Many women want to provide the unmatched nutrition of pure breast milk to their newborn babies, but unfortunately many women have problems breastfeeding. These problems range from inverted nipples, to the baby not latching properly. Whatever the reason, electric breast pumps can be a priceless addition to your baby items. They can be a fabulous alternative to breastfeeding directly from your breasts, and still give the baby the breast milk he or she deserves.
Electric Breast Pumps
There are two different types of breasts pumps out there - manual and electric/battery-operated. Both work well, but the electric variation works better. Electric breast pumps tend to be more expensive, but they have certain advantages over the manual breast pumps.
Benefits of an Electric Breast Pump
Most lactation specialists and hospitals recommend using electric breast pumps simply because they are more capable of drawing out the breast milk more efficiently. They operate quickly, and free up your hand that you would have been using to pump the milk with the manual version.
The low-end electric breast pumps are very affordable - around $70. These pumps are great for occasional use, and are generally semi-automatic. You'll generally be able to regulate the number of pumps per minute, and the strength of the suction. The only disadvantage is that the single pumps allow you to only pump one breast at a time. In addition, the batteries on these pumps tend to drain quickly. The battery operation doesn't pump as strongly as when you are using an AC adapter.
Mid-range electric breast pumps have more advantages than the low-end models. Although they are more expensive, many of these models have an adjustable suction. Many of them come with double pumps so you can pump both breasts at the same time, and they are highly portable.
The high-end models are the most expensive, but are extremely efficient and convenient. Many of them are hospital-grade, and are the choice of many working mothers who need something that pumps quickly and efficiently. You'll be able to pump both breasts at the same time, which cuts the pumping time in half. Cycles times are fast, and many of these models are discreet. The newer models have developed a technology that mimics the baby's natural suckling very closely, therefore extracting breast milk much more efficiently.
Of course, most pumps can be a bit noisy, and can be a bit uncomfortable and painful. The higher end models try to make the action of these pumps as painless as possible, but it is inevitable that breasts filled with milk will be a little tender, even to the gentlest touch.
What to Look For in a Pump
The best models should be highly portable so that you can pump even when you are out and about. They should feature adjustable sucking actions, so that you can vary the intensity of the milk extraction and pulling on the nipples. The breast shield sizes should also be adjustable, since all women have different sized and shaped breasts. If you're looking to save time, look for the models that come with dual pumps so you can work both breasts at the same time.
Electric breast pumps can be a great alternative to breastfeeding directly. You'll still be able to nourish your newborn with nutritious breast milk, while having the freedom of pumping whenever you can. By extracting your milk and bottle feeding, even dad can feed the baby when mom is busy!
