Choosing The Right Breast Pump For You
The preparation for a journey is almost as important as the journey itself. As a postpartum doula, Sheena Flannery relieves some pressure and shows the way to success in pumping by exploring the world of breast pumps.
Choosing a breast pump can be a daunting task. Pumps vary widely in price and function and it can be difficult to decide which one fits your needs and if you even need a pump at all.
It is best to wait until baby arrives to buy your pump as you will be able to make a more informed decision on what your feeding journey will look like and whether you plan to continue breastfeeding far into the postpartum period. If breastfeeding is going well, it is recommended not to introduce the pump until baby is six weeks old to avoid oversupply as your body adjusts to lactating. Should early introduction of the pump be medically indicated, for example, if baby is premature or in the NICU for any reason, hospitals have high-grade pumps, and some companies provide short-term pump rental. If you need to buy a pump at short notice, all major retailers stock the most popular brands.
As a postpartum doula and two-time mother pumper, I have put together a handy guide of points you should consider when choosing a pump.
Guide to breast pumps
| Pump types and brands | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Type: Wearable Locally available brands: Malish Luna, Imani i2, Youha Freena Pro International brands: Elvie, Willow | Hands-free and discreet so you can multitask while pumping Many models supported by apps to track pumping and output Independent motor on each side to allow different suction strength on each breast and maximize yield Easy to use and convenient | Can take practice to get positioning right May be bulky under clothes Output may be less than with traditional styles Motor strength and lifespan varies greatly between brands |
| Type: Electric—closed system Brands: Medela Sonata Medela Freestyle Flex Spectra S9 (compact) Spectra S1+ (blue) Youha Double Breast Pump Type: Electric—open system Brands: Medela Swing (single) and Medela Swing Maxi (double) | Portable; up to 6 sessions per charge Efficient and easy to use Powerful, durable motor Variety of suction strengths Locally available and easy-to-source spare parts Closed system can be bought secondhand | More expensive than manual Noise levels vary greatly Some models heavy to transport Pumping is more time consuming when using a single pump |
| Type: Mains-powered Brands: Spectra S2 + (pink) Medela Pump in Style Advanced (PISA) (battery pack available separately) | Powerful, durable motor Efficient and easy to use and save settings Variety of suction strengths Locally available parts and servicing Closed system can be bought secondhand | Must be plugged in at all times to work Require mains power Heavy and non-portable Expensive to buy |
| Type: Hospital Grade Brands: Medela Symphony Medela Lactina Ameda | Powerful, durable motor Helpful for feeding preemies and NICU babies Efficient Available for short-term rent | Require mains power Heavy and non-portable Expensive to buy |
| Type: Manual Brands: Medela Harmony Haakaa Tommee Tippee Philips Avent Natur | Affordable Portable Easy to use and clean Can be bought secondhand Useful as a back-up on the go if your battery-powered pump runs out of charge Haakaa can collect letdown on other side when single pumping | Single-side pump only Not powerful or efficient enough for regular pumpers Only one suction strength |