As a first time mom (FTM), I banked on the idea that motherhood would be natural. Like I would somehow wake up after the birth of my child and know which cry was for hunger, if the baby was sleeping too much, or which pump was going to be the best pump for me. Unfortunately, all of those things naturally took time to understand. I am hoping this article will buy you some time and help you as you prepare to purchase your first breast pump.

Some of the links included in this post are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. 

Comfort

The practice of breastfeeding should not be painful. It may be uncomfortable or weird at first, but once you and baby have demonstrated good techniques, you will discover what feels comfortable and works for you. Likewise, you should have the same feeling about your breast pump. If you have used your pump and after multiple occasions have found that it is very uncomfortable, then you may have the wrong pump. It will be discussed later, but your pump should have a flange size that accommodates and fits comfortably to your breast size. You should also be able to control speed and the pressure of the pump. I love handpumps because ultimately you are in control of speed and pressure, but you will have to find one that works with your desired size as well.  Studies have shown that mothers who are stressed, in pain, or are uncomfortable while pumping have a difficult time expressing milk to the maximum capacity. You will need to rely on fellow moms in this area because most pumps are not eligible for return after they have been opened. It will be very helpful for you to check out reviews on pumps you are considering.

Ease of Use

I’ve seen fancy pumps with many buttons to control the options and I’ve seen cheaper pumps with buttons and dials. Let me tell you that if you are expected to be a switchboard operator to control your pump, it will not be a pleasant experience. How easy it is to operate your pump is very important. To be honest, I have large breasts and I do not have the luxury of being able to play with buttons while pumping. My partner helped me in the beginning adjusting settings, but when I returned to work, it was difficult. Some pumps have special features such as memory functions and automatic transition from let-down setting to massage setting. I love the light feature on my pump which is great for night pumping in the dark. New moms do that a lot in the first few months when the supply is at it’s peak. The light feature allows you the ability to pump in the same room as your sleeping beauties without disrupting them.  Anything to make your ability to pump easier will reduce stress for you and allow you to have a good pumping session.

Power Source

You want a pump that is going to sustain through the duration of your session. I feel for the mom who starts pumping because she feels full only to find out that 3 minutes later her pump will shut off. Some pumps run on batteries and most on AC adapters. Others have the capability for you to plug into your car if you need to pump while traveling. Another important feature of the power source is its impact on suction strength. If you have a 4V AC adapter, it is not going to suction as well as one with a 9V AC Adapter. I would have never thought to think about that until I bought my latest pump and felt the difference. My latest pump came at a time when I felt my supply was decreasing, but it was just the pump. With my new pump, I could get twice more the milk I was pumping and I believe a big part of that was the difference in power source.

Suction Strength

When nursing, babies can effectively express milk from the breast. Breast pumps are designed to mimic this concept in their suction strength and speed. Pumps that give you a lot of control of how strong or fast the suction occurs should be valued as pumps that are considerate of your comfort. As mentioned earlier, I love hand pumps because the control you have is even more defined. When you push the lever for the manual pump, you can push as hard or soft as you want to your comfort. Hand pumps are my go to for traveling. Sometimes, they are handy when I am lazy and have not cleaned my parts for my electric pump. However, when it comes to controlling suction strength, they are the best. 

Replacement parts

I ran into the issue of a part with my first pump tearing. Unfortunately, it would take me two weeks to receive a part due to my pump’s unavailability in stores. I could have paid extra to have it overnighted, but by the time I paid for the replacement and overnight fee, I might have as well bought a new pump. So, I did. Pumps that are sold at retailers in your area typically have replacement parts readily available for sale. I considered looking on Amazon, because most of their products can be shipped and delivered within 2 days.

Portability

Will you be going back to work soon? If so, you want a pump that is easy to carry with you. Something that is really heavy with a thousand parts is not practical and will get old soon.  You will thank me later for this tip.

Overall durability

Product reviews are very helpful in helping you determine the longevity of your device. Breast pumps are expensive and you need to be sure the one you pick is the best one for you. Without the thought of brand, carefully determine which one is right for you.

Helpful Links…

Spectra Breast Pump (the one I currently use)

Medela Hand Pump (Never bought replacement part but I loved it while it lasted) Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump

Great resource for FTM, Kelly Mom

Comments Welcomed! What questions do you have about breast pumps?