Breast Feeding: Choosing a breast pump

August 28, 2008

photo by house photography

Choosing a suitable breast pump is important as every mothers have different needs and concerns to be address.  Here’s a list of questions that you should ask yourself when choosing a breast pump.

1. What’s your budget? - If cost is a concern, determine your budget before getting a breast pump.  Manual ones are normally cheaper than electrical ones.  The price of a breast pump varies from about $50 to $200.  Some of the major brands includes Avent, Medela and Evenflo
2. Are you a stay at home mum or are you returning to work? - If you are a SAHM, you would be able to breastfeed your baby by allowing them to latch on directly.  In this case, maybe a manual pump might be good enough as you do not need to use them frequently.  However, if you are a working mum, you might want to consider getting a electric one as it helps simulates the breast better.
3. Is it easy to wash the breast pump after using? - Consider the ease of cleaning up thoroughly after every use as hygiene is the number one concern when it comes to feeding the baby.  Also consider the ease of assembling back the pump after use as you do not want to waste your time figuring out how to do it.
4. The weight of the pump? - Look for a light-weighted pump if you are working and you need to travel with it.
5. Is the pump noisy? - If you intend to use the pump in your office, its good to be more discreet.  You might want to consider that the noise of the pump is at an acceptable level.
6. Does the electric pump has an back up power option? - If there isn’t a plugged-in available, are there any other options such as using rechargable batterys pack?
7. Is the suction comfortable for you? - Every woman is comfortable with different degree of suction.  Choose one that allows you to adjust the degree of suction.

I hope that these pointers would be helpful when you are choosing your breast pump though nothing beats your baby’s suckling.

Posted in Breast Feeding