Types of Breast Pumps & Their Features

Types of Breast Pumps & Their Features

Buying a breast pump can be overwhelming–so many types of pumps and pump features–where do you start?

Types of Breast Pumps:

Manual Pump
A manual pump is not electric and requires a user to pump manually. A manual pump works well for mothers who only plan to pump on occasion.

Features to Consider When Buying Manual Pumps
Since you’re going to be doing a lot of pumping, be sure it has a comfortable handle that swivels and the ability to squeeze and hold while milk is flowing to reduce work of manual pumping.

Types of Electric Pumps
Electric pumps are easiest and most used type of pump. There are two common types of pumps you’ll come across: hospital-grade and personal pump/single user.

Hospital-Grade Breast Pump
Hospital-Grade breast pumps have the most powerful motors and are the best option for mothers needing to get the most out of their milk supply such as mothers with babies in the NICU.

Personal Pump/ Single User
A personal pump or “single user” generally doesn’t have a motor as powerful as the hospital grade and may or may not be a closed system.

Breast pumping is a great way to make breastfeeding more convenient and accessible no matter what your lifestyle is.

Features to Look for When Choosing an Electric Pump:

Separate Suction and Speed Dials: This will customize your pumping session to suit your milk flow needs and allow you to adjust the speed to trigger multiple milk ejections while keeping the suction comfortable.

Option to Single or Double Pump
It’s true that double pumping stimulates more milk production, but sometimes you only need to pump one breast at a time, so it’s good to have options.

Multiple Flange Sizes
No two breasts are made the same, especially when you’re nursing. Having a variety of flange sizes ensures the most comfortable experience with maximum milk production.

Milk Protection Barrier
A milk protection barrier will protect your milk against bacteria, viruses and mold that can grow in moist tubing and breast pumps.

Ready to start pumping?
Breast pumping is a great way to make breastfeeding more convenient and accessible no matter what your lifestyle is. When choosing a pump, consider your options carefully, picking one that works for you will help increase your milk supply and make breast pumping comfortable.

We recommend closed system pumps with milk protection barriers like the Ameda Purely Yours Ultra and the Ameda Finesse, which contain the Ameda HygieniKit® Milk Collection System, the world’s only FDA-cleared viral and bacterial protection barrier.

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