Pump with Elvie

I have used the Elvie for 2 months now and am surprised for the price ($550) that the app has as many problems as it does. Firstly, the pumps disconnect from the app about 50% of the time I use it. When they disconnect, the amount of time I have been pumping disappears and you are unable to save the amount of time or milk you pumped. A secondary and related concern has to do with the fact that I am unable to save a manual pumping entry. This is necessary for when the pumps disconnect. Lastly, you are unable to edit the time pumped on an existing session (if you are lucky enough to finally get one past the pumping stage). This is necessary for when the session fails. To get around these issues I’ll typically start a fake session, finish it, and mark the milk I had pumped so that it will save. Unfortunately, the amount of time will be incorrect (ex: 5 seconds instead of 15 minutes). Regardless, I know my data of total quantity pumped is skewed because I haven’t had the energy to follow this step when I pump in the middle of the night. These features all greatly disappoint me, especially given the hefty price point. I wish I bought a different wearable pump for less than half the price with better reviews. I have this review 2 stars instead of 1 because I do like the dashboard that shows the pumping stats and articles linked for advice.

There is no way I would still be breastfeeding without my Elvie. I felt like a dairy cow with a traditional pump, and I hated having to change bras or wear a really uncomfortable bra with a flange holder built in. With the Elvie, I can pop them in and continue working at my computer or doing chores around the house. They are so comfortable that I sometimes forget that I’m wearing them. I was worried that they would not work as well as my traditional pump, but I actually find that I get higher yields with this pump. I also have to hand it to the engineers that worked on the Bluetooth connectivity: this is the only Bluetooth device that I’ve had zero connectivity issues with. I don’t know how they did it, but thank you! I have a few complaints. The volume detection is never accurate for me, and at this point I don’t even use it because I got tired of correcting the amount. I wish that the timer had an automatic shut off feature, and I wish that the pump would let you override the full bottle shut off more easily because it will often say the bottle is full when it is not. I also hate the warnings I get about the pumps losing connection to the app when I intentionally shut them off after a session. Maybe this could be helped by a button in the app for disconnecting and shutting off the pumps. It might be nice to also add a customizable “power pumping” program for increasing supply.

If you are contemplating buying an Elvie let me tell you it is a must! I have twin boys that are two years old, I used a hospital grade pump with them & It was awesome! When we had our third kiddo in November i once again hooked back up to that pump. However; I realized VERY quickly that my time was very very precious now that we had three kids under the age of TWO!! This prompted me to look for a hands free pump. At first I thought it’s too expensive & I can just continue to pump in my bedroom / behind closed doors. So every three hours I had to go hide in the bedroom to pump for what would be about 45 minutes all said and done. My twin boys would cry outside the door and be so upset that I had to go in and lock the door so they wouldn’t pull on the pump or run around while I was hooked up to the machine and not be able to chase them from getting into God knows what! After about a month of heart break and what seemed like SO much time away from them I knew I had to invest in a hands free pump. THE. BEST. DECISION. EVER. I went back to work after three months. I work with a younger population and I blew their minds. Many moms were crazy jealous these were not around for them 3-4 years ago and to the even younger girls I told them if there is one thing to buy it is The Elvie. ( and the Snoo sleeper!) I no longer am a slave to a machine plugged into a wall or most importantly missing out on time with my family. I can be 100% involved instead of being away for hours throughout the day pumping in privacy. It also is awesome at work. I don’t dread pumping at all now. I’m not in a closet at work, having to stop my day & losing traction. The benefits MUCH outweigh the cost of this pump. I’ve gained all that money back ten times. Do yourself a favor and buy this pump!