Choosing a breast pump?
So if you've decided that you want to go ahead and buy a breast pump to use after your baby arrives, your next decision will be choosing a breast pump which is right for you. If you've never used a breast pump before, or even if you have but want something different this time around, it can be confusing understanding the options available and the specifications you need to be looking at. One of the most important things to consider is when choosing your breast pump is how often you're intending to use it and for what purpose.
Remember - you may not need to buy a breast pump at all - plenty of mums just feed their baby directly throughout their time breastfeeding, and certainly that's the best way to get breastfeeding initiated if you can. You probably already have a bit of an idea how often you will be wanting to use the breast pump and for what purpose.
- Are you going back to work and needing a breast pump every day, something easy to transport and quiet for use at work?
- Do you have a premature bub or a milk supply issue and need a breast pump to help you build milk production?
- Or are you going to be a stay at home mum and just want a breast pump to have on hand for occasional use?
The frequency and intended purpose of your breast pump will definitely affect which model we'd advise you to buy. Bear in mind that how often you use the breast pump may change after your baby arrives, for example if you decide not to go back to work after all, or don't like pumping, or are advised to use a breast pump for medical reasons.
If you need a breast pump because you're going back to work
If you're a mum who is going back to work and will be needing to pump at work, then which breast pump you buy will depend on whether effective pumping or portability is most important to you. Will you have access to a powerpoint? Do you need to carry the breast pump on public transport? Is noise an important factor? A hospital grade breast pump like the
S1 or
S2 will always be the most effective at extracting milk, but the smaller M1 or Spectra 9 Plus are much more portable. The
M1,
Spectra 9 Plus and S1 all have inbuilt rechargeable batteries, so no need to worry about access to a power point.
If you just want a breast pump for occasional use
In this case, any pump will really do and just choose based on your budget and whether you'd prefer a smaller pump like the M1 or Spectra 9 Plus for portability or whether you just want the best pump i.e. the S2 or S1. You can also consider making do with a manual pump, like the
Spectra Handy Plus. If you want the best breast pump possible AND you don't mind having to plug into power, then choose the Spectra S2. The Spectra S2 is our most popular pump, because most women decide they simply want the best breast pump that's most likely to work well for them, and they aren't fussed about having to keep it plugged into power and stay in one spot. You can choose the S1 which is the same as the S2 but has a rechargeable battery if you want to go cord-free.
If you're using a breast pump for medical reasons
If you are relying on your breast pump to keep up your milk production or relying on it to feed your baby - for example because you have a prem bubby who's too small to feed, or attachment issues, or have been advised to express to help stimulate milk production, then definitely get a hospital grade breast pump. The S2 is our most popular pump, but it does need to be plugged in. The S1 is the same as the S2 but has an inbuilt rechargeable battery. If you need any help at all working out how often you'll be using a breast pump and which breast pump is right for you, please get in touch. Drop by our
Facebook page, join our Facebook group and ask us or some of the other mums, or just get in touch via the ASK US tab on our site.
