Which is the Best Breast Pump – The Ultimate Buying Guide
While the market offers plenty of breast pumps which can only be grouped in terms of price, (some will only cost you less than $100, but others over $1000) it is hard to know which is the best breast pump that fits and meet your needs.
Breast pumps are available in an array of styles and designs, from double or single, battery-operated to manual or electric pumps. If you are a busy mom, you’ll probably need one made from quality material, double-sided and battery/electric operated to make the process much faster. After some comprehensive research and feedback from other mommies, we have created a breast pump guide that will aid you in the process. (Check out also the comparison between the top 2 brands in the market)
Table of Contents
The types of Breast pump
There are four types of breast pumps on the market today. They include:
- Electric Breast Pumps
- Hospital Grade Breast Pumps
- Battery Operated breast pumps
- Manual Breast Pumps
Electric Breast Pumps
They are specifically designed for women with a good flow of milk who need to express milk a couple of times a day. This is a good option for working moms who have to go to work every day or for moms who are separated from their little angels for an extended period.
Electric breast pumps come with a double kit and have a cyclic rate of 40-60 per minute which is closer to a baby’s suction rate and comes with a fast pumping feature for fast milk expression and is portable and readily affordable. Electric breast pumps have a single-breast or double-breast version.
Compared to a manual breast pump, electric breast pumps save you a lot of time and effort when doing exclusive pumping for your little one. The most reputable and popular brands in the market now are Spectra and Medela. You may like to check out this article where we do a comparison of the electric breast pumps of these 2 brands.
Hospital Grade Breast Pumps
We all know that breast milk is essential for any growing infant. As a mother, having breast milk at hand each time is crucial. With a standard breast pump, you get a limited amount of milk that is only near the level of a full serving. A meaningful way to eliminate this scenario is by using the best medical-grade breast pump.
They are efficient, versatile and durable.
They are made of high quality material, efficient and designed for multiple uses. Additionally, they are an excellent option for mothers who have difficulties with breastfeeding their little ones after birth or those who do not have sufficient milk flow or mothers with twins.
Hospital-grade breast pumps have double kit pumps meaning that help to express milk from both breasts simultaneously. They accurately simulate a baby’s sucking and hence improve the flow of milk.
If you have problems with breastfeeding or have a low milk supply, then they are the best breast pumps for you. There are not many hospital-grade breast pumps in the market and the best ones can cost above $1000. Here are 2 models we recommend if you are considering buying them.
Ameda Elite Breast Pump
Check out the Availability here
When it comes to easier portability, Ameda Elite Breast Pump takes is the better choice. It is light and compact that you can store it anywhere. Another best feature of this breast power is the speed and suction control.
You can adjust both elements separately to make sure that each person is comfortable while pumping. The adjustable suction ranges from 30 CPM to 60 CPM. You can customize it to suit your settings and according to your body response.
It is suitable for a mother who likes little suction. The breast pump has in-built bottle holders that ensure there are no milk spills taking place. The bottle holders can also used for storage in the freezer.
With this breast pump, pumping is not complicated. A mother will focus on what is more important to the baby. It is mainly used for clinical homes, but you can go here if you prefer to rent and use it at home. It attaches to Ameda Trolley for easy transport and only weighs 6.4Ibs.
Medela Symphony Breast Pump
Check out the Availability here
Breastfeeding is the heart of any growing baby. Medela’s primary objective is to help the mother achieve great breastfeeding for an infant. It stands out as the best medical-grade breast pump. Their 2-Phase Expression technology mimics natural and gentle nursing. You can use it anywhere because it maintains constant breast milk flow once you activate it.
You can have a fast collection as a result of the option to have double or single pumping. It has two separate units that you can use either for single or double pumping or you can choose to remove one unit.
It has a let-down button that you can return to stimulate easily. The pump is easy to clean and assists you to maintain and initiate the supply of breast milk. it provides you with a comfortable and convenient pumping.
Hospital-grade breast pumps can be very useful, especially for power pumping purposes or when you want to induce lactation. Unlike manual or electric pumps, these pumps can be shared by moms and that’s why they are available for rent in most hospitals. You can get them through insurance- but first, confirm with your insurance company.
Battery Operated
These pumps are the best for mothers who don’t have to express milk regularly and don’t know how to do it manually. They are often lightweight, portable and designed explicitly for one breast at a time and do not have a high cyclic rate like the hospital-grade. The only inconvenience is that you may have to change the batteries often to use the breast pump.
Manual
They are the cheapest breast pumps and are made for moms who want to eliminate discomfort in the breasts by pumping excess milk. They are lightweight, portable and do not take up a lot of space. The cyclic rate depends on the mother’s ability to pump.
Now that you know the types of breast pumps, I hope you are ready to see my list of the best breast pumps ideal for working moms. These pumps have been graded taking into consideration very vital factors such as efficiency, durability, comfort, and cost.
Breast pumps for different challenges
You may think you are mentally and physically ready for breastfeeding. However, it is easier said than done. There are many challenges faced by breastfeeding mummies. And we would like to list some challenges they face and what type of breast pump will be suitable for various situations.
Breast pump for Low Milk Supply
Ameda Mye
Best Breast Pump for Low Milk Supply
As a mom, especially new moms, we all go through a period when we tend to question whether our milk supply is adequate. At times, you might think you have a low milk supply when it isn’t.
In most cases, it happens if milk stops leaking from the nipple or if you lose the feeling of fullness. This shouldn’t worry you because they’re a good indicator that your body has adjusted to your feeding requirements.
However, if your child is showing signs of not feeding enough, do not give up instantly. Remember that breast milk is still the best food that you can provide for your little one, especially for the first 9 months. You do not want to take away such a great gift for your baby easily. Always ensure that you have explored other means to boost your milk supply like consuming breastfeeding supplements or lactation cookies.
Power pumping will also be another great option. However, for power pumping to be effective, you may need the best breast pumps for low milk supply. They should be those which you can control and adjust the suction strength based on your needs. If the above options still do not improve your situation, always seek advice from your lactation consultant or medical care provider before giving up on breastfeeding completely.
Breast pump for Stay at Home Mom
Medela Freestyle
Best Breast Pump for Stay at Home Mom
If you’re a stay-at-home mother, there are several factors that you should consider before buying a breast pump. Some of the factors include the frequency of your pumping, your budget and the speed of expressing milk.
If you do not plan to use the breast pump often, a simple manual pump is all that you will need. On the other hand, if you need to express milk several times a day, you might need an electric breast pump. Check out our reviews of the best manual and electric breast pump for stay at home moms.
Spending extra dollars on a breast pump can make a big difference when it comes to quality. But this doesn’t mean that you can’t get a quality breast pump for a little cheaper. In fact, you will be able to find an affordable breast pump that’s durable and of high quality just like the high-end models.
The rate at which you’ll want to express milk will also influence the type of breast pump to buy. Manual breast pumps are cheap but express milk at a lower rate than electric breast pump which is relatively expensive.
Breast Pump for Working Mom
Spectra S1 Single/Double
Best Breast Pump for Working Mom
This will normally pose a challenge depending on the length of your maternity leave. If you plan to continue providing breast milk for your child, most probably you will need to pump out milk in your workplace. You may need to start pumping and bottle feed breast milk the child a few weeks before going back to work. This will ensure that both of you can adjust to this new feeding schedule.
Best breast pump for working mom should be lightweight and compact so you can bring it around easily. It is recommended to get a rechargeable hospital electric pump like Spectra S1 so that you can recharge in the office.
And it is more effective to pump out milk faster in an office setting. To be more efficient, you may also need to make sure you prepare the supplies needed for breastfeeding.
Breast Pump for Travel
Philip Avent Manual Breast Pump
Pumping on the road will be another challenge that mummies can face. The situation will be different if you are on a plane, in a car or on a cruise. It is normally advisable to pump before going onboard a plane.
If you are in the car and on a long journey, it is recommended to bring a cooler and ice pack until you get a chance to store the breast milk in a fridge.
If you are on a cruise, it will be better to book a room with a refrigerator. The best breast pump for travel should be compact, lightweight and easy to clean. It should be easy to assemble and disassemble so you got some time to enjoy your trip and not spend time pumping for long periods.
Breast Pump for Flat nipples
Bellababy Double Electric Breast Pump
Best Breast Pump for Flat Nipples
One of the pieces of advice you may get from your doctor after delivering your baby if you have flat nipples is to buy a breast pump. Suctioning a breast pump just before you nurse your baby helps in drawing out and elongating your nipples and your baby can breastfeed more effectively.
Breast pumps also help in saving new mothers from the clutches of engorgement and the heaviness of the breast. For flat nipples, you may also like to consider getting a breast shell that will help to improve your situation. (See also our reviews on the best breast pumps for flat nipples in the market.)
Breast Pump for Lactation
Medela Pump in Style Advanced
Best Breast Pump for Flat Nipples
Since everyone knows breast milk is the best food that a mommy can give to her little one, is it possible for adopting families to breastfeed the child also? The answer is a big fat yes. However, there are some important steps that need to be taken and it takes a lot of dedication and effort from the mom.
Building breast milk without birth involves tricking the body to produce milk. Do note that every mother is different, and not all will be able to offer a full milk supply. However, the main focus is the bonding you build with your adopted child.
Starting about two months before the date the baby is expected to join your family, if time permits, introducing a routine of stimulus and expression for your breasts can help with milk production.
Gently massage your breasts by hand for a few minutes, then use a hospital-grade (multi-user) double electric breast pump for a further 10 minutes. (Source)
You may also like to consider using a speciality feeding product like the Supplemental Nursing System (SNS) The SNS is able to help you mimic breastfeeding using a thin silicone feeding tube that is taped to the nipple. You can fill it with breastmilk, donor milk or formula.
If the above doesn’t work well for you or you need more information, seek advice from a professional lactation consultant.
Breast Pump for Relactation
Ikare Electric Double Breast Pump
Best Breast Pump for Relactation
This is another problem for a mother who has a gap between their last breastfeeding period. It is still possible to get back the milk supply and the most efficient method is to consider getting a double-sided electric breast pump. Relactation involves a lot of breast pump usage daily to express and stimulate milk production from your breast.
It is time-consuming and drains a lot of your energy. Only consider a manual or single-sided electric pump if you are on a tight budget. (Check out also our reviews of the best breast pump for relactation.)
Breast Pump for Small Breasts
Best Breast Pump for Small Breasts
I have always gotten this question where mommies ask does breast size affect breastfeeding? There is a common myth that small breasts will produce less milk than big breasts.
That is totally untrue and I have seen situations where big breasts mothers shared their problems of having low milk supply. I have written an article regarding breast size and milk production which will help to dispel the myth completely. You may also suffer low milk supply if you have a preterm baby.
The main point I want to get through here is that you do not suffer a low milk supply because of small breasts. It is easy to blame everything including small breasts when you are suffering from a low milk supply.
Always consult your lactation consultant in this situation. To enhance your breastfeeding experience, there are breast pumps in the market more suitable for small breasts which you can check out here.
How to use an electric breast pump
1. Wash and sterilise the pump parts (read the instruction manual to see which parts can be sterilised)
2. Assemble the pump parts
3. Put the funnel on the breast
4. Turn on the pump and switch to the stimulation/massage mode
5. Change to pumping mode when there is let down. You can adjust the pump setting to your personal preference.
6. Remove the funnel carefully from the breast.
7. Transfer the milk to milk bags/ bottles for storage/feeding.