How to Chose a Breast Pump

Why are Breast Pumps Used?
Breasts milk production, like so many other things, works on the principal of supply and demand. The more breast milk your nursing baby consumes, the more your body will manufacture. Breast pumps are primarily used to insure continued production of breast milk when you cannot nurse your baby – whether you are back in the office, traveling, taking prescription medication, or just out on the town for an evening.

Basic Types of Breast Pumps
Breast pumps can be hand-operated, battery-operated, semi-automatic electric or self-cycling electric pumps.

Hand Pumps
Battery-Operated Pumps
Electric Pumps

Hand Pumps
Manual breast pumps are designed to use the strength of the hand or arm muscles for pumping one breast at a time. There are also pumps available that use the leg and foot muscles for pumping both breasts at one time. Mothers susceptible to carpal-tunnel syndrome from repetitive hand motions may want to consider using a pump designed for the arm or leg muscles or an automatic model.

Battery-Operated Pumps
Battery-operated pumps are best for women who have an established milk supply and want to pump a little once or twice a day, or less. Handheld battery-operated breast pumps use batteries for creating suction minimizing muscle fatigue. Most battery-operated pumps are designed for pumping one breast at a time and are suggested for occasional use.

Electric Pumps
While electric pumps are more efficient than hand or battery powered pumps, they are also more expensive. However, these pumps can be rented. Other advantages to electric pumps are that most of these pumps are well serviced by the manufacturers and in some circumstances, may be covered by health insurance. Electric breast pumps usually plug directly into an outlet and are designed for pumping both breasts at one time and frequent use. Hospital-grade quality breast pumps are the most efficient for initiating and maintaining the milk supply and are available for rent or purchase. Professional quality breast pumps are efficient for maintaining the milk supply and tend to be available for purchase only.

Many work place lactation programs provide these pumps. A nursing mother only need provide a collection system, which consists primarily of breast shields, tubing, and collection containers for to store the breast milk.

Things to consider when shopping for a breast pump:

Why will you be using this pump?
How frequently you plan to use the pump?
Do you plan to pump on one side while your baby nurses on the other?
Do you plan to pump at least once a day?

Why will you be using this pump?
Do you plan to use a pump to establish your milk supply, increase your milk supply, feed a premature baby, or provide an occasional supplement when you may be away from your baby during a feeding time? Some pumps are better at establishing a milk supply then others. See the chart below for more information.

How frequently you plan to use the pump?
Will you be pumping one or twice a week or several times a day? If you do not plan on pumping too frequently, you may want to consider hand expressing or using a hand pump. If you plan on pumping often, you may want to consider a semi-automatic or self-cycling electric pump.

Do you plan to pump on one side while your baby nurses on the other?
If this is the case, you'll want a pump that can be easily operated with one hand. For this situation, consider a squeeze-handle hand pump, a battery-operated pump or a semi-automatic electric pump.

Do you plan to pump at least once a day?
You may want to consider an automatic self-cycling electric pump.

What type of pump is best for your needs?

Sources: www.breastfeeding.com, www.expectantmothersguide.com, www.lalecheleague.com, www.4women.gov/Breastfeeding/index.htm