Most must-have lists’ for expecting parents include a breast pump. Selecting the right one, however, can be a daunting task. How are you supposed to know what you need if you’ve never breastfed or used a breast pump before?
Asian mom use electric breast pump feeding for her baby.
1 Natural Way, a leading breast pump provider, recommends that moms start by asking themselves a few basic questions:
- How often will I pump?
- Will I pump outside the home? Is portability necessary?
- Will I pump regularly while traveling?
- Do I plan to exclusively pump?
- How important is discretion to me?
These questions should give you a better idea of how using a breast pump will fit into your breastfeeding journey. Whether you plan to exclusively pump or you want to build up a freezer stash of milk for times when you cannot breastfeed, here are some of the best mom-recommended breast pumps on the market. Exclusively Pumping MomIf you are exclusively pumping, your pump needs to go the distance. It needs to work well in every situation at work, at home, traveling, and more. As long as your baby needs breast milk, it will be your constant companion.For exclusively pumping moms, the Spectra S1 Plus is a great option. Designed for moms who pump several times a day, the double electric S1 Plus is powerful but extremely quiet. Another advantage is, with many insurance carriers, the Spectra S1 Plus is very cost-effective.Moms love that:
- It is a hospital strength pump so it is extremely efficient.
- Its massage mode and adjustable suction levels make customization easy.
- It has a rechargeable battery so you can pump anywhere.
- It has a night light for those late night pumping session.
- It can be used as a single or a double pump.
- It has a timer.
The Medela Sonata is another great option for exclusive pumping. Compact and discreet, the Medela Sonata comes with all the accessories you need breast pump bag, cooler, bottle stand and more. Additionally, it connects to the MyMedela app so you can track all of your pumping sessions.
Moms love that:
- It is extremely quiet so you can discreetly pump anywhere.
- It is a powerful pump for efficient pumping.
- It has a rechargeable battery so you can pump anywhere.
- It connects with the MyMedela app, which has pumping tips and allows you to track every pumping session.
- It has a touch screen display and controls.
The Traveling MomIf you are a mom who loves to travel or has to travel for work, your pumping needs will be unique. Discretion, portability, and the ability to pump anywhere and everywhere are all important factors to consider.Many traveling moms love the Medela Pump-In-Style Advanced, specifically with the Medela Pump-In-Style Advanced Complete Set, backpack option. The backpack allows you to carry the pump, hands free, as well as having many other features perfect for traveling.Mom’s love that:
- The pump is easily portable and lightweight.
- The pump is built into the backpack.
- The battery pack allows you to pump anywhere and everywhere.
- The set contains a cooler bag with contoured ice pack.
- Pump parts are readily available in stores, making them easy to find in the event of an emergency.
The Medela Pump-In-Style Advanced is a great value an excellent breast pump that is covered 100% by many insurances (though the backpack and tote bundles can have some out-of-pocket cost).Another great option for moms-on-the-go is the Ameda Mya. A breakthrough portable hospital-strength breast pump, Mya is small, super-lightweight, ultra-silent, and operated by a rechargeable battery. This is a great pump if you are running errands or getting a night out!Working Outside The Home MomIf you work outside the home and want to breastfeed your baby, discretion and portability will most likely be important to you when choosing a pump.For moms who work outside the home, the Medela Freestyle is often recommended. The Medela Freestyle is a double electric pump designed for moms who pump several times a day, who need to transport their pump or who want to have mobility while they pump.Moms love that:
- It is easily portable and lightweight.
- It has a timer so you can make the best use of your time.
- It has a great battery life and can last up to three hours when fully charged.
- You can take it out of the bag (it comes with a bag and other great accessories!) and store it anywhere (luggage, work bag, diaper bag, etc.).
Another great option is the Spectra S1 Plus and S2 Plus for working moms – both are so quiet and discreet. With a handle on top, these pumps are very portable and easy to set up. Unlike the Medela Freestyle, they don’t come with a bag but for moms who want to choose their own cute breast pump bag, they’re perfect!
Another great option for working moms is the Motif Luna! Luna is a powerful breast pump built for modern motherhood. Sleek on the outside, with hospital-strength suction on the inside, moms are saying the Motif Luna pumps more milk in less time and is easy to use, with a quiet motor that won’t let everyone in the office know that it’s pumping time. The Prepared MomIf you are a mom who loves being prepared for anything and everything, try the Lansinoh Smartpump Double Electric Breast Pump. It has all the bells and whistles, including Bluetooth technology, which moms can use to connect to the Lansinoh Baby App. This allows you to track pumping sessions, in addition to baby activities, so establishing a schedule and routine is easy.Moms love that:
- It has a hygienic closed system so that breast milk will never back up in the tubing or the motor.
- It has three customizable pumping styles and eight adjustable suction levels to adjust to your comfort level.
- It has fewer parts than most breast pumps so cleaning and assembling are easy.
- It features a simple touch screen to track the duration, date, and time of every pumping session.
- Working with the Lansinoh Baby App, you can track tons of useful data to share with doctors to make navigating breastfeeding challenges easier.
If you’re still feeling indecisive, take advantage of online community posts and pump reviews on the sites of major retailers. Additionally, pump providers like 1 Natural Way have representatives that are trained to help you identify the best pump for your needs (and help you get the pump covered by insurance).The bottom line is that you’ve got lots of resources available to you so look at choosing a pump as a fun (not stressful) experience that will have a lasting, positive effect on your little one. 
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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