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After trial and error, I found my favourite hack method.
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- easy,
- maintain its closed system and
- does not decrease the suction power.
You need:
- Medela tubing (you can also use Maymom tubing which is designed to fit Medela system). Cut 0.5 cm after the end of the yellow plastic piece.
- 2-cm long plastic tube with 5-mm inner diameter
A lot of mom simply get this by cutting the Spectra tubing, but if you don’t want to modify your Spectra, you can use the mouth piece of straw from children water bottle. I suggest you to buy a new replacement straw set and use the mouth piece.
UPDATE: There have been some questions where I got my replacement straw. To be honest, it’s from an unbranded water bottle from my local kids store.
If you stay in Singapore, you can get it from Kiddy Palace.
Here’s the picture of that water bottle.
As I said, no brand, but it seems to resemble SkipHop water bottle (this is the compatible replacement straw sold in Amazon).
My daughter is currently using OXO twist-lid water bottle and it seems its replacement straw can also be used for this hack. I’ll update this post once I get my OXO replacement straw.
Let’s continue to the hack…
This is the replacement straw I use for the hack
This tube should be big enough so that you can insert the clear part of Medela tubing into it without any difficulty.
5-mm inner diameter, cut 2 cm long
Things you need to connect Medela breast flange to Spectra pump
How to assemble:
- Insert the end of Medela tubing (the clear one) into the big tube.
- Now insert Spectra backflow protector into the other end of the big tube
- Now pay attention to the connection.
- Make sure that there’s very minimum gap between the end of Medela tubing and the end of backflow protector
- If you still see a gap, cut the big tube shorter to get a better fit, because a bigger gap can result in suction loss.
- Now you can use Spectra breast pump with Medela flange, yayy!
You can connect Medela breast flange to Spectra, while still using the backflow protectors.
- Usually, I will leave the hack intact to the backflow protector and the pump, so that I don’t need to fiddle with it every time I pump.
You can use the same method to connect Maymom breast shield to Spectra.
Maymom connected to a Spectra breast pump
GOOD NEWS!
Here are your options:
The little yellow adapter connects Medela breast shield to Spectra backflow protector. Source from here
Source from here
Sarah says
Can I directly plug in the Medela Tubing with the Spectra and not connect the back flow piece? I tried just plugging in the tubing and turned it on. It suctioned. Even without the back flow piece so is it ok to use? Thanks!
rina says
Hi Sarah,
Yes, the pump will still work even without the back flow protector.
But, bear in mind that not-using back flow protector will make the pump become open-system (i.e. it is possible for the milk to enter the tubing and then the breast pump), which is why I strongly discourage you from doing that.
I heard that if your Spectra is still under warranty, any problem due to not-using back flow protector will void your warranty. So, better be cautious here.
Tina says
Thank you, so much for this hack! The pics and info are not only perfect and easy to follow, but it took no time to put it together! Thanks from a medela 30 & 36 mm gal!
ST says
Hi! I’m using Medela freestyle and flange size 30mm. My freestyle tubes can’t seem to work on this hack. Any other suggestions? The 28mm is so hurting my nips. 🙁
rina says
hi,
I’m not sure I fully understand your question. So, you connect the freestyle tube to which breast shield, is it medela persona fit or freestyle connector? what do yo mean does not work? the freestyle tube can not be inserted to the straw or it can connect but no suction?
J.J. Kearney says
You also helped with the Freemie breast cup/ Medela Freestyle hack! Thank you!
The 2 presentations about the Freemie/ Medela Freestyle Hack involving backflow protectors either use their spare Spectra pump tubing or don’t reference where they get the larger tubing connectors from.
Nor do they discuss the tubing diameter, which is also hard to find when researching the Spectra.
Now I’m set to pump to and from work as well as
Lunch time.
You’re a lifesaver!
A big thank you from Texas!
rina says
Hi Kearney,
I’m glad that this hack can be used for freemie too. I never used it before,so I didn’t know.
Thanks for letting us know.
Cammy says
HI, can you show me the photo = freemie connect with medela freestyle?
Rina says
Hello Cammy,
I never say this hack can be used to connect Medela freestyle to freemie cup.
Perhaps try this youtube video:
Wendy says
Hi,
I’m thinking about buying the s2 pump and came across your post. I’m currently using the medela symphony breast pump kit, would the hack work with this, or is there something I need to purchase?
Thanks in advance.