Pump It Up

The breast pump.

A good pump can be a new mom's best friend. It can give you a little time away from baby, allow you to breastfeed after returning from work, and even buy you a missed feeding in the middle of the night! There are also a number of situations in which breastfeeding is difficult, and a breast pump allows moms the ability to give their baby breastmilk without nursing, or to take a few days off without losing their supply. Some mothers who become experienced at pumping find that they are able to pump far more milk than their baby is consuming, and are even able to share their milk with milk banks that distribute the milk to sick and premature babies.

There are lots of pumps on the market, and moms can choose from many different brands, styles, and usage requirements. Here are a few of our favorites:

The First Years miPump Basic Double Pump - The miPump is the perfect choice for moms on a budget. At under $80, it is the cheapest double electric pump on the market. It is compact and quiet, and it comes with a bag so it’s easy to carry and discreet. It’s small enough to carry in your purse and quiet enough that only mom knows she’s pumping. A convenient battery option means you can pump anywhere - I used mine in the nursing room at Disneyland recently. One of my favorite features is that the miPump includes a handle that allows you to pump with only one hand, so you can multi-task while pumping.

Lansinoh® Double Electric Breast Pump - The Lansinoh Double Electric Breast Pump is ideal for a busy breastfeeding mom. This pump is designed for everyday long term use at home or away. At under $200 retail, the Lansinoh is nearly $100 cheaper than most comparable breast pumps. It's extremely portable and not couched in a backpack like other pumps. You could toss the Lansinoh pump in a large purse or tote bag and hardly even know it was in there. It can take six AA batteriesm and you can adjust both cycle/speed and vacuum/suction for personal preference. My favorite part is that there are minimal parts, so it's easy peasy to clean!

Medela Swing Single Breast Pump - Medela is the Cadillac of breast pumps. It's a classic. But their new single pump, the Swing, stands out as a great mom on the go. It's very small, but it operates just like the Pump In Style, which many moms have turned to as their pump of choice. It can work with an AC adapter or four AA batteries and can be set on a tabletop, clipped to a belt or worn around the shoulder or neck while pumping. It has a 2-Phase Expression technology that has been proven to get moms more milk in less time. Another feature I love about Medela pumps - all parts are BPA-free and fit with Evenflo or Gerber bottles.

Avent Isis iQ Duo Twin Electronic Breast Pump - this pump has two major features that stand out from the rest. First, it is clinically proven to be more effective than a hospital-grade electric pump, by mimicking both stimulation and expression. It's other claim to fame is that it is the first "smart' breast pump. It includes a memory feature that mimics mom and baby’s personal pumping rhythm. You start with pumping manually. The pump learns your touch and when you’re ready – quietly, electronically – it takes over your rhythm. You can also change your pumping rhythm any time you wish. While it's more expensive then other pumps, this is a great option for moms who are pumping exlusively.