Breastfeeding Supplies: A Buying Guide
Key Features For women not in the mood to think about returning to work, it's easy to procrastinate in the search for a pump. It's a good idea, though, to practice using one and getting baby accustomed to a bottle a few weeks before you go back, and thankfully, today's pumps are compact, simple to set up, and efficient.
Manual Pumps If you don't plan to return to work, or know you'll need to pump just a few times a week, a relatively inexpensive manual pump like the Isis model from Avent is probably all you'll need for those times when you need to leave a bottle or two with your partner or caregiver. They're lightweight and quiet, but can require up to half an hour to pump both breasts, don't allow for adjustable suction, and can provide more thumb and wrist exercise than you ever bargained for.
Mini Electric Pumps A step up from manual pumps are the compact, mini electric varieties, many of which can operate manually, with batteries, or electrically. These don't usually come with several collection bottles the way that full-size pumps do, but are ideal for occasional use or travel.
Full-Size Electric Pumps The Medela Pump In Style and Ameda Egnell Purely Yours electric breast pumps are the two most popular choices for working moms because they're lightweight, quick to assemble, easy to use, and efficient, and may even be covered by health insurance. Their motors are under warranty usually for a year. This type of pump is well worth investing in if you'll be pumping daily for a while, or plan on having more than one baby. While noisier and heavier than the mini electric pumps, they make up for these drawbacks in comfort, with multiple settings for vacuum strength and speed. They feature built-in coolers, can operate as single or double pumps, and come with bottles and briefcase-like carrying cases.
Pump Accessories If you have a killer commute, you'll want to invest in an adapter so you can plug your electric pump into your car's cigarette lighter. Freezer bags are a great no-fuss, sterile way to store expressed milk, and labels for stored breast milk will remind you what milk to use first, or if it needs to be discarded (usually after three months for frozen milk).
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