Breast Pumps Buying Guide

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. If you plan on breastfeeding and need to store your milk, then look into the types of breast pumps that are available.

Types

Manual Breast Pumps  Simple, inexpensive, quiet, and easy to use. Bulb-shaped pumps can be unsanitary; opt for a bike-pump or spray bottle-type of 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. Amount of power can be unreliable. Batteries need to be replaced often. Sometimes are very noisy. Should be able to perform at least 50 cycles per minute.	Electric Breast Pump  Expensive ($150-$300), efficient, often quiet, easy and durable. Great for working moms who can't feed midday. Often comes with a carrying case  and all the accessories. Most can convert to manual pumping. These can also be rented instead of purchased.

Features

• Adjustability: Find a pump that allows you to adjust the level of suction.  You will find that some settings provide a more comfortable pump while drawing out large amounts of milk at the same time.
• 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 all liquid 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 and 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 milk in 2- to 5-oz. doses. Are 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 these websites to learn about their individual products.

• Avent
• Medela
• The First Years
• Playtex

Recommendations

Avent SCF30020 Isis Manual Breast Pump  This breast pump uses massaging cushions to gently release and store milk, and it is portable enough to take anywhere. Also, the manual system allows you to control the speed of the pump while milk is being drawn out.	Avent SCF30013 Isis Manual Breast Pump On-the-Go Set  This pump has a travel bag and cool packs for easy use and transportation. Its manual style has even been proven to obtain more milk than an electric pump.	Avent SCF30201 Isis Single Electronic Breast Pump  This breast pump has a memory that allows you to express milk at the same rate each time you use it. Comes with storage containers and a teat to mimic a baby's suckling as milk is released.

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 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 on breast milk vs. formula, visit Kids Health.

Related Guides

Bottle Feeding	Nursing Pads	Infant Clothing	Cribs

External Links

• About.com: A great introduction to breast pumps.
• BabyCenter.com: Even more help when choosing a pump.
• iVillage.com: Tips for which pump to buy depending on your situation (work, at home, low milk supply, etc).
• Madela.com: Tips on how to freeze your milk.