Question:
What kind of pump is best? Do I definitely need to go with the higher priced ones if I am going back to work full time?
Answer:
This is a great question. Pumping moms have their own unique experiences when it comes to pumping at work and breastfeeding in general. What I would suggest is that you rent a pump for the first month just to see how it goes. Many hospitals rent pumps and it is an inexpensive way to make sure that breastfeeding is going to work for you. If you aren’t having any supply issues, then you can go ahead and purchase a pump. You will need a very good quality electric double pump that can handle the stress of countless the pumping sessions that you will have as a full-time working mom. Medela and Ameda are two of the most commonly recommending brands by lactation consultants. I highly recommend you look at both brands to make the right choice for your personal situation.
The Medela Freestyle breast pump is one of the top rated breast pumps amongst working moms. A lot of moms find pumping at work a bit stressful. Not only it is a solid pump, the freestyle has some great features that help alleviate some of that stress. It has a rechargeable battery, timer, a pumping session memory button amongst many other handy features. The Freestyle is also very compact and has a built in belt clip. For a less expensive option, consider the Medela Pump In Style Advanced. Both have the same 2 - Phase Expression technology, but you will pay more for the Freestyle because of the additional features. Additional parts for Medela breast pumps are very easy to find at online and in-store retailers. As a bonus, Medela Freestyle pump attachments allowing moms to pump directly into milk storage bags, will be available at the end of the year.
So, while you don’t need to necessarily get the most expensive pump out there, you will probably want to spend a little extra to ensure that you have a solid long-lasting pump that can handle the pressures of a pumping several times a day over an extended period of time.
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