steve hardy
What to look for when buying a breast pump
Becoming new parents is an honour, yet it is also hard work. There are thousands of baby gadgets to get, but deciding is not an easy task. Out of all best breast pumps models on the market, which is the best breast pump for you?
In this article, we’ve sorted out several outstanding things to consider before buying a breast pump. But before we dive in, be mindful that only you know your needs best, so make sure you keep those in mind as you read.
Price
Breast pumps, like other baby gadgets, have a wide price range. The cheapest could cost below $20, while the most expensive could cost up to $500. But do not confuse between prices and quality - the best breast pump for you might be surprisingly affordable. It all depends on what you need. If you’re not planning to pump regularly, getting a cheap, manual pump would probably be enough. If you’re a working mom or have a breastfeeding issue, you might need one of those expensive, powerful electric pumps.
Ease of use
Some models are very simple, others have thousands of little parts that need careful assembly before use. Among others, the Haakaa Silicone Manual and the Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump are the two most simple models as they only have the basic parts. As you may have noticed, they are both manual models, and usually the manual ones are easier to use than the electrics-- but they require more work for the hand.
Ease of cleaning
Breast pumps are either open or closed systems-- the difference being that the closed ones have a barrier that blocks milk from entering the pumping system, while the open ones do not. For this reason, closed-systems are often the more sanitized ones. Reviews advise that the best breast pump to buy is the one that is easy to clean, so it’s wise to begin with something that doesn’t get dirty easily.
Useful Reference: Which Breast Pump Is Best
Conveniences
Suction level
Suction level is important because it affects the quantity of the milk. Some breast pumps are designed to mimic baby’s natural sucking pattern-- strong and fast stimulation at first to get the milk flowing, then slow and abrupt expression later depending on each baby’s feeding speed. The Medela Freestyle Flex records your favorite suction strength so you won’t have to readjust the next time you use.
Loudness
Is your breast pump loud? Sometimes, moms prefer the quieter ones so they can pump in public. Top rated electric breast pumps, like the Spectra S1 Plus Electric, allow for smooth and quiet pumping so you won’t get people staring at you on a train.
Discreteness
Most breast pumps have cords and strings that are quite obvious, and sometimes you cannot afford to have people looking at you while pumping. The Willow Wearable Breast Pump is one of the rare models on the market that lets you wear the pump under your bra so you can pump hands-free while enjoying perfect cover.
Portability
If you’re a busy mom or constantly on the go, you would probably need the best portable breast pump there is. The Spectra S2, the Lasinoh Signature are designed for working moms and only weigh under 3 pounds, making it convenient for you to just pop them in your bag.
Read The Article: Best Breast Pump Brand
Final words
Above are the things you should consider when choosing your pump. To reiterate, what breast pump is best depends not on price, not on ratings, but on whether it fits your needs.
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