Breast pumps are intimidating. With all the parts (seriously, why are there so many parts?), those mind-numbing suction sounds, and page after page of instructions for set up, care, and maintenance, you probably feel like an engineering degree wouldn’t hurt right about now.
And then there’s the added concern of whether you even chose the right one. Am I getting the most possible milk? Is it comfortable? Can I get things done while I pump? Am I getting the most bang for my buck?
As an expectant mom wading into this unchartered territory for the first time (and feeling just as lost!), I set out to find the best wearable breast pump to keep up with my soon-to-be-much-busier lifestyle.
As I dove into my research, one name kept popping up: the Willow Go. Friends, mom groups, and tons of TikToks raved about how it stood out from the pack, so I decided to find out whether it lives up to the hype.
Here’s what I found:
You’ll have the freedom & flexibility to go about your day.
With the Willow Go, say goodbye to cords, tubing, and those dangling bottles that’ll really make you feel like you’re running a milk factory. One of its most appealing features is how truly wearable and hands-free it is.
As someone who works from home, I love the idea of being able to pop them into my bra and move around the house as I please—without being glued to a power outlet. From what I hear, every minute counts for newborn parents, so if I can knock out a couple of household chores when I have downtime (or just trudge to and from the fridge while watching Netflix) I’m all for the freedom.
It’s easy to set up & use.
The Willow Go is equipped with some user-friendly features that make pumping a breeze, especially for us newbies who have no idea what we’re getting ourselves into. The breast pump automatically turns off after 25 minutes (just in case you forget to time it yourself) and features a handy battery life indicator with green, orange, and red colors to show you how much juice is left. Even if you forget to charge it fully, a quick ten-minute boost can give you at least one pump session, which is a lifesaver on hectic days.
Using the Willow Go is also super intuitive. You’ll be able to power it on and off, toggle between stimulation and expression modes, and adjust your suction levels with four easy-to-follow buttons on the pump and also through the companion app. The best part? Unlike many other wearable pumps on the market and electric options, you can individually control each pump and keep track of your session history.
It has plenty of settings that provide more comfort & milk output.
Speaking of different suction settings, the Willow Go really caters to mom’s pumping needs by offering six stimulation levels and nine expression levels. The stimulation mode mimics a baby’s speedy suckling to help initiate milk flow and make the pumping process more comfortable. Then once you’re ready, you can switch to expression mode for longer, stronger pulls that’ll maximize your milk output.
This range can help you find the most comfortable and effective setting during your sessions, especially while you’re still getting the hang of pumping and figuring out what works best for you.
You don’t have to stress about finding your perfect flange size.
More often than not, pumping moms are using the wrong flange size—so much so that one lactation consultant found this to be true in over 90% of her patients (yikes!). Fortunately, the Willow Go is ahead of the game and includes both 21 mm and 24 mm flanges and a flange sizing guide within your kit, so you can easily find your perfect match. This can make all the difference in your comfort, the amount of milk you’re able to pump, and protecting yourself from any potential damage to your breast tissue or nipples.
And if those sizes don’t quite fit, don’t worry! Willow offers even more size inserts, including 13mm, 15mm, 17mm, and 19mm, so you can find the perfect fit. If you happen to misplace the handy chart, Willow has a free backup version online. And if you’re still feeling confused, their solid customer care team can assist with sizing, assembly, and any other questions you might have.
It’s comfortable & discrete.
Willow Go promises that it can fully fit in your bra, but I had a hard time believing it, despite all those TikToks of women pumping at concerts, on airplanes, and in the car. But man was I pleasantly surprised. The sound is much quieter than I expected and its sleek shape fits so naturally against your breast. Since the motor doesn’t stick out the top, I was super confident that I wouldn’t attract any unwanted attention.
Although you don’t need a special bra to hold these pumps in place, I found that a stretchy nursing bra was best. My sports bra and Skims spandex bra were good backups, but I’d need to size up from my pre-pregnancy collection to avoid irritation. Bonus: my boobs looked fuller than ever (cheapest breast enhancement you could ask for!).
It’s accompanied by all the pumping accessories you’ll need when you’re on the go.
Because the Willow Go is wearable and totally hands-free, you can wear it practically anywhere—and you don’t have to worry about the aftermath either. Accessories like the Portable Breast Milk Cooler, Pump Anywhere travel case, and the Travel Cleaning Pack make it simple to pump and store milk when you’re out and about, whether you’re visiting the grandparents or running errands.
Willow’s Find Your Flow Feeding Kit is another game-changing essential for those early days of pumping and feeding. It provides essential products for tackling common breastfeeding challenges, from reusable breast pads to hot and cold breast therapy pads, and comes with free access to a lactation consultation.
But it does require your time for cleaning.
Now, the not-so-fun part: cleaning. The Willow Go has five of its six parts that need regular cleaning—the flanges, the pump diaphragm, the container bowl that holds the milk, the container backing, and the duckbill valve. This can be a bit of a task when you already have a counter full of bottles that need your attention.
The upside is that you can toss all these parts into the top rack of the dishwasher, but if you prefer to wash by hand, it can be a time-consuming process to do every day.
Also, if you’re hoping to cut down on your process by leaning on a steam sterilizer, unfortunately the Willow Go recommends against it, so all parts must be air-dried instead in order to reuse.
The price tag may give you sticker shock.
The Willow Go comes with a hefty price tag—at $349, it can feel like a significant investment. That being said, it’s available as an upgrade option through insurance (with most saving up to 40%!), which can help offset some of the costs. But what really makes Willow worth it is their personalized onboarding process with a Willow Mom Coach that every purchaser receives. For moms just learning the ropes, this guidance and support can really help you get the most out of your pump.
Replacement parts are another consideration, as some moms have reported them frequently being out of stock, but I didn’t encounter this issue.
And there are a few practical things to consider.
While the Willow Go is designed with convenience in mind, there are some practical considerations. It’s not leak-proof due to the opening spout at the top, so you’ll need to be mindful of certain movements—like bending over to pick something up or laying down—to avoid spilling that precious liquid gold. Additionally, since you can’t pump directly into bottles or bags, you’ll have to transfer milk into a storage container after pumping, adding an extra step to the process.
So do the pros outweigh the cons, like all those TikTok moms claim? I’d say yes. The Willow Go breast pump offers plenty of freedom and convenience with features that make sense. Toss in its user-friendly design, on-the-go accessories, and supportive customer care team, and it’s a worthwhile consideration. If you’re a busy mom looking for a hands-free pumping experience, the Willow Go is a top-notch option that’ll make getting through those chaotic days a bit more manageable.
Use code TINYBEANS20 to earn 20% off your Willow Go purchase now through September 30, 2024!
