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As an IBCLC in private practice for over 21 years, I am asked on a daily basis for recommendations for wearable pumps, and I’ve heard it all—“I’m going to be on a flight to Australia for 21 hours”…”I’m a Labor and Delivery nurse and going back to work and sometimes I’ll be due to pump and stuck in the OR or pushing with a patient for 3 hours”…”I’m the only woman in an office full of men and it’s an open concept workspace—they have a space for me to pump, but it’s all windows”. With all of the wearables on the market, and hours of research and personal testing to be able to guide all of my moms, I fell in love with the Momcozy M5 (now don’t get me wrong…I still adore the M9 with its fabulous app integration and customizable settings, but the M5 is a bit different in a few respects)—aside from the obvious convenience, it is incredibly comfortable and very affordable WITHOUT sacrificing performance. Let’s talk details…
Product Design
The M5 is impressively compact, smooth, and weighs in at a very light half pound per pump, allowing you to pump discreetly in any situation. I adore the beautiful carrying case, which looks and feels like a cute clutch, replete with a mesh zippered section to be able to treat it as such.
The functions of the M5 are very simple and straightforward. When properly placed, you look down at the LED screen to change the modes and suctions. There are only 4 buttons—power, increase (+), decrease (-), and mode selection. When you change modes, it is crystal clear where you land—there is a heart when you are in stimulation mode, and a milk drop when you are in expression.
How about the noise? It is very quiet—less sound than a moderate rainfall—you can easily wear it doing errands, going out to lunch, or on a virtual call. (I tested it by calling my sister on FaceTime and she did not know it was on until I told her.)
Key Features for Pumping Efficiency
What makes the M5 so special for moms on the go is that the battery recharges very quickly with the provided USB-C and will last for about 2 hours. The LED display will alert you to your battery status. If you are an exclusively pumping mama, you will need to charge more frequently.
Nipple Flange Sizing
The 105 degree, double-sealed/cushioned flange design mimics the baby’s latch and the comfort is remarkable. You’re probably wondering, “What’s so special about 105 degrees? That seems so specific!” It is! It has been clinically proven that 105 degrees best synchs with the anatomy of a lactating breast, allowing for optimal milk removal, ideal comfort, and increased output. The M5 has a very detailed nipple sizing guide, which allows for flawless and personalized measuring and they offer various flange sizes if the standard 24mm is too big or too small. Once you’ve found your perfect fit, it feels stable in your bra and the pumping experience is gentle. (Keep in mind that everyone’s anatomy varies, so if you need help with sizing, reach out to your IBCLC!)
Suction Strength and Expression Performance
The M5 offers hospital-grade quality suction with three distinct modes—stimulation, expression, and mixed mode—plus nine suction levels which you can adjust. Stimulation mode mimics the baby’s quicker, lighter action at the breast, which prompts your let-down. Expression mode simulates the baby’s stronger and slower suckling which effectively extracts the milk. You can choose stimulation and expression modes to personalize your needs, but the beauty of the mixed mode is that it incorporates vibration with the suction, which is amazing for gently loosening ducts and speeding up the process, allowing for more output in less time.
So, what might this look like? Here’s a sample of what I suggest to mimic an entire breastfeeding session (adjust according to your comfort/tolerance level/time).
0-3 min - stimulation (heart symbol) - level 3
3-8 min - expression (milk drop symbol) - level 5
8-11 min - stimulation - level 4
11-16 min - expression - level 6
16-19 min - stimulation - level 5
19-24 min - expression - level 7
24-29 min - expression - level 8
In mixed mode (heart and milk drop symbols), you can do the same as above, just adjusting the levels (with the + or -), no toggling between modes necessary!
I consistently receive excited, positive reports about yield/output compared to leaving it on one setting for an entire session. Your body needs “surprises” and switching up the modes and levels keeps your milk supply on its toes, just like interval training. You don’t have to be a body builder or a marathon runner to know that there’s no progress when you do the same workout day-in and day-out. The concept is the same and your freezer stash of milk will be all the better for it.
Cleaning and Maintenance
The M5 is very easy to assemble—the directions are concise and clear (I often find with other pumps that I’m frustratedly trying desperately to piece together diagrams—“This is supposed to go into what? Where’s that piece?”). Along the same lines, it is simple to clean and maintenance is a snap, which is part of the reason that everyone desires an ideal wearable like this—“I need something to make my life easier with managing a baby and everything else I need to do!”
Who is the Momcozy M5 best suited for?
The M5 is ideal for moms who need portability and flexibility with their pumping sessions. Moms who have newborns AND toddlers are perfect candidates for the M5. They can pump while toggling daily tasks, running around after their little ones, and take away the stress of being tethered to a breastpump. It is also the perfect solution for traveling and pumping, whether by train, plane, or automobile, as the M5 is discreet and efficient. And we cannot forget our moms who work outside of the home—the quiet factor and the mixed mode make the pumping-at-work experience seamless.
Verdict
The Momcozy M5 is a wonderful, effective, and affordable wearable, pricing at approximately $200—a fantastic value. Busy moms, whether staying at home or working outside of the home, will appreciate the convenient, comfortable, reliable, and efficient high-quality of the M5. The super-cushioned flanges and the mixed mode vibration features, in addition to the hard-shell carrying case add that little extra “something”, which sets it apart from other wearables. It goes without saying that I’m a fan.
