Breast Pumps
There are many breast pumps available , making the correct selection to fit your
particular needs can be challenging! All breast pumps are not of equal value. The
information brought to you by this website will assist you in deciding which pump is
for you. The information is based upon latest research available.
MANUAL BREAST PUMPS
Advantages: If you work less than four hours per day, a manual breast pump may be
for you. They are small. You do not need an electrical outlet to use them. Manuals
are the most inexpensive pumps available.
Disadvantages: Manual breast pumps require some work by the mother. You provide the
suction by pumping a handle. It takes practice to learn the motion and even after
you learn, the repetitive motion can cause muscle ache. "let-down" maybe more
difficult with a manual breast pump.
Notes: Even if you purchase an automatic breast pump you may want to get a manual
pump in case you find yourself without electricity.
Recommendation: Many mothers report that let-down goes very smoothly with the
Medela's new ManualEase breastpump. The ManualEase features autocycle pumping
action, which accurately mimics a baby's natural suck and relax cycle. This is the
manual pump we recommend as a back up pump for times when electricity is not
available or as a low cost alternative to an automatic electric pump.
Shop for manual Breast Pumps
BATTERY - OPERATED PUMPS
Advantages: Battery operated breast pumps are small and portable. They are
relatively inexpensive and do not require an electrical outlet.
Disadvantages: Most women find these pumps less effective than manual pumps or the
more expensive plug-in electric pumps. Most require manual release of the suction,
they are not fully automatic. Battery-operated pumps average only 5 to 20 sucks per
minute, much less than a baby's 50 to 60 sucks per minute, and are not recommended
for long-term daily pumping or for building a milk supply.
Notes: These pumps require frequent battery replacements, however, AC Adapters are
available for most battery-operated breast pumps.
Recommendation: The Medela Mini Electric Breastpump is an acceptable pump for
short-term separations of mother and baby.
Shop for battery operated Breast Pumps
AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC BREAST PUMPS
These are the most popular breast pumps among working mothers.
Advantages: They are fully automatic and most closely imitate the natural rate and
rhythm of your baby's suck pattern, withdrawing your milk efficiently. They are
ideal for women working more than 20 hours per week. Automatic pumps enable you to
pump easily while reading, talking on the phone, or eating lunch.
Fully automatic pumps have an added feature other pumps do not have in that you can
pump both breasts at once, thereby increasing milk production and decrease the
amount of time a pumping session takes by half.
Disadvantage: Prices are higher for the fully automatic breast pumps. However, if
you consider the price of formula for a year is about $1500, spending $200 - $400
for a breast pump is considered a value by most experienced mothers.
The top choices for fully automatic electric breast pumps are:
- The Medela Pump In Style from Medela.
- The Nurture III Breast Pump from Bailey.
- The Ameda Purely Yours Electric Breast Pump from Hollister.
The comparative graph below is supplied below for choosing which of these breast
pumps is best for you.
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Automatic Breast Pump Comparison Chart
|
| Pump | Suggested Retail
Price | Warranty | Pumps double? | Suction settings
(Strength) | Approximate
Weight | # of | Includes milk
Bottles & storage tote | Minutes required to
pump both sides
|
Hollister's Purely Yours Breast Pump
with Carry All |
$249.00 |
1 year |
Yes |
8 |
7 lbs. |
6 |
Yes |
10 - 20 |
| Hollister's Purely Yours Breast Pump |
$204.00 |
1 year |
Yes |
8 |
3 lbs. |
2 |
No |
10 - 20 |
Bailey's Nurture III Double Electric
Breast Pump with carrying bag,
insulated tote, and video. |
$269.00* |
2 years |
Yes |
5 |
5 lbs |
6 |
Yes |
10 - 20 |
Bailey's Nuture III Double Electric
Breast Pump |
$229.00* |
2 years |
Yes |
5 |
2 lbs. |
2 |
No |
10 - 20 |
| Medela's Pump in Style Breast Pump |
$249.99
to $349.99 |
1 year |
Yes |
3 |
9 lbs. |
4 |
Yes |
10 - 20 |
| Medela's Double Ease Breast Pump and Carry All |
$231.00 |
90 days |
Yes |
5 |
6 lbs. |
4 |
Yes |
10 - 20 |
| * Bailey's Nuture III Breast Pumps are available from this website at significantly discounted pricing off of the standard SRP and for a limited time the shipping |
|
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Recommendation: All three of these breast pumps have similiar features and comfort
levels for both operation and use, however, The Bailey Nuture III breast pump offers
durability the other breastpumps in this class cannot match. Mothers simply do not
report product break downs as much with the Bailey pump. This website recommends the
Bailey Nuture III.
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