Do you need a breast pump?
Since everyone’s situation is unique, when deciding whether to buy a breast pump, you need to consider your lifestyle, employment, feeding preferences, and when you plan to breastfeed. For example, if you plan to go out to work and continue breastfeeding after your baby is born, then a good breast pump is essential. However, if you want to spend most of your time with your baby, it may not be that important.
If the following situations occur, we recommend that you use a pump:
- You plan to stay away from the baby regularly, for example because of work, or stay away from the baby for a long time, such as traveling.
- You want to maintain a supply of breast milk, either because your baby cannot or will not breastfeed, or you are dealing with a disease or medicine that is not suitable for breastfeeding.
- You are dealing with undersupply or overcrowding.
- You prefer to feed the milk expressed by the baby.
Keep in mind that many health insurance plans now cover breast pump costs for breastfeeding parents. Be sure to call your health insurance company to ask about your specific benefits and what you need to do to get a free pump.
Closed system VS open system breast pump
When you buy a breast pump, you must first consider whether you need a closed system or an open system. “Closed system” and “open system” are not formal medical terms, so brands may use them in different ways. If you see this term in the product description, be sure to understand the meaning of the term, this is very important!
The closed system breast pump is a breast pump with a barrier to prevent spilled milk from leaking into the breast pump system. This helps to maintain the sanitation of the entire system. No system can be completely shut down because the pumping action requires some air to flow in and out. But a truly closed system will be as close as possible.
The open system breast pump does not have this obstacle.
You may come across used breast pumps on the market. (After all, most breastfeeding American mothers also use breast pumps.) Although bargaining is tempting, some parts of the breast pump cannot clean breast milk well once they come into contact with other women’s breast pumps.
Because the risk of other people’s milk reaching the pump in an open system is higher, many people avoid buying these types of pumps second-hand.
How do we choose the best breast pump
We asked thousands of real Babylist families about their favorite baby products because their children had arrived, and then picked the top products they shared with us and added our own research and insights. The following are the best 5 breast pumps we think.
1, Joysa Electric Wearable Breast Pump
WEARABLE HANDS-FREE Breast Pump – No tube, no wire for the electric breast pump.This double electric breast pump hands free breast pump can be worn inside a standard nursing bra, so you can pump completely hands-free anytime, anywhere. This double electric breast pump make it possible to pump at home, at work or on-the-go.It’s more portable and easier for you to carry this silent breast pump when you are working or travelling.
Price: 99.96$
2, Willow Generation 3 Wearable Double Electric Breast Pump
The future of pumping is here, and this is Willow. This wearable breast pump is the true definition of hands-free breast pumping: the neutral line or accessories, everything you need (even the motor) is in the breast pump cup. Just slide the cup into your bra and you can spend your day while pumping. Willow is quiet, extremely discreet and splash-proof. You can pump and store milk in the same bag and pump it in any position without worrying about leakage. There is also an app to track milk volume, number of pumping times and time.
Price: $499.99
3, Medela Freestyle Flex Double Electric Breast Pump
For moms on the move, this is a hands-free option! Medela Freestyle is very light and can be conveniently placed in a purse or diaper bag. It is equipped with a digital display and timer, which includes a memory function that can save your favorite expression suction mode. It is also compatible with most top flat nursing bras.
The disadvantage of Medela Freestyle Flex is that it does not include a motor as powerful as a hospital grade. (When the battery is low, the suction power is significantly reduced, so you may need to plug it in.) Freestyle Flex is also a louder pump.
Price: 324.99$
4, Bellababy Double Electric Breast Pump
The Bellababy Double Electric breast pump has thousands of online reviews that are almost unanimously acclaimed, and its cost is only a fraction of the many similar breast pumps on the market. This closed system pump has four pumping modes and nine levels of suction. Breastfeeding parents like the light weight, wireless function of the breast pump, and of course the price.
Price: 53.99$
5, Lansinoh Signature Pro Double Electric Breast Pump
This is a very cost-effective hospital grade pump. Lansinoh is lightweight, portable, and has a backlit LCD screen. It runs on a power cord or battery. Three pumping methods and adjustable suction options help reduce emissions, and a closed system keeps the pump hygienic.
Lansinoh is not the quietest breast pump on the market and can quickly drain the battery, but it is a very affordable option for those looking for a hospital-grade breast pump.
Price: 82.49$
Conclusion
There is a breast pump that suits everyone and situation. Whether you need to pump milk on the go every day, or want something to help relieve stress in the middle of the night, or are looking for a breast pump designed to help pumping, these options should help determine you To-do list. (Don’t worry. You have a lot of other things to do.)