Since the training, you are having a sweetheart, you have been doing the thinking and decisions. You have had to pick on a changing table, a stroller, a crib, and a car seat. You have had to make medical thinking, pick doctors, and comprehend child care.
Many mothers don’t require a breast pump, but if you figure out you want one, and it’s now the best time to buy a breast pump, you may be feeling swamped.
Efforting to figure out which breast pump is best for you can be tough! There are double breast pumps, electric breast pumps, and manual breast pumps. It can be even tougher if you are new parents and you have absolutely no idea what to search for in a good breast pump. But don’t worry we have a solution for your problem.
What is a Breast Pump?
A breast pump is usually held in place by a nursing bra or by hand, a breast pumping band, or a bra. The breast pump takes/extracts milk from the breasts by making it near the nipples and releasing and applying suction to the nipples, which carries milk from the breast. Each release and suction combination is known as a cycle.
Some of the Reasons You Need a Breast Pump
Here are some of the reasons you may benefit from a breast pump:
- Breast refusal is happening or your baby is battling to breastfeed.
- Your breasts feel painful or engorged.
- You face problems while delivering enough milk.
- You are coming back from work and breastfeeding required is not possible.
- You share feeding things with another family member or parent.
- You need an urgent supply.
- Your baby is spending time in hospital or is born premature and you cannot nurse them without delay.
- You are demanding to provoke lactation for an adopted baby.
There is still a lot of stigma surrounding breast pumping and breastfeeding, especially in public and workplaces. No matter what your cause for selecting to use a breast pump, know that you are good within the right to use it, and you should never be judged for doing anything that makes life easier for your baby and you.
Basic Parts of a Breast Pump
Basic parts of breast pump include:
- Breast shield:
A cone-shaped cup that fits over the areola or nipples area.
- Pump:
It makes the gentle vacuum that takes the milk. The pump can have a plastic tubing or attached to the breast shield to link the pump with the breast shield.
- Milk container
A removable milk container that matches collects milk when taken out from the pump. The container is normally a disposable bag or reusable.
Types of Breast Pumps
There are four basic types of breast pumps.
- Manual pumps
Once the breast shield is placed over the areola or nipple, a lever or handle is pressed to make suction and carries milk from the breast. The breast milk is then gathered in an attached container.
These types of pumps are weightless, inexpensive, and portable but remember you will require to do a lot of the work by yourself and you may not get as much more and more milk. Some also avoid manual breast pumps because they are also tough to dry and clean.
- Double electric breast pumps
These robust electric pumps allow you to pump both the breasts at one time, which is good if hurry is your concern. This type of breast pump normally delivers good output.
- Single electric breast pumps
You will only be capable of pumping one breast at one time that can take more time. The main benefit of these types of breast pumps is that they will cost you less as compared to double eclectic breast pumps.
- Battery operated breast pumps
Battery-operated breast pumps come in both double electric and single electric models, can be run and slower through batteries really fast. The benefit of a battery-operated breast pump is that it is helpful and portable if you don’t have access to an electric outlet. These types of breast pumps especially come in handy when you are traveling. Some mothers also find these types of breast pumps good for hand-free pumping as they can do other housework at the same time.
Things to Consider When Buying a Breast Pump
- Cost
You have three options; buy battery operated, manual, and electric. Electric and battery-operated breast pumps will cost you more than manual ones but you can get more milk in a short time with less effort with electric and battery-operated ones. A manual pump is time-consuming and labor-intensive.
- Hygiene
When you are going to purchase a breast pump, search for a closed system pump. A closed system pump has a block between the collection kit and the motor. It also prevents the outside air from polluting your squeezed breast milk.
While open system breast pumps do not have any block between the collection kit and motor. thus the milk that passes its way through the tubing can be left unknowingly inside and may cause molds to pull and grow the motor. Which is too tough to clean. The other parts and tubing of the pump require it to be completely dried and cleaned before use.
- Ease of use
To make breastfeeding simple and easy, pick a breast pump that is not noisy, easy to assemble, and portable.
- Comfort
It is important that the flanges fit all right to the mother’s nipples and breasts to prevent unusual pain and discomfort.
- Effectiveness of the pump
The breast pump effectiveness can be counted on how much milk it is producing in reduced time. This can rely on the suction and speed-strength of the breast pump.
- Features
The best breast pumps should come with many features and accessories, but these may not be must to have for everyone. However, features like choosing various speeds or suction settings can be appealing.
- Versatile fit
Because breast and nipple size relies upon, the top breast pump available delivers the important accessories to make the breast pump fits perfectly to nipples and breasts. Search for a product that is adaptable and versatile to your own body.
Top 10 Breast Pumps To Buy in Australia
[1] Lansinoh Signature Pro Double Portable Electric Breast Pump
Up next is the Lansinoh Signature pro. This electric pump is designed for maximum milk production. Lansinoh signature pro double electric pump is the only pump with three pumping styles that gives you total control over the milk extraction process.
Each pumping style has 8 adjustable suction levels that allow you to select the setting that works best for you based on your child’s feeding pattern.
As one of the most affordable pumps in the market, this double electric breast pump is effective, efficient, high tech, and hospital grade. Its features include a motor unit that contains a few buttons and an LCD screen that you can use to control the pumping process.
The pump can be powered either with batteries or direct power from an electric source.
Moreover, it serves as a double or single pump. It is comfortable, lightweight, and compact for mothers who are always on the go. Its closed system design protects it from bacterial and mold growth, making it easy to clean.
For effective milk extraction, the 2 phase function of this pump allows you to initiate milk flow with the letdown phase and gives you the option to pump slower with the expression phase.
Lasinoh signature pro makes each pumping session as comfortable as possible. It is perfect for moms who are looking for a budget-friendly pump that combines breastfeeding and bottle feeding.
Pros
- It is affordable for a double pump.
- It has a hygienic design.
- It is of high quality.
Cons
- Not the quietest when compared to other pumps.
- Other bottles won’t connect to the pump without an adapter.
Product specification
Brand Lasinoh
Product dimensions 15.24 x 12.7 x 10.16 cm
Item weight 907.18 grams
[2] Spectra S1 Plus Hospital Grade Double Electric Breast Pump (with Rechargeable Battery)
Spectra S1 plus is a comfortable and portable device necessary for all breastfeeding mothers. It serves as a single breast pump and a double electric breast pump as a hospital-grade pump.
As compared to most hospital-grade pumps it mimics the natural breastfeeding of a baby. Thanks to its massage feature that allows mid suctions. Designed with the quietest motor you may ever come across in a breast pump, Spectra S1 plus gives you a comfortable and soothing pumping experience.
It features a backflow protector that creates a complete physical barrier between your milk and the pump motor. This ensures that your milk is protected while being easy to maintain and clean at the same time. It also contains a night light that enables you to pump at any hour.
Meanwhile, the pump’s lightweight, portability, and rechargeable feature make it the best travel companion. Moreover, it has a touch button with a digital control that enables you to adjust the pumping program to a level that you are most comfortable with.
Lastly, the suction is adjustable in both expression and letdown mode for a more natural milk flow.
PROS
- It is efficient.
- It has a hygienic design.
- It is easy to use.
CONS
- As compared to other breast pumps on our list this breast is a bit pricey.
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
Brand Spectra
Color available White and Blue
Item weight 1.49 kg
Item dimension 20.1 x 20.1 x 17 centimeters
Spectra S1 Plus Customer Reviews & Ratings
[3] Elvie Pump Single Silent Wearable Breast Pump with App [Portable Breast]
Are you a mum who wants to pump discreetly in public? Or are you looking for an electric pump that is not just discrete but also noiseless? If yes, then the Elvie hand-free pump is your best to go.
This pump is small, lightweight, and made to be worn under the standard nursing bra. Considered to be a smart product, the Elvie pump is connected to the free Elvie pump app that allows you to control the pump, monitor milk volume, and track how much milk has been pumped even without needing to check the bottle. This feature makes Elvie’s easy to use, convenient and handy.
The pump is powered by an internal battery that can be charged with a micro-USB cable. It also works silently during milk extraction without alerting even the person sitting or standing next to you.
The fact that you can pump anytime anywhere makes this product a breastfeeding mom’s best. It is designed to switch automatically from expression to stimulation mode when it detects letdown. Then it passes when the bottle is full, so you have no less thing to think about.
Moreover, this pump has three different breast shields that make it suitable for different breast sizes.
Lastly, assembling, cleaning, and disassembling this pump and its bottle is easy and hassle-free. Nevertheless, this is a silent wearable pump that can be used in any event. It gives every mother freedom to pump on the go. Spectra S1 is pricey but still worth an investment. This electric breast pump is perfect for mothers who value easy-to-use and fashionable breast pumps with advanced features.
PROS
- It is small and portable.
- It is convenient.
- It is a wearable breast pump that doesn’t need a special hand-free bra.
CONS
- Expensive clogged ducts.
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
Brand Elvie
Size 1 count
Item weight 30 grams
Item dimension 10 x 5 x 1 centimeters
Elvie Breats Pump Customer Reviews & Ratings
[4] Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump [Lightweight Hand Pumping]
The Medela harmony contains a breast pump, a five-ounce bottle with a stand and lid and a twenty-four mm breast shield, and all the breast pump parts you will want. This pump is based on two-phase expression technology.
In the 1st phase, you will organize your breast for a letdown, you have to do this with the use of a lever that is nearest to the breast shield. After that your milk starts to get out of your breast, after that, you will use the extended lever to pump the milk till your breast is out of milk.
The battery works for two hours and is rechargeable. This pump comes with a Bluetooth option so you can easily connect this with an app to monitor and control your pumping sessions. The flexible and soft rim of the personality shield is medically approved to make every pumping produce more milk efficiently.
It is also simple to use with only 4 labeled buttons, and with digital information that displays information like charging, timer, and suction level. Some parts are compatible to use with a Medela pump in Swing or Style.
PROS
- Not noisy.
- Budget-friendly.
- Easy to assemble and compact enough to fit in a large purse easily.
- Two-phase expression technology.
CONS
- It contains only one flang.
- Your hand can get tired sometimes.
- The section is lesser as compared to electrical and battery-operated breast pumps.
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
Brand Medela
Color yellow
Product description 8 x 24.5 x 13.5 cm
Item weight 220 g
Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump Customer Reviews & Ratings
[5] NatureBond Silicone Manual Breast Pump Milk Saver Nursing Pump
NatureBond manual silicone breast is one of the top rated breast pump that is very recommended in the USA. This breast is made with food-grade, BPA-free silicone and is a suction pump. The pump is a multifunctional piece and is easy to clean and use.
This pump is easy to clean and is sterilized. It fits nicely to your breast and especially near the nipple area. This breast is comfortable and lightweight. It is of good quality. You can adjust the suction level to a low level. This breast pump is easy and convenient to use.
This breast pump contains an eye-catching flower design and measurements ( both in ounces and millimeters) the breast is made to be hygienic and safe. Inside the little pouch, you can find a breast pump, dust cover lid, and an instruction manual.
It is budget-friendly and comes with a stabilizer and stopper so spills can be prevented. This natural and pure pump can be reviewed as the best product for saving every drop of nutritious breast milk.
PROS
- Noise-free product.
- Sterile and BPA-free vacuum sealed.
- Cones with a breast cupping sealed.
- To adjust the suction force dual ring design.
- Hands-free.
- 100% spillproof.
- Comes with a strap and stopper.
- Easy to wash and clean.
- Portable and lightweight.
CONS
- Covers are clumsy.
- The pump came off easily.
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
Brand Naturebond
Item weight 200 grams
Item Dimensions 17.8 x 7.6 x 7.6 centimeters
NatureBond Silicone Manual Breast Pump Customer Reviews & Ratings
[6] Haakaa Silicone Manual Breast Pump
This breast pump from Haakaa is the most travel-friendly portable pump you will ever have. They fit right into any baby bag or handbag, letting you pump on planes, long-distance trips, a family BBQ, car rides, and anywhere you may like to express quickly and discretely. This pump doesn’t need any batteries, cable, or cords to work and is completely noise-free. The set contains one silicone breast pump, one Haakaa generation, and a 100 ml capacity tank.
Taking into consideration the plenty of time you are required to put into taking care of your infant, it is good to find a product that is easy to maintain and use. No more work cleaning after using the pump, no tubes, valve to dry and wash. This patented pump is made from pure food-grade silicone and is comfortable and soft. This pump is free from phthalate, PVC, and BPA. This Haakaa pump is safe for mum and is 100% eco-friendly, our environment, and baby.
PROS
- Comfortable and soft
- No assembly is needed
- Easy to use and economically priced
- Easy to clean
- Convenient and compact design
- Draws milk effectively through suction
CONS
- Some users find the suction painful
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
Brand Haakaa
Size 100 ml
Style 90 ml without lid
Material silicone
Product dimensions 15.4 x 7.62 x 7.62
Item weight 72 grams
Haakaa Silicone Manual Breast Pump Customer Reviews & Ratings
[7] Spectra S2 Plus Premier Electric Hospital-Grade Breast Pump
The Spectra S2 is full of features and not too bulky that makes the pumping experience easy and pleasant you could ever love. What we like were the custom functions that permit you to organize the suction power to meet your body’s milk and response flow as you let down.
This pump is based on a closed system, this means there is an extra layer of material that avoid milk from getting stuck into the tubing, so the tube is less likely to get replaced and is easier to clean.
The cleaning speed will be crucial for working mum importantly. When you suction your milk two to three times a day a fast cleaning process can eliminate a lot of trouble.
The motor contains a night light and also is noise-free. You will also get two wide necks BPA-free collection bottles with two flange and lids sizes, 28 and 24 mm. These are also dishwasher safe and very simple to clean.
PROS
- Super quiet.
- Built-in night light.
- It is the most gentle breast pump for sore nipples and breasts.
- Best pump to induce lactation.
- Best double electric pump under $270.
- Hospital-grade.
- Adjustable suction level.
CONS
- Warranty issues.
- Not portable.
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
Brand Spectra Baby USA
Size 1 count
Color white
Style Spectra S2
Product dimensions 20.07 x 20.07 x 17.02 cm
Item weight 1.4 kg
Spectra S2 Plus Premier Electric Breast Pump Customer Reviews & Ratings
[8] BellaBaby Double Electric Breastfeeding Pump (Pain Free)
The Bellababy double electric breast is a top selling and very famous breast pump pick among mothers, making it one of the best double breast pumps available on Amazon Australia. This pump includes ten storage bags, two milk storage bag adapters, a high-resolution display, and all the things you want in a double pump.
This pump uses a closed system and features 9 levels and 4 modes of suction including both stimulation and massage that the breasts for pumping.
The convenient wireless display shows the time, level, and battery and provides moms the choice to pick between normal suck mode, frequency conversion mode, continuous suck mode, and massage mode.
This pump is perfect for mothers who pump many times a day. According to reviews, the suction is incredible but it is a little noisy. For durability and quality, this double electric breast pump is unexpectedly economical.
PROS
- Lightweight.
- A good deal for a double electric breast pump.
- Easy to clean and assemble.
- Easy to operate.
- Compact.
- Affordable.
- Good battery life.
CONS
- A little noisy.
- Some users say its suction is too strong.
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
Brand Bellababy
Product dimensions 35.61 x 26.01 x 10.49 cm
Item weight 1 gram
BellaBaby Double Electric Breastfeeding Pump Customer Reviews & Ratings
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a used pump?
Buying or borrowing a used pump isn’t recommended to be used at all. Breast milk can contain viruses and bacteria that can pollute pumps and pass an infection to your baby and you.
Is a manual or electric breast pump best?
It relies on your personal needs and how many times you will want to be expressing them.
A manual breast is good for short and occasional use because it can make you tired. But the big advantage of these types of breast pumps is that they are more discreet and quiet.
Electric breast pumps do all the work easier for you and come at many speeds and letdown settings. They are faster and are perfect for frequent use.
Can I use a pumping bra with any breast pump?
Yes, you can, pumping bras are a total game-changer when it comes to hand-free expressing. Some brands like Haakaa and Medela, make custom bras to match their pumps.
