Manual breast pumps - Manual breast pumps are great for mums who are primarily breastfeeding. When using a manual pump, you place the breast cup over your breast and squeeze the handle to extract the milk, which collects in a storage container or bottle. Most mums who use a manual breast pump feel they have more control. Manual breast pumps tend to cheaper and be easier to use. While there aren’t any bells and whistles to this pump, the simple design made the Pump in Style very convenient. Although it’s on the pricey side, it comes with many accessories, including extra bottles, a cooler, and a carrying tote. Overall, we think it’s a good option for a first-time parent learning the ropes of breastfeeding or wanting to have a second pump to leave at the office.

These use batteries (instead of electricity) to power the pump. While the suction is usually not as strong as electric pumps, battery-powered pumps tend to be smaller and are a good choice for travel since they don't require an outlet. However, this pump isn’t the quietest of the bunch. We tested it while making a phone call, and the person on the other end clearly heard it. It also has a lot of suction and speed options, which felt overwhelming at first, but with the help of a lactation consultant, we were able to find the right settings and save them for future pumping sessions. When it came time to empty the milk, the pouring spout on the bottles made it easy to transfer the contents without spilling. However, we had a hard time reading the measurements on these bottles, so we always had to use a separate container. While The Pump is cutting edge, it did have a bit of a learning curve. It was especially challenging for us to figure out how to use the battery, connect the posts, and determine our flange size, and it took us 20 minutes to set up on our first successful pump. Also, the tubes must be replaced daily due to hygiene reasons, which can be costly over time. That said, we firmly believe that after a few more iterations, The Pump will be poised to challenge the breast pump marketplace.When testing this pump, we noticed that it made a lot of noise, which varied from whistling to wheezing. If you’re pumping at home, this probably wouldn’t be a deal breaker, but we don’t see this pump being suitable for use during a Zoom call. Even if you're not planning to give feeding duty to anyone else, a breast pump is still worth having. It's worth knowing how to use a breast pump and finding the best position for breast pumping for you. Did you know expressing even small quantities of milk can bring pain relief if your breasts are engorged or swollen? Lots of mums also use manual breast pumps to express between feeds to boost their milk supply. Hands-free breast pumps - As the name suggests, hands-free breast pumps allow you to collect milk whilst you do other things. Hands-free pumps are a fantastic option for mums who have older children and mums who are constantly on the go.

Overall, we think this pump offers an outstanding value. It's an excellent option for pumping at work and is a one-stop shop for someone who wants a budget-friendly and reliable pump. It's especially helpful for someone new to pumping, as it comes preassembled, has loads of accessories, and is easy to use. If a breast pump is difficult to use, chances are you won't use it often. While there will be a learning curve with every pump, some are steeper than others and may take some trial and error before you get the hang of them. The S12 Pro is highly portable. Since it’s a wireless pump, we found it light enough to carry in a daily bag and get a pumping session in while doing chores around the house. Although it’s relatively quiet, it looks pretty bulky under clothing and would definitely be detectable during a Zoom call. When it comes to electric pumps, you may see the phrase "hospital grade" and assume that it means the pump is safer, of higher quality, and more effective. However, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) does not recognize the term "hospital grade," and it is more of a marketing strategy to advertise the effectiveness of a particular pump. Although not entirely discreet, the Medela Harmony can easily be hidden under a nursing cover. You can use it while breastfeeding or in between feeding sessions to boost your milk supply. We especially liked that it gave us the freedom to pump without being tethered to an outlet and that it has a closed system to prevent spills.Willow Go Wearable Electric Breast Pump: Although this pump has a strong suction for its price point, it’s very loud and felt quite heavy for a wearable breast pump. Unfortunately, we found out the hard way that breast milk can leak from the pump if you bend over while wearing it. Even on the lowest level, the S9 Plus' suction was quite strong, especially when plugged into the wall. Unlike other pumps, it starts in an expression or letdown mode (as opposed to a massage or stimulation mode), but there are multiple massage modes to choose from should you wish to start in a gentler setting. We also appreciate its transparent flanges, as they made it easy to confirm that milk was being expressed. Although this pump is on the larger side, we were pleasantly surprised to find that it's easy to carry. It only weighs 3 pounds, but since its parts don't break down much, we wouldn't recommend traveling with it unless you're okay with carrying its large bag. While medical and other reasons may make it necessary to feed an infant formula, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that you feed breast milk to your baby exclusively for about six months after birth. This can be done via the breast or with the help of a breast pump, depending on your lifestyle, needs, and preferences.

A good breast pump can be a nursing mom’s best friend. Not only will it help you feed your baby and store valuable breast milk, but it will also provide much-needed relief to full, engorged breasts. Having a good breast pump is so important for both your body and your baby, which is why we decided to test and research breast pumps to bring you the best 14 breast pumps on the market. Philips Avent Manual Breast Pump: We liked how easy it was to use this pump and found ourselves doing so in the middle of the night, first thing in the morning, and while on the go. However, we had a hard time positioning it and didn’t like that it makes a squeaking noise when in use and has to be completely disassembled to clean. to 4.7 stars: These breast pumps are excellent—they might have minor flaws, but we still recommend them. Noise level: Electric breast pumps tend to be pretty noisy, which can be impractical if you're expressing while your baby is asleep nearby, when you're at work or if you just want to hear what's on the telly. Whereas manual pumps are much quieter, and some make no noise at all.Despite its size, the Spectra S2 Plus is very quiet. In fact, we could easily use it during a Zoom call for work and still be discreet while doing so. It's also really comfortable to wear and very easy to clean. The Spectra S2 Plus is hands down the best breast pump we've ever used. It's our top choice because it's easy to use, has a strong suction level, and its massage and expression modes are customizable to each user. It also has single and double-pumping capabilities and offers a closed system for a truly hygienic experience. Ease of use: You can control all the variables – such as the suction level and the speed at which the pump extracts milk from your breast – via the control panel. Spectra Synergy Gold Breast Pump: Our lactation consultant recommended this pump to us, and we found it to be solid and dependable. However, the bottle-to-flange size ratio is uneven, which causes them to tip as you collect more milk. It’s also quite large and doesn’t come with a carrying case, rendering it challenging to transport. Portability: Where are you planning on taking your pump? If you are taking your pump to the office, you may want to opt for a lighter and quieter model.