By now, we have all heard of the Elvie breast pump, right? Elvie is the premier pump on the market. It is silent, wearable, and has no tubes or wires. Elvie is truly a revolutionary pump and allows you to efficiently work, make lunch, or even eat your own lunch while you express milk.
It’s brilliant, so it comes as no surprise that behind the scenes, the team at Elvie has been dreaming up new solution-based products to make breastfeeding parents’ lives easier. Now, in addition to their pump of dreams, Elvie has welcomed the Elvie Curve to their product line-up.
Meet the Elvie Curve
The Elvie Curve is a wireless, wearable, electricity-free breast pump that lets you collect breast milk. If you’ve heard of the Haakaa, you will understand the concept behind the Elvie Curve. Like the Haakaa, the Elvie Curve is made of silicone and uses natural suction to draw breast milk from your breast. It is similar to the popular Haakaa but better, in my opinion, because it fits in your bra. The Curve allows you to express up to 4 ounces of milk with little to no effort. Just slip the Curve into your bra, allow it to suction, and watch the milk collect.
Effortless Milk Collection
I have always been a big milk producer. In truth, I have more often dealt with oversupply than under. Perhaps it is genes, but when I nurse my baby, my opposite breast pours milk. Hence, the Elvie Curve is my best friend.
While nursing my baby with the Elvie Curve positioned on my opposite breast, I can effortlessly gather up to 4 ounces of milk. My entire letdown and then some! It is a simple, thoughtful way to go about not wasting milk and instead, save it for bottle feeds or freezing for later. The Elvie Curve can also be used to gently express milk from engorged breasts—it provides just enough suction to take the edge off.
How to Use the Elvie Curve
To begin using the Elvie Curve, you must first sterilize it. You can sterilize your Elvie Curve just like you would any bottle or breast pump part—you can boil all parts for five minutes, or use a microwave or steam sterilization option. In addition to sterilizing before initial use, you must sterilize your Elvie Curve daily. Between uses a quick wash in warm, soapy water is sufficient. You can also wash it on the top rack of the dishwasher.
To use the Elvie Curve, you will first put the pouch into the frame. The pouch collects the milk and the frame protects the pouch holding it secure in your bra. The pouch frame combo then goes into your bra. You will align your nipple into the center of the Curve’s nipple hole and press the pouch to create suction. Done and done! You are now ready to pump via suction and save up to 4 ounces of milk from just one breast.
It is important to keep an eye on the Curve’s pouch, especially during a strong letdown. You don’t want to overflow. When the Curve’s pouch is full or you are done nursing, press the valve to release pressure and then break the seal with your finger. The Elvie Curve has a flat spot so you can set the Curve down without risking it rolling and dumping your liquid gold. Once you have a milk storage bottle or bag ready you can pour your milk in and move it to the fridge or freezer for longer term storage. The Elvie Curve is not designed to store milk, so always have a plan in place for where your milk goes after the Curve does its job.
The Haaka vs. the Elvie Curve: Which is Best?
In my opinion, the shape of the Elvie Curve is superior to the Haakaa because it fits directly into your bra and makes collecting breast milk effortless. Some people who have used the Haakaa have mentioned that it’s not exactly hands-free, because it can come loose and fall off, or a very busy baby can kick or knock it off—so the Curve definitely solves that issue by staying neatly in your bra. Both the Haakaa and the Elvie Curve hold 4 ounces, so you won’t compromise on capacity either.
The gentle suction the Elvie Curve is best for someone with a naturally strong letdown. Just pop it in one side before you nurse, let it suction on and watch it magically collect your letdown and residue drips. However, even if you don’t have a super strong letdown, the Curve’s suction will still help draw out milk more than just letting the milk flow happen. It’s a natural suction that puts gentle pressure on your milk ducts to allow for natural milk expression. You can’t go wrong with saving every drop of that liquid gold, so the Elvie Curve is the winner in my book.
Real Mom Elvie Curve Review: A Day in the Life
Two weeks ago, I gave birth to my fifth baby and like I have with all my other babies, we began a breastfeeding journey together. This time around, I’ve employed many of my favorite breastfeeding supplies–same nursing tank tops, same nursing pads, same nursing bras. But the Elvie Curve, a newbie in my stash of supplies, has become the shining star.
I have been singing praises of the Elvie Curve to anyone and everyone who will listen and it’s absolutely one of my top picks when it comes to breastfeeding support.
The Elvie Curve, as I shared above, is a brilliant, non-motorized breast pump that, with the help of suction draws breast milk from the breast and holds it in a virtually no spill cup. Daily, I am catching upwards of 10 ounces of milk without ever pausing my routine to actually pump. That’s 70 ounces a week!
“I am catching 70 ounces a week of milk every week without actually pumping! ”
It works like this: at each nursing session, before I settle into my rocking chair, I grab my Boppy pillow for support, a burp cloth, and my Elvie Curve. And my sweet little nursling, of course! I tuck the Elvie Curve into one side of my nursing tank, confirm it’s suctioned on well, and help him latch on the opposite side. Now, instead of balancing a milk catcher or allowing my letdown to absorb into a nursing pad I am able to save every last drop of breast milk.
Even my older kids have become aware of my connection to the Elvie Curve. They know when I am about to nurse that I need my “Elbie” as my three and a half year old calls it. He runs to wherever he last saw it and yells, “Hold on, Mama! I got that Elbie for your boob!” Yes, apparently our family is training up the next generation of lactation support! My-eight-year old even considers it his job to rinse it out for me when I’m done so it is ready for the next nursing sesh. My village is nothing but supportive.
After all these years did I think I would stumble upon another parenting “contraption” that I couldn’t live without? Nope. But I’m glad I was proven wrong. The Elvie Curve has given me the irreplaceable gift of time by allowing me to gently pump completely hands free while nursing my new baby.
Buy the Elvie Curve
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Elvie Curve replace an electric breast pump?
That really depends on your breastfeeding needs, but in general, if you plan to pump for regular amounts of time, we do recommend an electric breast pump.
Does the Elvie Curve empty the breast?
Again, this will depend on your own personal milk supply, but it is possible to empty the breast with the Elvie Curve. However, an electric breast pump might be a better option if you need to pump regularly or have problems emptying your breasts with suction only.
