If you’re an expectant or breastfeeding mother, you may be considering purchasing a breast pump. But with so many options, how do you choose the right one for your needs? You can start by reading reviews on all your options.
The Motif Luna breast pump comes in both battery-powered and non-battery models. Both models are lightweight, quiet, and can help you pump faster than many other breast pumps. The Luna is also on a closed system, which keeps the motor and tubing clean and free from contaminants.
In this review, I’ll walk you through the Luna’s best features and show you how they could work for you. After reading this article, you will be better informed of what you’re getting with the Motif Luna pump and will be able to determine whether or not it suits your needs.
Motif Luna Double Electric Breast Pump Review
Now, let’s take a look at the Motif Luna and its various features.
Feature: Closed system operation
Breast pumps with closed systems prevent cross-contamination and keep your motor and tubing safe from contaminants.
Pumping an entire batch of breastmilk and then realizing it’s no good because you had mildew or other contaminants in the bottle and didn’t realize it’s an awful feeling. However, learning that you contaminated your entire breast pump due to one mildewy bottle is even worse.
This will never happen with the Luna.
Because of its closed system, even if you do have contaminants in the bottle, your tubing and motor will remain free and clear of them. They’ll never go back into those areas.
That means you may have to throw out one batch of breast milk, but as long as you thoroughly clean or replace the offending part, subsequent batches should be fine.
You’ll experience an incredible feeling of relief knowing that the germs and other bad things couldn’t spread throughout the entire system.
Feature: Rechargeable battery option
The rechargeable battery gives you the option to pump on the go as needed and the freedom to pump without sitting right beside an outlet.
Even though the Luna pump isn’t as lightweight and portable as breast pumps that are specifically designed to be portable, it’s nice to know you can pump on the go if you need to do so.
Even if you never use the rechargeable battery to pump on the go, there’s such a feeling of relief, empowerment, and freedom that comes from knowing that you can.
It’s also beneficial if you want to get some chores done or sit somewhere that isn’t directly next to an outlet.
Plus, if you have a nice, private area in your backyard or somewhere else that you like to sit and relax, that could be the perfect place to pump. Since you won’t need an outlet with the battery-powered model, you can actually sit anywhere you like (hello, sunny places) and take care of business.
Feature: Single or double pumping option
The Luna is a double breast pump, but it gives you the option to pump only a single breast at a time if necessary.
Sometimes, you don’t need to pump both of the girls at once. Maybe one breast gets fuller faster than the other, or perhaps you want to pump the unused breast while your baby is feeding on the other one.
Either way, having the option to pump just a single breast (without purchasing an entirely separate pump to do that) is hugely beneficial.
Plus, with the Luna, swapping from double pumping to single pumping and back again is super simple, and that in itself is a relief. After all, there’s nothing worse than having technology that’s more complicated than you know how to use!
Feature: Ultra-quiet motor and suction
Although you can still hear the pump while it’s in use, it’s much quieter than a lot of other breast pumps on the market, meaning you can pump in relative peace and quiet.
Let’s be honest – pumping is boring. It’s especially tedious if you’re stuck in one spot and can’t move around and do much else.
All you can do to entertain yourself is talk on the phone, listen to a podcast/audiobook/music, or watch television. But how are you supposed to gossip with a friend, catch up on your favorite show, or listen to that great new audiobook if you can’t hear it over the sound of the pumping? It’s also a bit embarrassing if it’s overheard and someone doesn’t know what’s going on.
However, the Luna is so quiet and unobtrusive (at least in terms of noise) that you can do all those things you want to do, and you won’t even have to turn the volume up to “death metal concert” level to do it.
Feature: Auto shut-off feature
One thing the Luna has that many other breast pumps don’t is an auto shut-off feature. It automatically cuts the Luna off after 30 minutes if you don’t manually shut it off yourself.
There is such a thing as over-pumping. Pumping too long can lead to all kinds of problems, such as causing you to skip your next pumping session. This, then, leaves your breasts too full of milk. This, in turn, can cause mastitis, plugged ducts, or even a reduction in milk production. (source: ProMedica Health Connect)
Usually, you know when to stop pumping, but sometimes you lose track of time or even fall asleep while pumping. That’s where this auto shut-off feature comes in handy.
Whether you’re aware of how long you’ve been pumping or not, the Luna will shut itself down after 30 minutes, helping you not over-pump.
Motif Luna Breast Pump Instructions For Use
Motif Medical, the company behind the Luna, has excellent, step-by-step instructions on using the Luna breast pump. Here are the key points, so you can read all this before deciding whether or not it’s for you:
- Prepare for your pumping session. Start by cleaning your hands and checking your pump for any damage. If any parts are wet, be sure to dry them before assembling them.
- Assemble the pump. Connect each part with a twisting motion. Double-check that the tubing is tightly fitted into the airflow ports.
- Massage your breast with a warm towel. Doing this for about 5 minutes will help your milk flow more freely and ensure you have an optimal session.
- Attach the breast shield so that your nipple is in the center.
- Press the power button, starting in Massage Mode to help with milk let down. Once you reach the let-down point, swap over to Expression Mode.
- Use the + and – level buttons to adjust the suction power to suit your needs. You can also change the pump’s cycles with the + and – cycle buttons.
- Pump until you’re satisfied with your output.
- Press the Power button to turn off the pump. Then, remove the breast shield from your breast by pushing a finger underneath it.
- Put the expressed milk immediately into the refrigerator or freezer as needed. (source: Motif Medical)
Although this may seem like a lot, the entire process usually takes no longer than 25-45 minutes for most women. They’ll spend the bulk of that time pumping.
How To Clean and Sterilize the Motif Luna Breast Pump
Motif Medical also provides easy-to-follow steps for cleaning and sanitizing your breast pump. It’s good to know this when deciding whether to buy it, to see if it’s “too much fuss” for you, or if you’d find this easy and convenient:
- Prepare for cleaning by washing your hands and disassembling each component of the pump. This includes the bottle, disk, nipple, cover, breast shield, and valve.
- Rinse all the above-named parts with cool water.
- Wash each component by hand with warm water, dish soap, and a clean dish rag or soft brush. Additionally, you can soak the parts for 5 minutes in warm, soapy water.
- Rinse the parts and dry them with a clean, soft towel. Air drying in an open area is also an option.
- Wipe down the main body of the pump with a clean, dry cloth.
- Store clean, dry components in a sanitary area. Never store any parts until they’re completely dry, as this can cause mildew, mold, or other damage. (source: Motif Medical)
You shouldn’t have to clean your tubing, and the diaphragms will only need cleaning if you notice milk has gotten into them or that there’s a problem with moisture buildup.
The CDC recommends that you sanitize your pump at least once a day. You can boil the parts or steam them in the microwave. However, double-check the manufacturer’s guide to see which parts can be sanitized because not all of them can.
You can also use sanitary sprays, wipes, or other convenient sanitation methods to sanitize between each use or clean your pump if you’re somewhere you can’t give it a complete cleaning. However, if you choose to do this, you should fully clean it when you return home.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Motif Luna Pump
Motif Luna Breast Pump vs The Spectra S2
As you can see from the chart below, the Luna and the S2 have many things in common. They’re also both relatively quiet, and they’re both lightweight, although the Luna is a tiny bit lighter and smaller. (sources: Motif Medical & Spectra Baby)
| Specific Feature | Motif Luna | Spectra S2 |
| Type of System | Closed | Closed |
| Type of Pump | Single or Double | Single or Double |
| Weight | 2 pounds (907.18 grams) | 2.9 pounds (1315.42 grams) |
| Suction Strength | 280 mmHg | 270 mmHg |
| Hospital Grade | Yes | Yes |
| Portable | Yes, with the battery-powered model | Not without additional purchases & modifications |
| Modes | Expression and Massage | Expression and Massage |
If you’re looking for a portable breast pump, neither is an optimal option. You can now purchase the Luna with a battery option. That said, it’s cumbersome and has the traditional bottle setup, so while you can make it portable, doing so isn’t entirely practical.
The S2 doesn’t have a portable option unless you want to modify the machine, which would void its warranty, so if you’re looking for a pump that you can take on the go if you have to, you’ll want to go with the Luna. The Luna also has slightly stronger suction strength, so you can finish pumping faster with it.
Currently, the Spectra S2 is a bit more affordable and is also available on Amazon, but that could potentially change if the Luna’s price drops or Amazon gets it back in stock.
Overall, these two pumps are similar enough that it would be difficult to choose one over the other. The main differences are that the Luna has a portable option and is a bit faster in terms of pumping and that the S2 is less expensive and has a better international reputation.
Where to Get Parts and Accessories for the Motif Luna Breast Pump
Motif recommends that you replace the replaceable parts of your breast pump every 90 days and reminds new moms that insurance will pay for replacement breast pump parts in many circumstances. (source: Motif Medical)
Three of the best places online to find replacement Luna parts are:
You can also find parts on Amazon.com and in some retail stores. You can also use Freemie cups with your Motif Luna, and you purchase those from the Freemie website. (source: Motif Medical).
We also have a complete guide to Freemie Cup Compatibility right here.
Which Bottles are Compatible with the Motif Luna?
Bottles that are compatible with the Motif Luna include Avent bottles (this includes Avent natural glass bottles), Mam bottles, Spectra bottles, and, of course, Motif bottles.
Additionally, the following bottles are compatible with the Luna as long as you use a narrow neck bottle converter:
- Ameda bottles
- Dr. Brown’s options narrow neck glass bottles
- Dr. Brown’s regular neck bottles
- Evenflo classic glass bottles
- Evenflo regular neck bottles
- Medela bottles
You can also use Nanobebe bottles with the Nanobebe breast pump adapter set and Snappies with the Maymom adapter. (source: Motif Medical)
Many Spectra and Medela pump parts are also compatible with the Luna. However, the popular Playtex pump adapters are not. (source: Amazon)
There’s No Suction from My Motif Luna – What To Do
If you hook up the Luna, hit the power button, and get no suction, there are several things you can do.
First, disassemble your pump and check all the individual parts. Make sure they’re clean, dry, and damage-free – even a tiny tear or scratch is enough to do damage to your machine. If you notice damages, you can call Motif if your product is still under warranty, or you can purchase replacement parts.
Here are some other things to check out:
- Check the body of the pump to ensure the motor is working properly. Do this by plugging in the pump without any components attached and see if it’s making the same sound it always makes. If the pump is silent or making some other sound, the machine may have a problem.
- Make sure your flanges and breast shields are the correct sizes. If either is too large, it can cause a lack of suction.
- Test the tubing. Do this by hooking up just the tubing to the airflow ports and placing your finger over the open end. If you don’t feel the air pulling at your finger, the tubing could be the issue.
- Test the airflow port the same way. Place your finger over the opening of the port. You should feel the same pull against your finger as you should be feeling against your nipple if the pump were working correctly. (source: Motif Medical)
Furthermore, check to make sure everything is hooked up properly and tightly. Most of the time, when breastfeeding moms had the no suction problem, it was because they hadn’t attached the tubing tightly enough or because the breast shield or flange had slipped off their nipples.
Moisture buildup is another common reason that the pump may malfunction. Check each component of your pump and make sure there’s no indication of moisture.
Is The Motif Luna A Hospital Grade Pump?
The Luna is considered a hospital-grade pump. It has strong, 280 mmHg suction and operates on a closed system to prevent contamination to the motor or tubing. As long as they have their own bottles and other components, more than one woman can safely use the same Luna pump. (source: Motif Blog)
As I’ve mentioned in other articles, the FDA doesn’t recognize the term “hospital grade” in reference to breast pumps, so the term may not mean as much as you’d think (source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration).
However, most manufacturers use the term “hospital grade” to refer to pumps that are larger, stronger, and more durable than other pumps. Hospital-grade pumps also have a closed system that prevents cross-contamination, meaning multiple women can use the same pump as long as they have their own supplies (source: Breast Pumps Direct).
Is the Motif Luna Covered by Insurance?
Breast pumps, including the Motif Luna, are covered by most insurance providers, thanks to a provision in the 2012 Affordable Care Act. Most insurance providers also cover replacement breast pump parts. (source: University of Rochester Medical Center)
The three websites listed in the “replacement parts” section are all set up to allow you to request to purchase breast pumps and related supplies through your insurance company.
However, if you have any questions about what your particular insurance company covers, give them a call. After all, it’s their job to explain your policy and coverage to you – all you have to do is ask.
Final Thoughts
If you’re in the market for a quiet, lightweight, powerful breast pump that can help cut your pumping time down to the bare minimum, the Motif Luna might be right for you. Hopefully, this article helped shed some light on the product so that you can determine if it’s the pump that best suits your needs.
If you’re still deciding, you can also read my review on the Baby Buddha Pump, too. Plus here are ways to prepare for breastfeeding before baby arrives if you’re still pregnant!
