The Best Breast Pump
Don't let the title fool you.. this is a trick. There is no "Best Pump". There are pumps that have more benefits than others, however, there is no pump that is "the best". Remember all woman are not the same and therefore, they respond differently to pumps. Pro tip, if someone tells you that one pump is the best... RUN!
There are pumps that are best for you, but before you decide what pump that is, you should consider:
Suction strength
Body response
Type of pump
Let's explore these three factors and how they intertwine. The first is the pump type. The type of pump can mean a number of things, but I am referring to what you might be looking for in a pump. Many people rely on something that is portable, but portable pumps are not always as strong as wall pumps. Consider what you want or the type of pump that suits your lifestyle best.
This ties in with your body response. Your body response can be dependent on the type of pump you are using. For example, someone with a larger breast size may not respond to a wearable breast pump because of the size of their breasts.
A key factor in a person's response to a pump and the type of pump they prefer is the suction strength. Everyone wants pump that has a strong suction that will effectively empty their breasts.
Just thinking as a new mom, I had no idea what I truly needed to look for in a breast pump. I looked at the list that my insurance company gave me and I selected the most popular pump...I went with what I thought was logical, but I never considered other factors.
Another consideration is how frequently you will need the pump. Are you pumping:
Occasionally (only at work)
Regularly/daily
Only to establish a milk supply
Some pumps are great for occasional use. Someone who pumps 1-2 times a week when away from baby. A hand pump would be great for someone that pumps occasionally.
But, if you pump regularly and you are trying to establish a supply, you need an electric pump to reduce some stress. A hand pump would be so much work vs using an electric pump that will pump for you. A hospital grade double pump are designed to bring in and maintain a mother's milk supply.
Selecting a breast pump is very important and sometimes it is a trial and error process. Educating yourself on the pumps and their overall functions will benefit you and your milk supply.