Breast Pumps : Ratings of Sources

Our AssessmentReaders are invited to post reviews of breast pumps at Amazon.com, where some models receive more than 600 reviews. While models such as the Philips Avent Manual, Medela Pump In Style Advanced and Ameda Purely Yours do well, it's worth dipping into the comments to look for patterns (such as loss of suction) and to see if users' priorities are the same as yours. Amazon.com is also useful for identifying breast pumps to avoid.

Our AssessmentCerean.net offers its top breast pump picks with details, and the fact that the site says it is run by lactation consultants and other breast-feeding experts gives extra authority to these recommendations. But certain pages appear to be updated while others aren't, and nothing is dated, so information offered is conflicting and possibly out of date. For instance, on one page the site recommends the Ameda Purely Yours as the best of its kind, saying it's as good as the Pump In Style Advanced for a better price, while on another page the site states that some women have "[r]ecently" reported problems with the efficiency of their Purely Yours pumps compared to Medela. Recommendations aside, one helpful article on the site explains how women can prompt their medical insurance carriers to pay for their breast pumps. In addition to reviews and opinion, there's some good general information here.

Our AssessmentStephanie Brown, About.com's guide to toddlers, discusses four manual breast pumps. Unlike a similar list by Heather Corley, About.com's guide to baby products, Brown's includes some notes on comfort and ease of use for some, but not all, of the breast pumps here. The Philips Avent Manual is her top pick -- but only, it appears, because it is compatible with the Avent line of baby bottles. She also recommends the Medela Harmony for those using a traditional bottle system, and likes the Medela PedalPump for moms who need to pump more often. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)

Our AssessmentWe found a large number of reviews here for breast pumps, but the site is more difficult to navigate than other retail sites like Amazon.com, and there is no way to quickly see how many ratings each pump has accumulated without clicking on each item individually. One nice feature of the site, though, is the way it summarizes customer ratings.

Our AssessmentWhile there's excellent information here on the various types of breast pumps, editors do not test or rate models. Instead, they list some leading brands and models, but don't actually make specific recommendations. Editors say that renting a breast pump can be a good solution if you don't anticipate needing to express milk for more than three months or so. The report is available to non-subscribers.

Our AssessmentOn this personal blog, Debbie Dubrow compares the Medela Freestyle to her Pump In Style Advanced, offering a subtle and detailed comparison based on her personal use of each pump. Dubrow says they are equally efficient. She likes the Freestyle's memory feature and its lightweight portability for traveling or watching multiple children while pumping. Like other reviewers, she finds the hands-free bra adapters too difficult to use. She recommends the Pump In Style Advanced as a cheaper option for those who plan to pump more often at home.

Our AssessmentNursing mother and BabyCenter.com contributor Candace Lindemann reviews the Medela Freestyle and likes its lightness and efficiency, but doesn't do any substantive comparisons with other pumps.