Under Types of Breast Pumps it comes in two broad types: single and double. Single pumps can only attach to one breast at a time, whereas double pumps attach to both. Double pumps tend to express more milk, but come at a higher price.
Pumps can also be further broken down into the following different categories:
Types of breast pumps
- Manual Breast Pumps
- Personal Electric Pumps
- Hospital Grade Pumps
Manual Breast Pumps
These have no external power source and rely on you to generate the suction or vacuum using your hands to squeeze a handle.
LIKES:
Manual pumps tend to be light and portable.
DISLIKES:
They usually express much less milk due to their reduced suction power.
Personal Electric Pumps
Electric pumps have a much greater suction strength than manual pumps.
LIKES:
Usually come with electronic features, such as LCD screens, a timer, multiple expression modes, and sometimes even a nightlight.
DISLIKES:
The disadvantages of electric pumps are their weight and higher cost.
Hospital Grade Pumps
A hospital-grade breast pump is usually a double electric breast pump that has a closed-system, a long motor life, and is durable enough to express milk 8 or more times a day. Hospital strength pumps are often rented, due to their higher prices. Many office spaces provide these for working moms, who only have to bring their own pump parts to work.
LIKES:
Typically ‘closed systems’ so no milk ever backflows to the pump/engine-which means they are perfect for multiple users.
DISLIKES:
Comes at a higher price.