17th November 2021
When you are looking for a breast pump, it is hard to know which one is best for you, especially if you are buying to get around tender or sore nipples.
Keeping it simple and finding a breast pump that fits your requirements is essential to extending your breast milk or breastfeeding journey.
You can order your new Lansinoh breast pump online, click here.
Should I choose an Electric or Manual Breast Pump?
The first decision you will make when buying your breast pump is whether to buy a manual breast pump (hand-operated) or an electric breast pump (mains – or battery-operated, sometimes called automatic breast pumps).
You will need to take into consideration how often you will be pumping, how long you will need to use the pump, and how much time you have for expressing milk.
If you are sharing feeding responsibilities and will be away from your baby at work, making time to express during your working day is a must to prevent breast engorgement or mastitis.
Electric Breast Pumps
Electric pumps are the preferred option if you will be expressing regularly, if you have a baby in special care, or are returning to work. They are also extremely useful if you have very limited time, as they are quicker than manual ones.
Look for an electric breast pump that has separately adjustable suction and cycle levels, as this will enable you to choose settings that most closely resemble the way your baby suckles.
It is also useful to have a pump that operates in two phases: one to stimulate the let-down of your milk, and then the second for efficient expressing of the milk. Some electric pumps are now surprisingly light, so you may also want to take this into account.
Lansinoh electric breast pumps can also be used with batteries or a mains electrical supply, offering total flexibility for where and when you want to express.
Our pumps also offer compatibility between the pump bottles and breastmilk feeding bottles, meaning storing breastmilk is as simple as pump and store.
Single or Double Electric Breast Pumps
All mums know how important time saving strategies are and a double electric pump could enable you to express milk in around half the time, as you can use it to express from both breasts at once.
A double pumping session can be achieved in as little as 10 minutes, compared with 20-30 minutes using a single pump. Expressing from both breasts simultaneously has also been found to stimulate prolactin levels and increase milk production more effectively than single pumping*.
You may also choose to use a pumping bra, which will free both your hands and enable you to use your phone or computer at the same time.
A double breast pump is also the obvious option if you have twins to breastfeed, if breastfeeding is delayed after birth or if you and your baby are regularly separated for long periods.
A compact single electric breast pump is ideal, especially if you tend to express and breastfeed at the same time. It is small enough to be popped into your handbag or changing bag when out and about too; not to mention that it can be powered by a micro USB cable plugged into a power ban or mains adapter too.
Manual Breast Pumps
Hand-operated pumps are ideal if you express occasionally, for the odd night out or for short periods when you are away from your baby.
They tend to be very light and compact, so they are easy to carry around in your bag. What’s more, of course, is that you don’t need to worry about an electricity supply or any sound – our manual breast pumps are silent during usage.
Some women find that their wrist tires relatively quickly when using a manual breast pump, so be sure to choose one with an ergonomically designed handle like the Lansinoh one. You may find it takes some time to master the best rhythm for you, but, with a little practice, this will come.
READ: How to express milk with our breast pumping tips
Manual pumps are easier to use when your breasts are full than when they are soft. Look out for a manual breast pump with two phases – let-down and expression phases – to make each expression easier, quicker and more effective.
All Lansinoh pumps are compatible with the pump bottles and breastmilk feeding bottles, which means you’ll have even fewer parts to clean.
The Breastmilk Collector is an alternative to a breast pump, which catches breastmilk that would otherwise soak into a breast pad. You can easily attach the Breastmilk Collector with a slight squeeze on the suction while feeding from the opposite breast, leaving your hands free to hold your baby comfortably.
For further advice on breastfeeding, take a look through our blog here.
