Things to Consider about Breast Pumps

o       Effectiveness: When looking for effectiveness in a pump, you will be comparing how many times a pump cycles, or creates and releases suction. Since a baby typically suckles 45 – 55 times a minute, finding a pump with the same intensity will be the most effective at yielding the most milk while keeping up your milk supply. Therefore, you should look for a pump that cycles at least 25 times per minute.

 

o       Comfort: Obviously, a comfortable pumping experience depends a lot on the type of pump you buy. Before purchasing, check to see that the breast shields will fit your breast, and are not too small or too big. Also, being able to regulate the intensity of the suction is key to a comfortable pumping experience, so look for a pump that allows you to regulate the vacuum.

 

o       Pumping Action: Breast pumps can pump your breast in three different styles: single, alternating or double. Single pumps pump one breast at a time, which can be convenient if your baby is feeding on one breast while you pump the other. However, this type of pump will be more time consuming than the others, but this type of pump should work if you are only planning on pumping once or twice a week.

 

The alternating pumps provide suction on one side as it is released on the other. These provide more stimulation than the single pumps, but not as much as the double.

 

The double pumps are often hospital grade, provide the quickest pumping experience and stimulate your milk supply better than the other two options.

 

o       Durability: Consider how often and for how many children you will be using your breast pump. Some pumps are made with smaller and less durable motors and are intended for infrequent use. Others are designed to be used for long amounts of time over several months and have larger, more durable motors. Although you can buy replacement parts for your pump, you do not want to buy a model whose motor will fall short of your needs.

 

o       Renting: If you feel that your situation will require a large amount of pumping and do not wish to buy the expensive top-of-the-line pump, you can consider renting a hospital grade pump. These pumps cycle anywhere from 48-60 times a minute, which will give you an ample supply of milk in a very short time. It costs about $1 to $3 a day to rent a pump that normally costs around $1500 to purchase. Keep in mind that these pumps can weigh up to 18 pounds and you will also need to purchase an accessory kit that will cost another $50. If you need this type of quick and efficient pumping, renting can be a less expensive method depending on how long you wish to breastfeed.