Your first week with the Zomee Z2

What your Zomee Z2 includes

Your Zomee Z2 Double Electric Breast Pump includes two bottles, two 21 mm and two 24 mm breast shields, two tubing sets, two duckbill valves, two diaphragms, and a power adapter.

The tubing carries suction from the pump to each breast shield. The diaphragms create suction and help keep milk from backing up into the tubing or motor. The duckbill valves help create suction and direct milk into the bottles.

The Z2 includes four sizes: 17, 19, 21, and 24 mm flanges. Additional sizes available for free with Perfect Fit Promise™.

If you have the Zomee Z2 Pump & Hands-Free Collection Cups Bundle, milk collects in the Zomee Hands-Free Collection Cups instead of bottles. The collection cups include three sizes: 24 mm breast shields and 19 and 21 mm inserts. An insert sits inside the breast shield and makes its tunnel smaller.

Before your first session

Three steps get your Zomee Z2 ready:

1. Wash and sanitize the washable parts: That means every part except the tubing and the pump. Wash them in warm water with mild dish soap. Then submerge them in a pot of boiling water for 5 minutes, the boiling time the CDC recommends. Lift them out with tongs and let them air dry.
2. Charge the pump: Use the included power adapter. A full charge takes 2 hours.
3. Measure both nipples: Print the nipple ruler from our flange sizing guide at 100 percent. Measure the widest part of the tip of each nipple, not the base. Match each side to the closest size, and if you land exactly between two sizes, start with the smaller one. Measure even if you've pumped before, because your size can change between pregnancies.

How do I start my first session?

Once the parts are dry, put the pump together and press the power button. Start every session in Stimulation Mode. Its short, fast, gentle suction is similar to how a baby nurses and helps trigger let-down.

The first time you turn on the Z2, it starts in Stimulation Mode on its own. After that, press the mode button until you reach it.

When the pump is running, check your fit. The tip of your nipple should feel comfortable and move freely, without rubbing, pinching, or pulling. If it rubs or pinches, try the next size up. If too much of your areola pulls into the tunnel, try the next size down.

To pause, press the pause button. Press play to pick up in the same mode and suction level, with your session time saved. To see the screen in the dark, press the night light button.

The Z2 turns itself off after 30 minutes, and we don't recommend pumping longer than that.

When should I switch modes?

Switch to Expression Mode once your milk starts to flow. On your first use only, the Z2 makes this switch on its own after 2 minutes.

Expression Mode is slower, deeper, and stronger. Start it at the same suction level you used in Stimulation Mode, and pump for 8 to 10 minutes.

To encourage a second let-down, switch to 2-Phase Mode for another 8 to 10 minutes. It moves from gentle, faster suction into a slower, deeper pull. That makes a session of about 20 minutes. Some moms stay in 2-Phase Mode the whole time.

Each mode has nine suction levels. Turn suction up slowly, and only to a level that feels comfortable. You should never feel pain while pumping.

Zomee's exclusive Alternate Mode works one breast, then the other, in a back-and-forth rhythm. Many moms find it gentler than pumping both sides at once. You can also use the Z2 as a single pump.

Hands-free pumping and Shabbat Mode™

To pump hands-free, add the Zomee Hands-Free Collection Cups or the 2-in-1 Pumping Bra. The collection cups sit inside your bra.

Shabbat Mode is built into every Z2, and the Z2 and its bundles are Star-K certified. Before Shabbat begins, plug in the power adapter and set the pumping duration, from 1 to 30 minutes, and the interval between sessions. The pump then starts and stops on that schedule with nothing to press.

On Shabbat, everything has to stay in place without your hands. Put on the collection cups or the 2-in-1 Pumping Bra before the pump starts. Before you use milk pumped on Shabbat, ask your rabbi.

What do I do after each session?

Turn the pump off and gently remove the breast shields. Our milk storage guidelines cover how long your milk keeps.

Hand wash the washable parts in warm water with mild dish soap. Let them air dry completely before you put the pump back together. Don't wash the tubing. In the Z2's closed system, milk should never reach it. Never put the pump itself in water.

For extra germ removal, the CDC recommends sanitizing pump parts at least once daily, after you clean them. That matters most if your baby is less than 2 months old, was born prematurely, or has a weakened immune system. For older, healthy babies, the CDC says daily sanitizing may not be necessary if you clean the parts carefully after each use.

To sanitize, steam the parts in the microwave or a plug-in steam system, or boil them for 5 minutes, and check Zomee's care instructions first. The CDC says a dishwasher with hot water and a heated drying cycle, or a sanitizing setting, makes a separate sanitizing step unnecessary.

High heat can warp silicone parts and wear them out sooner, so if you sanitize daily, check your duckbill valves and diaphragms more often.

Common problems and fixes

Check these before you decide something is broken:

• The pump feels weak: On a new pump, it's usually flange size. Measure again and try another of the four sizes. If none feels right, The Mom Line™ can help you measure and request your size.
• Suction fades after a few weeks: Duckbill valves stretch with use, and diaphragms can tear. Replace both every 1 to 3 months, depending on how often you pump and how you clean them.
• Milk or moisture shows up in the tubing: Stop pumping right away, before it reaches the motor. It usually means a worn or defective part. Call The Mom Line to start a warranty claim.
• The pump won't charge or turn on: Use only the included power adapter, and don't leave the pump on the charger for long stretches. If it still won't turn on, call The Mom Line.
• Milk leaks: Check each part for tears or warping.

Where to get help

For free help getting started with your Z2, or for pump, sizing, parts, and support questions, call The Mom Line at 1-888-662-7159 from 9 AM to 5 PM ET, Monday to Friday. Real moms and certified lactation consultants answer it. If you think the pump or a part is defective, The Mom Line can start a warranty claim, and we usually ask for a short video of the problem.

If your Z2 came through insurance, the durable medical equipment (DME) provider that shipped it handles returns and missing items.

For feeding or supply concerns, talk to a lactation consultant (IBCLC). For pain, fever, or questions about your baby's weight or diapers, call your provider.

Questions moms ask