Breast Pump Guide: 5 Things To Look For Before You Buy

A breast pump makes providing milk for your baby more manageable and efficient. But finding the right one can be daunting with the many available options. In this article, we’ve highlighted the most important factors to consider when buying one.

Now, more than ever, a breast pump is a must-have for many Mamas in Singapore. It makes expressing milk easier for Mamas and gives Mamas the freedom to do other things without worrying about what to feed their baby. Gone are the days when you must cancel all plans because you want to provide breastmilk to your baby exclusively!

Besides this, having a breast pump ready can also be helpful when you need to increase or maintain your milk supply. Plus, it comes in handy when you need to drain the breasts when they’re engorged and you have a painful breastfeeding experience. Follow our simple breast pump guide below to help pick the best pump for you.

Breast Pump Guide: What Should You Look For?

1. Purpose

For most Mamas, the choice is usually between a manual and an electric breast pump. A manual pump can be sufficient if you’re primarily a stay-at-home Mama with a well-established milk supply. You can use it when you need to relieve engorged breasts at home.

Meanwhile, an electric breast pump is the best option if your lifestyle requires you to be away from your baby most of the time.

If you plan to continue providing breastmilk to your baby when returning to work, an electric breast pump will allow you to express milk faster than a manual one and build up your milk stash.

2. Price

As a rule, always spend within your need and if it’s within your means. While quality breast pumps can be expensive, be open to new brands that offer the same quality without breaking the bank.

Remember, the money you invest will eventually make up for it when considering the cost of formula feeding.

3. Single or Double

On a related note, electric breast pumps are categorised into single and double pumps, with the latter generally pricier. Single electric options are a smart choice for Mamas who plan to express milk for their little ones occasionally.

But if you have to choose between a single and double pump, remember that going for a double pump will half the time you spend expressing. This will be useful for Mamas who plan to pump at work and have busy schedules. Moreover, expressing both breasts simultaneously will yield you more milk, of course.

4. Portability

Here’s the truth about breastfeeding: you must breastfeed or often pump to stabilise your milk supply. Sometimes, skipping a nursing or pumping session will affect your breast milk output.

As such, choosing a model that’s easy to carry, fits in your bag, and is versatile enough to be used in any location is crucial. Moreover, look for brands or models that can be used with a power bank or batteries.

5. Settings

Another essential feature you should look for is if it has two types of expression. Electric breast pumps let you switch between stimulation/massage and expression/suction. The stimulation or massage phase creates light and quick suctions to trigger the let-down reflex. Meanwhile, the expression or suction phase creates deeper, and longer suctions to pump milk.

This feature improves the breastfeeding experience because you can choose what is most comfortable for you. Even better would be to go for a brand or model with different suction levels that allow you to control the strength of the suction.

6. Sound

The need to pump milk can strike us anywhere. Right, Mamas? As such, choose a brand quiet enough to be used inside the nursery, in your bedroom, or at your office without disrupting anyone. Ideally, go for pumps with a decibel rating of 50 and below.

Shop Affordable Breast Pump in Singapore at Mama’s Choice

Get a 25% Discount on Mama’s Choice Single & Handy Electric Breast Pump | ~~$39.90~~ $29.90

A genuine value-for-your-money breast pump, Mama’s Choice Single Electric Breast Pump is an excellent choice for Mamas who want to conveniently and efficiently express milk. With this, you get the benefit of breastfeeding on one breast and expressing on the other. Check out the video below to see how easy it is to assemble and use!

It’s small, compact, and light, making it easy to put in your bag for emergency pumping. Mamas can also plug it into a laptop or a power bank. With two-phase expression and nine adjustable suction levels, Mama’s Choice Single Electric Breast Pump is surprisingly affordable and superbly efficient. Learn more about it here!