How to Choose the Right Breast Pump For You

So many designs, so many options, here's how to navigate them.

EBM stands for expressed breast milk; to express milk, you’ll need a breast pump. Expressing is an art unto itself. For some mums, it’s a necessity. For others, a way of aiding routine or to gain a bit of independence. For others, it comes into play when transitioning back to work. For some, it’s used as a dream feed, so mum can get more shut-eye whilst their partner does the feed. Breastmilk from a boob, or a bottle, greets our children with their specific needs, and can fight pathogens and diseases. It really is quite amazing.

Breast pumps have come a long way, and like advances in sleep devices, there is much to filter through. Feeling overwhelmed? Before you even hit search, ask yourself these five questions to determine your pumping needs.

Question 1. Do I need a breast pump before giving birth?

A breast pump is not essential. You may choose to formula feed or exclusively breastfeed. The need for pumping has a lot to do with our birth, your milk supply, your kid, and your lifestyle. For example, if you’re a small business owner and need to go back to run the show three months postpartum, then probably yes. If you have plans on being social and doing some dinner dates (with multiple glasses of wine), then yes. If you are a go-with-flow kind of person with lots of leave and an open invitation for possibilities, then maybe something to park until you meet your baby. Do baby your way and tune into what works for you.

Question 2 . Is pumping painful?

This depends on the tenderness of your breasts and nipples. For most, there is little to no pain. The Milk Drop Breast Cushion is an ultra-soft, medical-grade silicone pad that stretches over the head of your pump to make it more comfortable and great for those experiencing tenderness. In their trials, 92% of women found pumping more comfortable using the milkdrop. The Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump is also an excellent option for those who hate pumping. It is a single piece of silicone that lightly sucks on the opposite boob while you feed to catch the excess milky goodness or ‘let down’. So less of an extractor and more of a softly motivating catcher.

Question 3. What’s the difference between manual and electric?

Manual pumps are designed to complement mums who are full-time breastfeeding but pump on occasions, for occasions. Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pumpis a great option for our casual pumpers. It’s affordable, portable (small enough to fit in your handbag) and silent. As the name implies, it’s manual, so it’s slower and more arduous when extracting milk; however, if you are not using it much, it’s not a burden. Good to have on hand for the occasional weekend away, engorgement, or should you hit a bump in your breastfeeding journey.

Question 4. Which ones are portable?

Most modern electric breast pumps are now portable, but some are better at being more discreet than others.The Youha ONE Express Cups is a hands-free attachment (compatible with the Youha The ONE Double Electric Breast Pump, but also many other portable electric breast pumps) and can fit snugly in your bra for discreet expression (think at your desk or even out to lunch). This device is super worthy for mums who are on the go or for those who are planning to breastfeed while back at work.

Question 5. Double or single?

Double pumps mean less fuss, (as you can express both breasts simultaneously). Double pumps can yield at least 18% more milk and the biggest win is that it cuts expressing time in half. Worth the investment if you’re pumping regularly. The Medela Freestyle Flex 2 Phase Double Electric Breast Pump is a quieter breast pump, intuitive to use and extra fast at extracting milk. A touch screen makes it super simple, and its patent technology allows for a longer charge time. We love the built-in rechargeable battery, so you don’t need to be hooked up to a powerpoint. This is the Rolls-Royce of pumps and one for those who use their pump multiple times a day. Worthy of the investment. As time equals more sleep, less pumping as a new parent is priceless.

Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump

Manual breast pumps are perfect for those who only pump occasionally and predominantly breastfeed their baby. This one is great for new mums returning to work (but still have full boobs at lunch) or for times you head for date night. It’s small enough for your handbag and there is no need for batteries or cables. Simply pop over your breast and the handle will mimic your baby’s sucking. To fully benefit from the handle's functionality, first use the short side at a fast pace to stimulate milk flow. After you see breast milk flowing, use the long side of the handle to extract your milk.

Who is it for?

People who primarily breastfeed and want to express occasionally.

Features:

No need for batteries or charging stations
2- phase expression technology helps you mimic your baby’s natural sucking rhythm.
Easy to clean
Compact, light and portable
Silent and discreet
Holds up to 150ml of milk
Dishwasher safe

Haaka Silicone Breast Pump Gen 2

As voted by thousands of Australian parents, this pump was the Winner of the Master Of Milk category in The Memos Awards 2022. Keep reading to find out why. The Haakaa is a super economical and no-fuss choice. It's portable, so you can take it with you and has no cords or loud pumping noises. The best part is it's really easy to use. Simply squeeze the base of the Haakaa pump and it suctions onto the breast you are not feeding with and it will catch all the excess letdown (milk). With this device, you’ll never waste a drop of liquid gold.

Who is it for?

People who primarily breastfeed and want to catch the excess milk from their other breast.

Features

Dishwasher safe
Microwave compatible
100% food-grade silicone
BPA, PVC and phthalate-free
Holds up to 150ml of milk

Medela Freestyle Flex 2 Phase Double Electric Pump

A wireless, compact, double pump with an electric touchpad. Why double? Double pumps mean less fuss (as you can express both breasts simultaneously). Double pumps can yield at least 18% more milk and cuts expressing time in half. Worth the investment if your baby needs extra milk and calories i.e. for those who arrive early or time is a rare commodity (you may have a toddler and newborn). With all the settings to help mimic your baby's natural sucking, this trusted and new and improved Swiss-made breast pump is an excellent investment if you mix feed (bottle and boob) or return to work.

Who is it for?

Those who need to express multiple times a day.

Features

Wireless touchpad
USB-chargeable battery
Compact, light and portable
Built-in rechargeable battery
Connects to the Medela app to help track your pumping progress.
Medela PersonalFit Flex™ breast shields for your comfort and increased milk flow1
Closed system prevents breast milk from entering the tubing
Less noise than previous models
Dishwasher safe
Medical grade

Youha The ONE Double Electric Breast Pump - Starter Pack

A stand-alone, hospital-grade breast pump comes with everything you need for your pumping journey. Youha is a brand constantly raved about by ‘been there done that mums’, and its compact design and touch screen make it intuitive to use. Many mums love this one claiming it's quieter than other pumps. It's quick and efficient and the best part is it’s battery-powered and portable (great for mums hoping to return to work).

Who is it for?

Those who need to express multiple times a day.

Features

Battery-powered for portable
Sleek and compact design
Extremely quiet and convenient operation
Easy-to-use touchscreen
Efficient and effective breastmilk expression
Ideal for use at home or the office
Compatible with the Youha ONE Express Cups

Medela Solo Single Electric Breast Pump

A medical grade single pump is great to have on hand if you want to pump daily but not exclusively. This pump will ensure you drain your breast completely and is quick and efficient at extracting milk with various levels of pumping vacuum. It is small and lightweight, relatively quiet for minimal disruption to the day-to-day. It does need a power point, so you can’t express hands-free with this one and can only be used one breast at a time.

Who is it for?

For those who pump for dream feeds or once a day.

Features

Medela 2-Phase Expression® technology mimics babies’ sucking for a more natural pumping experience
Closed system prevents breast milk from entering the tubing.
Compact, portable and easy to use
Dishwasher safe
Medical grade
Holds up to 150ml of milk

Medela Flex Electric Swing

The new and improved double single electric breast pump by Medela. This one is for if you are mixed feeding (boob and bottle) going back to work, heading out for a weekend away, or helping to increase your milk. A lightweight and compact design is simple to clean and even easier to use. There is a 4-button intuitive interface and 9 pre-programmed settings. The newer pump style has a built-in rechargeable battery (think 6 sessions of pumping) and can charge faster using a USB type C port. Signature to Medela it has a 2-Phase Expression® technology that mimics your baby's natural sucking rhythm1, 2 and the PersonalFit Flex™ breast shield for increased comfort. The thing we love most is that it’s noticeably quieter than the previous generation because we know that the sound of pumping is something that a new mother will never forget.

Who is it for?

For those who pump for dream feeds or once a day.

Features

Medela 2-Phase Expression® technology mimics babies’ sucking for a more natural pumping experience
Closed system prevents breast milk from entering the tubing.
Compact, portable and easy to use
Dishwasher safe
Medical grade
Double pump means half the time to pump
Holds up to 150ml of milk per bottle

Minbie Hospital Grade Pump

A hospital-grade pump is designed to yield more milk for your baby. This one is great if you need to increase your supply, you hit a bump in your breastfeeding journey or your baby comes early and needs addtional calories. With multiple settings, it can stimulate greater milk production in less time. The long-lasting lithium battery allows you to pump anywhere, anytime so you won't have to worry about being hooked up to a power point like old-school pumps. Minbie has soft, flexible silicone cups which are gentle on your sensitive breast tissue, so a more comfortable ritual, especially if you are expressing milk daily. This light and portable breast pump is loved and tested by hundreds of new parents.

Who is it for?

For those who pump for frequently and daily

Features

Compact, portable and easy to use
Dishwasher safe
Medical grade
Double pump means half the time to pump
Holds up to 150ml of milk per bottle
Doubles as a night light
Lithium battery for longer life
Quiet
Soft silicone pads for more comfort

Youha Embody Wearable Breast Pump

A pump that slips into your bra and can be worn anywhere, literally! Pumping sure can a be a drainer (excuse the pun,) no-one enjoys being hooked up to a power socket socket. Enter the Youha Embody Wearable Breast Pump, a gadget that fits in your bra and works whilst driving, in office, cooking dinner - wherever and whenever. Think full flexibility and hand-free freedom. The Youha Embody is a wearable cord-free breastpump. You charge it via a USB cable, put it in your bra, press the power button and get on with your day. We love how comfortable it is to wear, it fits snugly onto the breast and the soft silicone cups protect the nipple, with no painful pulling. The Embody is super efficient and gets the job done without the need for cords, tubes and dangling bottles. Depending on your supply, the pumping can take 5-20 minutes, but you wouldn’t know it. The pumping is quiet so you’ll have to listen closely to hear a soft extracting sound. Once you’re finished, simply pour out the milk into a milk bag, remove the electric device from the silicone cup, sterilise the cup and repeat. The Youha Embody comes with two cups that hold 150ml each, one for each breast, a tailored travel bag to keep everything together, as well as access to the My Youha app which you can use to control remotely and track your breast milk. There are two sizes available 24 and 28. These are the size guide for Breast Shield Convertors and it important to make sure you're using the correct size shield/flange when pumping for optimum output and comfort. If they are too big or too small you can always invest in a converter set which we sell here.

Who is it for?

For those who pump for frequently/daily, who are retruning to work or always on the run.

Features

No cords, tubes or dangling bottles
Fits discreetly in your bra
Chargeable via a USB cable
Quiet and convenient operation
Safe and efficient extraction
Holds up to 150ml each side
Soft silicone cups protect the nipple
Track your pumping with the My Youha app

Whatever pump you decide to choose, make sure it’s the right one for you personally. If you’re having trouble with your milk supply, you should speak to your obstetrician or hospital for support. If you’d like to find out some tips right now on how to increase your milk supply, read our blog article with advice from a midwife.