There are SO many pump options on the market, how's a mum to choose? Manual, traditional, wearable - it's enough to make your head spin. Each pump type has pros and cons and depending on your pumping goals, you might find one type of pump is better suited to you. If you like a particular brand, often times they will have different pump types, for example Youha has both a traditional electric and a wearable pump. Read on for our list of pumps for every type of pumper.
Manual Pumps
When you might use a manual pump:
If you're not expecting to pump too much (once a week or less).
Pros
- Not as many parts to lug around
- Cheaper than an electric pump
Cons:
- May take longer to express milk (but some people find it's just as efficient)
- Can give you wrist pain
Manual Pump List
Under $30
$30 - $60
$60 - $100
- Ardo Amaryll Start Breast Pump
- Nuk Jolie
- Medela Harmony
- Pigeon Manual Breast Pump
- Philips Avent Manual Breast Pump
Traditional Electric Pumps
When you might use a traditional electric pump:
Given that you’re pumping quite often, an electric pump will make your life a lot easier. All you need to do is push a button! If you're still building or regulating your supply, these can give you more milk than a wearable style pump, potentially (there's not much research on this) because they have more suction and the settings can be tweaked to suit you.
Pros
- Time saver, and you can get double pump options
- Ability to tweak the suction and massage settings
- You can get a variety of flanges and inserts to make pumping more comfy
Cons:
- Can be bulky to travel with
- More expensive than manual pumps
Traditional Pump List (Milkdrop Compatible)
(from least expensive to most expensive)
Under $100
$100 - $200
$200 - $300
$300+
Wearable Pumps
When you might use a wearable pump:
If you’re not pumping to increase your supply, but want to maintain it or fill in for missed feeds (if you’re also nursing), then a wearable pump could be a great option for you.
Pros
- Super convenient
- Quiet
- Electric, and work at the press of a button
Cons
- Some people get less milk, potentially due to less suction or the way the cup sits on the breast (although there's not a lot of research about this)
Wearable Pump List
(from least expensive to most expensive)
Under $100
$100 - $200
$500+
(Note: all prices are correct at time of publishing, November 2022. If you see a pump with the wrong price, flick us an email at hello@milkdroppumps.com and we'll update this article.)
