If you have not yet started in maternity it is logical that a breast pump is not on your list of needs during pregnancy. It will be later, when you have to return to work, when it will become essential to continue breastfeeding.
Also, unfortunately, it can be a great help for a few days if you have medical problems breastfeeding or your baby has to be admitted to the hospital.
To help you in your choice, we tell you what types of breast pumps are on the market, in which cases one or the other is recommended, and we give you some options .
Types of extractors
Each mother and each baby have different needs throughout breastfeeding, so the best thing to do is to know the range of breast pumps available and to know which pump is the most suitable for each situation.
- Handbook. They are cheaper than electric models, as well as being quiet and practical for occasional extractions. But they can be a lot of work if used frequently, as you have to continuously pump to create the vacuum.
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Electric. They offer a simpler and more practical use, since it is the motor that is responsible for carrying out the extraction. They are practical those that can also be used with batteries to be able to take it on trips from home, or even to work.
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Free hands. It fits directly into the bra and you can continue with your usual tasks without anyone noticing. Better if it is silent.
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Simple. It is ideal for occasional extractions, as it takes up much less space and is easier to transport, as well as cheaper.
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Double: Express the milk from both breasts simultaneously, so it is more practical if you are pumping regularly, both for medical reasons and if you have returned to work.
According to Nania Schärer-Hernández, director of the Medela Global Education Department, “in addition to reducing the time spent pumping in half, a double breast pump allows you to obtain, on average, 18% more milk than pumping. milk from each breast, one after the other. “
Options in the market
Electric Philips Avent SCF396 / 11
Inspired by the baby, it features Natural Motion technology for natural movement for faster milk flow: a cushion stimulates the breast to express milk as if it were a baby. It fits perfectly in both stimulation and pumping modes, applying the right amount of stimulation and nipple suction to provide maximum milk flow.
The cushion is a universal one-size-fits-all soft and adaptable silicone, which gently flexes to fit 99.98% of nipple sizes. In addition, its design allows you to sit upright instead of having to lean forward.
It is very discreet and silent, to be used wirelessly anywhere, and allows you to adapt each session to your needs, with 8 stimulation settings and 16 extraction levels. It also includes a pause button and memory function.
PHILIPS AVENT Philips Avent SCF396 / 11 Electric Breast Pump transparent / white
Medela Freestyle Flex ™ 2-Phase Dual Electric
Weighing less than 300g, it fits in the palm of your hand, in a pocket or purse, making it easy to transport wherever you need to take it.
It allows you to express milk anywhere: it has a USB port to charge it, but if there is no power outlet, it does not matter, since it has a built-in rechargeable battery that lasts up to eight double pumping sessions with a full charge.
Its illuminated digital control panel allows you to start or pause the extraction, change the extraction mode, adjust the vacuum levels or activate a delay start function, which leaves your hands free to put the funnels on without haste.
In addition, it can be connected to the MyMedela application on your phone, so you can time pumping sessions, keep track of the settings you have used and record the amount of breast milk expressed.
MEDELA Electric breast pump Medela Freestyle Flex double yellow MODEL: 101038532
Elvie Pump Hands Free
Silent, electric, and cordless, it allows you to express milk anytime, anywhere, thanks to its revolutionary technology that eliminates noise.
It has only 5 pieces to clean and assembles in a matter of seconds. No wires, no change of clothes, no complications.
In addition, you can download its free app for Android and also for Apple, and monitor the volume of milk in real time, track the extraction history of each breast and control the device remotely.
It includes two 150 ml bottles with their caps, and two funnels (24 and 28 mm), with two valves, 2 nozzles and 2 membranes. Also comes with two adjusters
of bra and a bag to transport it.
ELVIE Electric Breast Pump Elvie Pump portable white
Electric Suavinex Link white
Provides automatic pumping that removes milk quickly and easily, mimicking the baby’s sucking rhythm. It allows adjusting, on the one hand, the suction frequency, and on the other, the intensity of the vacuum. In this way, you can start with a very gentle suction and gradually increase in speed and intensity. Up to 11 levels of adjustments according to the sensitivity of the breast, achieving total control over your own extraction.
It fits perfectly to the chest thanks to the anatomical cup, without additional silicone pieces, achieving a better grip and thus a better vacuum, providing a more comfortable and painless extraction.
With the possibility of using it with batteries, the flap on the back of the pump allows you to place it on your waist to move freely and express your milk wherever and whenever you want.
SUAVINEX Suavinex Link Electric Breast Pump white
Manual Breast Pump, by Chicco
This perfect combination of the needs of mothers: effectiveness, softness, comfort and practicality, it is ideal to express milk effectively and gently and prolong breastfeeding as long as possible.
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It has a new membrane mechanism that allows a simpler and more natural extraction, with easy extraction and continuous milk flow.
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It incorporates an extra soft silicone cup: for greater softness in contact with the breast, thanks to the soft texture that delicately envelops the breast and its special texture provides a soft and delicate contact with the breast skin and massages the breast.
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Its ergonomic handle allows effortless extraction and maximum comfort for the hands. It has a soft coating for an easy and comfortable grip and ease of holding, and so that the hand does not get tired during use.
The extractor includes a thread and a nipple from the NaturalFeeling line.
CHICCO Chicco Manual Breast Pump with Transparent Silicone Cup
Electric Comfort Luna, from Nuk
It has two extraction phases: the first stimulates the flow of milk, with short intervals in the suction. In the second, the milk extraction is completed.
In addition, its soft silicone pad adapts perfectly to the breast, and its grainy surface massages the skin and stimulates the flow of milk.
It includes a container to preserve the expressed milk and that can be frozen, heated and even fed to the baby, without having to pour it into another container.
And for use anywhere in the world, it comes with a universal travel adapter, NUK breast milk container, FIRST Choice + teat (silicone, 0-6 months, S), protective cap, screw ring, sealing disc.
NUK Breast Pump 10252096 Electric Moon Comfort
Manual, de Dr. Brown’s
Includes a 150 ml Options + wide-mouth anti-colic bottle. and a slow-flow, level 1 silicone teat that mimics the shape of the mother’s nipple for a more natural latch.
In addition, it contains a travel lid, with which it has everything you need to express and store breast milk and feed the baby anywhere.
The SoftShape cup is made of 100% silicone, is soft to the touch and adapts perfectly to the shape of the breast.
It has two extraction modes that simulate the natural feeding of the baby. It is the perfect ally to express breast milk at any time, even during the night, thanks to its powerful but silent pumping.
Dr. Brown’S Manual Breast Pump – Manual Breast Pump, Unisex
Electric Made for Me by Tommee Tippee
Small and discreet, really portable and very quiet. It features a USB rechargeable power pack so mothers can use it without having to plug into a socket. A full charge allows 60 minute cordless use.
It is very soft for the mother, thanks to a padded silicone pad.
You can choose between 5 types of massage and 9 pump settings to stimulate milk flow comfortably.
Tommee Tippee Electric milk pump, very quiet USB rechargeable and portable with massage and express modes
Dual Electric Ultra Comfort, by Philips Avent
Among the advantages of this double breast pump, greater comfort and milk flow thanks to a more natural extraction position and more comfort on the breast due to its soft and flexible massage cushion.
In addition, it is assembled easily, quickly and intuitively and you can adjust it to suit you: once the pump has started, it starts the gentle stimulation mode for the milk rise. You can then choose between 3 extraction positions.
The pump is compact as well as lightweight, allowing you to keep it close at hand and control it throughout the process. For a more comfortable storage, the cable wraps around the base and comes with a travel bag.
It also includes a nipple that mimics the shape of the mother’s nipple allowing for breast-like feeding, making it easy to switch between breast and bottle feeding.
- You can buy it at Philips Avent for 269.99 euros.
Electric and manual, 2 in one, from Mam
A more comfortable and flexible solution, since it allows both manual and electric milk extraction in the same breast pump and in two easy steps.
It offers a silent, comfortable and painless solution adaptable to all breasts thanks to the special design of its one-size cup that includes a patented, ultra-soft SkinSoftTM silicone pad , with a soft touch and similar to mother’s skin.
Its touch screen allows a simple selection of the time and 9 levels of extraction intensity. In addition, it is equipped with a rechargeable lithium battery that guarantees up to five hours of autonomy.
It includes a manual handle, 2 Easy Start Anti-Colic bottles (130ml and 160ml) and 2 storage containers that are attached to the breast pump making it easy to store the milk directly in a hygienic way.
MAM 2-in-1 Breast Pump E108 – Electric and Manual Breast Pump for Breastfeeding, Includes Breast Pump, Bottles and Storage Containers, 0+ months
Electric NaturallyMe, by Chicco
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With two extraction phases (stimulation and extraction) and 10 adjustable intensity levels. The stimulation phase is faster to facilitate the release of the milk. You can choose and configure the extraction levels in each phase (10 different levels).
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Its cup is rounded, made of silicone, with a reduced internal diameter. In addition, it includes a control with a display to view and select the level in each phase.
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Its dimensions are small, to be able to transport it, since it works with batteries or with a power adapter.
Includes support base, Natural Feeling bottle, storage lid and sample of absorbent pads.
Chicco NaturallyMe – Electric breast pump with 10 intensity levels
Maternal Life, by Nuvita
It is the only one on the market that brings a third “anti-jamming” phase in order to prevent breast trauma and the consequent possibility of developing mastitis.
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It also offers 9 intensity levels: 1 to 4 massages and gradual automatic stimulation; from 5 to 9 customizable.
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It uses the 2 + 1 phase technology that allows an extraction that mimics the natural way of feeding the baby. Phase 1 features quick, shallow sucks to achieve stimulation. Phase 2 features slow, deep sucks to stimulate more milk flow. Phase 3 “anti-clogging” drainage prevents the risk of breast clogging.
Includes Nuvita Mimic bottle with 150 ml capacity and a special silicone valve on the bottom of the bottle to help effectively prevent colic.
Nuvita Materno Life 1286M Electric Breast Pump – 2 Phase + 1 Technology Breast Pump – Automatic Massage – 5 Intensity Levels – Includes 1 150ml Mimic Bottle – BPA Free – Italian Design
Saro manual pump
It allows you to express and collect breast milk with a manual pumping mechanism so convenient that everything can be done with one hand. With two practical positions:
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gentle to give a massage that stimulates the breast
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higher intensity to maximize milk flow.
It incorporates an extra soft silicone adapter in the shape of petals that stimulate a natural and comfortable extraction.
In short: maximum comfort for a natural extraction and maximum adaptability for your breast.
Saro 2602 – Manual breast pump
Photos | iStock
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