If you have several sets of Medela pump parts, you might be wondering how to use them with a Spectra breast pump.
When I left the hospital, I started out pumping with a Medela Symphony. I used it for the first few months to help establish my milk supply. Eventually, I wanted to use the Spectra that I got from my insurance. I did some research and found 3 ways to use Medela flanges with a Spectra breast pump.
So, how do you use Medela flanges with a Spectra Pump?
The easiest way is to use an adapter. This adapter will allow you to connect your Medela flanges to the Spectra pump with a long-stem backflow protector.
Another method that works is to purchase a short adapter to connect the two systems.
Finally, you may also cut your Medela tubing to connect it to the Spectra pump.
There are three different ways to connect Medela flanges to the Spectra pump, and I will go into more detail about each of them. There are also a few good reasons why you may want to use Medela flanges with your Spectra pump.
Hack #1: Use A Long Stem Backflow Protector To Connect Medela Flanges To The Spectra Pump
This hack involves purchasing an adapter. With this method, you replace the backflow protector that came with the Spectra pump with an aftermarket backflow adapter. This adapter has a much longer stem on it, so it will connect to the Medela flange.
This hack was the easiest way for me to connect my Medela flanges to my Spectra pump. It was also pretty inexpensive. The adapter is usually less than $15, which was less than it cost to buy replacement sets of pump parts that worked with my Spectra pump.
Here is a link where you can check out the current price for the Medela to Spectra adapter on Amazon. The set comes with two backflow protectors, which allows you to double pump when you use it.
To use this hack, follow these steps:
- Start by assembling your Medela pump parts as usual. Connect the breast shield, connector, valve, membrane, and twist on your bottle.
- Next, assemble the long stem backflow protector.
- Take the long end of the backflow protector and connect it to the Medela flange.
- Connect the short end of the backflow protector to the Spectra tubing.
- Connect the Spectra tubing to the Spectra pump
- Use the Spectra pump as you would normally use it.
This hack works perfectly to connect the Medela flanges to the Spectra tubing and Spectra pump. I found that it works when connecting Medela flanges to the Spectra S1, Spectra S2, and the Spectra S9 pumps.
I ended up buying two sets of these long stem backflow protectors because it worked so well for me. I used both sets because I had multiple sets of pump parts to alternate when I pumped.
Just a reminder, this long-stem adapter is for connecting Medela parts to a Spectra pump and not the other way around.
You would not use this adapter if:
- You want to connect Spectra flanges to the Medela pump.
- You also would not use this method if you were trying to create a closed system with Medela flanges and a Medela pump, like the Medela Pump In Style.
- This is because the long stem backflow protector does not fit well into the Medela tubing that connects to a Medela pump.
Hack #2: Use A Short Adapter To Connect Medela Flanges To The Spectra Pump
The next hack is to use this small adapter (link to Amazon). This adapter allows you to connect the Medela flanges to the Spectra backflow protector. Then, you can use the backflow protectors that came with your pump to connect to the Spectra tubing and Spectra pump.
This small adapter extends the length from the Medela flange to the Spectra backflow protector. The standard Spectra backflow protector will not attach to the Medela flange without this small piece.
To use this hack, follow these steps:
- Start by assembling your Medela pump parts as usual. Connect the breast shield, connector, valve, membrane, and twist on your bottle.
- Next, connect the small end of the adapter to the Medela flange.
- Take the larger end of the adapter and connect it to the Spectra backflow protector
- Connect the short end of the backflow protector to the Spectra tubing.
- Connect the Spectra tubing to the Spectra pump
- Use the Spectra pump as you would normally use it.
Here are the pros and cons of this adapter:
- Pro: It is small and easy to store.
- Con: the adapter is easy to misplace because it is so small.
- Con: I felt nervous trying to keep these small pieces of plastic away from my daughter, especially as she got older and was more mobile.
For this reason, I only used this hack when I needed to use my Medela flanges at work. I could store this small adapter easily in my Tupperware container of pump supplies at my desk.
I also did not need to worry about my daughter getting ahold of the adapter while I was pumping at work. Here is a link to check out this small adapter on Amazon.
I ended up using both hack #1 and hack #2. I kept the long stem backflow adapter at home and used the small adapter when I pumped in the office.
Hack #3: Cut Medela Pump Tubing And Spectra Pump Tubing To Create a DIY Adapter
This hack is for you if you want to use some of the supplies that you already have on hand. You will not need to buy an adapter, but you will need to be a little crafty.
In order to create this hack, follow these steps:
- Start by trimming your Medela pump tubing, leaving about 3-4 inches beyond the plastic connector.
- Then, trim a 4-inch piece of Spectra tubing.
- Take the end of the Medela tubing without the plastic connector and insert it into the small piece of Spectra tubing. When you connect these two tubes, make sure that there is at least half an inch of overlap between the two tubes.
- Assemble your Medela pump parts as usual. Connect the breast shield, connector, valve, membrane, and twist on your bottle.
- Next, insert the piece of the Medela tubing with the plastic connector into the Medela flange.
- Take the other end with the Spectra tubing and connect it to the Spectra backflow protector.
- Connect the backflow protector to the long piece of Spectra tubing.
- Connect the Spectra tubing to the Spectra pump.
- Use the Spectra pump as you would normally use it.
The main drawback with this hack is that you are cutting your Medela tubing and you will not be able to continue using this set of tubing to pump. If you want to keep the Medela tubing intact, then you should probably use one of the other two hacks where you purchase an adapter.
The main benefit of this hack is that you are using supplies that you have on hand, and you will not need to purchase anything.
With my sleep-deprived new mom brain, I was happy to just buy the long-stemmed backflow protectors and small adapters.
They were an inexpensive and easy solution. I also wanted to make sure I did not cut my Medela pump tubing in case I needed to continue to use it with my Medela pump.
Reasons To Use Medela Flanges With A Spectra Pump
There are a few different reasons why someone may want to use the Medela flanges with their Spectra pump. The first reason is if you are in the same situation that I was in.
You may have already invested in a few sets of Medela flanges, and then you may want to continue using these extra pump parts with a Spectra pump.
Another reason why you may want to use Medela flanges with your Spectra pump is if Spectra does not make the correct size flange that you need.
Spectra flanges are available on their website in sizes of 20mm, 24 mm, 28mm, and 32mm.
Medela flanges are available in 21mm, 24mm, 27mm, 30mm, and 36mm. For example, the 20mm flange on Spectra may be too small, but the 24mm is too big. The 21mm Medela flange may fit the best for you.
The third reason why you may want to use Medela flanges is that replacement parts for the Medela flanges are more easily available in stores. If a part breaks, you can usually go to Target or Buy Buy Baby to purchase Medela replacement parts the same day. Spectra replacement parts are typically not as widely available in a store.
You can also use this hack to connect Pumpin Pals flanges to your Spectra pump. Read all about it in my article here.
I loved having the Medela to Spectra adapter parts on hand at all times. They were my safety net in case I got caught and needed to purchase a set of replacement pump parts at the last minute.
If you are interested in learning more about how the Spectra and the Medela Pump In Style Advance (PISA) pumps compare to one another, I wrote a very in-depth article about the features on both pumps. Check it out to figure out which pump is the right one for you.
I hope that these hacks are useful for you! I know that they solved a big problem for me when I was pumping.
Related Questions
How Do You Use Medela Bottles With A Spectra Pump?
Medela bottles cannot be directly connected to a Spectra pump. In order to connect Medela bottles to the Spectra flanges, you can use an adapter. This adapter will connect the wide-mouth Spectra flanges to the Medela bottles. It will also work with other narrow neck bottles like Dr. Brown’s bottles.
To check out the current price of this adapter, click this link and it will take you to Amazon.
Join Me On Pinterest
If you found this article useful, be sure to Save it for later on Pinterest.
You can also click here to follow me on Pinterest for more breastfeeding and pumping tips!
Recommended Reading
- Check out this article for all of my best pumping tips – 17 Best Pumping Tips for Beginners
- Ever wonder how many calories you burn by pumping or breastfeeding?
- Tons of helpful information on increasing milk supply without supplements – 18 Natural Ways To Increase Milk Supply
