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The Importance Of A Breast Pump – If you’re a working mother, you have probably worried about leaving your baby to a sitter at one point. One major concern that comes up when a new mother needs to return to work is how to feed the baby while she is away.
One option is to supplement with baby formula. It is of course something that you can explore but we highly recommend against it. While today’s formulas are designed to mimic breast milk as closely as possible, there still remains no substitute for the real thing. Formula-fed babies have longer durations of reflux episodes (also known as spit-ups) and are also more at risk for tooth decay. These poor babies are also at a disadvantage when it comes to speech development.
So the next option and perhaps the best, is to find a way to give your baby your own milk even when you are away. Enter the breast pump. These contraptions can be your best friend when you need to express milk for future use.
Mothers use breast pumps for a lot of reasons. For one, breast pumps can jumpstart milk production when it is low especially right after delivery. Some mothers pump to store extra bottles of breast milk for times when they need to go out on date night or grocery shopping. Pumping is also necessary to maintain a working mother’s milk production as it tends to dwindle with less frequent contact with the baby.
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Some premature infants also lack the ability to nurse but can feed through a bottle. Mothers of these preemies are left with no choice but to employ a breast pump. And when mommy needs to take medication that is potentially harmful for the baby, a breast pump is needed to express and store milk ahead of time.
There are two types of pumps: electric and manual. Manual breast pumps are much more inexpensive but they require a lot of physical effort. On the other hand, electric pumps are much more convenient especially when you need to pump frequently. Electric pumps are considerably bulky compared to the manual ones but there are also portable models.
Whether or not you use an electric pump actually depends on your needs. If you will be returning to work full-time, you would need an efficient double breast pump that can express more milk in as little time as possible. Being on-the-go also means you need to choose a portable model. If you just need to pump every once in while, a manual breast pump can very well do the job for you.
We hope that the following breast pump reviews will help you choose the best electric pump for you.
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Medela Freestyle Breast Pump
This electric hands-free double breast pump is arguably the best in the market. Being a double breast pump, it pumps twice as quickly as a single-breast pump, not to mention a manual type. Perhaps its best feature is the hands-free operation which allows you to type, play with the baby and maybe even cook while the pump is operating.
Another good thing about this Medela pump is the 2-Phase Expression technology that mimics child’s natural sucking pattern to elicit “let-down” more easily. It starts with light and fast sucking to stimulate milk flow followed by slow stronger sucking to increase production.
It is also portable and it operates on both an A/C adapter and batteries for when you need to pump on the go. The Medela Freestyle also comes with a stylish travel tote that can carry the pump and all the accessories that you need for pumping, including a refrigeration system that keeps expressed milk cold for up to 12 hours. It’s just like carrying a mini-fridge in your bag!
Being top-of-the-line, it comes at a premium price. But if money isn’t an issue, the Freestyle is the best pump that you can get.
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Ameda Purely Yours Breast Pump
The Ameda Purely Yours is one of the most popular models in the market. It is also an electric double breast pump that comes at a mid-range price. This breast pump has received positive reviews web-wide making it one of the best-selling pumps as well.
The Purely Yours comes with an adjustable suction and speed controls that allows you to set it according to your comfort level. The best feature that makes it a favorite among meticulous mothers is that it operates on a closed system. Milk or condensation never enters the tubing, preventing the growth of bacteria or mould on the tubes. This feature also makes for easier cleaning.
It is also a relatively quiet pump. You can even talk on the phone while pumping without letting the person on the other end know that you are attached to a pump. This model is not hands-free but you can easily make it so by using one of those hands-free pumping bras. All in all, if you want the efficiency of the Medela Freestyle sans the hefty price, the Ameda Purely Yours is the perfect choice for you.
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Lansinoh Affinity Double Electric Breast Pump
The Affinity is extremely popular among mothers for two reasons: its price and functionality comparable to the Medela pumps. Just like the Medela Freestyle, its let-down process is noteworthy. It mimics a suckling child’s feeding pattern to ensure adequate milk production.
What we most love about the affinity is that it works with almost any baby bottle. This can save you a lot of money from buying compatible bottles as you most likely already have a shelf full from baby showers.
It is also easy to keep the Affinity clean. Just like the Ameda Purely Yours, is has a mechanism that does not allow milk to back up to the tubing and the motor, a problem that most users report of the Medela pumps. It is not exactly a quiet pump but the noise is not overwhelming either.
If you want a pump that can easily compete, if not beat the features of the Medela Freestyle at almost half the price, the Lansinoh Affinity is what you are looking for.
Bottom line is, breastfeeding is one of the best gifts you can give your newborn. Years from now, when you see that he’s developing and reaching all his milestones and also that he’s emotionally secure and trusting of people, you will look back to the day when you decided to breastfeed and thank your lucky stars!
