An essential tool for a nursing mother is a breast pump, particularly if a mother is planning to breastfeed exclusively and not supplement her baby with formula. Choosing a breast pump can be challenging given the various types that are available. There are some tips mothers can follow when investing in a breast pump.
Buy a Cheaper Pump to Start With
Breast pumps can range from as low as $30 to systems that are well over $200. Expectant mothers may want to wait until their baby is born to purchase a breast pump so that they can see how well their baby nurses and if breastfeeding is the best way to go for their child.
Expectant mothers who choose to purchase a breast pump before their baby is born should choose one that is in the lower price range and keep their receipt. That way they can take the pump back to the store if it is never used and unopened. Another benefit is they will not feel guilty over what they have spent if they only use the pup a few times and cannot return it.
Manual Pumps for Infrequent Expression
Nursing mothers who are only going to pump occasionally or are pumping between feeding to increase their breast milk supply might want to buy a manual breast pump. Most versions of manual breast pumps are created so that a mother expresses milk by squeezing the handle of the pump with her hand. Many allow a mother to express right into a bottle.
Consumer reports lists Medela Harmony, Avent Isis and Dr. Brown's as the top manual breast pumps currently on the market.
Electric or Battery Operated Breast Pumps
These types of breast pumps are more expensive than manual breast pumps but they are also more efficient in expressing milk. A woman attaches one or two pumps to her breast depending if she has a single or double breast pump and the pump expresses the milk with simulated sucking action. Like manual pumps many battery or electric breast pumps allow you to pump milk right into a bottle.
Because these types of breast pumps tend to yield more milk and because they avoid hand cramps from frequent manual pumping they are wonderful for working mothers. A mom can pump enough milk to provide bottles for her child when she is away and nurse naturally when she gets back.
Consumer reports recommends Medela Single or Double breast pumps.
The most efficient type of breast pump is hospital grade but these can be priced well over $300. Although most women who need to pump a lot of milk do well with a battery or electric operated breast pump, if a woman feels she needs something even more efficient she can call local hospitals in her area and see if any have a program in which nursing mothers can rent hospital grade breast pumps. Most major hospitals will have a program that allows mothers to do this.
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