The Imani's motor includes two modes, massage and expression. Imani recommends starting with massage, a low-suction mode with high speeds, for a few minutes to activate letdown before switching over to expression mode, a higher suction but lower-speed mode. It's supposed to mimic how a baby's latch works throughout a pumping session, but unlike pumps like the Willow Go (8/10, WIRED Recommends), you have to switch the settings on your own. The Willow also lets you switch manually, but it will automatically do so after two minutes.
For the rest of the pump's pieces, the rubber pieces look similar to standard breast pump duckbill and backflow protector parts. But you'll want to restock these from Imani's partners to make sure they'll fit correctly into the pump, since their versions have minor edits to the standard design. They're affordably priced—Legendairy lists the various nonelectric parts of the pump for about $8 to $12 each—so it won't hurt to stock up on backups.
The Imani i2 comes with a 25-mm breast shield, aka the part that sits against your breast and over your nipple, and a 21-mm insert, which can be added onto the breast shield to fit for smaller areolas. Measure yourself to see if you need a different size—Imani has 17-mm and 19-mm inserts sold separately, and larger breast shields, too. Wearing the right size is key to collecting the most milk, and to keep from hurting yourself while pumping. Imani offers a measurement guide so you can see your size, but you'll need to give them your email to get the downloadable ruler in your email.
Zero Smarts
Unlike other major wearable breast pumps, this isn't a smart pump. It doesn't have an app, can't track your pumping sessions or how much milk you've pumped, and can't even tell you how long you've been pumping.
It has five buttons on the top of the motor: one for each mode, two buttons to raise and lower the level for the mode you've chosen, and a power button. It also has five tiny lights to signal what level you're on, and a light for the battery that will glow red when the battery is low or to signal that it's currently charging.
You'll notice there are lights for what level you're on, but no signal for what mode you're on. You'll have to remember that yourself, as well as how long you've been pumping. This can be annoying, since you're likely multitasking while you pump, but it's not difficult to do if you're prepared. I like starting my pump around a count of 10 on the clock so that it's easy to quickly calculate how long my pump session has been going for. You also have to remember to manually switch over your pump mode after a few minutes.
Speaking of mode, the Imani i2 will remember where you last left off when you turn on the pump. So you'll likely find yourself turning it on to expression mode, when you should start pump sessions in massage mode. Make sure to change this when you get started.
But while this pump isn't smart, it is FDA approved, which is the most important thing a pump can have. Breast pumps are medical devices, and they need FDA approval to confirm they're safe and sanitary to use. So if you're seeing cheap pumps that are similar to the Imani i2 and wondering what the difference is, check for FDA approval. (Or just go with the Imani to be safe.)
Overall, the Imani i2 takes a little more focus and planning to use well, but if you can keep an eye on the clock and your pump modes, you'll be pumping with ease for a fraction of what other wearable pumps cost.
