How to choose the right breast pump for you

Sponsored by: Ardo

Ardo hands-free breast pump

At some stage on your breastfeeding journey, you’ll likely want to express milk for your baby and that’s when it’s useful to have a breast pump. 

Many mothers find that a breast pump is an essential tool during their breastfeeding journey, whether they need to relieve engorgement, maintain milk supply, return to work, or share feeding duties with a partner. Whatever the reason for wanting or needing a breast pump, the ability to express milk for your little one is a useful skill to have and can actually help length your breastfeeding journey.

The ability to express milk for your little one is a useful skill to have and can actually help length your breastfeeding journey.

The question is, how do you decide which pump to get? There are so many different types on the market and it can all get a little confusing especially if you’ve never pumped or expressed milk before.

This is where Ardo can help. For over 25 years Ardo has been developing, producing and distributing products to help mothers through their pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. They have developed a range of manual, electric, and hospital grade pumps to cater for the needs of every breastfeeding mum, their family, and their lifestyle. 

Ardo electric breast pumps are medical devices which are approved by the NHS, WHO Code compliant, and trusted by hospitals and families around the world.

In this article, we’ll explore the different types of breast pumps—manual, single electric, double electric, hands-free electric, and hospital-grade—to help you make an informed decision.

Why a mum might choose a hands-free electric breast pump

Ardo Alyssa hands-free breast pump
Hands-free pumping with Ardo

Benefits

Hands-free electric breast pumps offer the ultimate convenience by allowing mothers to pump without needing to hold the pump in place. These pumps are typically worn inside a special bra or attached directly to the breasts, enabling you to move freely and multitask while pumping. They are ideal for busy mothers who need to pump while attending to other tasks.

The Alyssa Double Electric Hands-Free Breast Pump can perform breast massage or manual stimulation during expressing, which can increase milk production. With the collection cups concealed, you won’t be tempted to check or monitor the volume of expressed milk constantly. For many women, this takes a lot of stress out of the process, which means they can relax and therefore increase their milk volume.

Considerations

Hands-free pumps can be more expensive than traditional double electric pumps due to their modern, improved technology. It’s important to choose a high-quality hands-free pump to ensure efficiency and comfort.

Ideal for

  • Busy mothers who need to multitask while pumping
  • Those who find traditional pumps cumbersome
  • Mothers who want more freedom of movement while pumping

Why a mum might choose a double electric breast pump

Ardo Alyssa double electric breast pump
Ardo Calypso double electric breast pump

Benefits

Double electric breast pumps are designed to pump both breasts simultaneously, significantly reducing the time required to express milk. They are efficient and effective, making them ideal for mothers who need to pump frequently, such as working mothers or those with twins or triplets. 

The Alyssa Double Electric Breast Pump is compact,  wireless, portable, cordless, and rechargeable.  It is an efficient, high-quality, medical standard device, with a user-friendly and intuitive interface.

Considerations

Double electric pumps are typically more expensive than single electric and manual pumps. However, the time saved and the efficiency gained often outweigh the difference in price for many mothers.

Ideal for

  • Working mothers who need to pump frequently and efficiently
  • Mothers of multiples
  • Those looking for the most efficient pumping option

Why a mum might choose a single electric breast pump

Ardo single electric breast pump

Benefits

Single electric breast pumps offer the convenience of electric operation, reducing the effort needed compared to manual pumps. They are designed to express milk from one breast at a time, allowing you to nurse your baby on one side while pumping on the other. 

The Calypso Breast Pump offers great flexibility as you can choose different combinations of speed and suction to meet your individual needs and comfort whilst expressing. These can be changed independently during pumping, allowing for sensitive adjustments for stimulation and expressing. 

Considerations

While single electric pumps are more efficient than manual pumps, they still require more time to pump compared to double electric pumps since you can only pump one breast at a time. They also tend to be more expensive than manual pumps but are typically more affordable than double electric pumps.

Ideal for

  • Mothers who pump occasionally
  • Those who prefer electric operation but are budget-conscious
  • Mothers who like to pump while nursing

Why a mum might choose a hospital-grade rental breast pump

Ardo Bellis hands-free breast pump

Benefits

Hospital-grade breast pumps are the most powerful and efficient pumps available. They are designed for frequent and long-term use, making them ideal for mothers who have difficulty breastfeeding, need to increase milk supply, or have premature babies. These pumps provide strong, consistent suction and are often used in hospitals for their reliability and effectiveness.

The Carum Breastpump is suitable for use from birth and is easy to operate and quiet when in use.  The suction strength and frequency settings can be adjusted individually and independently from one another, in stimulation and expression mode. These breast pumps are available to rent short-term.

Considerations

Hospital-grade pumps are significantly more expensive than other types of breast pumps. They are also larger and less portable, making them less convenient for travel. Many mothers opt to rent hospital-grade pumps due to their high cost and specific use cases.

Ideal for

  • Mothers with premature or ill babies
  • Those with low milk supply needing to boost production
  • Mothers who require a high-performance pump for frequent use

Why a mum might choose a manual breast pump

Ardo manual breast pump

Benefits

Manual breast pumps are a popular choice for their simplicity, portability, and affordability. They do not require electricity or batteries, making them convenient for on-the-go use and travel.

The Amaryll Breast Pump is the ideal manual pump if you only need to pump from time to time.  It’s small enough to pop into your handbag or baby bag when you’re out and about. The added benefit is that it’s easy to use and put together.

Considerations

A manual breast pump is operated by hand, which can be tiring and time-consuming if you need to express milk frequently. However, mums with a fast flow find manual pumps to be effective for them. Manual pumps may not be as efficient at emptying the breast as electric models. They are best suited for occasional use or as a backup to an electric pump.

Ideal for

  • Mothers who pump infrequently
  • Those looking for a cost-effective option
  • Mothers needing a portable pump for travel or emergencies

Conclusion

It is clear there is an Ardo breast pump to suit every mothers individual needs, lifestyle, and breastfeeding goals. Whether you need a simple manual pump for occasional use, a powerful hospital-grade pump for frequent pumping, or a hands-free option for multitasking, there is a breast pump designed to meet your needs. Consider your pumping frequency, budget, portability needs, and personal comfort to make the best choice for you and your baby.

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