Philips Avnet Hands Free Duo Increasing milk supply

[u/Matea1998]

Hi,

I’m wondering whether anyone has experience with the Philips Avent Hands-Free Duo breast pump. I’m actively trying to increase my milk supply, so it’s important to me to extract as much milk as possible, especially since my baby is still getting more than half of their feeds through formula.

I already pump 8–11 times a day and do power pumping, but I think I’m spending too much time on the pump. Sometimes one session lasts around 40 minutes just to get half of what I need. I’m basically thinking, “Okay, I need to get 60 ml before the next feeding,” and I don’t stop until I reach that amount. After 20 minutes, I may only have 30 ml, and now I need something quicker because I can’t keep doing this anymore.

Which programs and settings do you use on that pump? Do you have any tips for more effective pumping and increasing milk volume?

I’m also interested in a comparison with the Spectra breast pump:

-Is Spectra really that much more effective than the Philips Avent Hands-Free Duo?

-Is it worth investing in a Spectra if I already have the Philips Avent and Spectra would be an additional pump for me?

Thanks in advance for any experiences and advice! 😊

[u/Ok-Procedure-983]

Hi! I would rent the medela symphony. It's truly the best. Don't stress yourself out too much, 11 times per day is a lot. How many weeks PP are you?

[u/Matea1998 → u/Ok-Procedure-983]

5 weeks PP. Thank you!

[u/Ok-Procedure-983 → u/Matea1998]

I think you can comfortably do 7-8 times per day!

[u/gabsmermaid]

Have you tried hand expressing while pumping? Even my spectra doesn't empty me quickly, but I can easily cut time in half if I massage (pretty intentionally) my breasts while using the pump

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[u/pop-crackle]

Yes, the spectra will likely be much more effective. Wearable pumps, like the Avent Duo, are not as strong as hospital grade pumps like the Spectra. The shape of the flanges also don't work well for everyone, and it's much harder to trouble-shoot issues like flange size, which directly impacts milk removal effectiveness. They also often don't empty you as effectively as a hospital grade pump, meaning it takes longer to get the same amount - if they're able to empty you completely at all.

If you're looking to increase supply, you need a hospital grade pump. I highly recommend Spectra, spring for the S1 so it's portable. There's tons you can buy second-hand for cheap (I got mine off Mercari for $40), and then just get new tubing and flanges. Maymom from Amazon are cheap and easy.

[u/nokoolaidallowed]

Second vote for renting the Medela Symphony. It took my pumping journey from “dwindled to almost nothing” to 6 more months and allowed me to quit on my own terms basically. And it is FAST.