When the Willow first came out a couple of years back, it may have been the most meaningful improvement to the electric breast pump since its invention in ~1990. Willow is a wireless, wearable breast pump that claims to be silent, discreet and pretty close to magic.
Too good to be true? Well, yes, and no — the Willow comes with a pretty hefty price tag ($499.99, to be exact), and though it does have a fan club, it’s not without flaws. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth the investment, the answer is… maybe.
There are as many women who say that the Willow is a MUST HAVE!! and LIFE-CHANGING! as who label it a COMPLETE WASTE OF MONEY!! or WORST PUMP EVER. Depending on whom you ask, the Willow will either “give you your life back” or wind up being a $$$ piece of garbage. This is the way of things with breast pumps. Much like with baby bottles, swaddles, or even your favorite pair of jeans, what works for one may be a total fail for another. If the Willow wasn’t five hundred dollars and non-returnable, we’d totally think it was worth seeing if you’re one of the women it works well for, but given the price tag, it might be a bit of a gamble.
If you’re a breastfeeding mom who has been on the internet in the last two years, you’ve probably seen ads for the Willow breast pump. It’s a gorgeous piece of machinery: two sleek bra-cup shaped pumps designed to slide into the bra you’re already wearing so you can pump breast milk literally anywhere. The pitch is compelling: no more hiding in an office bathroom or being tethered to the nearest electrical outlet.
The Willow is the third breast pump I’ve used, and while I didn’t find it to be the most powerful or effective at pumping milk, I did find it to be the most convenient… and, dare I say, liberating?
Before Setting it Up
Willow’s packaging is just as lovely as the pump itself — opening it feels as close to Christmas morning as opening a new breast pump could.
The instructions booklet is long, but thorough. You might be tempted to start pumping the second you open the box, but make sure you read the instructions first. The step-by-step guidance (on everything from positioning to charging) may be tedious, but you won’t regret the time investment.
You’ll also want to download the Willow app. That’s right — joining the smart-pump trend, the Willow breast pump is app-enabled and allows you to track your sessions: how long you’ve pumped, how much you’ve collected, how strong the suction was. The app is not just really cool to watch — it’s actually an essential part of your experience with the pump. Unlike other more traditional pumps, you can’t actually see how much milk you’re collecting while pumping with the Willow, so you’ll rely on the app to keep track for you.
On your device, you can see (in real time) how much milk you’ve expressed on each side, supposedly down to a tenth of an ounce. The app also shows your total milk volume and the duration of your pumping session. It’s kind of addicting to watch the numbers go up.
Personally, I found the app experience frustrating at first because as I tried to create an account, the verification email never came so I couldn’t move forward. I contacted customer support and was told it could take up to 24 hours to receive the verification email. Mine never came, so I tried again with an alternative email address, and the verification email arrived about four hours later. It was a minor inconvenience, as the pump still works and stores all of your information without the app, but still an annoyance.
Set Up
For me, setting up the pump was a cinch. There are just three parts: the wireless pumps, the flextube and the bag (or the container). It couldn’t be easier and the instructions are very clear.
The most difficult part is making sure your nipples line up with the pump’s flange. There is a very specific way the Willow has to rest on your breast to create a seal and extract milk. I used a mirror to make sure my nipples were positioned correctly. Contrary to the manual’s suggestion, I had more success with a traditional underwire bra than I did with a nursing bra. After nursing two babies, my boobs are a little floppier than they once were. I found a stretchy nursing bra just made everything sag too low to get a good suction, but a supportive underwire bra actually held my boobs to the pump just right.
Seamless, Wireless, Quiet — The Verdict
The best part about this hands-free pump is how discreet it actually is. Willow advertises that it is so quiet you can use it during a conference call. That is 100% true. The pump is nearly silent.
The beauty of this pump, in my opinion, though, really comes with its ultra portable design. Since the cups are wireless and can be tucked away under your bra, you’re not glued to an electrical outlet, and you don’t have to hide in a designated pumping area. You might not want to wear this pump during an in-person meeting or at a business lunch, but you could totally wear it in your office or cubicle with confidence.
*That said, I do look like Dolly Parton when I use the Willow. At 5’2’’ and 115 pounds, I have a pretty small frame, and wearing it transformed me into some kind of Austin Powers breast pump femmebot. I would not suggest wearing the Willow to a meeting with your boss, but for casual office use or on an airplane, a baggy cardigan or sweater hides it just fine (and larger framed women might have less of a problem with this). Though, for many women, the aesthetic is enough that they don’t feel comfortable wearing the Willow out of the house at all.
The Output
The suction felt strong, though not painful like some other pumps I have used. Even still, I wasn’t able to pump as much milk as I expected. My daughter is 8-months-old and weighs 24 pounds, so I know she’s well fed, but I only produced between 1-4 ounces during my 25-minute sessions with the Willow, while with my Spectra, I am able to get 4 ounces on each side. I’m not sure if this is a problem on my end, or if the suction needed more umph. [See also: Our review of the Spectra]
Which takes me to my next point…
Collection Bags and Containers
Since the pump is small and discreet, the bags that collect the milk are too. Bags for the Willow Generation 3 only hold 4 ounces, and for some women, the small bags present a large problem. (*Gen 2 collection bags were actually 5 oz. bags — whhhyy did they make them smaller?)
One mama who shared her experience on Babycenter was unhappy about the small amount of milk each pump bag could hold, writing: “The bags only fit 4 oz, but this is best case scenario. I have never been able to get to 4 oz, because the air in the bag counts toward space available. I typically get to 3 oz, then have to stop and replace a new bag in order to continue. My left breast always pumps way more then my right. A typical session is 5 oz left, and 2 oz right. So my one pumping session ends up with 3 bulky bags (7 oz total).”
The bags are expensive, too. The pump itself is $499, and the bags are $23.99 for 48. Since you have two boobs and will use two bags at a time, that’s only enough for 24 pumping sessions, which means you’re paying $1 per pump session. The cost adds up.
The good news is, the leak proof bag really is leak proof. I even tried shaking and pressing on the bag and the milk stayed in place. Some milk does leak out of the flextube when disassembling, though. Willow says just a few drops, it seemed like about ½ teaspoon or more to me.
I used the bags, but you could also opt to purchase the reusable milk collection containers (above), though they are also pricey (at $49 for a pair). Unfortunately, many women complain that these are glitchy and hella-annoying to clean, and Willow says that they generally only last a couple of months before needing to be replaced (what??!). But, it’s an option.
Cleaning
The Willow is super easy to clean. Once you pull the bag out and store it in the freezer or refrigerator, you’re just left with the flextube and the flange. The pump comes with a brush for cleaning inside of both — and all the pieces have a storage bag for tossing in your purse.
*Note that the reusable containers are a little more annoying to clean…
Charging the Electric Pump
Because there are no cords on the pump, you have to remember to charge it. One full charge lasts 2+ pumping sessions. But (and it’s a big but)… you only get one charger for two pumps, so your charging time is automatically doubled.
Costs and Insurance Coverage
At $499, the price point for the Willow is quite high (understatement?). It’s more than double the Spectra S2 ($199), more than the Medela Pump in Style ($169), annnnd more than Medela’s smart pump, the Sonata (~$359).
And, of note, Willow is now approved for full or partial coverage by many health insurance companies. You can also pay for the Willow Breast Pump with an FSA or HSA account. And if none of those are an option for you but you still really want to give the Willow a try, it is now available on payment plan by Affirm.
The Bottom Line
If pumping discretion (and having a wearable breast pump) is of the utmost importance to you – especially if you are a working mom – the Willow might be well worth it. But if you don’t *need the wearable feature, you might be better off with a traditional pump (this is less “risky” of a purchase, at least).
I have a friend who is a destination wedding photographer. When she’s on the job, she can’t spend 30 or 40 minutes in the bathroom while a wedding is happening, so she wears the Willow Pump while shooting and then hands it off to an assistant to put in the fridge.
If you’re wondering if it works better than a traditional pump, my answer would be no. But can you use a traditional pump while shooting a wedding ceremony? Ehhhhh – no.
Ultimately, whether or not the Willow is worth it depends on your needs. If you only pump occasionally from your home, then this may not be for you. But if, like my friend, are always on the go and are struggling to find a place to pump discreetly and peacefully, then the Willow is a potential option.
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Thanks for the review!
I wish I would have read this before we ordered our Willow. We hate it 🙁
I’m so very grateful for the time you put into writing such a thorough and enjoyable to read review! You helped me make a big decision!!!!
Willow pumps are TERRIBLE. DO NOT waste your money on this product.
Great review!
Wanted to add the Willow customer service is also terrible and not mom/customer oriented at all. It’s made the whole experience for what’s supposed to be an echelon/luxury pump absolutely dreadful. Would not recommend at all.
Willow breast pump offers $50 off for essential workers, but apparently a current nurse of 9 years does not qualify. 😡I am pregnant expecting my second I seen this and thought perfect because I was debating between willow and Elvie hands free breast pumps. I have been a nurse for almost 9 years. I work in direct patient care and have worked very closely with COVID patients since this all began and I admire companies who are supporting myself and all other essential workers. However, when I submitted my current nursing license for them to review so I may qualify for the discount I got denied. They emailed me a reply saying my state of Michigan nursing license was not apparently not official enough. In addition, it did not contain all the information they required like name, profession and date which a nursing license obviously does. When I replied back asking for more clarification since one of the examples they suggest submitting are a copy of your license they never replied back. They should not be advertising this if they are not willing to enforce it.
I hate it so far! I never spend this much money on anything but i thought this would make my life so much easier given I’ve had to pump my last pregnancies. What a waste! Constant technical issues. As i try to solve, I’m just leaking milk. Finally got a replacement container but still the pump works once and then not again. There’s about 20 trouble shooting steps. I just cannot imagine a 500 pump being this difficult. What is even more aggravating is that you can’t pick the size you think you need on amazon. I didn’t realize that. So then i got their standard size and had to pay another 50 bucks for a different size container. All for it to not work. My child is almost a month old and I’ve been able to use on my right breast 3 times with many problems and my left 4 times. The right one just won’t work as you need it to. And the left one mostly works except it gave incorrect ounces and it would say it’s full and i only pumped .3 ounces. So I’m using my medela pump from 5 years ago. So unless you have extra funds, i would only buy this pump as a possible back up and not your primary or secondary pump.
Hello I’m wondering what i have to do to see if I can have the breast pump put through my insurance or would you guys be able to help me with that? Please let me know. I’m new at this. Thank you
I really like my Willow and the customer support. However, I am disappointed to find out that they no longer support the Gen 1 pump with spare flanges. I paid $429 in 2018, one of my flanges cracked and I can’t get a replacement (getting ready to deliver baby two in a couple of weeks). I think it’s crazy to pay so much and only support the unit with spare for a couple of years. I’m moving to the Freemie. It’s a lot more affordable and I can’t afford a new $500 pump for every baby.
Willow pump does not fit correctly also waste milk as bags only feel up to 3 oz thank god i have several pumps
I have never regretted spending so much on anything in my life. I bought the pump with Afirm. I spent more money on the containers, an extra power cord to offset some of the complaints I read about. I am a RN in the hospital and stopping to pump is insanely hard. I really thought the willow would be the answer. I have had nothing but technical issues and leaks and even had to replace a silicon pump piece. I stopped using it long before I had it even half way paid off. I’ve never been more disappointed in my life on anything I have bought.
This is such a scam.I have been complaining for months that these stop working. they always push you away with fake requirements and questions and then don’t assume your product is crap but that YOU don’t know how to use it! They told me they will help even after my insurance was done because my case was STILL open.500 dollars put in the trash! I would expect more reliable customer service and I am going to do a small claim this week, I have all the history! DON’T BUY!!!
This breast pumps are not worth your money. I mean it! They look nice and they sell that they are wearable but that’s all they have to them. They don’t empty out your breast like they are supposed to, the bags fill up of air instead of milk. With Willow pumps I was pumping 2 ounces with my motif pump I pump 6 ounces from each breast and my breast don’t hurt afterwards.
The flexibility of the pump while making breakfast for my other two children is wonderful. I have been having som breast pain/burning/shooting pains since starting. I also had accounted mastitis around the time I started using the pumps. I realized they weren’t emptied fully because I can pump up to 6oz. They are wonderful if you pump every 2 hours to get the desired amount the pump allows. I don’t know why the burning and pain. I have the 27mm flanges because my nipples are so big. I do t know why the other reviewers say the suction isn’t good because I cringe every time it latches on. I think the pain and burning is from the pump to be honest :(. Otherwise love the flexibility.
I have the willows and I love them. The suction is powerful and I can pump 9 ounces on each side in 15 minutes. I use the containers and then empty half way through my session. They are bulky and alittle heavy but I would say it has changed my life being hands free and mobile. I pump 40 to 70 ounces a day on top of what my daughter drinks from the breast and I have built an oversupply with this pump. I highly recommend it. I am not a fan of how expensive the parts are. I have been able to sell my breastmilk stored in my freezer and at this point the Willow has paid for itself! Love it!!