For some mothers, deciding to breastfeed their newborn child can be a difficult path to navigate. This is because there are quite a few different breastfeeding products, procedures, and guidelines that they need to be aware of in order for it to be effective.
It can be difficult to figure out which breast pump and supplementary equipment a mother needs, and because each parent wants the best for their child, it can also pretty overwhelming. Here’s a look at all the options when choosing a breast pump, which should make it easier to find the right one for you:
Manual or Electric Pumps?
There are two main types of breast pumps on the market: manual pumps and electric ones. These pumps are both suited to different situations and lifestyles, so having either is perfectly justified. A manual pump is considered cheaper and has the benefit of being quiet and more convenient, giving mothers the potential to pump milk on the go. It’s also well suited to mothers who occasionally pump and aren’t required to do it every day, either because they’re feeding directly from the breast or because they’re using formula to supplement their breastfeeding.
Manual pumps can sometimes be hard work if you need to use them frequently, as they have to be manually operated by hand, which after time can be very exhausting. In this instance, electric pumps are better suited as the motor does the pumping for you, allowing you to relax more during the extraction process.
Electric pumps are also usually more high-tech and have additional built-in features, such as technology that mimics the natural sucking behavior of a baby. Without getting too in-depth, this imitating technology makes the pump feel more natural and therefore allows you to extract milk far easier.
In an ideal world, it would be recommended to get one of each, as they can both be used in combination to make breastfeeding more comfortable and convenient, but regardless of what you choose, you can get a breast pump through insurance, so the price of the pumps really shouldn’t put you off.
Single or Double Breast Pumps?
Breast pumps can be made to either express milk from one breast at a time or to extract from both of them simultaneously. They both have their merits, with the single pumping being a lot more suited to those who only need to express from time to time. They’re also less invasive and gentler to use, with the double alternative being a bit more vigorous in its approach.
However, once you get comfortable with double breast pumps, you’ll find that they are a really good way to express regularly, regardless of the reason for doing so. A double breast pump is more efficient, as it halves the amount of time it takes to express your milk, but it’s also economical too as it delivers around 18% more milk when compared to pumping each breast in turn. This makes it a great solution for busy moms who may have returned to work, plus the milk obtained with a double pumping method has a higher fat and calorie content, too, making it more nutritious for your child.