One of the decisions you will need to make when you bring baby in to the world is how you will feed them. If you end up breastfeeding then it’s a good idea to invest in a good breast pump. Sounds easy? Not so much. If you take a look out there you will find there so many different breast pumps and selecting one that suits your lifestyle can be pretty overwhelming. So I have written this guide on how to choose a breast pump to make life easier for you.
Why Do I Need a Breast Pump?
There are many reasons why a mum would use a breast pump in addition to breast feeding. She may use it to stimulate her milk production and therefore increase her milk supply. She may not be able to feed her baby breastmilk due to health reasons but still wants to maintain her supply through regular pumping and dumping. Going back to work is another reason to need a pump so mum can pump during the day and have a supply at home for baby’s carer. Or she may want to have a supply handy for her co-parent or carer to feed bub while she is resting, sleeping or simply taking a break from baby.
How Do I Use a Breast Pump?
With any breast pump it is important to read the included instructions to ensure you are using it correctly. Find yourself a spot where you feel relaxed and think about your baby as that can trigger the hormones that release your milk. Start slow for manual pump and low for an electric pump and once the milk starts flowing you can increase the speed. You can take little breaks every 5 or so minutes. Make sure that each breast gets about 15 minutes of total stimulation. Once you have finished pumping release the pump, cap the bottle and safely store the milk. Breast milk is safe at room temperature for around four hours. If refrigerated it is safe for up to 5 days and can keep for 6 – 12 months in the freezer.
Manual or Electric Breast Pump?
Time: Babies feed up to 8 times a day and this can quickly add up. An electric breast pumps does the job a whole lot faster than a manual and can save you heaps of time in the long run. So if you are time poor then a double breast pump such as the Tommee Tippee Made for Me Double Electric Breast Pump can halve your pumping time in comparison to a single electric breast pump.
Cost: Generally speaking a manual breast pump costs less than an electric one. If you are budget conscious then the Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump is just the pump for you at $28.95
Portability: If you are going back to work then you will need something small enough to pop in your handbag. The best one for mums returning to work is the Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump & Cap Set. This little set has the manual breast pump as well as cap that seals your breastmilk in so you can pop it in your work fridge or cooler. If you going to be away from baby for extended periods but don’t like the idea of manual pump then the Tommee Tippee Made for Me Single Electric Breast Pump is rechargeable and gives you 60 minutes of power to express on the go.
Noise: Electric pumps can be a little noisy especially if you are pumping in a less than private place or in the middle of the night and you don’t want to wake up the household. If you aren’t too worried about the sound factor you can still go for a quieter electric pump with the Tommee Tippee Made for Me Single Electric Breast Pump. Lab tests have shown that this pump is significantly quieter than the leading breast pump available so it is discreet enough to use anywhere and anytime. But if you want silence then you are best to opt for a manual pump like the Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump.
Gifting: If you are looking for a breast pump for a gift for a new mum then you can’t go past the Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump Stopper Gift Box. Included in this gift box is the Haakaa Manual Breast pump plus their pretty little flower stopper that seals in the breast milk tight.
With these factors in mind I hope I have helped you with selecting the correct breast pump for your personal situation. If you are having difficulties with milk flow then reach our to your health care professional for tips and advice or you can call the Breastfeeding Help Line on 1800 686 268