When breastfeeding has been established and you and your baby have settled into a comfortable feeding routine, you might begin to consider pumping some breast milk. It may be something that you have to do so that your baby can be fed with breast milk when you return to work.

Alternatively, it may be to build up a little freezer supply so that in the event of an emergency or if you are separated from your baby you can ensure that they continue to have their regular breast milk.

If you would like some tips on pumping we’ve covered this in another post which you can find here. The aim of this post is to help you understand the differences between the various breast pumps on the market so that you can find the one that is right for you.

Believe it or not, there are some really big differences between breast pump brands and models. They all aim to do the very same thing in helping you transport breast milk from your breasts to a cup or bottle, but they can vary greatly in size, shape and price.

An important thing to consider when you are purchasing a breast pump is how often it will be used. If you plan to use it on a very rare occasion then it may be a wise idea to try to pick up a more basic style that doesn’t cost a huge amount of money.

However, if you plan to pump very regularly, and will rely on it, it’s worth spending more money on a more sophisticated brand and model as it will more than likely make life a lot easier for you. In this case, a powerful electric breast pump that pumps milk from both breasts at the same time may be your best option.

They can set you back a couple of hundred euro but if you plan to pump short-term you might consider renting one from your local maternity hospital or pharmacy if that facility is available.

For moderate use, there are several options on the market. You might consider a single electric pump. As they only pump one breast at a time it is important to remember that it will take twice as long to drain both breasts if you are using this style.

In some cases, a breast pump may only be required for a holiday. You may have planned a trip/hen weekend/family event which will involve you being separated from the baby. In this case, you will have to consider leaving enough breast milk to cover your baby’s feeds during your absence as well as the important matter of pumping while you are on holiday also.

If you do not pump you are sending the signal to your body that those feeds are no longer needed. It may affect your supply when you return to your baby and it can also lead to a blocked duct and or mastitis. In this case, a hand held battery operated breast pump might be a good solution. It won’t take up too much space in your bag and it will not require a plug socket and the accompanying wires. These pumps tend to burn through batteries pretty quickly so bringing a spare packet is a good idea.

Some women find themselves looking for a pump that will simply “collect” the milk that flows out of one breast when they are feeding their baby using the other breast. They may have a strong letdown and the frustrating issue of the other breast leaking profusely while they feed their babies.

This can pose several issues but the worst of all is the waste. Saving and storing this breast milk is a great way to ensure the milk is not wasted and with time it really ads up. A breast pump like the Haakaa works really well for this kind of issue. This kind of breast bump is recommended for occasional expressing and light use. This all-in-one pump is fuss-free. It draws out the nipple and relieves engorgement or catches the let-down milk.

Like many women, you may find yourself purchasing more than one breast pump in an attempt to find the one that works best for you – but we hope that this post has helped you a little along the way.