What is a Breast Pump?
Breast pumps are devices used by lactating women to extract milk from their breasts. These devices tend to be either manual, meaning that they could be controlled by hand movements, or
they could be fully automatic, which means operation powered by electricity. These devices are cherished by mothers for a few reasons. One being that they increase milk supply.
Low milk supply is an issue faced by many women around the world and these devices are known to take care of that concern for them. Another major benefit of breast pumps is that the extracted milk can be stored and given to the baby when the mother is not around.
Types of Breast Pumps
There are 4 main types of breast pumps.
The most popular one is the manual pump which is utilized through hand movements. You would need to squeeze the trigger button back and forth in order to extract milk. These pumps are really easy to use and their price ranges are moderate.
In addition, these pumps come in handy for couples who travel due to their size. They are small and easy to carry. The most notable weakness of a manual pump is that they are not capable of extracting large sums of milk and attempting to remove such amounts will require significant time and energy.
Another type of breast pump that is used by many, is a battery operated breast pump. This type of device similar to the previous mentioned type is simple to use. They do not require any hand movements as the device itself does a decent job extracting the milk on its own.
The third popular type of breast pumps that we are going to discuss are electric breast pumps. According to reviews, these pumps are the most efficient pumps to use. They are fairly
expensive; however, they make life so much easier for mothers. If you need to pump often, these pumps are the most ideal since they extract large sums in short time periods. These pumps also increase milk supply! Such a device will greatly help those who struggle with a low supply.
The 4th type of breast pumps that we are going to go over are bulb style pumps. These pumps were used by mothers years ago and they are fairly outdated. Stay away from these pumps as
they can cause harm to your breasts! Also they can be extremely unsanitary since you have no access to the inside of the pump.
This means that there are no ways to clean the interior section of the pump. This will allow bacteria to accumulate inside of the pump overtime which of course is not good for the quality of the milk produced.
NewM Clinic lactation experts are ready to answer all your questions regarding breastfeeding and breast pumps. Do visit NewM Clinic!
What to look for in a Breast Pump ?
Mothers often use breast pumps in order to store their breast milk for later usage. This requires having storage bottles for refrigeration. It is key to choose a breast pump that would bring convenience while transferring milk from the pumps into the storage containers. This device is something that you would use on a regular basis and it is something that you would take with yourself to all kinds of places upon regular commutation.
Therefore, it is important to choose a pump that is easy to assemble, as well as transport. Dealing with a sophisticated breast pump may make your swear jar comparable to the Bank of America, so make sure you absolutely love the pump that you are going to choose!
Another important factor to assess while shopping for a breast pump is the suction of the device. If your decision is to purchase an electric pump, make sure you choose a device that would allow you to control the speed of the device. You would want to be able to control the degree of the suction.
Notable Breast Pump Brands!
There are 5 notable brands to checkout if you have decided to make your life a living heaven by getting breast pumps.
Medela
Adjustable suction, lightweight, most devices are electric based; however, they all have a battery option which would make it ideal for mothers who would want to pump on the go.
Haakaa
Lightweight, easy to use, manual, affordable and extremely soft. Downside: you got to put those hands to work
Spectra
Electric, comfortable suction, fairly expensive but it has a great massage mode!
Philips
They offer great options for both manual and electric breast pumps, Positive reviews everywhere you look, they look extremely luxurious and the price ranges are too moderate compare to the quality of the product if you ask us.
Bellababy
Electric with an iPad type screen to adjust the speed levels and its other functions, compare to the other mentioned products, the breast pumps made by Bellababy have the best massage features.
Closed System vs. Open System Breast Pumps
Researching closed system and open system breast pumps prior to purchase is really important.
A closed system pump has a barrier between the pump and where the milk goes. The open system pumps do not have this barrier option. The barrier prevents the milk from overflowing and entering the pump. Having a closed system device would make the experience more convenient since the mother will not have to constantly pay attention to whether or not the milk
is leaking into the pump.
Mothers would want to generally avoid this leak because it can be unsanitary for milk to come in contact with the pump. For open system pumps there is a chance of contamination if leakage happens but those chances are small. Nevertheless, it is recommended to purchase a closed system breast pump in order to avoid hygiene based problems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it okay to get used pumps?
No, it is recommended not to use used pumps due to sanitary reasons.
Are electric pumps more efficient than manual pumps?
Yes, electric pumps generate higher milk production and they require less time to produce compared to manual pumps. Manual pumps have the advantage in regards to assembling and transporting.
