Finding the perfect breast pump can be a daunting challenge. Well.ca has put together a breast pump buying guide to help families choose the right breast pump for their needs.
Electric Breast Pumps vs. Hand Breast Pumps
Medela Harmony Breast Pump
Manual breast pumps and portable electric breast pumps are great for moms who don’t pump as often. Both are portable and lightweight, the difference between them being speed and comfort. Manual pumps are the most inexpensive option. They are also more reliable, and are known to break less often than electric pumps.
Portable electric pumps are faster, but because they run on battery power they tend to cycle slower than home-use ones, and therefore don’t imitate baby’s sucking rhythm as closely. However, they are faster than manual pumps and more affordable than home-use dual electric pumps.
Single Breast Pumps vs. Dual Breast Pumps
Medela MiniElectric Breast Pump
Single electric breast pumps fall between portable electric and dual electric pump when it comes to speed and convenience. They require you to pump each breast separately, and are more time consuming than dual breast pumps. However, a single electric pump, like the Single Medela Breast Pump, for home use is much more affordable for a mom who only pumps occasionally.
Dual electric pumps, are the fastest and most convenient of breast pumps. They cut the time it takes to pump in half, and usually offer more options and features than other pumps. There are also many of options for dual electric breast pumps that are not as hard on your wallet as the top-of-the-line home use breast pumps.
Dual Electric Breast Pumps vs. Hospital Grade Breast Pumps
Medela Pump In Style Breast Pump
Hospital grade breast pumps are used in an institutional setting and are made for use by more than one person. They aren’t priced for consumer use, costing up to $1000 each. Dual Electric Breast Pumps are similar systems that are made for home use by working moms and women who are not able to breastfeed throughout the day or night.
Dual Electric Pumps are the fastest and most convenient of the home-use options. The pumps that most closely resemble their hospital grade cousins are high-end pumps like the Ameda Purely Yours system, or the Medela Pump in Style breast pump. They are priced between $150 and $350, depending on the model.
Breast Pump Accessories and Parts
Ameda CustomFit Flanges
Flanges and breast shields are the most high-demand breast pump accessories. Initially, you may not be provided with a flange that fits you perfectly. It’s best to talk to the manufacturer about what you need to do to make the fit more comfortable. Each company has a unique solution for this common issue.
Electric breast pumps have various small parts that often wear with long-term use. If your breast pump is not working the way it should, it’s best to call the manufacturer of your particular pump to determine what part needs to be replaced. A large variety of parts and accessories are available at Well.ca.
I used a Medela Harmony pump & absolutely loved it. It is effective & easy to use. Fairly easy to clean. Quiet & compact. I liked that it had the soft, silicone ‘cup’ (the part that fits on your breast). I cannot even fathom using a hard plastic part on my, through engorgment, breast infections, etc. It allowed me to pump when I needed, without feeling like I didn’t have ‘time to do it’ it was so effective.
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