Spectra- Offers plug-in and portable options, though some battery powered models are more portable than others. All models are closed system, meaning there is no backflow of milk and milk never enters tubing. This brand has a wider variety of pump settings than many other brands, allowing for more specific settings to suit your pumping needs. For example, each side can have different settings if suction needs were different (sometimes one breast produces more milk naturally).

 

Medela– offers plug-in and portable options (most have either a built-in battery or the option for batteries), often include bottles with their pumps, include two flange sizes, and often include bottles. Flanges and bottles are universal to all their pumps. They make the only open system pump on the market (Pump in Style), which honestly I don’t recommend. All their other electric pumps are closed system. They offer both single and double electric pumps, a manual pump, a silicone milk collector/hand pump, and a hospital-grade pump that is rentable from the hospital. There is an option for app connectivity for tracking for some of their pumps.

  • A household name in breast pumps
  • Often includes: bottles, tubing, multiple flange sizes, and sometimes a bag!
  • Flanges are what fits to the breast, and are universal to other Medela pumps
  • Many offer battery power if not built-in
  • Freestyle Hands Free: wearable pump cups with tubes connecting to a portable motor. Has a rechargeable battery (2 hour battery life). App connectivity available.
  • Swing Maxi: double electric (both sides), built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery, no timer, small/portable, more affordable than Freeestyle.
    • Hands-free version with collection cups available
  • Magic Inbra: higher end wearable pump (double the price of motion) that allows warm milk to pool around the nipple for improved natural stimulation.
  • Motion Inbra: fully wearable pump with hospital grade efficiency, designed for frequent, everyday pumping and can even be your primary pump.
  • Melody Inbra: Newest wearable pump model, designed for more occasional pumping, more of a back-up pump for someone who mostly breastfeeds.
  • Pump-In-Style:
    • Double electric pump, comes with battery pack (takes AAs) but not built-in battery. This means it can be made portable but is mostly meant for being plugged in.
    • Pro versions now have a rechargeable battery.
    • No timer (have to track time yourself)
    • NEW hands-free version available, which has collection cups.
  • Solo: single electric (one side), rechargeable batter, no timer. Hands-free available.
  • Silicone Milk Collector: has a lanyard attachment and the bottom has a suction cup- both of these features can reduce spills and many other brands don’t have them
  • Harmony: manual pump
  • Sonata Smart: double electric, quietest, rechargeable battery (not that small to be portable though). The higher end of the plug-in pumps available for purchase.
  • Symphony: (at hospital only- may be able to rent)
  • Some have connectivity to Medela app for tracking
  • Connectors not adaptable to all models, but bottles are

 

Zomee- Portable options with rechargeable batteries, single or double capability, quiet, closed system and affordable. Hospital grade strength suction.

 

Elvie- A leading brand of wearable pumps, can be single or double. Connectivity with app available. Closed system. Option for a higher end silent model where there are no external cords or tubes, each side having its own individual rechargeable motor, with another quiet (not silent) option having external tubing connecting both cups to a single stronger motor. Each size holds 5 oz which is less than a typical bottle on a pump can hold. They offer a Stride model that is more affordable and Stride 2 which offers soft silicone cups and better flow.

 

Ameda- Single or double capability, closed system pump. Quiet, rechargeable, small in size, hospital strength suction. Comes with a nightlight and a lanyard. Manual pump also available. Prices are more reasonable than the household name brands, which is impressive given how portable these are.

 

Baby Buddha- Single or double capability, “impressively quiet” with stronger suction compared to other portable pumps. This pump is small- it looks like a small remote control. It is rechargeable, closed system and comes with a neck lanyard and a bag. It’s compatible with Freemie cups, meaning it can basically turn into a wearable pump. This brand is another more affordable one. They also make a manual pump.

 

Freemie- makes a pump in addition to wearable cups. Search the pump brands with which these cups are compatible, because it can be quite convenient to be able to turn your regular pump into a wearable one.

 

Other brands to investigate include but are not limited to:

 

  • Willow
  • Lansinoh
  • Philips Avent
  • Bellababy
  • NVCI
  • Tommee Tippee
  • Evenflo
  • Dr. Brown’s
  • Motif
  • Ardo
  • Legendairy (also has silicone cups that are compatible with other brands)
  • Annabella
  • MomCozy
  • Perifit (wearable)

*Some brands that have manual pumps include Medela, Spectra, Baby Buddha, Ameda, Avent, Dr. Brown’s, Lansinoh, Evenflo, Tommee Tippee, and Rumble Tuff.

*Brands that make silicone hand pumps include but are not limited to Bumblebee, Haakaa, Naturebond, Medela, and Elvie (wearable/doesn’t fall off).

Inverted nipple correctors – Lansinoh Latch Assist and Haakaa have inverted nipple correctors. They both help draw out a flat or inverted nipple.