PSA - pumping moms - change your duckbills every few months!

[Anonymous]

I only pump 1x per day but had been getting a bad output for about a week, bought new duck bill valves and wow - it’s back up! I had to change them at 3 months and now six months pp and it’s made a big difference. Just thought I would throw that out there because I don’t think I ever changed them with my first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I only pump 1x per day but had been getting a bad output for about a week, bought new duck bill valves and wow - it’s back up! I had to change them at 3 months and now six months pp and it’s made a big difference. Just thought I would throw that out there because I don’t think I ever changed them with my first.

Thanks. Why do they make a difference? How does it work?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I only pump 1x per day but had been getting a bad output for about a week, bought new duck bill valves and wow - it’s back up! I had to change them at 3 months and now six months pp and it’s made a big difference. Just thought I would throw that out there because I don’t think I ever changed them with my first.

Thanks. Why do they make a difference? How does it work?

You need them to generate suction. if the bills don't close properly you won't get as much suction. (Tried to pump without them twice and wondered how in the world I could tolerate the maximum suction (level 12) strength of my pump when the day before level 3 was causing me pain and still get no milk.... Post partum brain fail!)

[Anonymous]

YES! No one told me this -- I had a Medela, so for me it was the little white pieces that go over the little yellow pieces. As soon as I replaced the torn white pieces, my production went way up. It's crazy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:YES! No one told me this -- I had a Medela, so for me it was the little white pieces that go over the little yellow pieces. As soon as I replaced the torn white pieces, my production went way up. It's crazy.

+1, got to replace those little white pieces regularly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:YES! No one told me this -- I had a Medela, so for me it was the little white pieces that go over the little yellow pieces. As soon as I replaced the torn white pieces, my production went way up. It's crazy.

+1, got to replace those little white pieces regularly.

+2 My LC told me to change out the membranes every 3 mo ir so. They can dry out and even the smallest nick or tear will cause the pump to lose suction and decrease your output .

[Anonymous]

With a spectra, do I need to change the round white parts or just the duckbills?

[Anonymous]

Another Spectra question: are the off brand valves sold on Amazon as effective as the Spectra brand?