Becoming a new mom can be overwhelming. Many moms wanna ensure they can breastfeed as long as possible and are super concerned with which breastpump to buy – single or double, manual or electric, portable or non-portable.
Moms also need to choose other essentials to help with their breastfeeding journey such as a baby carrier or other products that new moms need.
Choosing the best breast pumps can be tricky, because there is no one-size-fits all pump. What works for your friend may not work for you. Some prefer to pump on the go, while some moms simply respond better to manual pumps.
Find out what’s the difference between an electric and manual breast pump, as well as which of the popular breast pumps to help you with your breastfeeding journey!
Quite possibly the most popular option due to convenience. Double breast pumps cut down pumping time by half, and since it does all the work, that leaves you to relax.
Conventional electric breast pumps are powered by a main line, but many modern pumps have a battery pack, giving you the option to wear the pump and multitask.
Electric breast pumps are great for moms who want to build a steady supply of breast milk, especially because they are the most powerful type of breast pump.
Medela Swing Maxi Flex Breast Pump
A breast pump that is consistently featured on various “best breast pump” lists because of how efficient it is. The Medela Swing Maxi Flex Breast Pump is best suited to breastfeeding moms who pump consistently.
This breast pump has a shield designed to adapt to your shape. It also rotates 360°, has four tunnel sizes, and has a flexible rim. It has closed system overflow protection as well so you can pump while sitting in a position that’s most comfortable for you.
One of the best things about the Medela Swing Maxi Flex is that it’s easy to assemble and even easier to clean. Aside from being dishwasher friendly, it doesn’t have small parts that may get lost.
The pump can be powered by six AAA batteries but if you have an accessible power socket, you can easily use the electrical cable. The suction is the same for both power sources.
However, the Medela Freestyle Flex might be a better choice for moms who need a more portable pump, though it is much pricier due to its USB charging option.
Compare the difference between different Medela breast pumps.
- Modes: Letdown & Expression
- Suction Levels: 9
Baby Buddha Breast Pump
Taking the states by storm is the Baby Buddha Breast Pump, a powerful and compact hospital-grade pump that allows you to move around freely while you pump. The pump is so lightweight, you can wear it around your neck with a lanyard.
It’s been raved by mothers worldwide to have cut their pumping time by as much as half thanks to how powerful it is. It is also compatible with flanges or breast shields from different brands such as Medela, Freemie, and Spectra.
Much quieter than the Medela, but losing out to the Spectra, Baby Buddha has a relatively quiet pumping mechanism. However, don’t expect to be able to pump at your desk if you value discretion.
- Modes: Stimulation & Expression
- Suction Levels: 14
Spectra S1 Breast Pump
If the Medela was the Apple of the breast pumping world, the Spectra would be Samsung. The Spectra S1 Breast Pump wins in terms of sound and portability, perfect for mothers who want a heavy-duty pump that is ultra quiet and comfortable.
The S1 comes with a built-in rechargeable battery. This gives you the option to pump on the go. The most important feature of the Spectra S1 is how the pumping mechanism simulates the suckling of a nursing baby, which may increase supply and speed up the entire pumping process.
Assembling and washing the S1 is also pretty straightforward and it is quiet enough for you to pump at your desk without bothering anyone! This is a top favourite for breastfeeding moms.
- Modes: Letdown & Expression
- Suction Levels: 12
Hegen PCTO™ Double Electric Breast Pump
The Hegan PCTO Double Electric Breast Pump lets moms switch between double pumping, single pumping, or even manual pumping at the drop of a hat. It’s one of the very few electric breast pumps that has this three-in-one feature, which makes it great for moms who favour versatile pumping.
In fact, the Hegen has one feature that other breast pumps do not have: it can be converted into a portable massager. This makes the pump a heaven-sent for tired mums. The gentle cupping and kneading sensation is said to also increase milk supply.
Due to its versatility, setting the breast pump can be a little more complicated to use and there will be a steeper learning curve. However, you’ll get the hang of it pretty soon.
- Modes: Massage & Expression
- Suction Levels: 12
Medela Freestyle Flex Breast Pump
A popular breast pump for a reason, the Medela Freestyle Flex Breast Pump is a powerful little device that can ensure you are meeting your yields consistently. It’s even effective in clearing blocked ducts.
It’s also especially useful for double pumping. The delayed start function allows mummies to leave their hands free to put breast shields in place without rushing, giving them an extra 10 seconds before pumping begins. It has the benefits of a closed system, which the older model does not have.
With a 360° rotation, the Medela PersonalFit Flex breast shield has a unique design that can be easily adapted to suit your shape. This means that it can be customised for maximum comfort as well as increased milk production from each pumping session.
Because it can easily fit in your palm, the Medela Freestyle Flex is the definition of convenient. Pumping will no longer be a hassle as it is able to fit into bags and be carried out with mummies wherever they go.
It also has a USB port, which makes charging easier than ever. Mummies can power up and charge the pump anywhere, ensuring that the pump can be used whenever needed.
You can also go hands-free expression with the Medela Easy Expression Bustier.
- Modes: Stimulation & Expression
- Suction Levels: 9
Manual breast pumps
Manual breast pumps might seem a bit backward, because why would you invest in something that requires you to do the work?
When you find yourself engorged without the opportunity to pump, you’ll understand why. A manual pump is sometimes the best way to go when you need a quick pump. Additionally, manual breast pumps are highly portable and silent.
Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump
This is essentially not a breast pump, but rather, a collection cup. The Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump can be used in conjunction with breastfeeding. Just stick it on the other boob and let your body do the rest.
Alternatively, you can also attach it to your breast and allow the gentle suction to express your breastmilk. While it can be used in a pinch or as a supplement to your main pump, according to many of our breastfeeding moms, it’s considered an essential.
- Modes: Expression
- Total Levels: N/A
Lansinoh Manual Breast Pump
Unlike the Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump which requires zero assembly, the Lansinoh Breast Pump is made up of seven parts. It also comes with two breast shield sizes for optimum comfort when pumping.
This breast pump also has two modes – letdown and expression. You can switch between them by pressing the handle down until you hear a click. Many mothers who tried this breast pump were surprised by how much more comfortable it was as compared to an electrical breast pump.
While it will not replace electrical breast pumps entirely, it’s a great addition to any mom’s essentials because it is effective at expressing milk, is very quiet, and is super portable. You won’t need to pack a bunch of things including a charger when you pack the Lansinoh manual breast pump!
- Modes: Stimulation & Expression
- Total Levels: N/A
Hands-free breast pumps
Imagine being able to pump without having cables and wires draped all over you. Thanks to modern technology, we now have wireless, hands-free breast pumps! The only downside is that they require some skill to wear and come with limitations.
With hands-free wireless breast pumps, you won’t be able to check your output easily and may have to pour your milk out multiple times, depending on your supply. Most of them also don’t match conventional electric pumps in terms of power and suction.
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Baby Express Be Free Breast Pump
The Baby Express Be Free Breast Pump is super quiet and we love that it’s so affordable! Many moms noted that its suction is almost as strong as their electric pumps. Furthermore, you can customise the power suction for each side if you’re double pumping, which can produce better output.
A downside is that there isn’t a timer and the pump auto shuts down after pumping for 20 minutes, but it’s not a flaw in our books because you can confidently look away and focus on your tasks at hand without worrying that you’ve overpumped.
Breastfeeding moms love the fact that they can just stuff this pump into their bra and go about their day – but don’t think you can run to the store in these! They might be portable and relatively small, but they’re still quite noticeable.
- Modes: Stimulation & Expression
- Total Levels: 10
Imani i2 Handsfree Electric Breast Pump
The Imani i2 Handsfree Electric Breast Pump is a Korean-made compact handsfree breast pump that gives you the convenience to discreetly pump anytime and anywhere. It doesn’t have a huge motor, tubes, or wires to carry, and it doesn’t emit an audible whooshing sound. It is also small enough to be worn under your bra to pump.
It is now updated with clear Tritan cups, soft silicone breast flanges, and tip caps to close the pouring hole to prevent milk spillage.
Why do we love this breast pump? It has a very intuitive design and is easy to learn to use. It has a backflow protector and comes with a USB charging port and an LED battery indicator. It also automatically shut off in 20 mins to save battery. It’s thus perfect for mummies who are returning to work and need to juggle many things at the same time.
This breast pump is suitable for UV sterilization. You can also boil it for no more than 30 seconds. However, it’s not suitable for steam sterilizer
- Modes: Massage, Expression & Mixed
- Total Levels: Each mode (Massage, Expression) has 5 levels of intensity adjustment/frequency
Youha The INs Wearable Breast Pump (Gen 2)
Compact and sleek, the Youha The INs Wearable Breast Pump is a six-piece pump that is designed for moms to wear while working. There are indicators on the cups to show moms how much they’ve pumped but like with all wearable pumps, it can be hard to see.
The low price and efficacy of these pumps make them a great backup pump for moms who are out of the house a lot. Do note that these pumps are louder than Spectra pumps, which are known to be whisper-quiet, and they are heavier than most wearables.
Moms also say that there’s a bit of a learning curve when it comes to pouring out of the Youha cups, so take care not to spill any of that liquid gold if you get this pump!
- Modes: Massage, Expression & Mixed
- Total Levels: Each mode (Massage, Expression, Mixed) has 10 levels intensity adjustment/frequency
Which breast pump is the best?
As we mentioned above, there isn’t an ultimate best breast pump because different moms have different expectations. Before you purchase a breast pump, consider your lifestyle and how you expect a breast pump will fit into your daily breastfeeding routine.
Do you plan to watch tv while you pump? Or will you be doing your pumping on the go? Do you plan to pump for years? Or is it going to be a short few months? All these should factor in your quest of finding the perfect breast pump for yourself.
Furthermore, there are important considerations such as the sizing of the flange. Wearing the wrong breast shield can be painful and negatively impact your breast pumping experience. Does the brand of your choice carry the flange size that is suitable for you?
Don’t rush into getting the hottest product but really list out your expectations, your requirements, and shortlist a few products for further research. Good luck!
Frequently asked questions
What kind of breast pump is best?
When choosing a breast pump, it is important to consider lifestyle, needs and preferences.
Electric breast pumps are the most popular and efficient option. They are typically fast and powerful and can be used multiple times a day.
Manual breast pumps are less expensive and more portable, but require more effort to use.
Wearable pumps are the newest type of breast pump and are designed to be worn while nursing or pumping. They are small, lightweight, and discreet, making them ideal for busy moms on the go.
When should I start using a breast pump?
You can begin using a breast pump shortly after giving birth. This will help to establish an adequate milk supply and ensure that your baby is getting the nutrition they need.
What do breast pumps do?
A breast pump is a device used to express milk from the breasts of a lactating woman. It is an effective way to relieve engorgement, stimulate milk production, and provide milk for the baby when the mother is not available.
Do breast pumps need bras?
Wearable breast pumps are designed to be worn with pumping bras, which can help make the process of pumping easier and more convenient. Pumping bras provide support and hold the pump in place, which is especially helpful if you have to pump often.
Additionally, pumping bras can help keep the pump close to the body, which can help maintain a comfortable and consistent suction.
Will my baby get milk if I just pumped?
Yes, your baby will still be able to get milk if you just pumped. Though it may take your baby longer to get enough milk when you’ve just pumped, it’s still possible to provide them with the nourishment they need.
