How do you choose a breast pump, especially if you’re a first time mom? To be honest, I went to the store and picked out the cheapest one, grabbed some bottles and some extra nipples and we were done. I’ve learned a few things since then and I can tell you that the cheapest one will work just fine if you pump occasionally to be gone occasionally (once a week or less). However, I’ve since learned a few things and there are some very specific considerations you should think about when choosing a breast pump.
Do You Even Need a Breast Pump?
I honestly advise mothers that this is not likely to be the first piece of equipment you will need when you bring your baby home. It is better to wait a week or two (or even longer if possible) before buying a pump. Pumping before your milk is truly established does more harm than good and often your milk output at the very beginning just isn’t worth all of the extra effort. Also, many new moms tend to look at the miniscule amount of milk they’re able to pump and think that they’re not making enough milk. This is generally not true, and is not worth the extra stress is causes in the first few weeks after birth.
Also, if you really need to pump–as in your baby is in the NICU, or has serious sucking problems or for some other reason won’t go to the breast–a store bought pump is not going to help you. You’ll have to rent a hospital grade pump for pumping milk for every feeding.
For these reasons, if you can stave off that nesting instinct a little longer until after the baby is born, it will make choosing the perfect breast pump much easier.
So You Do Need to Buy a Pump
Store bought pumps are great for moms who need to go back to work, storing milk for the occasional date night or for emergencies, or helping to increase a low supply. With that said, there are several factors that you should consider when choosing a breast pump.
Electric pumps are “the next best thing” to hospital grade pumps. The suction is usually stronger which means that you will likely get more milk in less time. They are also convenient in that you don’t have to manually pump. Another benefit is that with an electric pump, you can pump both sides at once will serve to increase your supply. However, they are more uncomfortable–because of course, the suction is stronger. Electric pumps are preferential for pumping while at work.
Manual pumps are great for the occasional outing. They are not good for frequent use not because they don’t pump well, but because if you need to pump frequently, you will be spending your days doing nothing else. On the other hand, they are more comfortable than electric pumps and they work well for relieving engorgement, or storing milk.
It is important to choose the best pump to fit your needs. Breast pumps can be expensive and are not returnable once the packaging has been opened. Regardless of what you choose, the right pump will help make new mother hood seem easy. Well. . .almost!
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