Breast Pumps: Reviews

Manual breast pumps are portable, cheap and easy to use. Because they are powered by hand and only express one side at a time, they don't pump as efficiently as electric models and are therefore best for moms who only… expandpump occasionally. The Medela Harmony is beloved by professionals and moms alike, who describe it as efficient, reliable and easy to operate. The Harmony is about $10 cheaper than its chief competitor, the Philips Avent Manual, which also gets high marks. But unlike the Avent Manual, the Harmony can be used with many standard baby bottles. The Medela Harmony comes with a breast flange, bottle stand and two bottles. collapse

Also known as mini-electrics, single electric pumps promise the best of both worlds -- the portability and simplicity of manual pumps, combined with the efficiency and ease of two-sided electric pumps. Unfortunately,… expandreviews suggest that only one model lives up to this promise. The Medela Swing offers two-phase expression that professionals and users find both effective and comfortable. The Swing is also the priciest of the mini-electrics, costing almost as much as the cheapest of well-reviewed double electric breast pumps. Moms who only pump occasionally and find manual pumps tiring may like the Medela Swing. It operates on electricity or batteries, and comes with a belt clip and strap that can be worn on the neck or shoulder for mobile pumping. collapse

The Ameda Purely Yours gets high marks from professionals and moms for being efficient and easy to clean, and consumers wishing to buy the pump without a carrying case will find it about $100 less than the cheapest… expandversion of the class leader among double electric breast pumps, the Medela Pump In Style Advanced (*Est. $280). The Ameda Purely Yours has a diaphragm that prevents moisture from getting into the tubes, making them one less thing for users to clean. This also protects against breast milk getting contaminated by moisture or air. Experts say double pumps are ideal for working moms because of how quickly they pump both breasts. collapse

Double pumps are beloved by working moms because they are both portable and fast, best for those who need to pump several times a day. The top-rated Medela Pump In Style Advanced comes in a discreet carrying case and… expandincludes a removable cooler for expressed milk, four bottles and a battery pack. It operates in two phases that are supposed to simulate how a baby nurses. The Pump In Style Advanced is available in a backpack version or as part of a messenger bag, though some moms have complaints about both these types of bags. Those planning to pump at home for just a few months may find renting a hospital-grade pump a cheaper option than buying a double breast pump. collapse