Breast-feeding: Choosing a breast pump
Should you invest in an electric breast pump? A double pump? A lightweight pump? If you're in the market for a breast pump, ask yourself these questions and more.
By Mayo Clinic StaffMany breast-feeding mothers consider breast pumps as important as car seats and baby wipes. Whether you're going back to work or simply want the flexibility a breast pump can offer, you'll have many choices. Here's help deciding which type of breast pump is best for you.
How often will you use the breast pump?
Multimedia
If you'll be away from the baby only occasionally and your milk supply is well-established, a simple hand pump might be all you need. You simply place a cone-shaped shield on your breast and squeeze the handle to express the milk. If you're returning to work full time or you're planning to be away from your baby for more than a few hours a day, an electric pump is a better option.
Consider waiting to get a pump until after your baby is born, when you might better know how you'll be using it.
Will you need to pump as quickly as possible?
A typical pumping session lasts about 10 to 15 minutes a breast. If you'll be pumping at work or in other time-crunched situations, you might want to invest in an electric breast pump that allows you to pump both breasts at once. A double-breast pump helps stimulate milk production while reducing pumping time by half.
How much can you afford to spend on the pump?
You can buy breast pumps from medical supply stores and most drugstores and baby stores, as well as many discount department stores. Electric pumps typically cost more than manual models. Because there's a small risk of contamination, don't borrow or buy a used personal-use breast pump.
You might also consider renting a hospital-grade electric breast pump from a hospital or medical supply store — especially if you're pumping milk while your baby is hospitalized or you've chosen to feed your baby expressed milk rather than breast-feed your baby. If you rent a pump, you'll need to buy the equipment that attaches your breast to the pump (pumping kit).
Most health insurance plans cover the cost of buying or renting a breast pump.
April 07, 2015 See more In-depthProducts and Services
- Book: Mayo Clinic Guide to Your Baby’s First Year
See also
- Bathing your newborn
- Baby poop: What's normal?
- Baby sling
- Baby sunscreen
- Baby's head shape: What's normal?
- Breast-feeding and medications
- Signs of successful breast-feeding
- Breast-feeding nutrition: Tips for moms
- Breast-feeding support
- Breast-feeding twins
- Breast-feeding vs. formula-feeding
- Breast milk storage
- Breast-feeding: Pumping tips
- Breast-feeding tips
- Crying baby
- Extended breast-feeding
- Newborn feeding basics
- Induced lactation
- Infant development: Birth to 3 months
- Low milk supply
- New dad tips
- Sleep tips for new parents
- Introducing a new sibling
- Newborn care: 10 tips
- Newborn feedings
- Pacifiers and your baby
- Caring for a premature baby
- Sagging breasts after breast-feeding
- Baby baths
- Birthmarks
- Breast-feeding positions
- How to swaddle a baby
- What a newborn really looks like
- Umbilical cord care: Do's and don'ts for parents
- Uncircumcised penis care
- Vaccination schedule
- Baby's soft spots