I remember that day clearly. I was on my seventh month and shopping for baby stuff when the person assisting me told me I should get a breast pump. I wasn’t keen to it since I thought I’ll be breastfeeding “directly” so no need to pump. After much convincing, I decided to buy one.
Why do moms need breast pump? 
Here’s why:
- Minimizes the need to give infant milk. Moms have life too apart from being a mother. There are instances when I have to be away for a few hours. By pumping, my baby will still be able to drink breast milk during feeding time even if I am away. Pumping breast milk will come in handy in case I am sick or I need to take medications.
- Provides milk for more than one child. Breastfeeding ONE baby can be overwhelming and challenging already. What more if I have twins? The good thing about pumping is that it makes it easier for moms to provide milk for multiple children sans nursing around the clock.
- Allow moms to relax and have time for themselves. Let’s face it: taking care of a baby 24/7 can be tiring too. Another reason why I pump is that it allows my husband, other members of the family, or my child’s nanny to feed the baby while I get few minutes of sleep or need to take a bath.
- A good pain reliever. I breastfed both my kids for more than a year and yes, it can be painful, especially when they are engorged with milk. Pumping helps relieve pain and be able to extract milk even if it’s not yet the baby’s feeding time.
- Using a breast pump addresses breastfeeding and milk supply issues. This includes increasing or maintaining milk supply, improve the baby’s latch, draw out inverted or flat nipples, and makes feeding easier especially when breasts are too full for the baby.
With these in mind, the next question is this: how to find the best breast pump? I know we, moms, have different opinions on things, but here are my tips in choosing which breast pump is best:
- Do your homework. I was surprised to find out that there are tons of brands in the market. Before I buy, I researched about the breast pumps available and read reviews about it.
- The size that will suit your lifestyle. I am a stay-at-home mom, so I don’t mind using bulky electric pumps. Still, there are instances when I need to bring a manual pump, which is why a compact, handheld pump will come in handy. In other words, consider your lifestyle to help you determine which breast pump is best.
- Consider the brand. As much as possible, I go for a breast pump manufactured by a well-known company. I don’t mind paying for a little extra as long as safety won’t be compromised.
- Electric versus manual pumps. I prefer electric pump than manual for convenience. I pump at home too; hence the electric, although I have a manual breast pump in case I have to be somewhere. If you are always on the go, then a manual pump can be a good option.
- It must be easy to use. What’s the point of having too many features and buttons if you won’t need them anyway? For me, the simpler, the better.
- Check the accessories and add-ons. I am for value for money, so I make sure that everything I buy is worth it. Some breast pumps comes with BPA-free bottles, tote bag, insulating bag, cooler, or other breastfeeding paraphernalia deemed useful while others will give you the pump itself.
- Don’t forget your size. Yes, some brands offer different sizes of flanges to cater to mommas with different sizes.
- Look at the price. This is another main consideration when choosing a pump. I read good reviews about tons of brands but are way over my budget. Thus, I went for a pump that is reasonably priced and can assist me in extracting milk.
In case you are looking for breast pumps, Diapers.com has a variety of products to choose from. Go ahead and check them out!
Don’t forget to share your breast pump-hunting tips in the comments section.
Ayi is a stay-at-home mom of two. When her kids are in their best state, she keeps up with chores, work, and ensuring that her sanity is intact. Join her as she navigates through this rollercoaster ride called motherhood.
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