If you’re shopping for the right breast pump for your budget and lifestyle and are overwhelmed by all the options, you’re not alone. Whether you’re a first-time mom or a seasoned mom who needs a replacement pump, there are plenty of double electric breast pumps on the market that you can choose from. Before you buy, knowing what features to look will help you make the best choice for your lifestyle, budget, and needs.
What Features to Look for When Shopping for Double Electric Breast Pumps
A Portable Pump
If you plan on pumping outside the home, whether at work or anywhere else on-the-go, portability will be an important feature to look for. Portable breast pumps either come with a rechargeable battery or are battery-operated.
These double electric breast pumps are easy to transport and don’t require a power cord to operate. If you’re looking for a breast pump that you can take on the go, a portable one will make life easier and more convenient.
Versatile Flange Range
A breast pump flange, also known as a breast shield, is the piece that you situate over your breasts to create a vacuum seal to ensure efficient and effective pumping. Most double electric breast pumps come with various-sized flanges to accommodate different women. Measuring your nipples prior to purchasing a pump can help you determine your size so that you can choose your breast pump accordingly.
Flange sizes range from 10 mm to 40 mm, and the average size included with most breast pumps is 24 mm. Many manufacturers offer additional accessories and flanges for those who need an alternative option not provided with the pump.
A Carrying Case
Carrying cases make transporting your breast pump more discreet and convenient. However, whether a breast pump comes with a carrying case shouldn’t be a dealbreaker. If you find a pump that you love that doesn’t have a carrying case, you can easily transport it in a diaper bag or purchase a tote bag specifically designated for your pump.
Some pumps have units that are built into the carrying case for easy transport, like the Medela Pump In Style Advanced models. Others come with a bag designated for transporting the pump.
A Cooler
Select breast pumps come with coolers specifically designated for storing breastmilk. Coolers are valuable for women who need to store breastmilk during the day after pumping at work or anywhere else outside the home. They’re ideal for working mothers who want a discreet solution for storing breastmilk and don’t want to rely on the break room refrigerator. They also provide a convenient way to store breastmilk when pumping on road trips.
These coolers typically come with custom ice packs, and are small, compact, and can store several bottles of breastmilk at a time. If you find a breast pump that doesn’t come with a cooler, you can buy one separately that will work best for your needs.
A Letdown Feature
Many breast pumps have a letdown phase setting, which is a feature that helps promote optimal milk supply while pumping. Most pumps that have this feature allow for a two-minute interval that can be bypassed as needed. The setting helps mimic natural breastfeeding to ensure optimal comfort and adequate milk production.
A Hospital-Grade Rating
For some women, having a pump with a hospital-grade filter is necessary for multiple reasons. Hospital-grade breast pumps have closed systems that ensure milk and any other fluids will never enter the motor. They’re resilient, have a quiet motor, are built to last, and can accommodate frequent use and multiple users. They also have an array of settings to accommodate each woman’s pumping needs and preferences.
These pumps have a high pumping strength and are ideal for women with NICU or premature babies, women with low milk supply, women whose babies are sick or have difficulty latching, and those with any medical condition that prevents them from breastfeeding.
Total Pump Strength
Another feature to look for when choosing a breast pump is the suction strength. Pumps are rated according to their vacuum strength, which is how strongly the pump holds on to breasts while pumping.
However, high strength doesn’t always equate to more milk supply. Increasing the vacuum strength too high can cause discomfort and pain while pumping. Pumps typically range from 200 to 300 mmHg of suction, and the ideal suction strength will all depend on your needs and preferences.
A Quiet Motor
Some breast pumps, like the Elvie Pump, have a quiet motor that ensures optimal discretion when pumping. If you plan to pump in public places or at night while others are sleeping, having a quiet motor is a feature you’ll want to look for. It offers a more discreet experience without sacrificing performance.
Smart Features
Some breast pumps are equipped with smart features that enable users to track pumping sessions through the manufacturer’s app. For example, the Ardo Alyssa Hands-Free connects to the MyArdo app, where you can track your pumping sessions and your baby’s growth. You’ll also have access to personalized content and can utilize resources on the app.
Having a smart pump isn’t a necessity, but for some women, it will prove beneficial. The Elvie is another popular breast pump that’s controlled by an app. The app has an automated milk tracking system and offers smart pumping rhythms to ensure optimal milk extraction. If you think you’ll benefit from smart features and would like to track your pumping sessions, finding a smart pump will be a good option.
Extra Accessories
Aside from carrying cases and coolers, you may want to find a pump with extra accessories like bottle nipples and extra parts for convenience purposes. As you search for the right breast pump, read through the list of what’s included in the box so that you know exactly what you’re getting and can purchase additional items if needed.
A Manufacturer’s Warranty
Electric breast pumps aren’t inexpensive, which is why purchasing a breast pump with a warranty is the easiest way to protect your investment. Most breast manufacturers provide a one to two-year warranty that covers defective parts or pump malfunctions.
These warranties typically won’t cover accidental damage or issues that result from normal wear and tear. Keep in mind that purchasing your pump well before you need it will shorten your warranty, so once you find the right pump, remember that your warranty begins as soon as you purchase it.
If you’re shopping for a breast pump that’s right for your lifestyle, budget, and needs, we can help. We carry the most popular pumps and accessories and have the resources you need to help you make the right decision.
Whether you’re an expecting mother, a working mother, or a stay-at-home mother, it’s important that you have the right hands-free breast pump to accommodate your active lifestyle. Because there are so many hands-free pumps available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. However, once you know what to look for, you can narrow down the options and make the best decision for your needs.
How to Choose the Best Option Among the Hands-Free Breast Pumps Available for Active Moms
Check If the Breast Pump Comes With a Warranty
Hands-free breast pumps are an investment, especially if your insurance company doesn’t provide you with one at no cost. For that reason, it’s recommended to find a breast pump that comes with a warranty.
The best breast pumps will come with a manufacturer’s warranty that ranges anywhere from one to three years on parts and the pump itself. If something goes wrong with the breast pump within the first few years of owning it, the manufacturer will cover the cost of replacement or provide you with replacement parts, so you won’t be left without a working pump for long.
Determine How Often You’ll Use Your Breast Pump
As a new mother, it may be hard to determine when and how often you plan to pump, especially if you don’t know how breastfeeding will go for you. There are so many unknowns with breastfeeding when you’ve never experienced it before.
If you end up facing challenges after giving birth or while breastfeeding that require more supplemental pumping than you expected, having a high-quality pump ready will make all the difference, whether you use it frequently or infrequently.
Explore Your Options
One of the benefits of advancements in hands-free breast pumps is that there are now options designed to accommodate different types of active mothers. The goal of a breast pump is to make feeding your baby easier and support your active lifestyle.
Hands-free pumps are convenient regardless of whether you work in or outside the home, but finding the best breast pump ultimately comes down to choosing one that will meet your needs and accommodate your lifestyle postpartum. That’s why reading more about the options and their features is key.
Available Accessories and Features
Many of the pumps designed for frequent use are ideal for active mothers because they have Wi-Fi connectivity and come with tote bags, ice packs, coolers, car chargers, and extra features and accessories to accommodate those who plan to pump more than breastfeed. These features may be unnecessary for mothers who plan to stay at home or use their breast pumps infrequently, while they’ll prove invaluable for others.
Women who need to pump throughout the workday, store a day’s worth of breast milk at the office, and transport their pump to and from work each day will need pumps with advanced features and settings and extra accessories. Women who plan to use their pump on an as-needed basis and want to primarily breastfeed may be better suited for a hands-free pump that’s designed for home use.
Hospital-Grade Pumps
Hospital-grade pumps are a separate category of breast pumps that have a higher price tag because of their advanced technology and features. Some women will be limited to a hospital-grade pump due to circumstances surrounding their birth, like needing to establish milk supply, difficulty nursing, feeding twins, or feeding a NICU baby.
Hospital-grade pumps have high suction levels, are designed for frequent use, and have closed systems, making them sterile and able to be used by multiple users.
Read Reviews
Reading reviews before choosing a hands-free breast pump can help you learn more about which options other active moms prefer. There are plenty of women who have gone before you and have chronicled their experience with particular pumps, both through reviews and on personal blogs or social media accounts.
Consider Where You’ll Primarily Use Your Pump
How often and where you plan to pump will help determine whether you need a portable option. Some hands-free pumps are portable and are either battery-operated or come with a rechargeable battery. While the majority of pumps on the market are portable, there are a few that are not and are better for at-home use.
Having a portable pump is ideal if you want to pump anywhere other than your home and don’t want to rely on a power cord. If this is the case for you, be sure to compare battery life between your top contenders to ensure you choose one that meets your on-the-go pumping demands.
Determine Your Flange Size
Breast pumps come with breast shields, which are also called flanges. Flange size can affect different aspects of pumping, including the effectiveness and efficiency of the pump and your overall comfort during the process. You can measure your nipples during the final weeks of pregnancy to determine your approximate flange size, and then again two weeks postpartum for the most accurate measurement.
If you’re uncertain about flange size, choose a pump that offers the most flange options so that you don’t have to find a better option once you start pumping.
Check If Your Insurance Company Provides Coverage
Some insurance companies will provide you with a breast pump at no cost. If that’s the case, you’ll likely be limited to the options they provide. If those no-cost pump options don’t accommodate your needs and lifestyle, purchasing your preferred option may be the best solution.
Determine Your Budget
Like most products, breast pumps range in price based on their features, brand, quality, and the number of accessories that come with that pump. Some pumps may require that users purchase replacement parts at some point for safety, longevity, maintenance, and hygiene purposes.
Once you determine how much you want to or can spend on a breast pump, you can rule out certain options and shop within your range.
Prioritize Simplicity
Choosing the right hands-free breast pump all comes down to comfort, efficiency, and ease of use. During those first few weeks postpartum, life will be a blur. The last thing you want to do is try to learn how to make your breast pump work, which is why it’s important that you choose one that is both easy to use and effective.
Your time should be spent with your baby, bonding, and providing for his or her needs, not troubleshooting a breast pump. As you read reviews and consider your options, look for one that’s highly rated for its effectiveness and that’s known for its ease of use.
Research the Manufacturer’s Website
Once you find a breast pump that will meet your needs, visit the manufacturer’s website. It’s important to learn about the brand, the product, the warranties, and the available accessories.
Knowing what your pump comes with and what it doesn’t ahead of time will ensure you’re prepared and have everything you need to efficiently feed your baby. It will also help determine if you need to purchase extra items, so you can budget accordingly.
When you know what to look for in a breast pump, choosing the right option will be simple and stress-free. If you need resources to help you make the best decision, or need a reliable source from which to buy your breast pump, we can help.
Visit us today at breastpumps.com for more information about the available breast pumps and explore our resources designed for new and active moms.
Need help? Give us a call at 888-495-7491 Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. and Saturday/Sunday 9:00 a.m. -- 5 p.m.
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