Breast Pump Buying Advice
with
Kathy Moore
There are many options and styles available, but which breast pump will work best for you? Learn the different features to consider when choosing a breast pump.
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Transcript: Breast Pump Buying Advice
Hi, I'm Kathy Moore for About.com Parenting. A breast pump is a wonderful invention for the active breastfeeding mom. This program will explore the different options and styles available to help you choose the right breast pump for your needs.Types of Breast Pumps
There are two main types of breast pumps, a manual pump or electric. A hospital grade pump is also available if you plan to exclusively pump your breast milk.Manual Breast Pumps
A manual pump is just like it sounds. You need to pump or squeeze a lever to suction the milk out of your breast. These styles are the most affordable and small in size. They only pump one breast at a time, though, and can take a long time.Electric Breast Pumps
If you plan to pump a lot, the electric pumps are definitely a smart buy, even though they are more expensive. Electric pumps are the most efficient and can collect milk from both breasts at the same time. Styles today usually come in attractive carrying cases like look sort of like diaper bags or brief cases.Breast Pump Features
Features to consider in either type of breast pump include: adjustable suction control, pumping efficiency, which really depends on how frequent you plan to pump and how much time you will have to pump, the ease of use and ease of cleaning.Breast Pump Accessories
Accessories are available with either style of pump, like storage bags, bottles and cleaning supplies. I have found a great tool is a microwaveable bag that lets me steam clean the pump parts in the microwave. It is a huge time saver and does a better sterilization job than I could ever do by hand.An insulated storage bag with cold freezer packs is also handy, unless your breast pump comes with a built in storage compartment.
The electric breast pump I chose can even plug into my cars cigarette lighter or operate from a battery pack.
Regardless of the style and model you choose, know that by breastfeeding, you are providing the best nutrients possible for your new baby. Thanks for watching. To learn more, visit us on the Web at parenting.about.com.