While Spectra breast pump parts work fine for most people, others might want to “hack” their Spectra to use Medela pump parts instead. Here are some ways to set up a Spectra to Medela adaptor and use Medela pump parts with your Spectra.
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Why Hack Your Spectra to Use Medela Pump Parts?
All Spectra pumps come standard with 24mm and 28mm flanges, and now you can purchase additional breast shield sizes separately on their website.
However, there are a number of situations where you might want to customize your pumping experience. Hacking your pump might be necessary if you:
- Need smaller or larger flanges.
- Were a Medela user before purchasing your Spectra, and you want to continue using your Medela parts and bottles.
- Prefer a separate flange and connector as it can be easier to attach your flanges and bottles while using a hands-free pumping bra.
- Want to use Pumpin Pals flanges (more on these here – also, buying an adapter for Pumpin Pals is an option).
So how do you do this?
Medela has recently transitioned from their older open system pump parts to newer closed system parts, and the strategies are different depending on which parts you have.
Using New, Closed System Medela Pump Parts with a Spectra
With Medela’s closed system pump parts, hacking them to work with a Spectra is pretty easy. Because the new Medela parts are closed system, you don’t need a separate backflow protector.
All you need to do is get the yellow end of the Medela tubing off, and then you can attach the Medela tubing directly to the Spectra pump.
Some people are able to just pull the yellow end off. I couldn’t get mine off, so I cut it.
(If you plan on using both the Medela and Spectra pumps, I’d buy an extra set of tubing here, so that you have one set of tubing for each pump.)
You can see more of how to do this here:
3 Ways to Hack Your Spectra to Use Older Medela Pump Parts
To use older, open system Medela pump parts with a Spectra, you need to connect the Medela flange connector to your Spectra backflow protector.
Here are three ways to do this.
1. Use the Maymom Backflow Protector
This backflow protector is the same as the one that comes with your Spectra, but the stem is long enough to insert into the Medela flange connector without needing an adaptor.
The advantage of this method is that it is simple, with no extra pieces to lose or break. The con is that it costs a little more than other options.
2. Use the Maymom Flange Adaptor
This little yellow adaptor allows you to connect your Spectra backflow protector to your Medela flange connector.
To use these, connect one end to your backflow protector and the other end into the opening where your Medela tubing would go.
This method works with connectors from Medela Pump In Style, Medela Swing, and Maymom pump parts. It is not compatible with Medela Freestyle or Sonata connectors.
Here’s how it should look when assembled:
This is an inexpensive option. The only disadvantage is this part is small and easily lost or misplaced.
3. DIY Medela to Spectra Hack
You have to get a little crafty to complete this hack. Here’s how to do it in 5 steps.
Step 1: Cut the Medela and Spectra tubing
Cut off the light yellow connectors that come attached to your Medela tubing, and leave on a little of the existing tube.
Cut off about 2-3 inches of your Spectra tubing.
Step 2: Attach the connectors
Insert the Medela connectors into the little piece of Spectra tubing.
Step 3: Attach tubing to the backflow protector
The next step is the trickiest and requires some patience and muscle. You must attach the other end of the little piece of Spectra tubing to the larger stem on the backflow protector.
At first it might seem like its not going to fit, but it you wiggle it and work it around it will eventually go on.
Step 4: Connect Spectra backflow protector to Medela connector
Now all that’s left to do is to connect your hacked Spectra tubes and backflow protectors to your Medela flange connector and bottles.
The advantage to this method is that there is no need to buy anything extra.
The con is that it is sometimes hard to get the Spectra tubing to attach to the backflow protectors, and this leaves the backflow protectors awkwardly hanging.
Important Things To Remember
- Always use backflow protectors with open system Medela parts when using your Spectra pump. Without these backflow protectors, you risk milk getting into the tubing and the pump, which would encourage the growth of bacteria and mold.
- You may void your warranty if you use your Spectra without a backflow protector.
- If you’re using a Spectra backflow protector, remember to replace the white silicone diaphragm within the backflow protector every 3-6 months to prevent loss of suction.
Have you hacked your Spectra using a Spectra to Medela adaptor? Tell us what you did in the comments!
Hi Amanda! Great tips! I have the opposite question – how do I connect Spectra pump parts to the Medela Symphony? Any hacks? (I have Spectra parts but my employer provides a Symphony which I would like to use, since it’s a better pump.). Thanks in advance!!
Hi Kelly! I’m sorry, I don’t have a symphony to try to do this with and figure it out for you! What I would do is maybe buy a second set of Symphony tubing and see if there is any way to get the spectra parts to attach to it. I can’t remember what the ends are like and if you’d need to cut anything off? I wish I could be more helpful!
Hi! Wanted to mention that I used Ameda tubing and it connects well to the new Madela set up 🙂
Thanks Shelley!
Thank you for this! I was wondering if I could do this. So question, how do you know if you’re mix and matching parts correctly? if there condensation in the tubing no good and no condensation good?
Hi Cindy! YEs – with backflow protectors being used correctly, there should be no moisture in the tubing. Hope that helps!
I used option #2, and it worked great! I’m so thankful for this article; it really saved me! Thanks, Amanda!
I’ve got Medela Symphony parts. Will I need one of your hacks to connect it to my S2? Specifically I’m wondering if I actually need to use the S2 backflow protectors, since my Medela parts have the valve and membrane setup within the bottle. Thanks!
Hi Kirsten! You do need the backflow protectors to prevent milk from getting into the Spectra tubing. The valve and membrane provide the suction but don’t protect the tubing and motor from milk. Using the Spectra without a backflow protector could void your warranty so I would use them. Good luck!
How do you connect with the new Medela PIS Max Flow?
Hi Kelsey! I need to rewrite the post for the new pump! I’ll work on it!
I am also wondering this. I have the Medela PIS with Max Flow technology parts. I would like to use them with a Spectra 2. Can you please advise how I can connect them?
Hi Jessica! I need to work on figuring this out and update the post! I’ll put it next on my list 🙂
I tried this method and it was a god save when I was in Thailand holidaying and forgot my spectra flanges! And could only find medela parts in Thailand. It wa a intriguing because it produced more milk as compared to when I was using spectra! Despite the flange size not fitting my nips. Any idea why?
No idea but I’m so glad that it worked!
If doing one of these hacks, since the medela PISA (I have the slightly older model) is already a closed system and doesn’t have the big circular backflow protectors , wouldn’t they not be needed? Even when hacking up to spectra pump? I thought the little yellow adapters at the end of the medela tubing are what prevents milk from backflowing….
They don’t! The old Medela is open system. (The new ones are closed.)
To clarify – the Pump in Style Advanced is open. The Max Flow is closed.
I want to use 26 mm flanges from on spectra s1 because spectra do not have this size. Can I connect it without the without any connectors ? Can I simply change the flange? Is spectra really better than medela? I am thinking about to switch it.
Spectra’s flanges are a combined flange/connector, but Medela’s are not. I don’t think all Spectras are always better than all Medelas – it really depends on which pump you’re talking about. And Medela’s are great, too! I used them and liked most of them. 🙂
Hello! Why is the Spectra backflow protectors necessary with the Medela connectors since the Medela connectors already have a valve on the inside to prevent backflow? I have used Medela in the past and am considering switching to Spectra, but the additional parts to clean seems like a hassle. Thank you so much for all of your great information! I ended up EPing with my first child, and it was a success thanks to you!
Thanks LeeAnn! You don’t need it with the new Medela parts, just the old ones. I need to update the post. 🙂
Hiya,
you have beautifully presented this hack with images in steps 🙂 thanks.
I have a spectra S1 and really interested in trying this hack as I am planning to go for medela personalfit flanges for comfort. Im though unable to figure out how to get the individual medela parts that would fit the rest of spectra. The maymom sells in-built flanges (the neck connectors with extended flanges in them) but Im unable to get a separate neck connector/part that joins the personalfit flange and the backflow from my spectra.
Hope ive not confused you! Sorry!
Hi Penny! Is this what you need?
https://www.amazon.com/Medela-PersonalFit-Connectors-Authentic-Compatible/dp/B000A88JZA/ref=sr_1_10?crid=39OLW8D2ZJWKP&dchild=1&keywords=medela+replacement+parts&qid=1612045399&sprefix=medela+replac%2Caps%2C183&sr=8-10
https://www.amazon.com/Medela-Spare-Valves-Membranes-Each/dp/B0006Q561Q/ref=pd_bxgy_img_2/139-4126306-4462148?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0006Q561Q&pd_rd_r=11f37de9-caba-488a-9cf8-7e2b61454d74&pd_rd_w=PFLx6&pd_rd_wg=dDE7C&pf_rd_p=f325d01c-4658-4593-be83-3e12ca663f0e&pf_rd_r=479194G7VMG0JXPWP3KC&psc=1&refRID=479194G7VMG0JXPWP3KC
I think you can use this with Medela flanges and Spectra backflow protectors.
How can the spectra parts be used on the motif Luna? I know the Medela parts can be used the same on the motif like how they are for the spectra.
Hi Erin – they are pretty much exactly the same so you can just switch them out. 🙂
I noticed that the hacks do not work with the Medela Pump In Style? Do you have any suggestions if I want to use my Medela Pump In Style parts with my Spectra 1Plus pump and tubing? I do not have the backflow protectors or anything else for the Spectra besides the pump and tubing.
Hi Sarah! The PISA parts should work but you will need to get backflow protectors. You can order them on amazon. 🙂
Does flooring these hacks cause less suction since you are not using the intended set up? I just want to get whichever system will draw the most milk but I already have so many medela parts.
It shouldn’t result in less suction. 👍🏼
The pumpin pal website also sells a Spectra adapter that works great! I actually use it with the Medela flanges and not the pumpin pals. The first two months I pumped with the sonata and when I switched to the Spectra found that I have very elastic areola tissue and was hitting the back of the Spectra flange no matter what mm I used and it hurt! These little adapters have been great – easier to use with the pumping bra and they also make cleaning / sterilizing much easier than with the fused Spectra flange.
https://pumpinpal.com/product/spectra-pump-adapter/
Awesome – thank you so much for that tip Jenny!