With its one size fits all funnel, the MAM 2-in-1 breast pump promises a perfect fit every time, while two Easy Start MAM bottles and milk storage solutions come with the breast pump as standard.
Tested by:
Felicity McKane is a mum to 3 boys aged 5, 2, and 3 months and has used breast pumps extensively during periods of low milk supply and hospital stays.
First impressions:
A sleek, nicely designed breast pump with a digital display. There are several options allowing you to attach different sized bottles and storage cups directly to the breast pump, removing the need to pour milk between containers and avoiding making a mess. Because MAM has tried to make the pump as light as possible, I think the plastic feels a little cheap. It doesn’t seem to be a hard-wearing piece of equipment for the price tag.
Is the MAM 2-in-1 breast pump good value for money?
It’s much more expensive than other leading brands on the market.
How does it compare to other breast pumps?
The MAM 2-in-1 breast pump is very similar in terms of functionality to the Medela Swing Maxi Flex (£249.99 on Amazon) and Tommee Tippee breast pumps. But MAM has tried hard to make it stand apart from the competition with key features like the one-size-fits-all soft funnel, the ease of switching between electric and manual, and the touchscreen unit.
However, I found the soft funnel insert actually made no discernible difference to my comfort. I found the pump slightly more effective without the soft funnel on at all but this may have been due to sizing issue.
What are the key features of the MAM 2-in-1?
The timer on the unit is very useful, especially if you’re pumping to increase milk supply or want to ensure you’re pumping the same number of minutes on each breast. Although the touch screen sounds good in theory it’s way too sensitive. I ended up pressing buttons by accident all the time.
Also, there are no lights behind the buttons which makes night time pumping difficult – using the light on your phone to see the buttons while also holding the pump in place is tricky! Coupled with having to reset suctions modes and speeds between different stimulations, meant these issues were rather annoying.
How portable is the MAM 2-in-1 breast pump?
I found the breast pump light and transportable in a changing bag. The rechargeable battery also means there were no tangled up wires to contend with. Even though the funnel cover is a nice touch so it remains clean in your bag, there would be no need for this if the MAM Breast pump actually came with its own storage bag.
The manual pump on its own is very light and would easily fit in a medium-sized handbag.
How effective is it?
It’s never going to compete with a hospital grade breast pump but as consumer breast pumps go, the MAM 2-in-1 is pretty effective.
However, if the funnel size is wrong for you, the pump’s effectiveness will be greatly reduced and may be painful to use. Also, because the funnel is attached to the unit, it can’t be swapped for a different size. Unfortunately, the manual pump didn’t work for me at all - I found it uncomfortable but this is really down to the individual as I know it has worked for some of my friends.
Is the MAM 2-in-1 breast pump easy to clean?
Yes, it is easy to clean and sterilise. Although the clear valve is attractive, it kept getting lost in the sink while I was cleaning the breast pump so a white or coloured one would be better.
The MAM bottles that come with the breast pump are also self-sterilising, so can go straight in the microwave without the need for a steam steriliser.
Is it easy to put together?
The breast pump is easy to assemble - it took me less than five minutes from opening the box to pumping, even on the first go. The instructions are simple and clear.
Who would find the MAM 2-in-1 breast pump most useful?
This would be a brilliant breast pump for using in the office or at work, as you can charge it at your desk and then use it privately without a plug when needed. The manual breast pump would be also be useful to relieve some pressure on an evening out, for example.
What would you have wanted to know before buying this breast pump?
I would have wanted to know that the funnel was non-detachable from the main unit because if it doesn’t fit, there’s nothing you can do about it.
Which design elements really impressed you?
The rechargeable battery and the ease of switching between electric and manual is definitely a winning combination.
What’s in the box?
- Breast pump 2-i-1 electric top including funnel cover
- Rechargeable motor unit
- Breast pump plug
- Breast pump 2-in-1 manual top/pump handle
- x2 Easy Start bottles with sealing disc
- x2 Storage containers
Where can I buy the MAM 2-in-1 breast pump?
It's available from Boots, John Lewis and Amazon.
Made for Mums verdict:
Overall this is a good breast pump, but if the funnel size doesn’t work for you then pumping will be much less effective and could be painful. I don’t think the touch-screen adds anything to the product and bumps up the price unnecessarily. MAM has tried hard to make a product that stands out from its competitors such as touchscreen technology, but I don't believe it is worth paying the extra for.
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