What's the Best Breast Pump? Which One Is Right for You?

The breast pump has become ubiquitous for many women as they balance motherhood and work. Even as many of them have to leave their babies at home to earn a living, these mothers can ensure that their babies are still able to receive the “liquid gold” of breastmilk.

Many women rely on breast pumps to establish and maintain the benefits of breastfeeding when their baby is unable to breastfeed directly. This can happen for a number of reasons. The mother may need to be away for long periods to work, the baby may not be able to latch properly to the nipple, or mother and child may simply prefer to bottle feed. Other times, mothers may have excess breastmilk supply. Whatever the reason, a breast pump can help to answer the needs of both mother and child.

Choosing the Best Breast Pump: Factors to Consider

How much is the pump?

Electrical pumps usually cost more than manual ones. It should go without saying that it is not advisable to purchase a used or second-hand pump for fear of contamination.

Is the pump easy to put together, transport, and clean?

Assembling a breast pump should not be a frustrating exercise since it is supposed to be a tool that helps mothers. Any parts that come in contact with your skin or with milk should be easy to clean. And once put together, the pump should be easy to clean and maintain. If you will be bringing it to work or traveling with it, it’s best to look for a lightweight pump with a storage case.

How often will you use the pump?

This is significant because occasional separation from the baby while having ample milk supply might mean that all you need is a simple hand pump. For those spending hours at work though, they might need to consider an electronic pump.

How fast will you need to pump?

Pumping at work or under time pressure might have you considering an electric breast pump that allows for both breasts to be pumped simultaneously. With typical pumping sessions usually lasting 10 to 15 minutes a breast, that should factor into your breast pump choice.

Do you need to go hands free?

A hands-free option will allow you to keep working while the pump is working. Some wearable pumps can even be placed inside your bra to give you some discretion while doing the deed. A hands-free pump can also be helpful if you have more than one child, or if you need to attend to your baby while pumping.

In a study that compared the effects of a mini-electric pump and a novel manual breast pump, 60 term breastfeeding mothers used the pumps in randomized order eight weeks postpartum, expressing for 10 minutes from each breast. Even as milk volume, fat content, and pattern of milk flow were measured, no significant difference in the milk volume or fat content were identified. However, the manual breast pump was rated significantly better overall, more comfortable, and more pleasant to use.

The most important factors to consider when choosing a breast pump remains lifestyle and personal preference of the mother. Doing proper research is the key to avoid making costly and painful mistakes.

Best Breast Pump Models to Choose

In the Philippines, there are many breast pump choices available. There are both electric and manual versions at different price points, from different brands. Here are a few you can take a look at. Note that Hello Doctor is NOT sponsored by these brands. These are the pumps that fit within the price to performance ratio.

1. Spectra S1 Plus Electric – Priced at Php9,000, double electric with rechargeable battery, has back flow prevention and bottles.

2. Spectra S2 Plus Electric – Priced at Php7,500, comes with sealed 20mm breast kit.

3. Spectra 9 Plus Electric – Priced at Php6,400, chargeable.

4. Spectra Handy Manual Breast Pump – Priced at Php1,253. Hygienic silicone duckbill valve allows disassembly. Lightweight ergonomic design helps reduce hand and wrist fatigue.

5. NUK Jolie Manual Breast Pump – Priced at Php1,749, made in Germany.

Different women are going to inevitably have different preferences. So understandably a manual (or electric) pump isn’t going to be loved by all of them. The good news is that there are more choices available now than ever before. Mothers can measure their preferences against their needs and budget to choose the best breast pump for them.

Learn more about Breastfeeding here.