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Pumps for breast feeding mothers come in a bewildering array of varieties and features. It is important that a woman know and weigh her choices carefully to try to choose the right pump the first time. A breast pump is a "personal use item" and cannot be returned to the store after it has been used.
A breast pump can be electric powered or manual powered by hand or even foot. The electric models fall into three categories by quality and price, and the manual ones are a category by themselves. More details are available at the links below.
The Best Personal Electric Breast Pump (details), $150+
The number one choice of mothers who go back to work full-time. The only disadvantage of these breast pumps may be the price, but one of these pumps can easily pay for itself when compared to the cost of formula at $100 a month.
- Medela Pump In Style Advanced Breast Pump
- Medela Pump In Style Original Breast Pump
- Ameda Purely Yours Breast Pump
- Avent Isis IQ Duo Breast Pump
- Playtex Embrace Breast Pump
The Economy Personal Electric Breast Pump (details), $75+
As a group these are the most incongruent breast pumps: there is a great variety in features, cost and design. Users either rave about them or hate them. Buyers should do their research carefully for these breast pumps.
- Medela Double Select Breast Pump
- Medela Swing (new in 2006) Breast Pump
- Bailey/Ameda Nurture III Breast Pump
- Avent Isis IQ Uno Breast Pump
The Hospital-Grade Breast Pump (details) $1000+
or $75+ monthly to rent
These breast pumps are the only serious choice for women establishing a milk supply for a newborn baby who cannot nurse immediately and frequently after birth. The major disadvantage is their weight and size makes them less portable.
- Medela Symphony Breast Pump
- Ameda Elite Breast Pump
- Medela Lactina Breast Pump
The Manual Breast Pump (details), under $75
The manual breast pump is recommended only for occasional use because most mothers do not get the same quantity of breast milk from a manual breast pump that they can get from an electric pump. They are small, quiet and quick to assemble. Some users like the "hands-on" control and say these breast pumps feel more natural. Others find their hands get tired.
- Medela Harmony Breast Pump
- Ameda One-Hand Breast Pump
- Avent Isis (manual) Breast Pump
- Medela PedalPump Breast Pump
The Cheap Breast Pump (article)
These models may be manual or electric and have in common the dissatisfaction of the majority of their consumer reviewers.
A breast pump allows a mother to save her breast milk in bottles or bags for her baby's later use. Breast milk can be fed to a baby in a bottle, cup, spoon or by other means. A lactation consultant is a breast feeding specialist that can assist a mother with problems she may be having in connection with her breast pump and other breast feeding issues. Many lactation consultants sell and rent breast pumps.
Precious in composition and quality, your breast milk contains all those benefits for your baby today that research has yet to discover in the years to come. Congratulations! You have made the decision to feed your baby the best-- your own breast milk.
Where to Read Unbiased Reviews of Breast Pumps
Breast Pumps Site Map
Where to Read Consumer Breast Pump Reviews
A list of websites that have the most useful volunteer opinions of breast pumps.
Why Medela, Ameda, Playtex and Avent Breast Pumps?
An explanation of why this website gives more emphasis to these breast pumps and other information pertaining to this website.
The New Trend In Breast Pumps: Massage
by Matia Bryson
An article about the difference between the new massaging breast pumps and the traditional suction-only pumps.
The Clandestine Acquisition Of A Breast Pump
by Barbara Fisher
The purchase of a breast pump for a new mother late on a Saturday night smacks of intrigue.
Breast Shield Fit: Every Body Is Different
by Matia Bryson
Discomfort, nipple soreness and low milk output could all be signs of too small a shield on one's breast pump.
Breast Pump Adverse Events Reported to the FDA
An extract of adverse event reports taken by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for 2001 through 2006.
Overview to Choosing A Breast Pump
Suggested articles to read to gain a basic understanding of breast pump technology and features.
Expressed Breast Milk Storage
It is important to know the guidelines for storing breast milk properly so that you always give your baby fresh milk Temperatures and times are given.
The Elusive Milk Ejection Response - Mind Over Matter
by Barbara Fisher
Barbara explains how she falls back on her experience with animals to bring on her milk ejection response while breast pumping.
Ten Things No One Told Me About Pumping
Countdown list of things author Aliza Sherman Risdahl never dreamed she would be doing because of her breast pump.
Breast Pump Forums and Message Boards
List of the best places to go on the internet to have mother-to-mother support with other pumping moms.
Dr. Brown's Natural Flow Breast Pump by Matia Bryson
A new no-tug breast pump that has a one-way air flow and the comfortable massaging feature
Medela Breast Pumps
Grouped together on one page, twelve pumps by this industry leader
Ameda Breast Pumps
Grouped together on one page, another industry leader
Avent Breast Pumps
Grouped together on one page, the Duo, the Uno, and the manual
EBay Breast Pump Watch by Matia Bryson
What price would one expect to pay for a new breast pump on eBay and tips to get the lowest price possible.
Buying a Used Breast Pump? by Cindy Curtis, IBCLC
The practice of re-using certain breast pumps may be dangerous because some disease organisms are known to be present in the breast milk of infected women.
Basics of Effective Pumping by Ameda/Hollister
The key to expressing milk is not the strength of suction but the triggering of the let-down, or milk release.
Using Cues For a Faster Let-Down by Matia Bryson
If you can associate your let-down with an action you can control--a stimulus or a cue--you can reduce the time it takes for let-down to occur with or without your baby’s help.
Relaxation for More Milk When Breast Pumping
by Matia Bryson
Eliminate anxiety, discomfort or tension of any type to ward off the “fight or flight” hormones that inhibit your let-down.
Exclusively Pumping Breast Milk: Why Women Do It
by Stephanie Casemore.
Why some women provide their breast milk to their babies in a manner other than directly from the breast.
Hands-Free Breast Pumping with Rubber Band Trick
How to have one's hands free when using a double electric breast pump. Page has many images and can be slow to load.
Breast Pumping More Conveniently by Matia Bryson
Tips and timesavers to reduce some of the hassle of using a breast pump.
Breast Pump Glossary and Breastfeeding Terms
From areola to warranty, brush up on those definitions with which you may not be familiar.
Did You Mean Medela Breast Pump?
A brief history of the Medela company and a list of common misspellings for people having difficulty finding it in the search engines.
Did You Mean Avent Breast Pump?
A brief history of the Avent company and a correction page for the misspelling "Advent" for people having difficulty finding it in the search engines.
A Letter to the Handi-Craft Company
about the Dr. Brown's Electric Breast Pump
by Amanda Bormann. One mother's story and review of the electric Dr. Brown's as an open letter to the Handi-Craft Company.
Breast Pumps On The Web
Exclusively Pumping Breast Milk: Why Women Do ItMost women who exclusively pump fully intended to breast feed, but when confronted with situations that make breast feeding impossible, these women turn to the use of a breast pump. Exclusively pumping is a viable alternative to formula feeding, to ensure their babies receive breast milk. Article by Stephanie Casemore.
Breastfeeding Reduces Incidence of Type 1 Diabetes
Two studies showed that children who were breastfed exclusively for longer periods of time may have natural protection against developing diabetes. It was particularly true in children who were breastfed exclusively for longer than five months. Post from The Diabetes Blog.
Interviews About the Breastfeeding Experience
This website provides audio-video interviews of 51 individuals and their experiences with breastfeeding on topics such as deciding to breastfeed, getting started and managing breastfeeding, special circumstances, weaning, and reflections on breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding Tips (Part 4)
Breastfeeding nicknames, babies' motor skills, family support for breastfeeding, the healing power of breast milk, paced bottle feeding, breastfeeding on cue, sharing used breast pumps, and a breastfeeding picture book for children, are comprised in this webpage of breastfeeding tips.
Ten Essential Traits of Breastfeeding Mothers
As a tribute to breastfeeding mothers on Mothers Day, Angela White of the Breastfeeding 1-2-3 Blog composed this list of traits with supporting links to a breastfeeding story or post about each trait.
Survey Reveals Workplace Barriers to Breastfeeding
A new survey by the not-for-profit National Women's Health Resource Center (NWHRC) and Medela, Inc. reveals 32 percent of new mothers give up breastfeeding less than seven weeks after returning to work because of significant barriers. This is particularly true of women in retail settings, younger moms and those with lower paying jobs.
The New Trend in Breast Pumps is Massage
What is the difference between the traditional tug-and pull breast pump and the massaging breast pump? Medela, Avent, Ameda, Playtex, Gerber, Dr. Brown's and Whittlestone brands are compared.
Breastfeeding and Good Fats Help Postpartum Depression
Breastfeeding and the good fats in Omega-3 fatty acids help new moms fight depression, according to a new article published in the most recent issue of the International Breastfeeding Journal by a University of New Hampshire researcher.
Breastfeeding and West Nile Virus
The current recommendation from the US Centers for Disease Control is that a mother should not interrupt breastfeeding if she contracts West Nile Virus, since the risk to the baby from weaning to infant formula is greater than the risk posed by the potential WNV infection. Article by Kelly Bonyata, IBCLC.
Breastfeeding in NYC in 1914
This document from the New York City Department of Health reminds us of the day when there was no mincing of words to tell the truth. For example, "Mother's milk is the only safe food." Photograph posted by Scott Greider of Scott's Simple Story blog.
Drugs and Breastfeeding
The decision about continuing breastfeeding when the mother takes a drug, is far more involved than determining whether the baby will get any drug in the milk. It also involves taking into consideration the risks of not breastfeeding. Article by Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC.
Advantages of Lying-Down for Breastfeeding
Recent research has found that breast feeding newborns in a lying down posture may reduce feeding problems and improve babies' natural reflexes. When mothers were lying flat or semi-reclined, babies could find the breast easier and in many cases attach themselves and feed whilst asleep.
A Breastfeeding Slide Show
This online slide show by Roni M. Chastain, RN, FACCE, is uplifting and encouraging and celebrates breastfeeding mothers including those mothers who nurse toddlers, twins, and triplets.
The Best Personal Electric Breast Pumps for Breastfeeding Mothers
These are the ideal double electric breast pumps for the mother who wants to buy a serious breast pump for going back to work full-time. These pumps by Medela, Ameda, Avent and Playtex have been rated at least at 4 out of 5 stars by volunteer reviewers.
How Much does Breastfeeding Reduce the Risk of Disease?
Or to put it another way, how much does artificial milk feeding increase the risk of disease? A recent meta-analysis of 9000 studies was completed by the US Department of Health and Human Services. A post by Tanya of the Motherwear blog.
All About Thrush - A Handy Guide
Thrush is a fungal infection that usually affects breast tissue or nipples. The organism Candida albicans is the cause of the infection, and women who are infected with thrush may feel severe nipple or breast pain. If the condition is not treated at an early stage, it may lead to early weaning in lactating mothers.
Breastfeeding In Public Becomes a Human Rights Issue
Morgan Gallagher eloquently argues the point that breastfeeding is the biological norm, not a cultural construct. Since breastfeeding is not a cultural activity, it does not belong in the cultural difference paradigm. Nursing an infant when the infant needs it, is the biological norm. Deciding that this needs to be done in a certain place, at a certain time, or in a certain way, is a cultural value.
More Breastfeeding Tips (Part 3)
Making breast milk popsicles, the changing properties of breast milk, homemade breastfeeding dolls, cheap breast pumps, breast pump shield fit, the breastfeeding icon contest, and night nursing and cavities, are the subjects of this breast-feeding tips page.
Catholic Moms Need Catholic Breastfeeding Support
With more education and encouragement, the entire Catholic community can help increase breastfeeding rates among Catholic moms. This will bring real benefits, physical, mental, emotional, and even spiritual, to our children, mothers, families, communities and society itself. Breastfeeding really does make a difference, and as Catholics, we have a great tradition of support for the family to guide us in our efforts. Article by Pamela Pilch
Artificial Milk Doubles Infant Deaths in America
Artificial feeding has an impact on overall infant death rates in both developing and undeveloped countries. While studies offering comparative death rates are not available for industrialized regions, there are numerous studies providing comparative occurrence rates for many illnesses and disorders in the United States and other industrialized nations. Even when studies adjust for maternal education, smoking, income level, and day care usage, the results continue to reveal the risks of artificial feeding.
Where To Read Breast Pump Consumer Reviews
Some of the best sources of unbiased breast pump reviews are on websites that allow anyone on the internet to post whatever they want to say, positive or negative. Any retailer can give testimonials of their products, but certain breast pumps will rate consistently well with consumers.
Nursing Room Locator Helps Mothers Find a Calm Place to Breastfeed
It is nice to know in advance where one can quietly nurse a distractible baby while out on a shopping trip. This blog lists locations by state, province and store name. Contributions to the list by the readers are wanted.
Preparation in Pregnancy for Successful Breastfeeding
This breastfeeding mother tells her story of how preparation in her pregnancy, reading and watching videos, resulted in a good start and pleasurable experience of breastfeeding her daughter. A blog post from Rixa of The True Face of Birth blog.
Finger Feeding as an Aid to Breastfeeding
Finger feeding is a method that helps train the baby to take the breast. It can also be used to avoid artificial nipples, but its primary purpose is to help latch on a baby who refuses to latch on. An article by Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC.
How to Handle Baby Fussing at the Breast While Nursing
Kelly Bonyata, IBCLC, identifies more than a dozen common causes that a baby may fuss or cry while attempting to breastfeed and offers solutions. This behavior in infants is common at the ages 6 to 8 weeks though it may occur at any time.
What You Should Know About Sharing Or Buying a Used Breast Pump
This article by Cindy Curtis, IBCLC, covers the differences between open system and closed system breast pumps, naming brands. The dangers of open system pumps include the transmission of pathogens like HIV, CMV, hepatitis and yeast infections like thrush.
How Breastfeeding Works
For mother and baby both, breastfeeding is a learned art. In the past, little girls grew up watching experienced mothers putting babies to breast. Today, many women have never seen anyone breastfeed before being handed their own first baby.
Cheap Breast Pumps for the Breast Feeding Mother
A summary of consumer experiences with cheap breast pumps by The First Years, Gerber, and Evenflo, and information on where to read breast pump user reviews.
The Good News about Lactation After Breast Surgery
Although the breast milk supply after surgery will be reduced somewhat, it can be increased by many psychological, mechanical, and chemical methods or devices, such as pumps and galactogogues. Even when full lactation is not possible, many mothers find that they can still have very satisfying breastfeeding relationships by supplementing in ways that maximize the milk supply and the time the baby spends at the breast.
Extended Breastfeeding on the Rise But Still Closeted
The Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog comments on the recent news about the rise in extended breastfeeding and solicits comments from its readers on how they dealt with outside pressures to wean.
