Ready to start the #pumplife? We’ve got you covered with some tips on how to choose the most suitable breast pump, aka your BFF (breast friend forever).
One thing’s for sure when it comes to shopping for breast pumps – you’ll be spoilt for choice with all the different brands and types available in the market! So much so that for newbies, it can seem a little overwhelming. You probably wonder how to go about choosing a good one for yourself. Don’t worry, momma – we’re here to help with some top tips on how to choose a breast pump that suits you best.
1. How frequently will you be pumping?
Are you planning to nurse (breastfeeding your baby directly from the breast) and pump? Or have you decided to do exclusive pumping? Mums who are planning to mix nursing and pumping may consider going for a lightweight pump. In fact, you may even want to get a single pump so you can express while nursing at the same time.
On the other hand, exclusive pumping mums may find it useful to get a breast pump that has a long battery life as you’ll be pumping quite often. As most electric breast pumps in the market are rechargeable, you’ll want to find out which ones can be recharged quickly to accommodate your schedule.
2. Should you go manual or electric?
You may have already decided on getting an electric one due to the convenience and because manually expressing can be quite tiring (speaking from experience). But if it’s your first time, whether you’re mixing or exclusively pumping, it may be worthwhile to have both! Your milk may not come in in large amounts in the first few days postpartum, that’s where a manual pump could help. Not only are manual pumps a good way to ‘introduce’ your breasts to electric ones, but you can also vary suction and flow with your arm strength.
3. How portable is the breast pump?
Is the breast pump you’re looking at getting light enough to be carried around? Can you make it wearable? Because let’s face it, whether you’re a working mum or stay home mum, we rarely have our hands free for long! Plus, wouldn’t it be a breeze to be able to pump and get some work done? So keep an eye out for pumps that aren’t only lightweight, but easy to carry around as well. Another good reason to invest in a portable breast pump? You can bring it along when you’re travelling the world with bub too!
Pro-tip: If you’re looking for a powerful portable breast pump, check out Hegen’s Double Electric Breast Pump (SoftSqround). It weighs only 230g (light and small enough to fit in your handbag!) and can be easily charged with a USB-compatible power bank. Hegen’s breast pump can be used both manually and electrically just by switching the pump accessories. The set comes with a manual handle and diaphragm, so you can switch between both modes seamlessly.
4. What does “hospital grade” mean anyway?
You’ll probably see the term “hospital grade” being mentioned many times when shopping for breast pumps. What it usually means is that the pump is powered by a strong motor that can cater to multiple users, like what’s being used in hospitals. But you don’t really need that in a personal breast pump; what you do need is a pump with hospital-grade suction strength. This helps you express as much milk as possible from your breasts, signalling your body to increase milk production, thereby increasing your milk supply.
5. Do you know your breast and nipple sizes?
Mums who have lived or are living the #pumplife know this: you can have the best breast pump in the world, but having the wrong flange or flange size may result in an unproductive (and painful) pumping experience. Your flange size is determined by your nipple diameter, plus four millimetres extra. This is to ensure that your nipple isn’t brushing against the flange walls during your pump session. A flange that is too small will cause bruising and clogged ducts, whereas one that’s too big won’t fully drain your breasts. You can use this video guide to help you find your flange size.
Pro-tip: Hegen recently introduced its Hegen SoftSqround flange in five different sizes. This sqround (square-round) shape allows you to adjust the flange to find your best fit. What’s more, it promises hospital-grade suction strength to give you more yield.
6. Do you need any ‘extras’?
Many breast pumps boast extra features like a variety of expressing modes, tracking systems, and even massage functions. As every mum’s needs are different, some of these extra features may be essential for your pumping journey. For example, Hegen’s Double Electric Breast Pump (SoftSqround) has a kneading massage feature that you can use to stimulate milk production (or simply just relax after a long day) by applying it to specific meridian points. Other caregivers – such as your partner, parents, in-laws – can get to enjoy the kneading massage feature on the breast pump even if they are not breastfeeding! You can even continue using it after your breastfeeding journey.
The perfect breast pump is like a best friend to your boobs
Just like how your BFF knows you best, the perfect breast pump is one that knows your boobs best too. It’s one that does the job while making you feel comfortable when you’re pumping. Basically, one that makes your life as a mum better (and great). You can check out Hegen’s Double Electric Breast Pump with the new SoftSqround flange as a start. It’s a compact and super versatile pump that’s gentle on the nipples and easy to assemble – perfect for newbies. Worried about the noise? This is a discreet one that works quietly, which means your baby can sleep soundly while you pump, and no awkward sounds when you’re pumping in the office! Find out more about Hegen’s powerful pump via its website.
We hope you find your BFF soon!
This post is in partnership with Hegen.
