SmartRhythm™ Pumping
How can using pumping rhythms help me?
You can use different pumping rhythms as your needs change through your pumping journey. For example, if you're feeling sensitive, you can choose Slow and Gentle rhythm. Or, if you have a heavier let-down, you can select Express and Collect rhythm, which helps your pump manage a heavier milk flow.
How do I choose a pumping rhythm?
You can choose the rhythm you want to use by tapping the (~) button on the control screen. From here, you can select one of the three new rhythms available. These rhythms are:
1. Multi-Switch
2. Catch and Collect
3. Slow and Gentle
The Elvie Original rhythm ("Single-Switch") is also available.
What can I expect when I use a pumping rhythm?
You may need more time to feel the difference between each pumping rhythm, so we recommend you try a rhythm for at least five consecutive sessions to see the effect.
Once you have chosen your rhythm and pressed play, your pump will always start in Stimulation mode. This is a faster speed to stimulate milk let-down. If it detects your let-down, Elvie Pump will automatically switch to Expression mode after two minutes or earlier. Expression mode is a slower pumping speed to keep the milk flowing after your let-down.
What is “Multi-Switch?”
Multi-Switch is a rhythm designed for power pumping, where the pump repeatedly cycles between Stimulation and Expression modes every few minutes. This rhythm follows set timings, starting with Stimulation for 2 minutes, then moving to Expression for 7 minutes, and then the pattern repeats. You cannot manually change modes in-app while running this rhythm.
What is “Express and Collect?”
Catch and Collect is a rhythm designed for users with a heavy let-down. This rhythm helps the pump cope with a heavier milk flow. The pump will take a tiny pause for breath in between cycles, which gives more time for your milk to drain into your Bottles. In this rhythm, you can change between Stimulation and Expression modes whenever you like, using the (?) symbol.
What is “Slow and Gentle?”
Slow and gentle is a rhythm designed for pumpers who feel sensitive or need a lighter touch to stimulate a let-down. The pump will suction more gently and ramp up the intensity more slowly. You can change between Stimulation and Expression modes whenever you like in this rhythm using the (?) symbol.
How can I control intensity while using pumping rhythms?
Elvie Pump has 7 intensity levels for Stimulation and Expression modes for every rhythm. When you increase the intensity level, two things happen:
The suction gets stronger
The pumping cycles get slower
When you decrease the intensity levels, the opposite happens.
The suction gets softer
The pumping cycles get faster
It may feel logical to use a setting that pumps faster, but if you aren't getting enough suction to suit your needs, you may find you get better results using a stronger intensity setting, which will sound and feel slower.
Please keep in mind that more suction doesn't always mean more milk.
While higher suction works for some women, it's not universal. For some women, higher suction can even reduce milk volumes and cause discomfort and pain.
It's essential to experiment and find intensity settings that are right for you.
Can I set a different rhythm for each side?
If you are a double pumper, you will need to set your chosen rhythm on each of your pumps individually. You can choose to use different rhythms for each side if you want to.
Will my Elvie Pump remember what rhythm I selected during my last session?
Yes. If you select a rhythm, that rhythm will stay on your Pump until you choose to use a different one. Your chosen rhythm will stay on your pump even if you are not connected to the app for your next session.
How long will it take to choose a SmartRhythmTM?
The first time you select the (~) button in the “Pump with Elvie” app, it can take up to 20 seconds to load the list of rhythms available to you. You will need to keep your phone close to your Pump while this loading process happens.
The next time you select the (~) button in the app, updating the SmartRhythmTM on your pump should take no more than a few seconds. You will need to keep your phone close to your Pump whenever you choose a new rhythm to put onto your Pump.
Troubleshooting:
I have an Android phone and I don’t see SmartRhythmTM pumping on my app. What can I do? SmartRhythmTM pumping is only available for iOS at the moment, but we are working to make it more widely available in the future.
I tried a new SmartRhythm, but now I want to return to the Elvie Original Rhythm (Single-Switch). What should I do?
If your Pump is connected to your app, select “Single-Switch” from the rhythms menu and press “update.” This will restore the Elvie original rhythm to your pump.
If your Pump is not connected to your app, you can change your pump back to the original rhythm by performing a factory reset. To factory reset your pump follow these steps:
Ensure your Pump is turned on.
Press and hold both the + and - buttons simultaneously for 5 seconds.
You will need to reconnect your pump to the app after a factory reset.
My Pump won’t update with my chosen Rhythm. What can I do?
Make sure that your phone and pump are charged and in close proximity to eachother. If your selected rhythm does not transfer over from your app to your pump please follow these steps:
Forget your pump from your Pump with Elvie app
Forget your pump and from your phone’s Bluetooth menu.
Re-connect your Pump
Press the rhythms button from the control screen.
My rhythms menu isn’t loading, can I still pump?
If you are an iOS user and the rhythms menu won’t load for you in the Pump with Elvie app, please contact customer care. In the meantime, you will still be able to continue with a pumping session as normal.