How do you choose a good breast pump?
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Choosing a breast pump in innumerable brands of breast pumps can be a daunting task.
To add to this hard task, we never really think about getting a breast pump until we need to use it.
While preparing for your baby’s arrival, you are mostly consumed with buying the baby’s items, decorating the nursery, booking the hospital among other things that surrounding your baby’s arrival.
You only remember that you need to have a breast pump one your baby has arrived.
Experts say that it is advisable to familiarize yourself with different pumps when you are expecting your baby so that you can make your decision before your baby arrives.
This helps you to prepare adequately for your journey of expressing milk for your baby.
Every mother has different needs in the choice of a breast pump.
These needs should be considered in your choice of a breast pump that works.
When choosing a breast pump, there are some specific features that you need to think through for the choice of a breast pump for your needs.
- EASY AND CONVENIENT PUMPING: Harmony is a manual pump that has been designed for the occasional time when you’re away from your baby. Features a soft-touch, ergonomic swivel handle for enhanced comfort
- EASY TO USE: Manual controlled vacuum allows you to adjust the suction for the most optimal comfort level and efficient flow of breastmilk. Once milk starts to flow, you switch to the longer side of the handle which creates a slower sucking cycle to express the majority of your milk
- RESEARCH-BASED TECHNOLOGY: Unique to Medela breast pumps, this research-based and patented design allows mothers to pump more milk in less time. It resembles a baby’s natural nursing rhythm for improved comfort and efficiency.
Is it an electric or a manual pump?
A manual breast pump is cheaper than an electric breast pump.
Their advantage is that they are quiet and handy to use for the occasional pumping.
It is also portable and unlike the electric pump that will need to be plugged onto a power outlet.
Their downside is that when you are using it, your hands will be getting quite tired.
This is more so when you use it for regular expression of milk.
The electric breast pump, on the other hand, is very convenient to use and frees you from all the pumping that you have to do with the manual pump.
The good thing is that some of the electric breast pumps are also battery powered and so all you need is to charge it and you will be good to go.
Battery-powered breast pumps are portable and are ideal for when you need to travel or may not have a convenient place to express milk for your baby.
Do you need a single or a double breast pump?
A single breast pump expresses milk from one breast at a time and is ideal for moms who occasionally express milk for their baby.
This feature comes in handy for moms who may need to pump milk from both breasts simultaneously.
Unlike single pumps, you will not need to pump one breast before switching to the other.
This is handy for moms who have to go back to work or school and need to express milk for their babies.
This cuts the time taken to express milk by half since both breasts will be expressing milk at the same time.
How easy is it to use?
With an array of breast pumps to choose from, you might get a breast pump whose operation is like rocket science.
Some breast pumps are very difficult to assemble and use.
This makes buying these brands a near futile attempt because such a pump may not be useful to you.
You need to invest in a breast pump that is easy to use and can conveniently use to meet your needs.
The three factors then determine the type of pump you will need to choose to meet your breast pumping needs.
They will also determine the cost of the breast pump that you will choose.
Why should you choose the Medela breast pump?
Medela is a leading producer of different types of breast pumps.
It is your best bet since it is time tested and boasts of the two-phased technology that is designed to make your breastfeeding experience a great one!
Medela has a range of breast pumps that are designed to cater to your different needs.
These needs range from helping to initiate breastfeeding for a baby born prematurely as done by the Medela Symphony breast pump, which is hospital grade, to the occasional days when you need to pump milk for your baby as seen in the manual pump Medela Harmony and then for those who need to be pumping frequently as in the double pump that is Medela Freestyle.
Medela has you covered by providing you with manual, electric, and battery-powered breast pumps.
All Medela electric breast pumps can be battery operated.
They either come with a rechargeable battery pack of the standard batteries.
This makes them portable and very convenient to use in the cases in which you may not have a power outlet to plug in the breast pump or you are traveling and need to pump milk for your baby.
How long do you pump for Medela
Medela breast pump’s two-phase technology mimics your baby’s normal suckling behavior.
When you are breastfeeding your baby, they normally begin with fast and short sucks that stimulate the milk letdown reflex.
Once the milk flow has been established, your baby changes to slower but stronger sucking that also allows them to breathe as they swallow.
The Medela breast pumps have been designed to replicate this pattern so that your breast pumping experience has a natural feel to it.
The first phase usually lasts about two minutes before it changes to the second phase which kicks in once the milk flow has been established.
Evidence shows that this technology that mimics the baby’s natural suckling helps in stimulating milk production by the mum.
Just like breastfeeding sessions, a breast pumping session should take at least 15 minutes of the expressing time.
You must ensure that you have expressed milk completely from the breast.
This will ensure that your baby gets the best.
Some of the most popular Medela breasts pumps for your needs
Pump In Style
This is commonly known as the Medela PISA.
This is so far the most popular breast pump for this brand.
It is a double pump and is electric in its operation.
Its double pump feature makes it a preferred pump for working mothers who need to express milk while they are at work.
Because both breasts are being pumped at the same time, the time that will be used to pump milk will be cut to half as compared to when you are using a single pump.
It is an electric breast pump with an option of running it on eight AA batteries.
Mothers prefer it because of its portability.
It is small and light in weight thus making it easy to carry with you when traveling and this is made even better by the fact that it can be battery powered.
Setting it up is also very easy since you do not need to remove it completely to start the pumping process.
It can hold four bottles and it comes with ice packs that will keep your baby’s milk fresh for hours.
This pump is also outstanding in that its replacement and accessories can be easily found.
Harmony Manual Pump
Medela Harmony is the most preferred manually-operated pump because of how comfortable it is to use.
It is easy to use and very effective in expressing milk.
Since it is a manual pump, it is your best bet if you occasionally pump milk.
Medela Harmony breast pump has a swivel handle that swivels for a full 1800 to help you shift to a stimulation mode of the pump.
This feature is helpful since you can always adjust it to take a comfortable position as you continue to pump your milk.
This makes pumping a very comfortable experience since the handle is adjustable to your needs.
The breast pump is small and light in weight thus making it very portable.
It is also to clean and is dishwasher safe.
Also, like other Medela breast pumps, its replacement and accessories can easily be obtained.
Medela Symphony double electric breast pump
The Medela Symphony has so far been voted as the best hospital grade breast pump.
It is your go-to breast pump if you are planning to exclusively pump milk for your baby.
It is also great to use if you are having trouble with your milk supply.
Because of its two-phase suction technology, it helps in stimulating the milk let down faster as well as have a faster milk flow.
It is also recommended for moms with premature babies since it helps you to initiate and maintain an adequate milk supply for your baby.
It is an efficient and easy to clean pump to use since it has a special inbuilt system that prevents milk from flowing back or overflowing.
It’s efficient, easy to clean, and with an inbuilt a special backflow prevention system in place to prevent milk overflow.
This system makes it have the hospital-grade feature meaning that it can be used by several moms without the danger of contaminating the milk with another person’s milk.
This ensures that your baby’s milk is safe for their consumption.
This same feature also allows you to be able to rent the Medela Symphony breast pump.
This reduces the cost you need to have the pump.
More reviews of your best and essential baby products here.