Figuring out which breast pump will work best for you might feel challenging, especially considering how many options there are. But don’t worry – this advice on how to choose a breast pump will help you find the best pump for your situation.
While breast milk has all the nutrients a baby needs during the first six months of life and offers protection against several illnesses, breastfeeding has many benefits for the mother, too.
If you’re expecting and have decided to breastfeed your baby, you have probably added a breast pump to your hospital or birthing center packing list already. However, not all moms need to invest in a breast pump; and since all breast pumps are different, choosing one to suit your needs is important.
WILL YOU NEED A BREAST PUMP?
Generally, breast pumps are used in cases where the baby is sick or premature to breastfeed or has trouble latching onto the breast, or where the mother has milk supply issues. In cases where the mother will be away at work or elsewhere for long periods of time, breast pumps can be used to express milk to be fed to the baby when mom isn’t around.
So if you’re on a budget, don’t consider spending on a breast pump if you know that you’re going to be with your baby all the time. If your baby has trouble feeding, you can always make use of the hospital pump and think about buying one later.
UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF BREAST PUMPS
As mentioned, all breast pumps are different, and what works for one mom may not work for another. So here’s the lowdown on the types of breast pumps.
Manual Breast Pump
As the name suggests, manual pumps are hand-operated and comprise a flange and lever that create suction. They are small and lightweight, and express a decent quantity of milk. That being said, manual pumps are labor intensive and time consuming.
Electric Breast Pump
Electric pumps have a motor attached to them that runs on electricity or a battery. They can be either single or double meaning you can use them to pump one or both breasts simultaneously. If you pick a double electric pump, you can also configure it to pump one breast at a time if need be.
Hospital-Grade Pump
These pumps are electric powerhouses and come with sensitive controls allowing you to regulate suction intensity, rhythm, and pressure. Hospital-grade pumps can be used to pump one or both breasts at the same time, and can greatly reduce pumping time due to their efficiency.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT BREAST PUMP
Choosing a breast pump that meets your needs requires you to assess your needs first. Take these factors into consideration to help you decide.
- Frequency – A small manual breast pump will be just fine for moms who need to pump only occasionally. Working moms who need to pump twice or more each day can find using a manual pump tiring. Since they are also slower than other pumps, buying a manual pump is not advised if you’re looking for shorter pumping sessions and larger milk volumes.
- Weight – As a working mom, you certainly wouldn’t want to lug around a big and heavy breast pump to work every day. if you’re looking for a lightweight pump, a compact-sized manual or electric breast pump will be the best choice.
- Discreteness – Small manual and electric breast pumps can easily fit into your handbag, so you won’t have to worry about being discreet. Medium-sized electric pumps usually come with a carry case that won’t draw much attention to you. On the other hand, hospital-grade pumps are large and difficult to carry around without drawing attention. Most importantly, electric pumps make some noise when they’re operating, so you might want to look for a quieter model or go for a manual pump.
- User-friendliness – Breast pumps can be easy to use once you know how to pump the right way. But before you buy a breast pump, make sure that it is easy to assemble, take apart, and clean.
- Efficiency – Double hospital-grade pumps and electric pumps are your best bet if you want your pumping sessions to be short. In addition to this, they are also suitable for moms looking to increase their milk supply.
RENTING, BORROWING, OR BUYING A SECOND-HAND PUMP
Buying a second-hand breast pump or using a hand-me-down is less expensive and can be better for the planet, but it should only be an option with certain pumps. Breast milk can carry pathogens that can contaminate breast pumps, passing infections on to you and your baby.
A closed system pump has a barrier between the milk collection kit and the pump mechanism to prevent contamination by bacteria/mold/viruses/etc. An open system pump has no such barrier.
It isn’t possible to completely sterilize the inside of an open system pump. You would have to dismantle the pump to get to all the parts that could be affected, plus some of these parts are impossible to completely sanitize. Buying new tubing, new parts, and cleaning every cleanable part does not sanitize the motor of the pump, which (in an open system pump) is, by definition, open to the new milk you are pumping (source).
Hospital-grade pumps are designed to prevent milk from getting into the motor. So if you rent a hospital-grade pump, you’ll just need your own collection kit.
When your breastfeeding experience ends, check with the manufacturer of your pump to see if they offer a recycling program.
Thanks for the post. I think getting your own pump is the way to go. My wife got a free one with her insurance, and it did not do the best job. My wife is now pregnant again, and we have vowed to buy one this go around. I think choosing the best option kind of depends on how successful you are to producing milk. I think that makes a big difference on the grade of pump you need.
It really would be a good idea to think about the weight before actually buying the pump. You might like a certain pump because it has features that you like. But, if it is too heavy, it is just going to be a problem when you are walking around. With everything else you need to put into a diaper bag, you aren’t going to want a heavy pump!