Which Breast Pump?
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A new dad just emailed this question: what is the best breast pump?
I found some good advice from the Berkeley Parents (as in California) below in green- but maybe some of you can chime in with your advice and help a new dad find the right one for his partner?
By the way, here is my post about the new Medela Swing Pump- has anyone used it yet?
The Medela Pump-in-Style is sort of the ”standard” for working
moms’ double electric pumps. The Ameda Purely Yours is largely
comparable, but usually costs a bit less. The Whittlestone and
Whisper Wear are newer models, and I know a few moms who like
them very much, but they simply haven’t been around long enough
to have built up the reputation of the PIS.Working part time, you may be able to get by with the Avent
Isis. It is a manual pump, not electric, but much more
comfortable and easier to use than ”older” models of manual pump
(like the Medela), and allows pumping only one side at a time so
using it takes longer. But it’s a whole lot cheaper, smaller
and easier to carry, and can be used more discreetly in places
where you don’t have much privacy because it’s nearly silent and
is small enough to stick entirely under your shirt. An in-between solution is the Medela Mini-Electric, which is
powered (with a battery, or using an AC adapter) but single-
side. However, most people I know who’ve used it say it’s very
noisy and not that efficient, so it’s probably worth springing
for the PIS or equivalent instead if you want a powered pump.
Holly
While I haven’t tried the Pump in Style I have tried the Purely
Yours and that was fine until I got the Whisper Wear breast
pump. There isn’t a lot of info out there about it but it is
the new ”hands-free” pump and it is so much better and easier
that the Purely Yours. Go to www.whisperwear.com to look into
it more but I would highly recommend that one. You just slip
the two pump parts into any supportive bra, hook up the tube
and collection bag and go about your business while it pumps.
It also feels much more like real nursing than the Purely Yours
did which went a faster let down for me. Really convenient-
especially if you are going to be using it so much.
Good Luck,
fellow cow
If there is anyway you can afford it, rent the hospital grade
pump, especially if you will be pumping 2-3x a day. None of
them drain the milk ducts as well as the baby, (but hospital
grade comes closest) and insuffeciant drainage can lead to
plugged ducts. (which can lead to mastitis -OUCh!).
Below: Text from about.com- photos from random sources- (thanks!) Below is to give you a sense of the four top-sellers out there and how their systems are different. I personally used the Medela PIS, but not as a result of research- oit as it was handed down to me. I do think there are a lot of choices out there that might have been better actually- especially the Ameda Truly Yours and the Whisper for going out during the day.
Medela Pump in Style Advanced Double Electric Breast Pump
Medela
Pump In Style Advanced features new pumping technology, which cycles
the breast pump quickly to mimic a baby’s initial suckling to stimulate
milk letdown, then slows down to imitate a baby’s slower, deeper
suckling to pump more breast milk in less time. The breast pump suction
also can be adjusted manually. The quiet and easy-to-use Pump In Style
Advanced comes in a backpack or briefcase and includes AC adapter,
battery pack, milk cooler bag and a manual breast pump.
Ameda Purely Yours Double Electric Breast Pump
Ameda
Purely Yours features adjustable pump suction and speed, and the
HygeniKit system allows you to pump breastmilk into almost any milk
collection bag or bottle. Ameda’s valve system also protects pumped
breastmilk from contamination by bacteria or viruses and helps prevent
milk backup in the tubing. Ameda Purely Yours can run on batteries, AC
power or a car adapter. The backpack style includes a manual
breastpump, too.
Playtex Embrace Double Electric Breast Pump
A
newcomer on the electric breast pump scene, the Playtex Embrace double
electric breastpump features a hospital-grade motor and unique soft
breast cups that take in more of the nipple and seek to better imitate
the feel of a baby’s mouth. The flexible cups also move during pumping
to mimic suckling. The Playtex Embrace breast pump has five suction and
speed levels, comes in an attractive carrying case and is compatible
with all Playtex baby bottles for added convenience.
Whisper Wear Double Battery Breast Pump
The
Whisper Wear breast pump is often mistaken for a double electric breast
pump, though it is battery operated. This convenient breast pump fits
entirely inside your bra for hands-free pumping. The milk is collected
in bags that attach to the breast pump units. Whisper Wear is more
powerful than many battery operated breast pumps, but some women may
find that they need more powerful suction from a true electric breast
pump for proper milk letdown
Thanks for posting this. It is infinitely helpful.
I think the choice highly depends on how often a mother plans to use the pump. In the very beginning I had to use a supplementary feeding system with my son, which required me to pump eight or nine times a day, and so renting the hospital-grade Medela Classic was the best move at the time. Granted, the thing is huge (definitely not portable) and appeared to have generated electricity in a former life, but it was rather efficient and not terribly uncomfortable to use. At this point I pump only once a week, so I’ve been using the Medela Single Deluxe (electric/battery) — it sounds like a weed whacker, but gets the job done for $60.