About Buying the Right Pump

Not all nursing mothers need a breast pump. If breastfeeding is problem-free and a mother is always available to her baby at feeding times, she may never need a pump. However, if mother and baby are separated at feeding times or if a baby is not nursing well, an effective breast pump can help her avoid the expense and health risks of formula use.


Important Questions to Ask

• Are you returning to work?
• Will you be away from your baby for long periods?
• Is time a factor?
• Do you have access to an electric outlet?
• Do you have access to a refrigeration source?
• Would it be helpful if your pump can be powered by batteries?
• How long do you plan to breastfeed?

Which pump is best for you?

Situation	Personal Double Pump (40 - 60 cycles per minute)	Manual	Hospital- Grade Rental
Full-Term Twins	X		X
Premature / compromised baby			X
Work full-time	X		X
Work part-time	X	X	X
Night out		X
Mom at home	X	X
Hospitalized mom			X
Traveling mom	X	X	X
No electricity	X	X
Sore nipples	X	X	X
Engorgement	X	X	X

Types of Pumps

    What is the best type of pump? The answer depends upon the situation. Fortunately, there are many excellent pumps available today. But let the buyer beware: there are also many painful and ineffective pumps. Before investing in a pump, it pays to know what to look for and what to avoid.

 

Rental Pumps

 

A rental pump is the most effective pump, especially when used with a double pump kit, so that the mother can pump both breasts at once. She just puts the pump's breast shields to her breasts, turns it on, and adjusts the suction control to the highest level that's comfortable.  Some rental pumps provide suction and release at a set 48 cycles per minute (cpm). Others have adjustable cycling, ranging from 30 to 120 cpm. Pumps with two controls (vacuum and cycle) are ideal, because, just like a breastfeeding baby, a mother can trigger more milk releases more quickly by alternating between fast cycles to trigger a milk release and slow cycles to drain it.

 

Automatic Pumps for Purchase

 

There are many pumps for purchase, and they vary widely in quality. The most important thing to know when choosing a pump for purchase is how many cycles per minute (cpm) the pump provides, which determines how it is best used.  For example, pumps that provide:

• Fewer than 30 cpm are ineffective and painful for many mothers, due to the length of time the nipple is pulled into the nipple tunnel before release.
• A set 30 to 35 cpm are recommended only for occasional use, as this may not keep up milk supply for those pumping more than once a day.
• A range of at least 40 to 60 cpm are recommended for those working full-time or who pump more than once a day, as this is closer to how a baby breastfeeds. Example: Medela Pump In Style.

 

Double pumps are a plus, because pumping both breasts at once cuts pumping time in half. And as explained above, a pump with two controls (suction and speed) is ideal, so mothers can switch between fast and slow cycles several times during a pumping to mimic how a baby breastfeeds.

 

Semi-Automatic Pumps for Purchase

 

These pumps are a less expensive alternative, but proceed with caution. Semi-automatic pumps are motorized, but require the mother to manually regulate every suction and release by covering and uncovering a hole, or by pressing a button or a bar. Although mother-controlled, most of these pumps generate suction so slowly that they can provide at most 25 to 30 cpm, making them uncomfortable and ineffective for many mothers.

 

Manual Pumps

 

 A manual pump can be a good choice for a mother who pumps occasionally, but it takes practice to find the pumping rhythm that triggers the let-down or milk release. Because it requires muscle power to operate, most mothers who pump every day consider a manual pump too much work. It is not as consistent as an automatic pump, so for mothers relying on a pump, it is not as effective at keeping up milk supply.

 

Be Discriminating

 

For the mother who does a lot of pumping, choosing the right breast pump can make the difference between meeting her breastfeeding goals and having to settle for a disappointing experience. When shopping for a pump, take care to choose the right equipment for the right job. Just as it wouldn't be sensible to remodel a home armed with only a screwdriver, it is not a good plan to return to work full-time with a semi-automatic pump or a manual pump.