Breastfeeding is a way that mothers can bond with their babies, thanks to the nutritious nature of the milk to their immunity. Breastfeeding is, however, a challenge that most mothers deal with, especially when they are trying to resume their normal lives like career and spousal commitments. Use of breast pumps has proven beneficial to many mothers around Australia who for one reason or the other are unable to breastfeed their babies. The pumps express milk from the breast and with the right storage, your baby can keep on enjoying your healthy nutritious milk. To which choice of breast pump you ought to choose, research has to be done, however something mobile and hands on is more advisable. The pumps are, however, very costly and would need you to pay attention to details like who the manufacturer is and whether they have positive reviews in the market.
How Do I Find The Right Breast Pump?
It is for sure hectic to look through all the breast pump options available online and that is why you are here. There are lots of models that manufacturers have put in the market and each has its own merits you should know, but first research on them is what you must do. Great pumps will allow you to multi task on the go or get the relief while on the road. This is beside them being discreet and very comfortable on your breasts. Here are some factors to look at when considering a breast pump to purchase today.
The Cost Of The Device
How much should you part with to get the breast pump of your choice? The wireless options will always be costlier as they are upgrades of the plug into the wall option. There are also pumps that are attached to custom milk storage bags however their price tag may not be friendly. You just have to assess your options in the market based on what needs you want to satisfy. Compare the prices and then determine what your budget guides you to.
Do I Pump Both Breasts At The Same Time?
You should know upfront that the cost of double wireless pumps will not be cheap and that the market has different designs for your needs. You must determine early enough what your expectations are and most importantly whether your budget can afford the equipment you need. Most mothers go for the single breast pumping options which allows you to pay attention to each breast individually.
Can I Multitask While Expressing Milk?
Most moms have trouble expressing milk when their brain registers the pump and not their baby’s mouth. This can be a challenge for most mothers because the purpose of the pump is to beat bringing the baby to everywhere you go. Find out in advance the success rate of the pump you are about to purchase and understand how it works.
What Is Its Suction Level?
You need to determine the suction power of the pump before you make your purchase. This will depend on whether you have a lot of milk or having trouble expressing milk after giving birth. Knowing how much pressure you need directs you to purchasing the right pump type and quality. The information should always be provided by the manufacturer on the seller website or item packaging.
Best Breast Pumps to Buy in Australia
Willow 3.0 Wearable Breast Pump
The battery life of this pump might as well what makes it very ideal for most mothers in Australia today. It can last for up to 75 minutes to allow you to express milk from your breasts comfortably and with no rush. The best part is that it only needs 15 minutes to be fully charged and ready to go making it very ideal for on road users. It may be costlier, however more efficient because it is wireless and also comes with 3600 mobility.
Pros
- Has a sleek design to meet the aesthetic demands of the market
- Its hand free which allows you to focus on other things while at it
- Gives you freedom of movement during pumping as it is wireless
- It is leak proof which maintains your hygiene throughout the day
Cons
- Not as powerful as other models in its category
- Requires learning to fully adjust to using it
- Has a high price tag for most sellers
Elvie Pump
This is by far one of the most discreet breast pumps that you will find in the market. What makes it unique is the very low noise level it emits when working and also the amazing size and weight making it manageable. It is paired with an app which makes monitoring the expression process easier besides keeping a record of all past expressions. Its low battery life makes it not ideal, however find out its strengths from the read below.
Pros
- It is super quiet allowing you peace of mind and the discretion needed to get done with the expression
- Its bottle doubles up as milk storage container too
- Synced with phone app for easier monitoring and record keeping
Cons
- Not as powerful as other models, especially when it comes to battery life
- Is costlier than most pumps in the market
Freemie Liberty II Deluxe Hands-Free Wearable Breast Pump
This is a unique breast pump whose small size allows it to fit under a bra comfortably. It is a hands free double pump that weighs about 0.55 pounds and may cost you about $200 of your budget to get it on your cart. With a battery life of 2.5 hours, it can help you express your milk in about 40 minutes. It also has a timer that can help you keep track of the expression duration among other details. The reusable cups make it easier to collect the milk rather than waste time on swapping the collection bags.
Pros
- It has a higher milk capacity than most items on this list
- It collects milk in bra caps which reduces your hassle during collection
- It has different pump levels that can fit your needs
Cons
- The motor in most cases does not fit the bra
Spectra 9 Plus
This is the first award winning breast pump on this list that you can count on as a new mother. It is availed in a sleek model and will meet your needs, thanks to its improved features. It has a suction of 260 mmHg and a battery life of 2.5 hours that will allow you to comfortably get to expression before a recharge. It weighs 1.5 pounds and its small size allows it to be fitted in your purse. Customers in Australia prefer it for its reliability, double pump capability and also its power that allows it to function efficiently.
Pros
- The device is compact and its sleek design not only meets your needs but also aesthetic demands
- Great power with battery life of over 2.5 hours to give you enough expression time
- Works with freemie cups hence ease of storage and convenience when using them
Cons
- They are not as discreet as other options on this list
- Not entirely wearable making them a burden at times
Medela Freestyle Flex
There are a number of reasons why Medela freestyle flex is also a great pump as you will find out here. It is the recommended option for busy mothers who are on the move all the time. It is not only quiet in its operations but is also wearable. The battery life that it comes with is what makes it even more impressive considering it offers about two full hours of service. It weighs 0.63 pounds which makes them easily portable and discreet to the user making it one of the top rated devices for mothers here.
Pros
- Has over 2 hours of great battery life for successful and efficient expression
- It is lightweight in nature for portability (weighs 0.63 pounds)
- Has suction power of 45 to 245 mmHg depending on what works for you
- It is simple to use
Cons
- It is not as discreet as you would prefer
- It is not entirely wearable
Conclusion
You might be shopping from your own pocket or having your insurer pay for the breast pump you have in mind, however regardless of you must make the right choice. Breast pumps are supposed to be comfortable and efficient in problem solving, however this equipment never works the same on all mothers. This is the reason to pay special consideration to different options that make your shortlist and make comparisons to choose the most ideal option.
Reading user reviews on the products can help you figure out the ones that you actually need. There are different sellers in Australia whose websites you can go to for reviews, for instance Amazon Australia where different brands are sold. Once you get a clear picture of what other mothers have to say about it, you only proceed to check whether it suits your needs in terms of size, portability and battery power.
