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Your Breast Pump Buying Guide
Important questions to ask before choosing a breast pump.

A bad breast pump is a waste of money--you won't use it. A good breast pump is a lifesaver. If you work, you'll use it every workday. Even if you'll mostly be at home, you can use a pump to relieve engorgement, pump excess milk so someone else can feed the baby, express milk if you're away from your infant for more than two to four hours, and boost your milk production.
All in all, if you want to breastfeed, you'll be grateful for a pump. Here are some questions to ask about getting the right one.

Should I go with electric, battery, or manual?

Electric pumps are strong and have great reputations; they're what hospitals use and they're also the most expensive. Battery-operated pumps cannot give the same kind of power. Some battery-powered models are rather uncomfortable and they deliver mixed results. You'd think a manually operated hand pump would therefore be even worse, but because you control the suction, hand pumps actually work even better than many battery-run models. Here are some things to think about with each option:

Electric pumps: Buy or rent? If you can, hold off buying until you've given birth and have established nursing. Then, if you'll be returning to work, shop for a good double electric pump, such as Medela's popular Pump in Style or an Ameda. (Both have all the features you'd want: They're powerful but portable, allow you to control the strength of the suction, and can vary the rate of the suction.) Such a pump will cost about $220 to $250 or more. In addition you'll want to buy some milk storage bags or bottles. Don't get disheartened; remember that if you breastfeed for 6 months, you'll still be saving money over formula. Another option is to rent a pump from the hospital. This is particularly smart if you're not sure you want to breastfeed for more than a few months or are not sure you want to return to work. In either case, it can be cheaper to rent than buy while you decide. Ask about a rental program at the hospital where you give birth, or log on to www.medela.com to find their rental location near you.

Manual pumps: There's only one favorite... Avent's Isis is the gold standard in hand pumps and gets consistent great feedback from moms. Even if you buy an electric model, you may want this manual pump as well. It's discreet enough that you can use it in tough places like airplanes and restaurant bathrooms. Someday, we hope, some other brand will come out with one just as good, because it's annoying that the Avent pump only screws into Avent bottles. If baby prefers another brand, there's a lot of pouring milk back and forth. But for now it's worth the hassle for the ease and comfort. It's about $40 for just the pump, and about $60 for the pump with storage containers and a cooler bag.

Battery-powered pumps: Shop around. If you have a friend who had success with one of these, or you have an opportunity to try one before you buy, then perhaps a battery pump can work for you. Look for one that operates at 50 cycles a minute, which best mimics a baby's nursing. (Less than that and you may have trouble getting any milk.) The new Whisper Wear is a great idea because it's hands-free. But again, batteries don't always provide a good suction--they're often too weak or too strong. Buy carefully.

How often will I use it?
If you're going to be pumping four or five days a week several times a day (in other words, at work) an electric pump that can do both breasts at once will be the most efficient. You should be able to empty both breasts in about 15 minutes (you'll need extra time for setup and cleanup). Don't skimp and buy an electric pump that only does one side at a time; it's too much of a time waster. If you'll be pumping more occasionally--once a day or less--a manual pump that does one side at a time is fine if it's efficient.

Can I return a pump?

Nope. Once the pump box is open, it's yours. They're considered personal-care products that can't be returned. It's worth asking for recommendations from friends and lactation consultants before you make a final purchase.

Can I use a friend's old pump?

Hospitals do some kind of high-level sanitizing of the pumps they rent. But you and your friends probably can't guarantee that there's no residue left in a pump, and that residue could, in theory, contaminate your milk. Borrowing a pump or getting a used one isn't recommended.

Your should know:

The information on this Web site is designed for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your pediatrician or family doctor. Please consult a doctor with any questions or concerns you might have regarding your or your child's condition.