Breast pump: designs and criteria when buying
Breast milk is the best nutrition for your baby. But if you can’t or don’t want to breastfeed, expressing breast milk with a breast pump is a good alternative. We’ll tell you which breast pumps are available and how to use them.
There are various reasons that make it necessary to express breast milk. Maybe you had a premature birth, your child has to be separated from you by an illness or you just want to get back into the profession. Breast pumps are available in different designs and price categories. Which breast pump is the right one also depends on where and how intensively you have to use it:
- A handbreast pump is small and handy, can be transported discreetly in the bag and is quieter compared to an electronic breast pump. This makes them particularly attractive for the workplace. However, you have to pump manually here – quite exhausting and time-consuming.
- An electronic breastpump makes your work easier, because here milk is automatically pumped out, on one or with a double pump set also on both breasts. The most effective and comfortable pumps are driven by an intermittent piston system. You can set the suction strength and intervals yourself with the electronic breast pump. This saves time and milk production is increased by stimulating prolactin levels. There are also breast pumps that, thanks to an electronic memory, can detect how your milk should be pumped quickly, effectively and effortlessly. The memory remembers the speed, rhythm and suction level for pumping and then automatically continues the process for you. The disadvantage of an electronic breast pump is certainly the size and volume of the device. In addition, it is usually much more expensive than a hand breast pump. Meanwhile, there are also small models that work with a rechargeable battery or batteries. However, even these do not work completely silently.
Criteria when buying a breast pump
- Size and weight: Depending on how often and how long you are on the road, the handiness of the breast pump plays an important role.
- Efficiency: How much effort and time do you have for pumping? Do you want to pump manually or leave the work to an electronic breast pump?
- Application: Is the manual clear and understandable? Is the breast pump easy to use? The more often it is used, the happier you are about quick, easy movements.
- Feeling: Of course, you should feel comfortable pumping and have no pain. For example, if you have particularly sensitive nipples, you should pay attention to a very soft pump funnel when buying.
- Cleaning: For hygienic use, the individual parts of the breast pump should be easy to clean after each use.
- Price: Of course, how much you want to spend always plays a role. The most expensive product doesn’t necessarily have to be the best for you. If you are unsure, a careful consultation in the pharmacy or a medical supply store can be worth its weight in gold. By the way, you can also borrow breast pumps here. Prescribed by the pediatrician, your health insurance will cover the cost of the rental fees.
No matter which breast pump you choose, remember that an initial decision against breastfeeding is often difficult to reverse. The children quickly get used to the “simpler” bottle.