Preparing for a newborn means making decisions — and a lot of them — especially when it’s time to create your registry or purchase some of those essential items you’ll need once your little bundle of joy arrives. There are countless “this or that” scenarios to consider: disposable or reusable cloth diapers? Infant or convertible car seat? And of course, whether you’re going to formula feed or breastfeed your baby.
If you’ve determined that nursing is the route for you, the next step is to choose a breast pump — because although there’s no question that all moms are superheroes, no one is superhuman. Unfortunately, you can’t be in two places at once, so if you plan on traveling, going back to work or even taking a well-deserved few hours for yourself, you’re going to need a breast pump to build up a freezer stash. A breast pump is also going to be your saving grace when your breasts are engorged with milk and aching for relief.
Of course, every mother, every mother’s child, and every lifestyle looks a little different from the next. When purchasing a breast pump, you have to consider what type of device would work best for your circumstances. From double and single pumps, to electronic and basic silicone varieties, here are the best milking options for every kind of mom.
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1. Spectra S1 Rechargeable Electric Breast Pump
Designed for moms by moms, registered nurses and board-certified lactation consultants, this breast pump is high quality, just like the models you’d find in a hospital. It can be used as a double or single pump, both with adjustable suction and two-phase cycling for letdown and expression modes.
Most clutch of all, it also comes with a built-in rechargeable battery, so you never have to worry about your AAs fizzling out the moment when you need relief the most. This breast pump also doesn’t require a manual cleaning on your end: its closed system prevents air from flowing between the expressed milk and pump tubing in order to protect the mother’s milk from picking up bacteria, mold and viruses.
2. Medela Pump in Style Advanced
Popular with working moms, this portable double electric breast pump is built into a sleek, microfiber black tote fit for the office, vacation, play dates, emergency pumps in the grocery store parking lot and anywhere else your pumping adventures may take you. The machine is battery-operated, so make sure you store a pack of 8 AA batteries in the bag so you can always pump anywhere, anytime.
Because no two set of breasts are alike, use the single knob to comfortably adjust pumping speed and suction. The bag also features pockets for extra bottle storage, and a removable cooler bag and ice pack to keep expressed milk fresh throughout the day.
3. Haakaa Manual Breast Pump
Getting back to basics, this single breast pump is one-size fits all, so you won’t have to spend time fiddling with knobs or trying different flanges. Unlike a clunky contraption with wires and battery packs, you can toss this manual silicone pump into your purse, tote, or carry on, making it an excellent option for travel. It’s also easy to clean: any steam sterilizing system will get the job done, but boiling water works just fine, too.
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