site-logo Link to the main page
  • Getting Pregnant
    • Preparing for Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy
    • Week-by-Week
    • Relationships and Personal Life
    • Your Body
  • Toddler
    • Feeding
    • Postpartum Care
    • Medical Cosmetology
    • Baby Songs
  • Baby Products
    • Trampolines
    • High Chairs
    • Bras
    • Potty Training
    • Baby Walkers & Push Toys
  • News
  • Baby Names
  • Due Date Calculator

Trending Searches

  1. nursing bra
  2. Pregnancy weeks
  3. week 34
  4. week 6
  1. Home / Toddler / Feeding / Breast Pumping: A Guide on Breast Pumps Along with Storage Containers & How to Choose the Right One For You

Breast Pumping: A Guide on Breast Pumps Along with Storage Containers & How to Choose the Right One For You

Logo Mamas Are Cool
byMaC Editorial Team Sep 16, 2021
Dr. Kuzmina, Alona
Medically Reviewed byDr. Kuzmina, Alona MD, CCFP, Family Medicine Specialist, Practicing in Obstetrics, Women’s Health Pediatrics, Newborn’s Care. Ph.D. Obstetrics (Russia)

Breast Pump
medela.ca

In This Article

    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.

     

    medela manual breast pump
    medela.ca

    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.

    Medela electric breast pump in use
    medela.ca

    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.


    Logo Mamas Are Cool
    MaC Editorial Team

    The MaC Editorial Team works hard to review and create articles and posts for Mamas are Cool, discussing topics about your pregnancy, your body and physical and emotional health. With our experienced writers, constantly writing and researching, the texts created are thoroughly studied and accurate after being reviewed by the Medical Team.


    All materials on this site are for informational purposes only and are an overview of the topics, done for educational purposes. The information on the site should not be taken as medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or work in place of therapy and medical care. Contact your family doctor/physician for medical advice if you have any questions after having read this site.
    Our content is reader-supported, which means that if you click on some of our links that we may earn a commission.

    View Sources
    • "Types of Breast Pumps" on verywellfamily.com
    • "What’s the difference between open- and closed-system breast pumps?" medela.ca

    Trending on Mamas are Cool

    How to Stop Breastfeeding
    How to Stop Breastfeeding: Tips and Strategies

    This incredible ability of the body to produce milk does not shut down in an...

    breastfeeding
    Best Breastfeeding Positions and Tips for Newborns and New Moms

    Some suggestions before you choose the best feeding position for you and your newborn: Mother...

    Jump to Your Week of Pregnancy

    1 Week

    2 Week

    3 Week

    4 Week

    5 Week

    6 Week

    7 Week

    8 Week

    9 Week

    10 Week

    11 Week

    12 Week

    13 Week

    14 Week

    15 Week

    16 Week

    17 Week

    18 Week

    19 Week

    20 Week

    21 Week

    22 Week

    23 Week

    24 Week

    25 Week

    26 Week

    27 Week

    28 Week

    29 Week

    30 Week

    31 Week

    32 Week

    33 Week

    34 Week

    35 Week

    36 Week

    37 Week

    38 Week

    39 Week

    40 Week

    41 Week

    42 Week

    Explore The Best Products For You & Your Baby

    Trampolines

    High Chairs

    Bras

    Potty Training

    Baby Walker

    Coming soon...

    Coming soon...

    Coming soon...

    Coming soon...

    Coming soon...

    Coming soon...

    Coming soon...

    Coming soon...

    Coming soon...

    Coming soon...

    Coming soon...

    Coming soon...

    Coming soon...

    Coming soon...

    Coming soon...

    Coming soon...

    Coming soon...

    Coming soon...

    site-logo Link to the main page
    Make yourself at home. Discover a safe, friendly environment to learn tips, gain support and find advice.
    • Favorite Topics
    • Privacy Policy GDPR
    • Contact Us
    • Accessibility
    • About Us
    • Medical Review Policy
    Mamas are Cool is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. All information found on mamasarecool.com is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The information provided on this website is not intended to be a replacement or substitute for professional medical advice. All contents copyright © 2025 · Mamas are Cool. All rights reserved.