| While choosing the right breast pump is | | | | pattern. Some models automatically |
| a personal decision, it can be very | | | | simulate this release cycle while others |
| confusing when you're a brand new mom | | | | will require the mother to use her |
| and not quite sure what to expect or | | | | fingers to simulate this pattern. |
| look for. Two of the most important | | | | Choose an electric pump with adjustable |
| things to consider are how strong the | | | | controls to make the pumping action best |
| suction is and the number of cycles per | | | | fit your style. There may be times |
| minute it has. These two features will | | | | where your nipples are sore or your |
| determine how much milk you collect and | | | | breasts are engorged and you will want |
| how long it will take. | | | | to be able to dial down the suction to a |
| Most babies suck between 40 and 60 times | | | | comfortable level. |
| a minute when they're nursing. The | | | | If you're going to be pumping at work or |
| hospital grade rental pumps have a 50 | | | | somewhere privacy is important, make |
| times per minute cycle and automatically | | | | sure you turn on the pump and test the |
| mimic the suck-release-relax sucking | | | | noise level while it's in use. Some |
| pattern of your child. Pumps with | | | | models are quiet but some with smaller |
| smaller motors will generally have a | | | | motors can make a surprising amount of |
| slower cycling rate and may result in | | | | noise. |
| sore nipples from the longer periods of | | | | - Single battery/electric pumps: Medela |
| sustained suction. | | | | Mini Electric or Medela Single Deluxe |
| You also want to check the amount of | | | | automatically cycle between 30-38 cycles |
| suction the pump applies. A baby will | | | | per minute, a rate that will provide |
| normally have a suction rate of 220 mm. | | | | enough stimulation and will be |
| Many hospital grade rental pumps can | | | | comfortable. |
| achieve a suction rate between 200 and | | | | - Occasional-use double pumps Medela |
| 220mm. | | | | DoubleEase or Medela Double-Deluxe pumps |
| Decide if you need a portable pump or if | | | | automatically cycle at 30 times per |
| you will only be pumping at home. The | | | | minutes or above. |
| hospital-grade pumps you can rent can be | | | | - Simultaneous double pumping |
| too cumbersome to regularly take on the | | | | professional grade pumps: Any of the |
| road with you, but they are very | | | | Medela Pump In Style breastpumps. |
| efficient at pumping. | | | | - Simultaneous double pumping |
| Look for an electric pump that has the | | | | hospital-grade pumps: Medela Classic, |
| suck-release-relax cycle that most | | | | Medela Symphony, Medela Lactina, Ameda |
| closely mimics a baby's natural nursing | | | | Egnell SMB or Ameda Egnell Lact-E. |