as your body adjusts to the sensation of mechanical breast pumping, you should be able to comfortably pump on even a loftier vacuum setting.

What is Permit-downwardly Mode on a Spectra?

You made information technology to the "salary icon" push tutorial! This push button with the 3 waves above your power button controls both expression way and massage mode.

Let's acquire more.

Expression Way: This fashion has 5 cycle speeds 38, 42, 46, 50, and 54 and 12 vacuum strength levels L1-L12. After a letdown is initiated and the milk is flowing, y'all should be in expression fashion. Adjust your pump cycle speed to a level that your body responds to best.
Massage Mode: In massage style, your cycle speed is locked at 70 cycles per minute. The salary symbol is displayed on the upper left corner of your pump'due south screen. The wheel level, and your vacuum strength can range from L1-L5. If you need to initiate a letdown at the get-go or any time during your pumping session, you need to be in massage mode.

How Long do you lot Pump in Let-downwards Mode?

Spectra starts out in expression mode when you plough your pump on.

In lodge to actuate massage mode, y'all must hit the button with the three waves. Yous will know that you lot are in massage (let-down) manner when the bicycle speed shows 70 CPM on the screen.

There is no set fourth dimension on how long you have to pump in let-down mode.

Instead, focus on pumping in massage mode for as long as it takes to initiate a permit-down. This could be a infinitesimal for some women or up to half-dozen minutes for others.

Once you see milk begin to flow, switch to expression style by pressing the 3 wave button again.

Repeat this process all once again if you feel like there is however more than milk that needs emptying from your breasts.

What are the Best Spectra Settings

Let's also look at some Spectra Pump settings you can try out for yourself based on the goal of the item pumping session.

Please remember though, that these pump settings are merely examples. You should never keep pumping if you feel whatsoever pain or discomfort.

Spectra Settings for Most Milk

Would you like to know how to increase milk supply with your Spectra? Here is a popular Spectra setting many moms utilise to pump more milk.

Commencement in massage mode on cycle 70 / vacuum 1 and slowly increase the vacuum until you have a permit-downwards.
Switch to expression mode one time milk starts flowing – 54 cycle / vacuum 3 or 4.
While milk is flowing freely, try turning up the suction and lowering the cycle speed.
When you lot see milk stop flowing, return to massage mode and try to initiate another letdown to repeat the procedure.

Power Pumping with Your Spectra

Power pumping is another great mode to use your Spectra to increase milk supply if yous are experiencing lower than normal product.

Follow these steps to get you lot started:

Pump xx minutes.
Residual ten minutes.
Pump 10 minutes.
Rest 10 minutes.
Pump 10 minutes.

The full corporeality of time power pumping should last approximately an hr and you tin power pump once per day for 3 days.

Take note: It is idea that power pumping in the morning tends to be the most effective fourth dimension due to higher levels of prolactin.

Spectra Settings Newborn

When you lot first begin pumping for your newborn, your breasts are most likely unfamiliar with the feeling of a mechanical pump. With that in listen, your breast tissue and nipples volition probably be more sensitive to begin with.

The most of import thing to remember when choosing settings on your Spectra to pump for your newborn – is to start out wearisome and gentle and work your way up.

Your breasts will eventually (and in a short amount of time) larn to respond well to the pump.

Hither is an instance of Spectra Settings with Newborn:

Outset in massage style – cycle 70 / vacuum 1 and increment the vacuum every couple of minutes until milk flows (stopping if in that location is any discomfort).
In one case milk begins to menses, push iii-wave push button to switch to expression mode.
Get-go on expression mode with a lower speed betwixt 38 and 54. Increment vacuum level to a comfortable level up to 12. Try bicycle level 38 and vacuum level 5 to showtime.

Pump for no more than 20 minutes at first and assess how your chest tissue feels and looks afterwards to ensure no damage is taking identify.

A common pumping fault new moms tend to make is that they pump for far too long at first. They may non be getting the output they think they should. This could be for a few reasons.

For ane, your milk has not fully come up in yet. 2, your breasts are not used to expressing milk through means of a pump. Or, your flange sizes are off and you aren't getting proper suction.

Spectra Settings for Engorgement

Being engorged tin can be a very uncomfortable and painful feeling, wanting to pump to take the edge off of this feeling is understandable.

You lot may likewise notice that your baby is having a hard fourth dimension latching when your breasts are engorged. Or, they pull off the chest right abroad due to an overly powerful letdown.

Pumping for simply a few minutes earlier you nurse may help solve some of these bug.

Yet, it is brash non to rely on pumping besides much in the beginning while your milk supply is regulating.

This is considering yous are teaching your torso how much milk to produce and you may end up with an unwanted over-supply that could crusade information technology's owns complications afterward on.

Even then, if you are desperate to relieve some pressure, try pumping on massage way at cycle level seventy / vacuum level ane and increment the vacuum from in that location.

The one affair yous desire to avoid while your breasts are engorged and skin is tight, is too loftier of a suction level that will tug aggressively at that taunt skin.

Ouch.

There's a lot to pumping!

When it comes to techniques, troubleshooting and getting it right – y'all may need to recruit the help of a pro!

I recommend that you lot sing up for Milkology'southward The Ultimate Sectional Pumping Class and then you can accept the information you need at your fingertips at all times!

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How to Read Spectra Hours Pumped

I last teaching on how to use your Spectra Breast Pump, is to learn the push button sequence that will show you how many hours you have pumped on your Spectra all together.

This of grade is purely just to satisfy your own curiosity and to tap yourself on the back for all of your hard work!

Here'due south how to notice that number: