Are you a working mom? Or, just unable to be with your baby whenever he or she needs to be fed? Then a breast pump may be for you! And, with so many breast pumps on the market, you may be stressed trying to find the right one. Luckily, I’ve done all the hard work for you! Today we will be reviewing the top 10 breast pumps of 2018. To find out individual specifications and information about each breast pump, click on the individual product review tab in the table below.
Here Are The Best Breast Pumps of 2018!
Do I Need A Breast Pump?
If you are planning on breastfeeding exclusively, then you will probably not need a breast pump at all. But, if you are going back to work, or will be away from your baby during feeding time, then you will need a breast pump to keep feeding your baby breast milk.
When Should I Use A Breast Pump?
Whenever you are getting close to being gone from your baby, you will need to start getting a supply of milk stored. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to get the hang of using the breast pump. Don’t wait until the day before you will be gone, to start pumping. Pump several days in advance.
How Do I Use A Breast Pump?
To use a breast pump, you will put a device that looks like a shield around your nipple. Then turn your machine on, and let the suctioning do it’s job. Make sure that you keep the shield tightly over your nipple area. If all goes well, it should take about 15 minutes to pump both breasts using an electric pump, possibly faster if you are using a double pump. If you are using a hand pump, it may take up to 45 minutes.
How Do I Choose A Breast Pump?
Be careful of choosing a breast pump. They are not all created equal. Make sure to check the warranty on your pump before you buy it. Companies that make good breast pumps are going to have a better warranty. This is not a hard and fast rule, but in general, companies that feel confident in their product will offer a better warranty.
When choosing a breast pump, fit is going to be very important. It’s not the size of the breast that matters, as much as matching up the nipple size to the size of the breast pump that attaches to you.
Never buy a used breast pump. Breast pumps that are new should come with a warranty and be in good working order. It is risky to buy a used breast pump, because you don’t know how long it will last or where it has been.
Additional Things To Consider When Selecting A Breast Pump
The Volume You Plan to Pump
Just like with many devices, some are made for heavy usage, and some are made for just occasional use. If you will be pumping several times a day for over years at a time, then you will definitely want to go with a well-built breast pump you won’t have to replace. You should plan and budget to spend more if you will be using it on a daily basis, long term.
Will You Need a Double Breast Pump?
Pumping out milk for your baby can take a lot of time out of your day. You may want to consider purchasing a breast pump that will pump milk out of both breasts at the same time.
Size
Think about how portable you may want your breast pump to be. If you will always be pumping at home, then it may not matter. However, if you will be carting it back and forth to work each day, size may matter.
How Do I Clean A Breast Pump?
A breast pump can have many parts. It can be a chore to clean and put it all back together each time you use it. When you are a mom with a little one, the last thing you will probably want to do, is spend time away from your baby cleaning a piece of machinery. Look for breast pumps that are easier to clean.
To clean a breast pump, make sure to follow the cleaning directions that should be included when purchasing it. Most breast pumps can be cleaned with warm water and soap after each use. Some pumps offer products you can buy to steam clean the breast pump, which works by using the microwave.
How Breast Pumps Work
The flange, which is the funnel-shaped part of the breast pump, gets placed over the nipple. The nipple will then be drawn into the tube. If you have a manual breast pump, you will manually run it by squeezing the lever. This movement will create and release suction, which will trigger let-down in the breast. If you have an electric breast pump, the pump will create suction on its own by using its diaphragm. As the pump is pumping, storage bags attach to it to collect the milk.
Other Accessories to Buy With a Breast Pump
Nursing Pads
Many mothers, whether they’re breastfeeding or breast pumping, often deal with leakage. Because of this, it is important to keep nursing pads available at all times. What a nursing pad does is prevent leaks from staining your shirt, as well as prevent leaks from being visible to the world. There are many different kinds of nursing pads. The two main types are reusable pads and disposable pads.
Other types include homemade nursing pads, hydrogel nursing pads, and silicone nursing pads. If you have a lot of milk leakage, you may want to go with disposable nursing pads. On the other hand, you may want reusable nursing pads since you won’t have to constantly buy them. Whichever type you choose, you may find nursing pads to be very useful.
Nursing Bras
A nursing bra is another handy tool for breastfeeding or breast pumping mothers. It has a flap that can be unlatched so that you can easily breastfeed or pump. This is a great item if you will be breast pumping in public, since it doesn’t require you to take off your whole shirt. Instead, you simply unlatch the flap and begin pumping.
Nursing Covers
Nursing covers can be a useful item if you want to breastfeed or breast pump in public, but don’t want to make a scene. There are some that are specifically designed for breast pumping. Nursing covers that are made for breast pumps have a wire that holds the cover up. That way you don’t have to hold the breast pumps and the cover at the same time.
Nipple Cream
One uncomfortable symptom that may appear after breastfeeding or breast pumping is sore nipples. Fortunately, there are many different nipple creams that can be applied on your nipples to help relieve you from the pain. Some creams will help prevent soreness. Although pumping milk shouldn’t be too painful, nipple cream can help for those times your breasts are a little sore.
Tips for Pumping at Work
Use Your Breaks to Pump Milk
Besides just using your breaks to pump milk, you may also want to pump both breasts at once. Double pumping will be more efficient and faster than pumping one side at a time.
Use a Nursing Cover or Bra
One reason why breast pumping at work may be hard is because it is very noticeable, and there is no privacy. This problem, however, can be solved if you use a nursing cover or nursing bra. A nursing bra will quickly unlatch so that you can pump milk without taking off your clothes. However, if you are looking for more privacy, you may want a nursing cover instead. Some nursing covers have a wire that holds the cover up. This design can be helpful, since you don’t need to hold the breast pumps and cover at the same time.
Tips for Getting a Breast Pump Covered By Your Insurance
If you are wanting a breast pump that is covered by insurance, the Medela breast pump is a good choice. However, there is a way that you can get other breast pumps covered by your insurance. I’ll go over how to do that here.
First, you will need to call your insurance company and ask them what they cover. Some only cover rental pumps. If this is the case, ask them how long you can rent the rental breast pump. Others will only cover either electric pumps or manual pumps. Once you find out what your insurance company will cover, you will need to ask them how you will get the breast pump. Most health insurance plans will allow you to pick up any breast pump you want, and send them the receipt.
Keep in mind that some insurance companies will need you to go through a medical device company. You will need to find a breast pump company that you like and see if they take your insurance. You will then need to see what pumps you would qualify for. Once you get your breast pump covered by insurance, the breast pump should be handled between the insurance company and the medical device company. You will not need to pay for it, because it is a free breast pump.
How to Increase Your Milk Production When You Begin Pumping
If you are wanting to have more breast milk to pump, you will need to pump while you are relaxed, yet not tired. A perfect time to pump milk is in the morning, since you won’t be as tired as you would be later in the day. Also, you may want to consider pumping milk after every second breastfeeding session. You will want to pump for 15 minutes, even if you don’t receive a lot of milk. That way, your body will realize that you need more milk to feed your baby, and therefore cause a greater milk production.
Tips for Treating Tired and Sore Nipples
Tired and sore nipples is a common symptom that can appear after you start breastfeeding or breast pumping. In this section, I’ll go over a list of tips for treating sore nipples.
- Place a cold cloth on them
- Put Vitamin E on your breasts
- Put cabbage leaves on your breasts
- Wash them with warm water
- Put tea bags on your sore nipples
- Place a sliced potato that has been soaked in water on your nipple
How to Avoid Common Ailments That Could Result in Your Breastfeeding or Breast Pumping
Mastitis
Mastitis, which is considered to be caused by infection, is when the breast becomes swollen. Symptoms include a hard, tender, red, swollen breast, as well as a fever. You may also have aches and chills. Mastitis can be treated with antibiotics. Although breastfeeding can be painful when you have mastitis, it is recommended to keep breastfeeding anyway. Mastitis is usually caused by a clogged duct, and it can be unclogged by breastfeeding. Warm showers are also recommended. Remember that when you take your shower you should massage your breasts.
Cracked Nipples
Cracked nipples are caused from an improper latch, or from using the breast pump improperly. They can be treated with olive oil, or other antibacterial creams. Make sure you have the right size pump before you continue pumping milk. Also make sure to allow your baby to drain your breasts.
Fungal Infection
This infection can occur from an overgrowth of Candida bacteria in the body. Because it thrives in milk, this bacteria will form on your nipples. If you have recently been using antibiotics, it is recommended to take probiotics. You may also want to try anti-fungal creams.
Final Breast Pumping Tips & Hacks
The nice thing about using a breast pump, is that if you decide you want to go back to just feeding your baby the natural way, you can. You body should continue to produce milk because you are pumping. Make sure to stay on a breast pumping routine, around the same time each day. That will help your milk to come in on a steady basis.
Recommended Best-Sellers
[amazon bestseller=”breastpumps”]
Conclusion
I hope this review of our top 10 breast pumps of 2018 helps you in choosing the right one for you. Make sure to click on each review in order to see the detailed review of each particular breast pump. Happy pumping!