Updated Baby Buddha (2.0) vs PGA comparison 2024

September 24, 2024

It’s interesting how our preferences can change from one journey to another. As I’ve said over and over again, I know what I prefer when I don’t have to think about which device I’m reaching for when it’s time to pump. If I’m leaving the house I won’t be reaching for a larger pump, I know to pluck out my favorite mobile. Depending on my outfit and volume of milk expected while out, that will also influence which device best suited to my needs while away. Even though there are so many variables and products to choose from, I still find myself reaching for familiar options. Over the last six years my preferences haven’t changed much, I’ve bounced between basically the same two pumps depending on how my body has responded. The whole reason why this comparison is necessary, unlike my preferences staying relatively the same, one of these pumps have not.

May 27, 2018 When the Spectra S1 was my only pumping option

Let’s take a stroll down memory lane, in 2018 I delivered my multiples and soon after I unknowingly began my exclusive pumping journey. It all started with the Spectra S1, three months later I knew I needed to get rid of the wrecking ball hanging from my shoulder and change it out for something smaller. This was when I discovered the original Baby Buddha pump, this pump went on to be my primary for 18 months and then again with singleton #1 for another 16 months. It wasn’t until round three and singleton #2, did I find the Pumpables Genie Advanced. Like any interested pumper, I got my hands on it and quickly found it comfortable, especially with sensitive newly postpartum nipples. In my original comparison you can read my thoughts between the original Baby Buddha and Pumpables Genie Advanced. *SPoiLeR aLeRt*, I grew to love and appreciate the gentle, yet effective, suction of the Pumpables. They were similar in size but awfully different in strength and feel. Currently this time around with singleton #3 and 5 years later, the Baby Buddha made some major modifications to their pump with the goal to bring comfort to more moms; and well, I think they may have done just that. Let’s get to it!

July 3, 2022 When I began my third pumping journey

Woo, comparison time!

When Baby Buddha released their 2.0, the intention was to reduce suction strength in the beginning available levels while also adding in another mode to give mom more suction pattern options. As a newly postpartum mom yet again, with baby #5 in June ‘24, I personally benefitted from this new mode. I elaborate more in the Baby Buddha 2.0 review. My biggest complaint in the past when using the original BabyBuddha newly postpartum was the aggressive nature of the pump, especially when compared to the Pumpables Genie Advanced. With the new modifications, the first mode triggered when turning on the Baby Buddha is far more tolerable; and what I found to be more comfortable and effective than the Pumpables Genie Advanced this time around.

To this day, 11 weeks postpartum in September '24, I find myself using the Baby Buddha 2.0 primarily. I will still work the Pumpables Genie Advanced into my day only when my Baby Buddha is out of battery, my fault for not charging. When I jump to the Genie Advanced I notice a big difference in the strength and pattern. I still believe they’re both effective at removal but I don’t think they will be effective for the same person. If you need or prefer longer, more drawn out suction of the pump then the Baby Buddha will be your best option. If you prefer short, moderate to fast consistent paced stimulation, similarly to the Spectra, then the Genie Advanced may be a better fit for you. No matter which way you spin it neither the PGA or BB (or generally any pump for this matter), will mimic a baby feeding at the breast as well as a baby actually feeding at the breast. At 11 weeks postpartum and 6 years pumping, I find I can respond to most suction patterns, both comfortable or uncomfortable. I find the Baby Buddha’s long pull or as it’s known in social media land as “bacon mode”, to be yet again, my preferred method at removal. When I was early postpartum 11 weeks ago, there was no way in hell I was going to use the bacon mode that early on. The Stimulation Mode 💧 of the BabyBuddha with the short easy bursts of suction were perfect for my early days. Even while in the hospital I tried using the Genie Advanced, and I still found it not as comfortable as the new feature on the BB 2.0. If you read my original comparison you’d see this was the exact opposite response I had two years ago. The new mode on the Baby Buddha and reduced suction strength has proven to be a fabulous and effective upgrade to the original version.

So do I think one pump is superior over the other? No, I do not. What I believe is that each pump offers completely different features and strength. Again, if you found you liked the Medela Symphony or Unimom Opera, then the Baby Buddha is going to have that similar mechanical suction. If you like the purr of the Spectra, then you’re more likely going to respond better to the Pumpables Genie Advanced. Let me add that I personally do not believe the Genie Advanced has vibration, but when I let the community get in my head weeks ago suggesting that it did, I really had to zone out to feel it. To which I’ll say, okay MAYBE, just MAYBE, there’s a little purr to the pump. But I will still argue it’s not a close comparison to the strength of the Spectra vibration!

As far as hacking both of these pumps, they’re in every sense the same. Pull off the connectors that fit into their own provided flanges and pop those plain end tubes onto which ever backflow protector or collection cup you’re using. Keep in mind it is possible that you may need to cut about 1/4” off the end of the tube due to it being flared out to fit the connector pieces on the original design. If you’re looking for all the hacks, check out this blog.

Differences between the Baby Buddha and Genie Advanced, other than the obvious in suction patterns, will be the adjustability. All cycle and strength patterns are preset on the Baby Buddha. The Genie Advanced offers three cycle speeds while using the expression mode. Are these options ground breaking? No, I would argue they don’t vary that much. But for some they may be necessary. However, if you have a preference for suction strength after reading the above comparison, these cycle speed options might be a moot issue if you’re not super particular in your preference for variety in your pump.

So which should you get? Ugh, this is my least favorite part. If you have a Medela Harmony hand pump pick it up, place it on your breast and pull the handle and don’t let go. If you find that long constant pull on your nipple is expressing a nice steady flow of milk and you’re not finding it at all uncomfortable, then the Baby Buddha 2.0 is going to be the pump I recommend. If you’re reading this and thinking, a long hold on my nipple sounds awful, then the Pumpables might be more your speed. Let me also add, the Baby Buddha has three modes to offer, however I feel their “bacon mode" is the true money maker. It’s pretty unique to their design and it's the mode everyone remembers. Personally, I loved it, and I have grown to love it again. I won’t argue that it “empties” me faster than the Pumpables Genie Advanced, but I do find it more stimulating.

Crowdsourced polls at bemybreastfriend in Instagram Stories on September 17, 2024

I had asked the community which pump they were using, as it would prove the majority polled on this day are using the Pumpables Genie Advanced. If I am being honest, as I always am, I think this outcome could easily sway either direction depending on which year asked. In 2018 when I had began pumping, the Pumpables Genie Advanced wasn't an option and everyone was using the Baby Buddha. It ripped through the internet like wildfire, if you were an exclusive pumper you were using the Baby Buddha, and this went on until 2021. I remember the Pumpables coming to the market when I weaned from my journey in Sept of 2021, unknowingly due to my next pregnancy. My second singleton was born in June 2022, this was when I had tried the Pumpables for the first time and went on to love it. I do believe that the Pumpables offered more gentle suction and just as effective pump when compared to the Baby Buddha. It wasn't until this year (2024) that the Baby Buddha released their revised pump offering more options to satisfy those with more sensitivities. Will the market shift back to the Baby Buddha, assuming that there might be more current Pumpables Genie Advanced today when compared to Baby Buddha users? I think it's possible. These two pumps offer completely different suction strengths, like really different, but both very effective if you are able to respond well to their individual features.

Check out these other reviews and comparisons to help dial in your final choice!