Breast Pumps

Unless you're prepared to be nearby, awake, and up to the task of breastfeeding every single time your baby gets hungry (babies usually don't try solid foods until they're around six months old), you will want to consider getting a breast pump  to store your milk for later use. Doctors everywhere agree that breast milk is best for your newborn and in addition to all the vitamins, nutrients and antibodies your milk contains, breastfeeding can boost your physical and mental well-being. Breastfeeding books  can give you all the information you need about breastfeeding, from how-to techniques to specific benefits and more.

What to Know

Types of Pumps
Manual Breast Pumps  Simple, inexpensive, quiet, and easy to use. Bulb-shaped pumps are unsanitary and generally cautioned against. Go for a bike-pump or spray bottle-type handle. Can be tiring on the hand. Best if you'll be pumping up to once a day, but not much more. Ideal for travel.	Battery Powered Breast Pump  Inexpensive and easier on the hands. Give unreliable power and are often too weak. Need to replace batteries often. Sometimes very noisy. If it can't do 50 cycles per minute, it'll be too weak. Generally not worth your time.	Electric Breast Pump  Expensive ($150-$300), efficient, often quiet, easy and durable. Great for working moms who can't feed midday. Can be cumbersome or sleek and discrete. Often come with a carrying case and all the accessories. Often can convert to manual pumping. Possible to rent these instead of making a costly purchase.

• Adjustability -- Find a pump that allows you to adjust the level of suction.  You will find that some settings are more comfortable, while others are more efficient.
• Efficiency -- Electric pumps are naturally faster and more efficient than the manual ones.
• If you get a model that can pump both breasts at the same time (known as double pumping ), you'll be done in half the time (often 15 minutes).
• A pump that efficiently empties your breasts will also aid in continued milk production.
• Rental -- Hospitals often rent out sterilized breast pumps for a month at a time to get you used to the process or keep you from making the permanent investment in your own pump.
• Often a great idea, if you're not sure you'd like to pump long-term.
• They're safe, all of the parts that come into contact with your skin or fluids are replaced in between rentals.

Storage Bags

Breast milk storage bags  Should hold at least milk in 2- to 5-oz. doses. Seal airtight and most come with "Ziploc" style seals that claim to be leak-proof. Leave some room at the top of the bag, so the milk can expand when freezing. Often will store flat, taking up less space in your freezer than a bottle might. Milk can be frozen from 6 months to a year, if stored in the coldest part of your freezer (but not touching the walls). For extra convenience, make sure that they have a sturdy base so that they can stand on their own. Always write down the date on the package, using the oldest milk first. If your storage bags coordinate with your pumping system, you won't have to bother with funnels.

Some Notes on Safety

• Do not share breast pumps. You can contaminate each other's milk.
• Make sure to read up on your pump before you use it. Every system is unique.
• Nothing can stimulate your milk production like your baby's suckling. It will work much better than a pump.
• Pumps are safe and very helpful, assuming you get a good one.

Top Manufacturers

Go to their websites to learn about their individual products.

• Avent -- Consistently top-rated.
• Medela
• The First Years
• Playtex

Breast Milk vs. Baby Formula 

Breast milk contains all the vitamins and minerals your baby needs to get a healthy start in life. The antibodies it contains help them fight disease and infection, and the benefits into adulthood (including a stronger immune system and less allergies) are numerous. However, if you choose not to breast feed, you can be rest assured that your baby will still receive proper nutrition from formula. Commercially prepared baby formula is made in sterile conditions under strict FDA regulation, and is intended to mimic breast milk as closely as possible. Whether you choose to breast feed or bottle feed, make an informed decision and be confident that it's the right one. Keep in mind, also, that many products that you may think are confined to one method or the other are actually universal. For example, you may want nursing pillows  for comfortable bottle feeding and baby bottles  for expressed breast milk. For more details visit Kids Health for more on Breast Milk V. Formula.

Related Products
Breastfeeding Books	Bottle Feeding	Nursing Pads	Infant Clothing	Cribs

External Links

These will give you loads of helpful information.

• About.com -- A great introduction to breast pumps.
• Ask Dr. Sears -- Poorly laid-out comparison table with good information.
• American Baby -- Breast pump buying guide.
• Baby Center -- Even more help choosing a pump.
• iVillage -- Tips for which pump to buy depending on your situation (work, at home, low milk supply, etc).
• Madela -- Tips for how to freeze your milk.
• Mayo Clinic -- Step-by-step pumping guide and tips for pumping at work.
• Slate -- The history of the breast pump and whether it's right for you.