Here’s Where To Shop The Best Breast Pumps for New Mums

Noise: Electric pumps can be notoriously noisy. This is something to factor in if you plan to express while your baby is asleep nearby or when you're at work. Although there are some quiet electric pumps, manual pumps are much quieter, and some models make no noise at all.

Storing breast milk: If you plan to exclusively pump or you're planning time away from your baby, you will want to ensure you have somewhere clean and sterile to store your breastmilk. If you intend to feed your baby within days (four days max), go for a pump that lets you express milk directly into a clean, sterilised bottle until you're ready to use it. Breast milk can be stored for around six months.

Location: If you like the thought of not being confined to one spot when you're expressing, choose a pump that is wireless or takes a battery. However, if you're the type of person who walks around with their phone battery on red, a mains-operated pump might suit you better.

Size and weight: If you are planning to take your pump out and about, and you don't want anything too big or heavy weighing down your changing bag, make sure to take a look at the product's dimensions and opt for a lightweight option.

Electric pumps: Electric pumps are the most popular way to express milk, as you can adjust both speed and suction. Electric pumps come in both single and double pumps, allowing you to express milk from one or two breasts at the same time. Generally, this is the most efficient way to express milk. We recommend electric pumps to mums of multiples or for mums who want to maintain their milk supply working.

Manual breast pumps: Manual breast pumps are a brilliant option for mums who are primarily breastfeeding but want the option to pump. When using a manual pump, you place the breast cup over your breast and squeeze the handle to extract the milk, which collects in a storage container or bottle. Manual breast pumps tend to cheaper and be easier to use, and a lot of mums feel that they have more control.

Hands-free breast pumps: As the name suggests, hands-free breast pumps allow you to collect milk whilst you do other things. Hands-free pumps are a great option for mums who have multiple or older children and mums who generally never sit down for more than ten minutes (We know right, isn't that all of us).

Expressing is easier and more efficient if you feel relaxed. We're not going to lie and say this is going to be your favourite way to unwind, but try and put on your favourite Netflix show and grab some snacks before you start expressing. Try to pick a pump that's appealing to look at and comfortable. Anything too clinical is likely to make you feel more stressed. Choose a pump that's quick and easy to assemble. You will need to be confident in putting it back together once you've taken it apart for cleaning and sterilising, and trying to find lots of small parts is not what you want to spend your day doing.

The breast cup fits over your breast inside the pump funnel. It must fit well for optimal milk drainage as well as comfort. Some pumps come with more than one cup, so you can try different sizes to find the best fit. Start slow. As tempting as it can be to whack it up to full suction, it doesn't always result in a better milk production. In fact, you're more likely to end up causing yourself discomfort.

Whether you plan to breastfeed or exclusively pump, you will probably need a breast pump at some point. However, if you're only planning on expressing occasionally, a manual pump is often a better and cheaper option. Manual pumps tend to be much easier to use, and they don't require charging. That said, manual breast pumps are much more labour-intensive. If you want to express milk quickly and efficiently, an electric breast pump is definitely worth the investment.

Of course! A fed baby is a happy baby. Breast milk offers so many benefits to your infant. But we know that exclusively breastfeeding isn't always a viable option for everyone. Whether it's due to a baby who cannot latch, returning to the workplace or feeling like you just no longer want to breastfeed, exclusively pumping is a fantastic way for your baby to get the benefits of breastmilk without breastfeeding.

There are lots of benefits to pumping. However, there are also a few side effects which some mums experience. One of the most common side effects is causing pain in your breasts or nipples. Usually, this is due to incorrectly positioning your pump or using a setting which is too high. As previously mentioned, always ensure you are starting at the lowest setting and slowly working your way up.