Which Breast Pump To Buy?
A breast pump is a breastfeeding product that you will most likely use at some point during this phase. Breast pumps can be electric or manual and their function, as the name suggests, is to extract breast milk from the breast so that it can be stored and offered to the baby at another time.
Using the breast pump takes practice. At first, you can see a small amount of milk come out, but gradually you will see that the extractions gain more volume.
It is important to emphasize that pumped milk is not an indicator of the amount of milk produced. No pump will be like sucking a baby.
Therefore, we will explain below the differences between manual and electric breast pumps. Make a note of everything!
Manual breast pumps
Manual breast pumps are the simplest and most economical. They work with the pressure of your hand on the lever, which will be responsible for pumping the breast.
They are especially recommended for punctual extractions, as they are a little slower than electric ones and it can also be tiring to pump manually every day, at different times of the day. You can find numerous brands of manual breast pumps, but they all generally have very similar characteristics.
Single extraction electric breast pump
They are more expensive than handpumps but are more comfortable to use. These pumps contain a motor that, whether by chain or batteries, is the part that carries out the suction force to extract the milk. So, just put it in the breast without the need to pump it manually.
Extractions are usually faster and more effective, as they also allow you to regulate the speed and intensity of suction.
They are recommended for continuous and frequent use cases or for the convenience of not having to pump manually and for greater speed and efficiency compared to a manual model.
Medela is the brand that most perfected milk extraction with its good electric breast pump, although on the market you can find other very good alternatives like Philips’ Avent brand.
There are also some newer cordless electric breast pumps such as the Elvie Pump, a very innovative idea in the world of breast pumps. They have an ergonomic design, small, light and silent to place between the breast and the bra, and wireless, so you can express your milk without being noticed, anywhere and at any time.
The novelty of this type of breast pump is the absence of wires. Therefore, you must take into account whether, in your case, it will be extracted anywhere or at any time so that the investment in a pump of this type is worth it, as its price is quite high and the operation is the same as that of a pump electric breast pump.
Double extraction electric breast pump
They are the most expensive because of their effectiveness and great results. The operation is the same as a simple breast pump, but with the peculiarity of being able to stimulate both breasts at the same time, so that the extraction time will be shorter and with fast and super effective results.
The fact that they are more effective and save time at the time of extraction does not mean that it is the role model that every mother needs. They are especially recommended in cases where extractions must be very frequent and periodic. For example, when you need to express milk because of premature birth or for multiple breastfeeding.
Therefore, you will have to assess whether, in your case, it is financially worthwhile to have a breast pump of this type, as they are generally very expensive.
manual extraction
Manual pumping is known as the technique of extracting breast milk manually, without any type of breast pump. Extraction is performed by placing the hand under the breast so that the thumb is above the breast and indicates it and the middle, below, forming the letter C.
You should place your fingers about an inch from the nipple and push against the chest wall. Then, the fingers should be pressed towards the nipple without slipping on the skin.
It might be a little tricky at first, but it’s a matter of time and practice to get it done. When you learn this technique, it’s often really effective. In fact, many mothers report that, after learning this technique, they even prefer it more than a breast pump. The biggest advantage is that it is free and it is not necessary to wash any utensils, neither before nor after extractions.
What to consider when buying a breast pump?
When buying a breast pump, you should also observe the size of the funnel (the part that is in contact with the breast). Not all nipples are the same size, and using the wrong size (too big or too small) can make extraction difficult as well as hurting the nipple.
For this reason, it is important to make sure that the breast pump has a funnel change option, as not all of them have this possibility and come with a standard funnel, without the size change option.
All in all, we hope this article was interesting and helped you to find the pump that best suits your needs.
