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Choosing a breastpump
The first decision a mother will make when buying a breast pump is whether to opt for a manual or an electric/battery operated one. She will need to take into consideration how often she will be pumping, how long she intends to use the pump, and how much time she has to spend expressing milk
Manual pumps
Manual Pumps
Hand-operated pumps are great if a mother will only need to express occasionally, for the odd night out or short period away from her baby. They tend to be very light and compact, and so easy to carry around while out and about. Most manual pumps are silent to use, and so she will not need to worry about electricity supply or noise factor. Some women find that their wrist tires relatively quickly when using a manual pump, so it is advisable to choose one with an ergonomically designed handle. With manual pumps, it sometimes takes a little while to master the personal rhythm needed - but, with practice, this will come. The mother will need to try to mimic as closely as possible the natural sucking rhythm of her baby. Manual pumps are easier to use when the breasts are full than when they are soft.
Electric pumps
Electric pumps are ideal for women who will be expressing regularly, for example if they have a baby in special care, or are returning to work. However, they are also extremely useful for any woman who has limited time, as they express milk more quickly than manual ones. It is advisable to investigate pumps that have separately adjustable suction and cycle levels, as this will enable the mother to choose more exactly settings that closely resemble the way her baby suckles. Another useful feature is if the pump operates in two phases: one to stimulate let down, and a second for efficient expressing. The weight of the pump is important for women who will be expressing away from home: many electric pumps on the market are surprisingly light.
Of course, one obvious difference between a manual and an electric pump is the price, but if possible, that should not automatically influence the decision. Some women find that opting for a manual pump because it is cheaper actually proves to be a false economy, if they will be using it frequently. If a woman is able to afford it, it is also worth her thinking of buying both an electric and a manual, as they each have their own advantages in difference places and situations.
Single or Double?
Women are sometimes advised that double breast pumps are only for mothers of multiples – this is not the case ! All mothers who value comfort, ease of use, speed and effectiveness will appreciate the benefits of a double pump.
A double pump is of course the obvious option for mothers of twins, but also for women for whom breastfeeding is delayed after birth, or who are separated from their baby for long periods, as single pumps may not be able to maintain her milk supply long-term. However, double pumping is becoming increasingly popular with all breastfeeding women, no matter how frequently they express. All mothers find time in short supply, and a double pump enables them to express their breastmilk in half the time – a huge help for today’s mother.
Indeed, because some women, when single pumping, need to break off a few times to massage their breasts and change sides, double pumping can actually take up less than half the time. A double pumping session can be achieved in as little as 10 minutes, compared with 20 to 30 minutes using a single pump. Pumping from both breasts simultaneously has also been found to stimulate prolactin levels and increase milk production more effectively than single pumping.*
When pumping from one breast only, some women find that they leak milk from the other, which of course is not the case when using a double pump. Many double breast pumps can also be used as single pumps, so that a mother can feed her baby at one breast while expressing from the other, or simply pump from one breast only.
Some women worry that if they use a double electric pump they will feel as if they are ‘hooked up to a milking machine’ - but once they try it out for themselves, and appreciate the time it saves, this feeling is dispelled. In addition, some double electric breast pumps are extremely light and portable, and so can easily be taken out or away from home when needed.
After a little practice, women can hold the breast cushions in place for pumping using just one hand and the same side forearm, thus leaving the other hand free to do those other tasks for the day.
* (Jones 2001; Hill 1996; Auerbach 1990)
