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.
By Sheena Flannery
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.
1. How often will you need to pump?
Think carefully about the ratio of time you plan to pump versus feeding directly from the breast.
If you plan to return to work following maternity leave and wish to continue breastfeeding, you will need to pump at least two to three times in the working day to maintain your supply. Statutory (Thai) maternity leave is 98 days, so you may find yourself regularly pumping for your three-month-old baby.
Alternatively, you may just need to pump the occasional bottle for when you go out and leave baby with another caregiver.
If you need to pump for multiple feeds per day, you will need an efficient and durable pump that can ‘empty’ you quickly. If you are pumping for the odd bottle when you want to leave baby, then you’ll probably be fine with a manual option.
2. What’s your budget, and could you consider buying secondhand?
Before buying a breast pump, check your health insurance! Some international insurances will reimburse the cost.
Pumps vary widely in quality and price. Closed-system options tend to be more expensive, but they are safe to buy used. This is because they have a barrier between the pump parts (breast shield, valve, and bottle) and the tubing, preventing breastmilk and moisture from reaching the motor. One of the most popular closed-system pumps is the Spectra. It comes in an S1+ (blue with an inbuilt rechargeable battery) and S2+ (pink, mains-powered). Both Spectra S1+ and S2+ motors are designed to have at least 1,500 hours pumping life. Remember—when buying secondhand, you still need to replace tubing, valves, and (potentially) flanges, all of which are easy to source locally in-store and online.
Open-system pumps are only suitable for a single user as milk or moisture can migrate in small amounts over time into the motor and pipes. Buying these secondhand requires them to be stripped down and factory-cleaned by the manufacturer, at which point it is usually more cost-effective to buy new.
Questions to ask the seller when buying a used pump to determine the motor life remaining:
- When did they buy the pump?
- Did they buy it new or used?
- Were they exclusive, daily, or occasional pumpers?
- How long did they pump for in total?
You may come across a hack online to check the total pumping hours on a Spectra pump; however, I also recommend doing your homework and asking the questions above when buying secondhand.
Table 1 is a handy guide to some of the most popular types and brands of breast pumps.
3. Are spare parts easily available?
It can be tempting to buy or have a pump sent from abroad where it may be less expensive. However, this may prove to be a false economy. It is important to consider that some parts will need to be replaced every few months (e.g., valves and tubing). When choosing a brand of pump, explore how easy it is to access spare parts and consumables, especially with the recent logistical challenges of shipping during the pandemic. Lengthy lead times to get replacement parts may even result in you buying a replacement pump in the interim.
4. Easy or complicated?
Do you really need multiple functions and settings on a pump? Sometimes, simple is best for occasional pumpers. Regular or exclusive pumpers might need a more sophisticated model with more varied settings in order to maximize their pumping yield, but everyone is different, so having a range of suction strength can help you find the ‘sweet spot’ for you. Even so, a mid-range option can be just as effective.
5. Get your flange size checked—comfort is key!
Pumping is arduous! Few women actually enjoy the time spent on the pump. Ideally, you want maximum output in minimum time. One way to increase pump efficiency and avoid pain when pumping is to ensure you have the correct flange size. The flange is the conical plastic funnel that covers your areola and nipple. Most pumps come with mid-size flanges (sizes 24 and 28). As we know, not all breasts or nipples are the same size. You may need smaller or larger, and you may even need a different size on the right breast than the left. Pumping will often be boring, but it should never be painful. If you are experiencing pain with pumping, there is a lot of locally based advice and support available. Reach out to a lactation professional, midwife, or doula who can help you find the flange to fit you.
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Table 1: A guide to breast pumps (Image description)[/caption]Conclusion
As tempting as it is to go pump shopping before giving birth, try to wait. Your decision will be much better informed once baby is here. Feeding directly from the breast in the early days and weeks, feeding on demand between 10 and 12 times in 24 hours, and lots of skin-to-skin contact with your baby will help establish a good supply. Focus first on getting the direct feeding right, and remember you can always hand express for relief if you are experiencing engorgement in the early days. Between four and six weeks is usually the best time to introduce a bottle to baby to avoid nipple confusion. Beyond that, consider how you want your feeding journey to be and decide if a pump fits into that plan. There is no right or wrong answer in this; the most important thing is that you can function as a mother and enjoy your baby. The spectrum of pumping is wide from exclusive pumpers, through daily pumpers, to occasional pumpers. The good news is there are lots of options to choose from and lots of help and support available should you need it. Welcome to the world of the mother pumper!
Photos from Canva.
About the Author
Sheena is a full time working mother of two and a DONA certified postpartum doula. In 2020 she embarked on her journey to becoming a certified sleep consultant and has since been working with families to help them find much-needed sleep. She volunteers with BAMBI Bumps & Babies. Find her online at facebook.com/bangkokbabies.
The views expressed in the articles in this magazine are not necessarily those of BAMBI committee members and we assume no responsibility for them or their effects. BAMBI Magazine welcomes volunteer contributors to our magazine. Please contact editor@bambiweb.org.