A Beginner's Guide to Selecting a Breast Pump

Electric or manual? Affordable or pricey? Single or double? Accessories and adapters or not? If you are considering buying a breast pump, some or all of these questions may be going through your mind. Whether you plan to pump full time instead of putting baby to breast, or you are a stay at home mom who wants to breastfeed exclusively but also wants an occasional afternoon out, you are going to need a pump. The problem is, there are so many different pumps with varying prices, qualities, and accessories. How do you know which one is for you? Here are a few things to consider.

Manual Pumps
Manual pumps are great for women who plan to pump only occasionally. I worked a part time job after the birth of my first child and a manual pump was not quite enough for me to get adequate milk production without having to supplement with formula. If you are a WAHM or SAHM, a manual pump will be adequate to meet your needs.

Manual pumps may take longer to extract milk than electric pumps. The best time to pump with a manual is at your baby's first early morning feeding. Usually, both breasts are both full to capacity first thing in the morning. I nursed my baby on one side, and as soon as letdown occurred, I pumped the other side. It is not as complicated as it sounds because the baby quickly stimulates your letdown reflex . I found I could have 8 oz of expressed milk in about 10 minutes while still giving my baby a full meal.

Some excellent manual breast pumps include: Avent Isis ($40-60), Medela Harmony ($35-40), and the Ameda One-Hand Breast Pump ($35).

Economy Electric Pumps
If you are planning to work a full or part time job and would still like to avoid using formula, invest in an economy electric pump. With these pumps, you can pump two or three times per day efficiently. These pumps will keep your milk supply from diminishing, as long as you put baby to breast before and after your absences.

Some of these pumps are single-pumping and some are double-pumping. Customer satisfaction varies with these pumps, so be sure to check reviews on a website such as www.epinions.com before purchasing.

Economy Electric Pumps are: Medela Double Select Breast Pump ($130), Medela Swing Breast Pump ($150), Avent Isis IQ Uno Handheld Breast Pump ($150-200), Medela Single Deluxe Breast Pump ($65-80), Bailey Nurture III Breast Pump (distributed by Ameda for $120).

Best Electric Pumps
If you have the wherewithal to purchase a quality pump, and breastfeeding success is of the essence, go for a great quality electric pump. These pumps are the answer for women who either can't, or prefer not to put baby to breast. Some babies who reject the breast in favor of a bottle in the early days still receive all of their nourishment from expressed milk, if their mothers use a quality electric pump. Many women have expressed milk exclusively for six months or more with pumps such as these. When used faithfully, 6-8 times per 24-hour period, your milk supply can be sustained, negating the need to supplement with formula.

The best quality, double-electric pumps are: Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump ($280-320), Avent Isis IQ Duo Twin Electronic Breast Pump ($350), Medela Pump in Style Original Breast Pump ($250), Ameda Purely Yours Breast Pump ($220), and the Playtex Embrace Breast Pump ($220).

A Note About Cheap Pumps:
Though the temptations to purchase a cheap pump are truly enticing, be sure to do your research first. Economy (cheap) pumps are produced by Gerber, The First Years, and Evenflo. Some women purchase these pumps and they work fine, others have serious problems. Some common complaints about these pumps include:

-Two setting function is inadequate. The low setting does not stimulate let-down and the high setting is painful.
-Nipples crack and bleed as a result of using these pumps.
-Pumping is constantly interrupted due to having to adjust settings, positioning, etc.
-Pumps are noisy.
-Pump motor dies quickly

As with any purchase, it is wise to do your homework first. Check out reviews, talk to your friends, doctor, pediatrician, etc. If you are planning to have more children, consider a breast pump a worthwhile investment. You will save hundreds of dollars in formula even if you buy one of the best electric pumps. You will also be ensuring your baby receives the perfect food for her body, which gives her a healthy start to life.