Here’s how we built our award-winning wearable to give moms all the comfort and milk output of traditional pumps — and way more freedom. 

We have always believed that moms shouldn’t need to sacrifice comfort or milk output for flexibility and freedom. This is why we designed Willow Go with the features we did — modeling the suction strength, pumping style, and flange construction after the hospital-grade models that moms loved and trusted, and cutting the clunky cords, tubes, bottles, and motors that tied them down. 

In other words, Willow Go is engineered to deliver the best of both worlds. Like other so-called “primary pumps,” it allows moms to pump comfortably and feel fully emptied — supporting the body’s natural supply and demand response and maintaining a healthy supply. And unlike these traditional pumps, it makes it possible to pump anywhere and everywhere their day takes them, controlling their session with just a tap from an easy-to-use app. 

Read on to learn more about how Willow Go rivals the effectiveness, efficiency, and comfort of a traditional pump. We’ll dive deep into features like:

• Hospital-strength suction 
• Pumping style (aka “rhythms”)
• Pumping modes
• Flange construction 
• Flange sizing 
• And more! 

Hospital-strength suction 

Willow Go is built with hospital-grade suction that’s modeled after traditional pumps and clinically proven to optimize milk output by fully emptying the breasts more fully (and quickly) during each session. It has a maximum suction strength of ~280mmHG per side, and can be customized per breast — a game changing feature if you’re one of the many moms who deals with uneven production. 

When it comes to suction, remember that pumping at the highest speed or intensity will not necessarily equal more milk output. Instead, you should focus on making sure your flange fits properly (more on that below) and use the highest level of suction that’s comfortable.

Moms say: “I was leery of buying a cordless pump because I thought it’d be weaker; but I feel like it’s stronger than my Medela Freestyle.”

Efficient pumping style 

“Pumping style” refers to a pump’s unique suction modes and patterns (sometimes referred to as “waveforms” or “rhythms”), both of which impact its ability to optimize milk output. It’s the way that the pump has been engineered to create a vacuum around the nipple and use stimulation and expression to extract milk. 

Like traditional pumps, Willow Go’s pumping style mimics the natural sucking rhythms of a nursing baby. Moms love the ability to choose when they switch from stimulation to expression — a feature that not all pumps offer. In addition to allowing for a more “customized” pumping experience, it also gives mom the ability to try and trigger multiple letdowns throughout a single session. 

The results from our clinical trials speak for themselves: 

• A majority of moms say that they get as much, if not better milk output with their Willow Go vs a traditional pump
• A majority of moms say that they’re able to remove their milk as fast, if not faster, with their Willow Go vs a traditional pump

Moms say: “I’d heard that wearables wouldn’t empty you as well as your main pump. I’ve pumped with the willow go at least once a day now and my output is the same as with my spectra! I love how mobile it makes me, how discreet it can be, how little set up it is when I know I have to pump on the go.”

Ability to manage modes 

Most traditional pumps give moms the ability to choose when they switch between stimulation and expression modes — ensuring that they’ve fully let down their milk at the start of their session, and making it possible to trigger multiple letdowns if they feel their milk flow starting to slow down. You’ll know when it’s time to switch from stimulation to expression when milk droplets have started to collect in your pump container. Some moms can feel their letdowns! 

More about modes: 

• Stimulation: Fast suction that mimics baby to stimulate milk flow at the start of a session
• Expression: Slower, stronger suction used to extract milk once it has started to flow

Willow Go is built with the same customizable technology, and goes above and beyond to allow for the individual control of each breast. This way, you can accommodate for a breast that takes longer to let down without slowing down the other side! 

Longer, continuous flange tunnel 

Like many traditional pumps, Willow Go is built with a longer flange tunnel that pulls in more of the nipple to extract more milk. When a baby is latched properly while nursing, they’re able to pull the nipple all the way back to their soft palate — and our flange is built to mimic this unique suckling motion, leading to better emptying.

This longer tunnel also comfortably fits more nipple sizes without rubbing or abrasion. A flange that’s too short can lead the nipple to “crash” against the end of the tunnel, causing discomfort and potentially even damaging nipples. And as you can imagine, if your pump is causing your nipple to compress in this way, it’s likely not emptying your breasts as much as possible. 

Another feature that allows Willow Go to rival the comfort and output of traditional pumps? It’s continuous and uninterrupted flange design, which allows for the nipple to glide more smoothly.

Wider flange angle 

Inspired by traditional pumps, our flange cone is wider (105° to be exact) than what you’ll find with many other wearables, which have a flange that’s 90° wide. This means that the flange covers more of the breast, allowing for more optimal alignment and suction. In clinical trials, this 105° angle has been shown to optimize both comfort and milk output. 

Another feature of our flange design that seems small, but makes a big difference? Whereas many pumps (both wearable and traditional!) have a flat edge, ours have curved edges that wrap back around the pump — resulting in less potential pinching or pulling of your sensitive skin. 

An interior motor 

When it comes to motors, many wearable pumps and traditional pumps leave something to be desired. 

Some wearable pumps have external motors that sit on top of the pump container — poking out of the bra and leading to uneven weight distribution, when can prevent the flange from fitting snugly and fully emptying the breasts. (Think about it: if your pump is heavier on top, it can’t be perfectly aligned over your nipple.)

Traditional motors, on the other hand, are typically big, bulky, and loud — not to mention needing to be plugged into an outlet. While moms appreciate that the motor is separate from the rest of the pump, allowing for better flange alignment, they sacrifice the ability to pump while multitasking, moving around, or heading out of the house. 

For these reasons, Willow Go is built with an interior circle-shaped motor that results in a more even-feeling fit. It’s able to sit more securely on your breast. 

Moms say: “I loved this pump so much that I recommended it to my coworker, who also fell in love. It has made going back to work hassle free. I’m not encumbered by tubes, wires, or dangling collection cups, and I’m able to produce the same output that I would with my Spectra.”

Cut the cords for good with Willow Go 

Now you know that you don’t need to choose a traditional pump — and deal with the clunky cords, tubes, and bottles — in order to find a pump that fits, feels good, and sets the stage for optimal milk output and a healthy supply over time. Instead, choose Willow Go! 

Shop now and join the movement of moms who trust their breastfeeding journeys to Willow.