Factors to consider when choosing a pump:

Note: hospital grade pump is not a protected term and all pumps/bottles claim to be just like breastfeeding. When choosing a pump you want to look at the specifications:

1. Pump motor 

• Suctions strength: In my experience clients have the best milk supply outcomes with pumps with a max suction of 270 mmHG or above (EX: Spectra S1/S2/Gold/Gold Portable, Cimilre S5+/S6+, Motif Luna, Pumpables pumps)

• single vs dual motor consumer pump: Dual motor pumps can be helpful since both flanges are not sharing the strength of one motor. Parents should consider other variables such as pump setting control and portability if they are on the fence between a single motor and dual motor pump. The benefit of dual-motor is you can usually set different suction speeds/strengths on each breast/chest if you need/want to. (Single: Spectra S1/S2, Cimilre S6+, Motif Luna, Pumpables & Double: Cimilre S5+,  Spectra Gold/Gold Portable)

• Multi-user dual motor pump: A multi-user dual motor pump is a pump that has two motors and is strong enough to be used by multiple people for multiple feeding journeys. These pumps range from $599 dollars to $2000 dollars and are often rented for around 100 a month. (Ex: Unimom Opera & Madela Symphony 

2. Pump settings:  

• mode button: mode buttons are often seen as hands/droplets/waves/M and they typically switch the pattern of suction speed/strength. Typically you want to start with a fast and gentle suction and switch to a slow and strong suction once you see milk in the flanges. A button to switch between modes is helpful because when pumping you often don't have the time (or hands) to manually change settings. 

• volume/suction control:

  • Volume/suction controlled separately: pumps that allow you to control the speed and suction strength separately. This can be helpful because not all bodies respond to the same settings. (ex: Spectra S1/S2, Cimilre S5+, Pumpables SuperGenie, Motif Luna, Unimom Opera) 

  • Volume and suction are preset: These pumps are more simple and typically have set settings. Often settings will start fast and gentle and go slower/faster as you go higher. This is helpful for parents who may be overwhelmed by options. Often this is the type of settings for very small pumps. (Ex: Cimilre S6+, Madela Symphony, Pumpables Genie advanced)

3. Flange options:​

• Single-piece flanges vs two-piece flanges: some pumps like spectra come with flanges in one piece and other pumps like Madela come with flanges into pieces that attach. To my knowledge, this doesn't affect function but it is something to keep in mind when ordering new flanges (spoiler alert: most people will not fit in the flanges included with most pumps) 

• Flange and adapter options size options: As I said above most people will not fit in the flanges included with their pump. This means most people end up buying third-party flanges from a company called Maymom or through another company called lactation hub. Maymom makes spectra-style adapters/flanges (in my experience pumps that work with this adapter are Unimom, Cimilre, and Motif), Madela-style adaptors and flanges, Ameda-style adaptors, and Lansinoh-style adaptors. 

• Hard plastic vs silicone vs inserts: In my experience clients have better milk production with traditional hard flanges but some parents may need alternative flanges. Inserts are typically your only option with wearable pumps. Alternative flanges like Pumpables Liquidflange and Lacteck Flanges can be helpful for people having trouble finding a comfortable flange. 

4. Portability

• Size: pumps come in various sizes from hand size to the size of a karaoke machine. 

• Handles, straps, clips: Handles, straps, and clips can make pumps much more portable if they are rechargeable. 

• Plug-in vs rechargeable battery: While most parents consider size when thinking of portability, battery type, and handles, straps, and clips can be more important. This is because most parents like to sit when pumping but just need the option to move if needed.  

• Wearable: There are many wearable pumps on the market. Most IBCLCs agree that these pumps tend to be less effective for pumping especially for larger chests. If you are going to get a wearable pump I recommend one with a suction strength of at least 270 mmHg and be willing to buy/rent a second pump if needed. 

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