As a mother, feeding your newborn baby is one of the most important things you have to deal with after giving birth. Many moms do not require a breast pump but in case you do, you don’t need to worry about choosing the right one.
A lot of mothers may end up feeling like milk machines if they use a breast pump, but that isn’t the case at all. Using a breast pump makes your life easier.
Breast pumps come with their own set of benefits which we’ll discuss later. For now, let us begin by checking out the best breast pumps for new mothers.
Best Breast Pumps To Consider
#1. Haakaa Manual Breast Pump
Haakaa’s manual breast pump is an award-winning and best-selling product. When it’s time to pump, all you have to do is squeeze, then gently attach the product to your breast and let it do its job.
This lightweight product can be carried in your handbag. You can take it everywhere with you. Since breasts come in different shapes and sizes, we’re happy to discover that this manual breast pump is designed to fit all kinds of breasts.
Haakaa Manual Breast Pump is made of silicone and is gentle on your skin. It won’t damage or hurt you in any way. If your breasts tend to leak, you no longer have to worry about it since this product uses suction to pump milk.
- Easy to use, clean, and store
- BPA, lead, PVC, and phthalate-free
- High-quality product
- Loses suction quickly
- Not durable
- Might cause swollen breasts
#2. New Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump
This single-hand breast pump comes with its own set of benefits. Just like Haakaa’s pump, it is lightweight and discreet enough to carry around and small enough to fit it in your handbag. The Harmony Manual Breast Pump is ideal for traveling and can also be used as a backup for the electric breast pump you use more regularly.
This oval-shaped product uses flex breast shields that allow you to comfortably position yourself while you pump milk. It also has a soft rim that fits perfectly on your breasts. This product mimics the baby’s natural sucking behavior to produce more milk in a shorter period of time.
- Easy to use, carry, assemble, and clean
- Portable and lightweight
- 2 phase expression technology lets you pump more milk faster
- Great suction power
- Suction power depends on the seal
- No value for money
- Not durable
#3. Bellababy Double Electric Breastfeeding Pumps
The company Bellababy is dedicated to providing mothers with high-quality products that can make their lives easier.
This lightweight and portable pump helps regulate your milk flow and can even increase your milk supply.
It comes with four modes and nine suction levels. The Double Electric Breastfeeding Pumps includes a “massage and stimulate” mode to prepare your breast to produce milk and provide you with a more comfortable experience. On its maximum setting, the pump can help unclog stubborn milk ducts.
It has a great battery life that can last for up to an hour — more than enough time for a pumping session so you don’t have to keep charging it. It also has a useful display screen that shows the mode it’s currently on, the remaining battery, and suction strength.
- BPA and phthalate-free
- Lightweight, easy to carry, and portable
- Easy to use
- Great suction power
- Pricey
- A bit noisy
#4. BumbleBee Breast Pump
Loved by mothers, the BumbleBee Breast Pump is made of food-grade silicone that is so soft it won’t irritate your skin or cause you discomfort. Even babies will have an easy time biting into the silicone. It is equipped with a comfortable suction mode which allows you to pump your milk hands-free without pain or sore breasts. To adjust the suction strength, you only need to shift the place on the attachment where you squeeze.
It also features an anti-dust lid that ensures that no dust or dirt enters your milk so your baby will have clean milk. (also read When Do Babies Start Preferring Mom)
- Durable
- Easy to carry, clean, and use
- Comfortable on your breasts
- Strong suction power
- Doesn’t stick to breasts sometimes
#5. Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump with Tote
This double electric breast pump uses patented and research-based 2-phase expression technology which enables mothers to produce more milk in less time. You will be able to adjust the speed and vacuum of the product by adjusting the knob.
Medela’s breast pump uses a closed system so the milk goes from breast to bottle. In a closed system, the pump has a barrier so that your milk will not touch your pump’s tubing system.
It comes in a discreet carrying case and includes a portable battery, cooler bag, and battery.
- Durable and portable
- Closed-system, milk goes from breast to bottle
- Easy to assemble and clean
- Strong suction power
- Noisy
#6. Lansinoh SignaturePro Double Electric Breast Pump
This double electric breast pump has eight suction levels that can easily be adjusted according to your needs. It is a closed-system pump that features three pumping styles designed to recreate babies’ feeding motions.
Lansinoh’s breast pump features an easy reference electronic display, lightweight design, push buttons, and three power options. This product is compatible for use with Lansinoh baby bottles and breast milk storage bags.
- Efficient pumping
- Hospital-strength suction
- Portable and durable
- Easy to assemble, clean, and use
- Pricey
- Leaks
Buying Guide for Choosing the Breast Pump For You
Frequency of Use
When choosing a breast pump, it’s important to know how often and under what circumstances you’ll be using it. This will help you determine the features that you’ll need. If you won’t be using it that often, you can get yourself a manual breast pump.
However, if you like having your milk supply ready ahead of time or are sometimes away from your baby for extended periods, it may be more practical to get an electric breast pump. It’s a good idea to wait until you give birth before getting a breast pump. By the time your baby is here and you start lactating, you’ll be in a better position to know what your needs are.
Where Will You Be Pumping?
Where you’ll be pumping and how much time you have to pump should influence the kind of breast pump you get. If you have to do it at work or any place where time is limited, you should look for an electric breast pump that can gather milk from both breasts at the same time. This will save you time while helping you produce more milk.
Easy Assembly and Portability
Before buying a breast pump, see if it’s easy to assemble and clean. A breast pump that is hard to assemble and clean can be frustrating. It may even affect how often you pump. As a general rule, you should be able to clean any part that touches your skin or milk.
If you’ll be pumping at work, you should opt for a pump that is lightweight, relatively quiet, and easy enough to carry around. Many pumps have a pouch or case that you can put them in and have an insulated compartment for your milk.
Adjustable Suction
Most electric breast pumps have adjustable suction levels. This is important because it will allow you to find a suction level that is comfortable for you and won’t cause you discomfort.
Breast Shield Size
The breast shields are the cups that go over your breasts. You should always check that a pump’s breast shields are the correct size for you. If the breast shields that come with the breast pump are too big or too small, look into the manufacturer’s replacement shields. They may have different sizes available. If you’re looking to express milk from both breasts at the same time, make sure that your pump can accommodate simultaneous pumping and has two breast shields.
Power Source
Do you experience electricity outages in your area? Although some electric breast pumps come with a rechargeable battery, it may be a good idea to have a manual one on standby just in case.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Benefits of Using a Breast Pump?
If you pump your breast milk, you can choose when to feed your baby. Because the milk has been prepared beforehand, you can follow a feeding schedule for your child. You can also have your partner feed the baby should you be unavailable to do so.
Breast pumps can also prevent your nipples from becoming sore and swollen. If you breastfeed and are experiencing pain, you can use a breast pump to express your milk with less discomfort since you can adjust the suction level. This is something you can’t do when breastfeeding.
Which Is Better, Closed-System Pumps or Open-System Pumps?
Closed-system pumps are the most hygienic pumps out there and don’t need as much cleaning as open-system ones. Sealed off from the milk with barriers, the milk isn’t allowed to enter the machine at all. It goes straight from your breast to the bottle. However, they are more expensive than open-system pumps.
Open-system pumps don’t have a barrier between the milk and the machine so the milk is allowed to flow freely through the tubing of your breast pump. These are usually cheaper than closed-system pumps.
Closed-system pumps are more hygienic and don’t need to be cleaned as often as open-system pumps. However, in the end, you should evaluate breast pumps as a whole and take into consideration their different features in addition to being an open-system or closed-system pump.
What Are the Different Types of Breast Pumps Available In the Market?
There are four kinds of breast pumps.
- Double-electric breast pumps
- Single-electric breast pumps
- Battery-operated breast pumps
- Manual breast pumps
Conclusion
Choosing to breastfeed your baby is a brave and loving choice especially when you take into consideration sore nipples and the pain it can entail. A good breast pump can help make the process easier for you and your baby. It can help you express your milk ahead of time and strengthen your milk supply. Armed with the information here, we hope that we have made selecting the right breast pump easier for you.
