Unfortunately, I knew this pump was going to be a fail even before getting my hands on it. I regret to share that I used my insurance on this pump for delivery #4 back in June ‘24. The only good thing that I can add is how I knew this pump wasn’t going to deliver, so fortunately I was prepared to use other pumps which I knew would be more reliable and effective. This Spectra SG Portable was strictly for review, which still cost me an upgrade charge and yes I’m a little salty over it. So why the chapped ass, allow me to explain…
I’m not a fan of being told what to do or being limited in my options. This is exactly what Spectra has done with the SG Portable pump. Let’s take a step backwards, before this pump was released for our availability the Spectra Synergy Gold (plug in) was already available and I’ll admit, it’s a pretty solid pump. I reviewed this pump back in October 2022 , you can read that review HERE! So why is this relevant? It matters because Spectra took the same name, Synergy Gold, and slapped it on two different pumps. Why is this an issue? Because the pumps do not operate the same, for this reason alone I find the entire marketing of the SG Portable pump completely misleading. I hate poor advertising. Misleading marketing in my opinion is enough for me to turn my back on a company, especially when the issue is interfering with our milk supply. So many moms saw what a great option the original Spectra Synergy Gold was, and due to this purchased the portable option. Quickly, to their dismay, realized it was not the same as the original.
As a breastfeeding mother, the worry of producing enough milk to feed baby is painful enough, then slap on an ineffective breast pump, well there goes any last bit of morale I had.
So what makes this pump different than the original Spectra Synergy Gold, after all, it still has the dual motors and still offers the signature built in vibration? Unlike the original Synergy Gold that allows you to choose every little detail when setting cycle and suction preference, the portable rips the rug right out from under your feet. The SG Portable option doesn’t allow you to set any cycle speed, not for let down mode, or expression mode. The CPM or cycle speeds are preset at 26 CPM when using the Expression Mode and 100 CPM while using the Let Down Mode. So basically it’s all or nothing, Let Down mode is full sprint ahead while Expression is so slow you have time to take a nap between suction pulls. Oddly, if I had to use this pump I’d only be able to tolerate it in the Let Down Mode, which is completely opposite of any experience I share. I very rarely prefer Let Down Mode, or even use it for that matter. Due to the 26 CPM speed of the Expression Mode I can't begin to even try to get accustomed to it. This boils my blood, and as a seasoned pumper, taking away these options to adjust cycle speeds or even providing middle of the road options (such as 38/42 CPM for Expression Mode) I just cannot tolerate this pump. If you are new to pumping there’s a slight chance you may not even notice, or just the opposite, you may not be able to figure out why you’re having trouble responding to this pump.. well THIS is the reason why. Spectra has left us with NO options other than setting the suction strength independently on both the left and right motor.
Maxes out at L5 in 🥓 Let Down Mode
As far as suction levels, it still can rip and roar but without the ability to adjust your cycle speeds. So again you’re either just galloping through your pump session in the Let Down Mode or losing a nipple while taking intermittent breaks in the Expression Mode. As you can tell, I’m super bothered by these lack of options. I can’t say it enough, as breastfeeding mothers with different preferences we cannot be limited to these options, especially when we are only given two extremes. If the argument from Spectra is, “there’s not enough room in the design of the pump to accommodate these options”, then to that I say, at the least give us a happy medium option; not slow as molasses or as fast as a race horse.
Maxes out at L12 in 💧 Expression Mode
This pump wins in the size department, it’s surprising smaller than I anticipated but it’s a complete crap shoot once you turn it on and find that responding to this pump is virtually impossible. Funny story, my friend July Matheney , IBCLC and SLP founder of LA Lactation has also found with her in-person consults that her clients also have a difficult time using the Expression Mode and find the only way to move milk is while using the Let Down Mode- which is still not ideal because the CPM is so high it leaves no time for lengthen extraction time in the tunnel.
This review doesn’t have to be long and drawn out, I would highly recommend against getting this pump. It’s a true fail for Spectra, between the preset cycles and misleading reuse of its name Synergy Gold- you’re due to be disappointed.
I'll try to end this on a better note, if you already have this pump and want to try to make it more tolerable or find that the plastic flanges aren't helping the matter. Be sure to check out the Hacks Blog to hack this pump with other flange arrangement options!
