MAM Move Wearable Single Breast Pump review

The MAM Move offers three settings: initiation, standard and silent, and comes with options for different-sized breasts as well as a bra strap extender.

What were your first impressions of the breast pump?

The pump arrived in an attractive box, which was lightweight and easy to open. All parts of the pump were laid out in a clear manner, with easy-to-follow instructions for set-up and use. The pump looks great – futuristic, stylish and durable. I was excited to give it a go from the moment I opened the box.

How easy is it to build/set up?

The set-up instructions were clear and the product was easy to assemble. The MAM Move arrives assembled in the box, which is great as it gives you a real steer when it comes to building it yourself. I liked that there were only a few steps to putting the product together, and that the instructions were easy to follow. The product arrives charged and can be used immediately. The pump can be charged fully in 90 minutes. It is not recommended to leave it on the charger for longer than six hours.

How easy is the breast pump to use?

The MAM Move is reasonably easy to use, and the control panel is simple and straightforward. Due to the wearable design, it can be difficult to ascertain if the pump is attached correctly, and it can require some adjustment. It can require a mirror to be able to see if milk is expressing, due to the fact that you're unable to see the suction movement as you would with a traditional pump. This wasn't a huge issue, and did lessen as I used the product more and became used to the process.

Due to the weight of the pump, it requires a fairly sturdy bra in order to hold it close enough to the breast to enable it to function properly. I found that none of my nursing bras was suitable for this. However, one of my pre-pregnancy bras with moulded cups was able to support the pump – but on several occasions I had to either hold the pump in place, or change bras in order to use the product. This was, at times, frustrating.

How comfortable is the breast pump?

The MAM Move was really comfortable to wear, and when it was on quiet mode, I even forgot I was wearing it. The pump comes with a range of shield sizes and is well-moulded to fit the breast.

How effectively did it express?

The pump was able to extract a similar amount of breast milk as would be expected from a hospital-grade pump, although over a longer period of time. Each pumping session was on average five to 10 minutes longer.

Does it have a control pad or a smartphone app?

There was no smartphone app.

How do you rate the features?

The MAM Move offers a simpler experience than its competitor, the Elvie Single Pump. There's no app, meaning everything is controlled via the top panel on the pump. This simplicity has no doubt affected the price point, which is £69 less than the Elvie at £199. I think this saving is worth it, and the end experience is unaffected by the lack of mobile tech.

How portable is it?

I took the pump out with me in my handbag and nappy bag on several occasions, and really liked the dust bag supplied for transporting the product. I loved being able to pump on the go – this was a revelation after using a heavy hospital-grade pump for the previous six months.

How noisy is it?

The MAM Move has a quiet setting, which is very quiet. This setting, however, is not as effective at expressing as the standard setting, meaning that expressing took longer when in silent mode. This wasn't a huge issue, but it also means fewer pumping sessions per battery charge when using this function.

How do you rate the power sources?

The pump cannot be used while charging, and each charge lasts two hours. I was able to use the pump several times between charges, and wasn't constantly having to think about plugging it in.

How easy is it to clean?

The pump was simple to dismantle and clean. However, the shape of the milk collector made it difficult to clean with a bottle brush. This element of the pump can be self-sterilised by simply adding water and covering the pump element, and putting it in the microwave. I like to clean all bottles with a brush and hot water before sterilising, so this was a concern for me.

The milk collector also took a long time to air dry due to its narrow opening, which meant air flow was restricted. If you don't have a bottle dryer, this could be an issue.

If this is the latest version of a previous breast pump how does it compare?

This is the first wearable breast pump from MAM.

How does it compare with other breast pumps you've used?

I used a hospital-grade pump several times daily for six months and have tried the Elvie Single Pump. A hospital-grade pump is an efficient option, but it is bulky and it is a large expense to buy, or a monthly expense to hire. The MAM Move takes slightly longer to pump and can be tricky to initially use, but overall ,it compares very well. The MAM Move achieves a very similar result to the Elvie Single Use pump, albeit without the tech, but at a lower price point.

What's in the box?

• 1 x electric pump
• 1 x silicone funnel (24 mm)
• 3 x funnel size inserts (1 x 15mm, 1 x 17mm, 1 x 21mm)
• 1 x transparent breast shield, including valve and diaphragm
• 1 x extra valve
• 1 x extra diaphragm
• 1 x milk collector (150ml/5oz), including bottle lid
• 1 x USB-C charging cable
• 1 x bra adjustment buckle
• 1 x carry bag
• 1 x Easy Start Anti-Colic bottle (160 ml/5.5oz)

Packaging

The MAM Move is packaged in sustainable and recyclable packaging, which feels considered and appropriate for the product. The box and the tray are fully recyclable in household waste, although the plastic bag containing the pump must be taken to a supermarket recycling facility. There was no unnecessary plastic or padding, and the product felt well protected.

Sustainability

The MAM Move must not be disposed of in household waste as it contains a lithium-ion battery. According to MAM, the Move can be recycled, but must be taken to an approved recycling location and the battery removed professionally before recycling takes place.

Tell us about repair options if it breaks

The MAM pump contains an inbuilt lithium-ion battery, which users should never attempt to open or repair without professional help. MAM says that any faulty product can be sent directly to it for help with any malfunction, and also says never to attempt to open the casing of the product. The pump is covered by a statutory two-year warranty, which is subject to wear-and-tear clauses.

Who would this product be most useful for?

The MAM Move is perfect if you want to express but need the freedom to do other things while doing so. It's great for using on the move, so if your baby is a pram sleeper (like mine), it's a great way to multitask while out on those long walks.

Is this product worth the money?

I think this product is good value for money. It's the cheaper option on the market, but does exactly the same job as its main competitor, in a pared-down way.

Where can I buy the MAM Move Wearable Single Breast Pump?

It is available from Boots, Amazon and John Lewis

MadeForMums verdict

This is a nifty product that really opened my eyes after six months of being attached to a hospital-grade pump. I pump regularly as I am only able to breastfeed from one side, so being able to save time and effort several times a day was great for me. The pump came with me on days out, on public transport, to dinners and everywhere in between. My son is 6 months old and has breastmilk only, so a pump is a really important part of my arsenal and I felt this was a great addition. I really liked the MAM Move, and would recommend it to friends.