As an IBCLC in Calgary, Alberta, I constantly get asked what my favourite pump is, especially by parents who are tired of underperforming wearable pumps. The Spectra S1/S2 entered Canada with an established cult following that has them selling out in 2 days. 

However it’s important to remember that not every pump is a good pump for every mom. So let’s get into what makes this pump different from others and help you decide if it’s worth the hype.

If you’ve ever experienced breast firmness or pain while lactating, you’ve likely heard a few different terms thrown around: engorgement, plugged ducts, and mastitis.

It can feel confusing, especially when advice ranges from “massage it out” to “you need antibiotics right away.” The truth is these aren’t separate problems, they exist on a spectrum of breast inflammation during lactation. Understanding that spectrum, how to prevent progression, and how to manage symptoms early can make all the difference in how quickly you feel better, and whether things progress to more serious mastitis.

There is no single “right” age to stop breastfeeding that applies to everyone. Despite what you might hear, it does not need to be all or nothing either. It is a relationship. And like any relationship, it continues for as long as it feels sustainable, supportive, and right for both of you.

Lecithin is out and choline is in. Previously, plugged ducts were thought to happen because milk simply “got stuck” in the ducts and needed to be massaged out. We now know the real culprit is localized inflammation, which narrows the duct and prevents milk from flowing, and therefore backs up behind the site of narrowing. This means our management strategies need to focus on reducing inflammation rather than just trying to push milk through.

So when new research shows that regular prophylactic lecithin supplementation can actually be inflammatory, it raises a critical question: why would we try to treat inflammation with something that we know is inflammatory?