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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 no-tug breast pump that has a one-way air flow and the comfortable massaging feature
Hygeia EnJoye Breast Pump by Matia Bryson
A breast pump that permits sharing between mothers with their own personal accessory kit and a button to record your baby's sounds.
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.
Extended Breastfeeding - Don't Ask, Don't Tell
FoxNews once again wants to stir up "debate" about breastfeeding. The story here is that some Australian researchers have "discovered" that some mothers breastfeed their children as late as the age of 7. Horrors! This follows all the stories bemoaning how so many mothers jeapardize their children's health by breastfeeding too briefly. Well, which is it? Too little or too much breastfeeding going on in the world?
Breast Pump Industry Shakeup! Evenflo Buys Ameda!
Usually it's low key stuff - a mom hassled in a restaurant or mall, a resultant nurse-in of lactivists (lactation activists). At worst, it's somebody in the limelight like Rosie O'Donnell or Bill Maher saying something really stupid about breastfeeding. But no! This time it was really big news about breast pump companies themselves, and the whole dynamic of the industry changing: Evenflo buying out Ameda!
Discreet Breastfeeding, Needless Debate
ABC's Good Morning America is jumping in on the so-called "debate" about public breastfeeding. Their article is here. But there need be no debate, because confining breastfeeding mothers to their homes in order to feed their babies amounts to house arrest, which would be absurd.
Should you buy a breast pump as a gift?
Still, it's possible that in all the excitement, a gift or two won't exactly be to the mother's taste or liking. Particularly a personal one like a breast pump. It doesn't happen often, but once in a while a well meaning father, grandmother, or other relative will buy a breast pump for an expectant mom, without consulting the mom, even before the baby is born.
Making Any Breast Pump Work for You
For a new mom who might find herself struggling with a pricey new breast pump, she may be wondering if she bought the right one. There is a huge variety of breast pumps out there, so this is a reasonable question for her to be asking.
The Confidence of Mothers
She was still outraged to this day that the nurses were discussing "what to do when she dried up" and "what additives to put in her pumped breast milk as there was less and less of it", because they were so sure she would not be able to pump enough or long enough to support her little premie.
When you don't have a hoity toity Lactation Room
Upscale employers are getting the picture, that providing a nice private place for employees who breastfeed to use their breast pumps, makes life easier and helps with employee retention. But what if you don't work for an upscale employer?
Breastfeeding May Cut Breast Cancer Risk
Women with a family history of breast cancer who have ever breastfed reduce their risk of getting premenopausal breast cancer by nearly 60%, according to a new study. "For women with a family history of breast cancer, this suggests an extra benefit [of breastfeeding] is, it may reduce the risk of breast cancer," says Alison Stuebe, MD, an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the lead author of the study. It is published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
Breastfeeding Boosts Child's School Performance
Children who were breastfed do better in high school and are more likely to go to college than their bottle-fed siblings, researchers report. While the health benefits of breastfeeding to both infants and mothers is well known, this study suggests the practice may have educational benefits as well. This is the first study using data on siblings to examine the effect of breastfeeding on high school completion and college attendance, the researchers noted.
Breast-feeding OK for Most Moms with MS
New moms with multiple sclerosis who want to breast-feed but worry it might cause their disease to relapse may be reassured by a new study that discovered this is not the case for most women. The study, in the June 8 issue of Archives of Neurology, found that almost two of three women with multiple sclerosis (MS) who breast-fed exclusively for two months or more and who were not taking MS medications did not experience a relapse of their disease while they were breast-feeding.
Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump Review
Even though this is a manual pump and not an electrical one, it has been my favorite breast pump thus far. I use it for times when I'll be away from baby for a night or during out of town trips away from baby where I'll need to relieve the pressure and keep up my milk supply until I return. This pump costs around $25 and comes quite in handy for those who need a pump just some of the time rather than on a consistent basis.
4 Reasons Why Breastfeeding is Beneficial
New mothers face many decisions when it comes to having a baby. While every little or big decision may seem to share the same level of importance, a mother knows what's best. For all mothers, the choice to breastfeed or use formula is an important and personal decision, and only a mother knows which is best for her and her baby. If you're considering breastfeeding, here are some valuable reasons why breastfeeding could be beneficial to you and your baby.
Breastfeeding and Choosing the Right Nursing Bra For You
Breastfeeding is one of the most difficult tasks of a new mother. Unlike what you see in television ads, breastfeeding is not that joyous and easy to do. The process takes a lot of practice and with the right materials to use so as to feed your newborn the best way possible.
Tips For Easier Traveling With Your Breastfed Baby
You have spent awhile getting used to breastfeeding your child at home and getting into a comfortable routine. Traveling can really mix up this routine and present new challenges for a breastfeeding mother. Here are a few tips that can help ease you into a more enjoyable and comfortable trip with your breastfed baby.
How Breastfeeding Benefits Mothers
With numerous guidelines being written on the importance and benefits of breastfeeding, more and more mothers are becoming aware of how beneficial it is to nurse their babies. However, it seems that the benefits of breastfeeding to a mother isn't as well publicised, for many mothers still view breastfeeding as a sacrificial practice almost akin to martyrdom.
Breastfeeding Foods For Mom
Eat a wide variety of foods with a larger proportion of proteins, essential fats and oils rather than simple carbohydrates and sugars. This will ensure richer more settling milk for your breastfed baby and a stable metabolism for the breastfeeding mother. Digested food passes through into breast milk but only some foods will have an adverse effect on some breastfed babies.
What Everybody Ought to Know About Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding has long been championed as the best source of food for babies and mothers can actually breastfeed their babies for as long as they want. Earlier research shows that benefits of breastfeeding for the mother include lowering the risk factors of developing diseases like heart problems, diabetes, and high cholesterol for women in their post-menopausal period.
The Many Benefits of Breast Feeding Far Outweigh the Disadvantages
We all want to do what's best for our new baby and to give him the best start we can. As far as your baby's health is concerned, breast feeding is the number one thing you can do to protect him from sickness and build a healthy immune system. Of course, one of the main benefits of breast feeding is that it's free!
Nursing Beyond the First Year
When you made the decision to nurse your baby, you undoubtedly did so because you knew about the many benefits nursing provided your newborn. After all, nursing protects your baby from gastro-intestinal trouble, respiratory issues, numerous ear infections and from developing allergies. Not to mention all the additional benefits like helping you to lose weight, lowering your stress, and reducing post-partum bleeding.
Breastfeeding - Things to Avoid
Breastfeeding mothers almost always try to analyse their intake to assess how different meals affect their babies. When babies are uncomfortable or crying mothers try to determine what they ate so that they can remove the offending substance from our diets. Most of the time babies cry in reaction to something completely unrelated to what has been eaten. But sometimes, what is eaten does affect how babies feel. Some concern about eating well while breastfeeding is OK but don't be too hard on yourself.
Maternal Diet - Basics For a Breast Feeding Woman
Ensure a wide variety of food groups are consumed with a larger proportion of proteins, good fats and oils rather than complex carbohydrates and sugars. This will ensure richer more settling milk for your breastfed baby and a stabilized metabolism for the breastfeeding mother. Digested food passes through into breast milk but only some foods will have an adverse effect on some breastfed babies.
