Best Breast Pump For Stay At Home Moms
From my email: Hello Tanya, which is the best breast pump for stay at home moms? I received this from Alice Kowalski a stay at home mom expecting her firstborn sometime later this year.
I responded privately via email, but I thought it would be better if I wrote an article on the same.
So in this write-up, I’m going to exclusively review some of the moms recommended electric and manual breast pumps for stay at home mothers.
Every jay elle #breastpumpbag has a pump-access flap so you can keep your #breastpump in the bag while pumping. #withyoueveryounce #breastpumpbag #breastfeeding #breastpumping #workingmom pic.twitter.com/MsnQQGMBgL
— jay elle (@jayelle_byJLC) November 7, 2018
I took a step further to classify various breast pump into different categories for easy selection. (If you are in a hurry, check out Medela freestyle pump which is our top recommendation for the Best Breast Pump For Stay At Home Moms)
Why Stay At Home Should Pump
I know you might be thinking, Why Should I pump when I am staying at home with my little one? Here are some reasons why I think stay at home moms should pump.
1. Medical Emergencies
Kristine Kovach, a certified lactation consultant with more than 20 years’ experience, advises mothers to introduce a bottle to their little ones by one and a half months in case of an emergency. On a grocery run, you could get into an accident- and this can be dangerous especially if your baby doesn’t know how to feed on the bottle.
When my best friend Caroline was in the ICU, she was grateful that she had a stash of milk in the freezer. Her baby could be bottle-fed not only when in the ICU but also after she had morphine running in her blood. (See also supplies needed for breastfeeding)
2. Mummy needs a break
Beyond the hospital emergencies, pumping will give you a break, to exercise, sleep or even go on a date or give time to her relationship. Without a stash of milk in the freezer, it would be impossible for any nursing mother to accomplish some of the simplest activities in her life.
3. Physical Benefits
Pumping not only helps you build up more milk in the freezer for your baby, but it can help unclog milk ducts and relieve mastitis pain. Additionally, if you experience low milk supply, consider pumping regularly, take lactation cookies or Breastfeeding Supplements To Increase Milk Supply.
Consider power pumping if you have milk supply issues- it’s a technique that can help you increase milk supply in less than a week. You can also nurse your baby from one side and pump on the other to maintain a steady milk supply until your baby can nurse from either.
4. Help other moms
Did you there are millions of babies across the world in desperate need of the health benefits of a mother’s breast milk? You can donate it to a milk bank or privately to help other babies out there in need of breast milk.
Ever heard of Mother’s Milk Cooperative? Last time I checked, they paid their milk donor’s up to $1 per ounces.
Best Breast Pump For Stay At Home Moms Comparison Chart
[table id=18 /]1. Medela Harmony Manual Pump
If you are a stay at home mother who’ll not be breast pumping regularly, you will need a simple manual breast pump. It’s small, quiet giving you the convenience every new mom wants. One of the features I love about Medela Harmony is the fact that you can assemble it easily in less than 5 minutes.
You can easily convert the manual breast pump into an electric breast pump thanks to the Symphony conversion kit which you can purchase separately on Amazon. Ideally, it means that you can buy the Medela Harmony and once you get a day job, upgrade it to a manual pump thank to the conversion kit.
You will also love the two modes, an expression mode for regular pumping and a stimulation mode which encourages let down. Once you purchase it on Amazon, inside the package is a breast pump unit, two storage containers, lids, a breastfeeding information guide, an instruction manual and a stand for the pump.
What I love and hate
The Medela Harmony is a manual breast pump, its cheap, and affordable, BPA free, and compatible with Medela accessories and breast pumps. However, if you fancy “breast pumping” or you find it extremely difficult to breast pump manually, this is not the pump for you.
2. Philips Avent Manual
If you don’t intend on expressing breast milk now and then- a simple manual breast pump is all that you will ever need.
You will need a simple pump that will allow you to express milk anywhere in your home. One of the best manual breast pump that has served me right over the years as a mom is Philips Avent Manual . It’s not only an affordable breast pump but also efficient, durable and straightforward.
I feel that the unit has been designed with comfort in mind. I noticed that you don’t have to lean forward when expressing milk- a common trend in other manual breast pumps.
It is lightweight and compact; it’s also easy to clean and comes with a soft massage cushion and a natural bottle that allows you to combine breastfeeding and bottle-feeding.
3. Medela Pump in Style
(Check latest price on Amazon)
You will only need an electric pump if you plan on breast pumping several times in a day.
An electric breast pump will save you thousands of hours that you would otherwise spend if you were to buy a manual breast pump. Some of the factors you should consider before buying an electric pump include ease of cleaning and noise level.
Even though there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to buying an electric breast pump, here is my top recommendation of the best pump if you’re a stay at home mother is Medela Pump in Style Advanced Double Electric Breast Pump.
For decades Medela has established itself as a leading and also bestselling manufacturer of breastfeeding baby items.
Pump in Style is designed for daily use, for stay at home mothers who would like to pump several times a day.
It’s portable; hence you can easily transport it from the bedroom to the baby nursery or any part of the house. The breast pump boasts two-phase expression technology that lets you express more milk in less time.
4. Lansinoh Smartpump
(If you’re a stay at home mom or working mom looking for an affordable electric breast pumping that connects to a smartphone app for seamless pumping session tracking, then Lansinoh Smartpump is the ideal pump for you.
You’ll appreciate the two-phase technology (expression and letdown phases), its discreet and connects to Lansing Baby app for tracking off feeding, pumping, and baby growth.
What moms love and hate:
You can easily synchronize the pump with a smartphone app and keep track of your pumping history and trends. The pump also tracks the date, time and the duration of each pumping session.
The smartphone app comes with an extra information resource, pumping reminders, tracking for bottle feeding, diapers and breastfeeding, encouragement and much more.
Despite all the positives above, from my research, I found some users complaining that the breast pump doesn’t come with a stand where moms can place the bottles, and it’s also loud.
5. Medela Freestyle Pump
If you’re a stay at home mom and your newborn is having breastfeeding issues, I would recommend a double electric breast pump. Here’s what one mom in my popular forum had to say.
“I bought an electric double one 2 weeks after my first was born and pumped for 6 months. I really wanted him to have breastmilk and was having issues, so this was a GREAT way for me to go.”
The Medela Freestyle is a double breast pump- and as its name suggests- it’s a pump that will let you have a life even when pumping. It’s designed for multiple pumping sessions a day. It is lightweight (can use it at work as well) and can pump both or one breast at a time.
What’s included in the box
Inside the box you’ll find 1 – AC adaptor/charger, 1 – Freestyle pump, 1 – Lithium-ion battery – rechargeable, 1 – AC adaptor/charger, 2 – Shield bodies, membranes and back caps, 1 – Set of tubing, 1 – Set of 24mm and 27mm PersonalFit breast shields, 4 – 5oz/150mL breastmilk bottles and lids, 1 – Microfiber carry bag, 1 – Medela cooler system including cooling element and Instructions manual.
Unlike the Medela Pump in Style Advanced which comes with a motor attached inside the bag, the Freestyle Pump is not and hence you can put it in any bag you prefer- Here’s my recommended breast pump bags).
The pump comes with a belt clip- allowing you to pump while doing other house chores or dressing up your baby. It’s equipped with a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery which lasts up to three hours. I was a bit disappointed to discover that the Medela Freestyle is not a closed system but rather an open system breast pump. But as long as you assemble all the parts correctly, it’s less likely to get the milk in the tubing.
Pros:
- 2-phase expression technology with adjustable suctions
- Can be used for double or single pumping
- Features digital display that allows the user to save pumping sessions
- LED display that shows battery indicator, suction level and timer
Cons:
- It’s not cheap
- Hands-free straps are difficult to use
- It’s loud, but not the loudest pump on the market
6. Evenflo Double Electric Pump
(Check user reviews and deals)
There’s something strangely comforting about breast pumping. Probably it’s just me, but since pumping became a daily norm in my life a couple of years back, it’s become an important part of my daily life. The Evenflo is designed for stay at home moms or for pumping on the go.
The pump comes with two 28mm soft flange inserts, two 30.5mm flange kits, and two 24.5mm soft flange inserts to fit moms with different breast sizes. (See my reviews of the best breast for small boobs). The motor unit is not as powerful as in Spectra S1 or Medela Pump in Style Advanced but will just work fine for a breast pump in this price range.
The PerfectlyPure design ensures that there’s no milk backup thus keeping milk fresh as intended. All the parts that come in contact with breast milk are dishwasher safe. So you can clean it in the dishwasher or by hand. I wouldn’t say that this is the most silent pump you’ll find on the market today- it does make some noise when pumping but it’s not so loud such that your neighbours might mistake it with a rocket launch.
You can always find a room to pump discreetly away from your partner who’s watching the television and your baby.
Pros:
- It’s a closed system
- It’s portable
- Accessories and spare parts are readily available
Cons:
- It’s loud
7. Signature Pro Double Electric Breast Pump
Signature Pro is a budget-friendly pump for stay at home moms looking to invest in a double electric breast pump. It’s a pump that gives moms control over their pumping experience thanks to its three pumping styles each with adjustable suction levels, and this allows for comfortable pumping.
Like most pumps on the market today, Signature Pro features a two-phase technology. There’s the stimulation mode to initiate milk flow and the expression phase to maximize milk flow. You can plug the pump into the wall or use rechargeable AA batteries.
Additionally, the pump can be used as a single or double pump thanks to the tubing which allows you to close one side and pump with the other. You can pump and nurse your baby simultaneously. The pump is also compatible with Simple Wishes Hands-Free pumping bra.
8. Bellababy Double Electric Pump
The Bellababy is a double pump designed for working and stay at home mothers who need to express several times a day.
What’s inside the box: Come with storage bag adapters, 4 modes and 9 levels of suction, built-in battery for outdoor use, pain-free and comfortable, fast USB rechargeable, anti-backflow design and an emergency power bank.
Some of the unique features of the Bellababy is the adjustable suction with 4 suction modes and 9 levels. It’s equipped with a soft massage cushion that imitates baby’s sucking motion and gives a pain-free pumping experience. The pump also comes with a built-in battery, and power bank which makes it ideal for stay at home moms/working moms who love outdoor activities.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Small
- Multiple settings way
- Enough power
- USB charging
Cons:
- It’s loud
- It comes with one breast shield size- but you can always get other sizes separately
9. Spectra Baby USA-S2
If you want a hospital grade pump without having to break the bank- today is your lucky day. Spectra Baby USA- S2 Plus Hospital Grade Pump is designed to meet the needs of moms who want to feel more confident that they’ve got a powerful and efficient pumping unit.
Just like any other breast pump manufactured by Spectra, the S2 pump is a closed system. This means that milk doesn’t come into contact with the pump thus enhancing hygiene and overall motor performance.
The pump boasts a suction strength of approximately 250mmHg and can be used either as a single or double pump. The suction rate can be adjusted in both expression and let-down mode.
Benefits of Breastfeeding vs Pumping
Whether you’re breastfeeding or pumping, or both, you shouldn’t worry because the baby is getting the full benefits of breast milk. While some mothers will opt to pump so, they can return to work others have no choice, and they’ll have to pump exclusively. (We also wrote an article about the importance of breastfeeding)
Below are some of the benefits of breastfeeding versus pumping and the downsides that every mom should know.
Benefits of Breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding strengthens the bond between the mother and the baby.
- No bottles involved hence you save both time and water
- Saves you money because you don’t have to invest in any breast pumps
- Nothing to pack when leaving your house
Benefits of Using a Breast Pump
- It takes less time compared to breastfeeding
- You can measure the amount your baby is feeding
- It’s less painful
- You can get others involved
- Accommodate emergencies
Summary of Best Breast Pump For Stay At Home Moms
Pumping at home shouldn’t be a hassle anymore. You can now use either of the above breast pumps to express milk conveniently for your baby. Based on my own experience, Medela freestyle pump is still one of the best breast pump out there in the market. Feel free to share your experiences in the comments below if you beg to differ.
