Express yourself with a breast pump that suits your lifestyle! We’ve been talking to mums for the lowdown on the best mummy milking machines, and looking at the factors to consider before plumping for a pump…
Happy World Breastfeeding Week, folks! Yes, there’s a week in a year, 1 – 7 August, where WHO and UNICEF commemorates breastfeeding as a “foundation for lifelong health, development, and equity.” Whether you’re exclusively latching or pumping, the world (and us at HoneyKids) are celebrating you this week! When it comes to pumping, new mums are often consumed by questions and pump options on the market, and it’s true that there’s not a ‘one size fits all’. But tried, tested and recommended is always a step in the right direction. We’ve been talking to mums about what they loved (and what they didn’t) about the best breast pumps in Singapore, including those wearable and hands-free ones that really helped them with their breastfeeding journey.
Hot tip: If you can, do see if you can borrow or rent your breast pump before making your final decision. Try before you buy!
Things to consider when choosing a breast pump
Friends, Facebook forums and a midwife or lactation consultant’s advice are definitely worth taking into consideration when picking the best breast pump for you. But what works for one mummy-baby team, might not work for yours. Here are a few things to ponder before making your final decision.
Cost
The price tags on breast pumps differ wildly. You can expect to shell out from around $30 for a manual pump, to an eye-watering $800 for a double electric hands-free one. Try renting, getting it secondhand, or borrowing from a friend if you can!
Portability
For mums returning to work after maternity leave, or mums who are on the move frequently, a portable pump is a must! No one wants to be lugging a weighty pump with a complicated setup around town. However, a heavy-duty pump is great for mums who are mostly expressing milk at home. The best part? Now there are hands-free pumps that you can just slip into your bra that allows you to express milk wherever, whenever! Wearable breast pumps, for the win!
Frequency and volume
If pumping is going to be your sole or preferred way of getting the good stuff to bubba (aka exclusively pumping or ‘EP’ mum), then you’re going to need a gadget that can cope with heavy usage. Likewise, if you just need to pump as and when the need arises, a pump suited to casual use could be the way forward. Having an idea about how often you are likely to use your pump is a useful factor when deciding between manual or electric.
One breast or two?
We’re not going to lie, pumping mummy milk can prove time-consuming and a little tricky to begin with. If speed is the name of your game, and you want to pump as quickly as possible, then it could be worth searching for a pump that expresses both breasts at once. Some mums prefer to pump one breast while ‘lil one forages on the other, in which case a double pump is not needed.
Power supply
The last thing you want when you are really getting into the flow is for your batteries to run out on your pump. #Irritating. If changing batteries is not your forte (it certainly isn’t ours), then an electric or manual pump may suit best. If you’re a mum pumping in the office and a ready power supply is only available right next to your boss’ desk, then batteries or manual are probably the way to go.
Tried and tested breast pumps – 15 best breast pumps in Singapore
1. Spectra S9+
If you’re looking for a powerful breast pump that’s light and portable, the Spectra S9+ could be the one for you. This little gadget has up to 10 levels of suction strength in expression mode, and five in massage mode to help you stimulate let-down. It also comes with a 30-minute auto power off feature for safety. No need to worry about batteries as the S9+ comes with in-built battery that charges up quite fast.
Breast pump review: “Since I’ll be nursing most of the time, I just needed a lightweight breast pump to empty my breasts in the early days for comfort and to establish my supply. The Spectra S9+ did the job for me, and was light enough to carry around easily while I juggle two kids.” Mum-of-two, Esther
Spectra S9+, $299
2. Baby Express Be Mini
Singapore-based baby and mother care company Baby Express has a great, affordable range of breast pumps to suit different preferences. From the Be Mini portable breast pump to the hands-free Be Nude Wearable Breast Pump, it just depends on how you like your breast pump! Both breast pumps cater to working mums to have a fuss-free pumping experience. The soft and gentle silicone flange makes the Be Nude Wearable Breast Pump comfortable to wear while on a commute to work, during a busy day at the office, or even during a Zoom call. Simply slip the pump into your bra, choose from three modes- massage, expression and auto, and let it silently work its magic.
Breast pump review: “After a few weeks of lugging a much heavier hospital-grade breast pump to work, I tried the Baby Express Be Mini and I was sold. Thanks to my flexible working schedule, I wasn’t often out for entire days at a time, meaning I didn’t need to express that much of my breast milk while out and about. Using the compact, light Be Mini portable breast pump was the perfect solution for those office mornings and errand runs in town to relieve soreness and collect milk. Its tube-free and cable-free setup also makes it super easy to use while out and about (I’ve even used it in the car!). I highly recommend it for mums who want something small that gets the job done.” Mum-of-two, Syaz
Baby Express Be Mini, $89.90
3. Hegen PCTO Wearable Breast Pump
If you’re looking for a wearable or hands-free breast pump, Hegen’s latest Wearable Breast Pump is one worth checking out. These pumps may look small, but boy are they powerful – they feature hospital grade suction strength, which is quite rare for hands-free pumps. Effectiveness aside, these hands-free pumps are designed with comfort in mind too. It has ergonomic silicone breast cushions at 105° that align with your breasts’ natural curves, as well as 18 stimulation modes and 60 expression modes (which you can control using Hegen’s bluetooth-enabled app) that allow you to pump in a way that best resembles your baby’s nursing rhythm. Another thoughtful touch? Hegen has built the pump in a way that ensures balanced weight distribution, so you can actually pump on-the-go with nothing holding you back (for real!). Plus, the sleek design means you can fit both pumps snugly in your bra and rock any outfit you want while pumping, we love! Oh, and did we mention you can also store or feed your baby directly from the pump bottle? It’s compatible with all Hegen Press-to-Close, Twist-to-Open (PCTO) feeding collars and storage lids.
Breast pump review: “The Hegen wearable breast pump is great for any mum, be it as a main or supplementary pump. The containers are able to hold sufficient milk volume and given that it’s hands-free, makes it convenient to bring around and use while you are accomplishing other tasks.” Mum-of-one, Natasha
Hegen PCTO Wearable Breast Pump, $450
4. Spectra S1+
This hospital-grade pump hails from South Korea and is already proving a hit thanks to it not sounding like an airplane landing during use. It also features a massage let-down mode to really get that milk production flowing. The pump comes with an in-built rechargeable battery which is very convenient for mums-on-the-go. It also has different levels of suction control and suction pressure. The night light LCD display feature makes pumping at night easy near your bubba. You can get on with your routine and forget worrying about the pump with the 30-minute auto power-off safety feature which is super handy.
Breast pump review: “While it’s not the most discreet pump in the world – it looks like a kettlebell and it’s heavy – it works amazingly well. Best of all, it’s super quiet, so I can pump at my desk without disturbing everybody! It has a rechargeable battery which lasts for days too, so I don’t have to worry about running out of juice or face the hassle of looking for a power outlet. I previously used a portable pump by Spectra, but prefer the S1. It’s definitely worth the hype, and really helped me pump lots of milk for my bub, so we’re both very happy with it!” Mum-of-two, Jana
Spectra S1, $389
5. Philips Avent SCF398/11
The best breast pump doesn’t exi… Wait, but it does (in our humble opinion)! We’re talking about the Philips Avent double breast pump SCF398/11. These breast pumps have been designed with babies and mums firmly in mind. First off, their soft and adaptive silicone cushions gently flex to fit your individual size, and the fancy natural motion technology stimulates the breast in the same way as a baby’s mouth does. Meaning, you can express more milk in less time, which is a big win in our book! There are eight stimulation and 16 expression levels, along with a quiet motor, and a memory function that saves your last setting. If you’re still on the fence, Philips is throwing in a money back guarantee policy, so in case it doesn’t work out, you can send it back. Winning!
Breast pump review: “This is a new pump for my second baby, so it hasn’t been fully tested just yet, but I’ve only heard good reviews so far from friends who have used it. They love how quiet it is, and it’s nifty enough so you can get in a comfy position to express (no need for any awkward leaning forward). It also remembers your settings, so all you need to do is sit down, relax, and press start. So, one less thing to worry about in those early days!” Mum-of-two, Kate
Philips Avent SCF398/11, $649
6. Medela Swing Flex
This is the lightest of the two-phase pumps available from Medela. The Medela Swing is and electric breast pump that’s so portable and user-friendly, you can even attach it to your pocket or belt! It has a small Swiss-designed motor, with a big kick, and has been designed to mimic a baby’s natural suck action.
Breast pump review: “I had to pump from the get-go with both kids as they both spent time in NICU. After a bit of a baptism of fire with the super intense hospital pumps, we got the Medela Swing. It was recommended by my mum-friends. The gentler action of the Swing was a godsend and I loved how compact and efficient it was. Any downsides? It had an unmistakable sound that I still can’t get out of my head! Definitely one of the best investments we made though!” Mum-of-two, Selina
“Poor milk supply and a host of other woes struck me on my breastfeeding journey with number two. But the very little milk I was able to express was thanks to the Medela Swing. Fortunately, my experience with number three was an easy peasy one. And the Medela was still in full swing throughout the year of pumping with him. It was easy to use, easy to clean and did a great job. But, boy, was it noisy! Definitely not one to use if you are nursing bubba on the other breast!” Mum-of-three, Tracy
Medela Swing, $299
7. Jevon Baby
This wearable and portable pump was deigned with the modern mums in mind. So, you could be taking your zoom calls and no one will know a thing! Jevon Baby breast pumps automatically starts in the Massage mode to trigger milk let-down reflex, then it switches to the Expression mode for the real pumping. Or you can manually switch it to the Stimulation mode, which is a combination of Massage and Expression that mimics a baby’s natural suckling motion. Good for sensitive nipples. Mums who use it love it for its gentle suction and comfort, and it lasts for five to six sessions on one charge!
Jevon Baby, from $169
8. Elvie Pump
Elvie breast pumps are surely taking the island state by storm. Proudly being the world’s first silent wearable breast pumps, the Elvie Pump is popular among the modern busy mums who want to multitask and pump on the go — handsfree! You can control the pumps via an app. Once you start, the pumps automatically switch from stimulation to expression mode, and will stop pumping when milk bags are full. Elvie Pump come in single, double, manual, and they even have milk catchers.
Elvie Pump, $799
9. Haakaa
Before shelling out big bucks for a breast pump that you may never even end up using, start your expressing days with an easy and affordable manual pump like the Haakaa silicone manual breast pump. The pump is made of 100% food-grade silicone, eco-friendly, soft, comfortable, and dishwasher safe. It is compact, perfect for discreet use wherever you go and fits easily into your handbag/baby bag. With no chords, batteries and motors attached, it makes for a super easy and convenient pump to use on the go. It’s manual but it’s hands-free!
Haakaa, from $29.90
10. LoveAmme TailorMade Pro
It may look small and unassuming, but the TailorMade Pro packs a punch with its stellar flexibility. This affordable hands-free breast pump offers up to 378 possible combinations to better customise your pumping preferences! It’s especially useful for mums whose individual breasts require different settings to optimise and maximise pumping efficiency. If you don’t have a need for individual breast settings, there are also user-friendly pre-set modes under the synchronised breast programme, where the same settings will be applied to both breasts.
LoveAmme TailorMade Pro, $199
11. imani i2 Plus
Leading breast pump brand imani has been in business for over 15 years, designing and developing breast pump products loved the world over. Mums’ latest recommendation? The imani i2 Plus electrical breast pump, a hands-free breast pump design that’s compact and offers the freedom to express milk discreetly anytime and anywhere. No huge motor, tubes, or wires here! It even comes with a stylish charging dock that charges your pumps effortlessly and protects them at the same time.
imani i2 Plus, $299
12. Hegen PCTO
Homegrown brand Hegen is well known for their innovative bottles and PCTO double electric breast pump. This handsfree breast pump with hospital-grade suction strength is perfect for mothers beginning their breastfeeding journey. It can be used as a single or double breast pump to express and store breast milk in a single step thanks to Hegen’s signature breastmilk storage containers, minimising the transfer of precious milk. There are five flange sizes available in its proprietary ‘sqround’ shape, ensuring a great fit no matter your size. The Hegen PCTO double electric breast pump bundle even comes with a complimentary two-hour virtual breastfeeding workshop!
Hegen PCTO, $350
13. Medela Freestyle
The Medela Freestyle handsfree double electric wearable breast pump is an award-winning compact, light, and portable breast pump that fits in your palm. At less than 300g in weight, it’s super easy to carry! A big plus with this pump is that it has an in-built rechargeable battery which makes it easy to pump from anywhere. The pump also comes with a USB port for charging which is super handy when you can’t find a power point nearby. Big relief! Its intuitive interface with touchscreen controls allows you to start/pause pumping, switch expression mode, and adjust vacuum levels. It can also connect to the free Medela Family app to track your pumping progress. Beyond its digital capabilities, it also ranks high on comfort for mums. You can expect to express more milk in less time, the pump has two phase expression feature that mimics the suckling action of your bubba, overflow protection (embarrassment is the last thing we need!), and breast milk storage facilities.
Medela Freestyle, $799
14. Freemie Liberty II Deluxe
For working mums or mums constantly on the go, the Freemie Liberty II Deluxe electric double breast pump is your best bet. Quiet and discreet enough so you can pump anywhere and everywhere with ease, it also has the suction power of a hospital-grade pump. The best part? You don’t need a special bra to keep these babies hooked on. You simply slip them into your regular bras and pump away!
Freemie Liberty II, US$149.99
Love this list of breast pumps in Singapore? Try these baby weaning essentials too!
