Best Breast Pump for Working Moms

There are many breast pumps available on the market for working moms. But the best among them are made for a comfortable experience. With practical solutions which are made with manual or electric pumps or bottles, you can ensure your baby is well-fed. At the same time, you have the ability to choose from the largest selection of products in the category’s history. However, a large number of breast pumps on the market can confuse you. That’s why you need to know that you have the ability to even consider multiple pumps. Some of the larger designs are great for home use while some compact alternatives are great for working moms when away from home.

When you purchase manual pumps, there are only a limited number of features you need to look for. They include the quality of the materials and the actual capacity of the pumps. But when you plan to use electric pumps, it is important to check the various modes they come with. At the same time, having special functions such as the ability to work at different paces can help as well as busy working moms can choose one of the following solutions for their infants:

Electric vs Manual breast pump: Which one for busy working moms?

There is an ongoing debate on the topic of electric breast pumps vs. manual breast pumps. While there are advantages and disadvantages to both systems, you can find the right solution for your needs. In many cases, you can find the electrical pump to be easier to handle. In other cases, you might find the straightforward design of the manual pump to be the solution you need. Whichever the case, you have the ability to work with some of the most interesting designs in terms of efficiency and comfort. You should look for a pump which is compact and which can help you most to pump while working.

Electric pumps have the main advantage of versatility. They can come in different modes and speeds which makes them one of the easiest solutions to consider. At the same time, you have the ability to work with some of the most interesting options when it comes to practicality. It is why you need to look for the leading electric options, especially when you plan to invest in the best designs.

The manual breast pumps are the ones that are the easiest to use. They might even represent the most reliable solution. In some cases, such as traveling, the breast pump is one of the most interesting solutions when it comes to your own freedom. You do not need to add the stress of the charging.

Best 10 Breast Pumps for Working Moms in 2022:

From hundred of breast pumps, we have tried all the popular brands and made a shortlist of 10 best breast pumps for working moms. Check out our collection and find the one which suits you most:

Breastpump Medela Swing Maxi – Electric Breastpump

As a single breast pump, the Swing Maxy is one of the most recommended solutions for working moms. Powered by electric suction, it can offer the milk your infant needs with ease. It is made with different nipple shields and you can choose the design which works best for you, as all breasts are different. With a slow mechanism, it sucks milks gently and efficiently.

The product can be used with the popular Lanolin nipple cream for added comfort. With the cream, you don’t need to think about the right size shield for your breasts. The Single Electric breast pump is also available with a storage kit. This kit does not come in the pack and you will have to purchase it separately. However, busy working moms can appreciate its appeal and its ability to choose a solution which is easy to transport and which allows them to offer their babies milk easily even when away from home.

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Spectra S2 Hospital Grade Double/Single Electric Breast Pump

The Spectra S2 Hospital Grade Double Electric Breast Pump is another comfortable solution to consider for working moms. It has the main advantage of being able to such the milk with rhythmic suction. It allows for good comfort levels as it is not too demanding on your breasts. But at the same time, the two pumps are practical as well. They cover both breasts and they can be more efficient. Even the bottles they come with are made with durable materials so they can be used to store the milk in the fridge when needed.

The pump is hygienic as well. Moms will be happy to know that the Spectra backflow protector creates a physical barrier between the motor and the breasts which helps maintain the pump cleaner. But the pumps are practical as well. They come with everything you need which even includes a charger for the batteries. At the same time, it is also compact at just 7.9 inches in height. It means that you can easily take it with you on trips away from home so that you can have milk for your baby at all times. However, as many similar options, it does not come with a specialized travel kit for this purpose.

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Medela Freestyle Breast Pump

The Medela Freestyle Breast Pump is one of the leading options for cordless designs. It is made to be one of the most durable options on the market and this is why it is popular with many mothers. It even comes complete with a travel kit and this makes it one of the recommended solutions for moms who are on the go, such as working moms. In many cases, it also proves to be a comfortable option as well. Made with added breast shields, it represents one of the most interesting solutions to work with. Furthermore, it comes with double pumps which make it efficient for extra milk as well. It reduces the time you need to spend with milk suction.

With a small operating controller which comes with a built-in LCD display screen which is backlit, you can experience one of the best solutions for the new mom. You can work it in low light with the help of the built-in screen which makes it attractive for the moms which do not want to disturb their sleeping child.

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Windsleeping Manual Breastmilk Pump

The manual breast pump is one of the most reliable solutions for the working moms. If you do not have the time to charge the batteries of some of the complex breast pumps on the market, you can always choose the solutions which work best for you manually. The Windsleeping Manual Breastmilk Pump is one of those solutions. But even with its single and compact design, it manages to be one of the most daring solutions for many moms. It comes with safe silicone materials and it represents a solution which is also BPA-free so that you know that your milk is always the best it can be.

Made with a practical and comfortable design, the pump is also very easy to clean. Unlike some of the electrical alternatives, it actually works great when it comes to cleaning. You can wash it simply as you wash any type of dish in the kitchen and since it is made with durable materials, you can also sterilize it. In order to do so, you will need to boil the pump for at least 3 minutes to ensure you kill most bacteria. With up to 120ml of collected milk, it represents one of the most interesting solutions to work with, especially as it comes with such a simple operation.

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NatureBond Silicone Breastfeeding Manual Breast Pump

The NatureBond Silicone Breastfeeding Manual Breast Pump is one of the manual solutions which is trying to reinvent the classic pump. It manages to offer one of the most interesting solutions when it comes to innovation and for this purpose, it is dominated by the patent-pending Scallop Hem design. It works by expanding and contracting according to heat and it manages to be one of the best solutions when it comes to better overall durability and safety of the milk itself as it also prevents leakage.

At the same time, it maintains the same simplicity of the classic pump which makes milk suction easy. Made with FDA-approved silicone, it represents a safe solution which is durable and which can be sterilized as well. It can be boiled to kill bacteria, as many similar silicone designs.

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BelleMa Effective Pro Double Electric Breast Pump

As one of the most powerful breasts pumps in its class, it is one of the products which can be used freely by working moms. It comes with durable materials and with pumps for both breasts. Even more, it can be controlled for different suction speeds for each breast. But at the same time, it offers one of the most interesting solutions when it comes to the right flow and comfort.

Made with FDA-approved silicone which is BPA-free, it represents a pump which is up to date with the latest requirements in terms of safety. But the pumps also come with 27mm flanges and 24mm silicone cushion for a more comfortable experience. With dual phase mode for the ultimate stimulation, it is also among the most interesting solutions when it comes to better results. As it comes with powerful suction, it might not be the best option as your first electrical pump. It is why it can be a recommended upgrade for moms who are already used to electrical pumps but which came with a capacity which was lower than 250mmhg.

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Signature Pro by Lansinoh Double Electric Breast Pump

With a practical controller, the breast pump can be one of the leading options in terms of customization. It comes with a practical design which allows it to be among the most interesting options when it comes to better suction. There are three pumping styles to choose from and two modes which include let-down and expression.

But the pump is practical as well. It comes with an elegant bag for carrying it wherever needed. In most cases, you might want to take it with you when away from home. But at the same time, you can enjoy good comfort levels even when away from home. This is why it is important to set your own levels of suction which are 8 in total and which can be adjusted according to your needs. The compact design of the pumps and the ability to fully control the suction modes and speeds makes the breast pumps a top choice for working moms who love customization and who might not be as enthusiastic about entry-level options as other moms.

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Electric Breast Pump, Gland Rechargeable Breastfeeding Pump

If you are looking for maximum customization, it is hard to match the Electric Breast Pump, Gland Rechargeable Breastfeeding Pump. With 36 levels of suction, it is among the most interesting solutions to work with. At the same time, it manages to offer one of the best options when it comes to better durability as well. It is why you have the ability to choose it when you seek maximum levels of customization in a compact design.

The pump is also up to date with some of the latest technologies. It comes with USB charging which can make it one of the most interesting solutions for busy moms. At the same time, it manages to offer a design which is easy to use with its LCD display which works in low light conditions as well. With a backflow protector, the system is also safe against bacteria. Made with BPA-free materials, it represents a safe solution as well. Combining some of the best materials with some of the leading technologies such as USB charging and 36 pump speeds, it really offers a lot for its affordable price.

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Avent Manual Breast Pump

Avent is one of the most respected manufacturers in the industry. With leading products in terms of quality, there are plenty of designs to consider from the manufacturer. But the manual breast pump can be hard to match in some cases. Even more, it can be among the most interesting solutions when it comes to better efficiency.

Made with a mimicking nipple, the pump can also be used for feeding. But its main function remains the suction with its natural expressing position. With a design which is compact and lightweight, you can hope for the best solutions and in many cases, you can even experience the options which work best for you when it comes to sterilization. The pump is easy to sterilize in most pots, even away from home due to its compact design.

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Megna Double Electric Breast Pump

Made with 3 shields, the pump eliminates one of the main causes of discomfort. At the same time, it represents one of the most interesting solutions when it comes to better durability and customization. All the essential information of the breast pump can be seen on the backlit LCD screen. At the same time, you have the ability to work with some of the most interesting solutions when it comes enclosed pumps. These designs are recommended when it comes to antibacterial action. With a battery which lasts up to 3 hours, the pumps are recommended for the busy working mom.

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Factors to Consider to find the best breast pump for working moms?

When you want to choose the best breast pump, there are a few features you can work with. Regardless of the electrical or manual design, they apply to most pumps. Characteristics such as materials and safety are universal. Characteristics such as battery power and customization are more specific to electric solutions.

Materials

The materials of the breast pumps remain the most important. In many cases, they are at the foundation of a successful product. Silicone materials are highly recommended. But even other food-grade materials work great. FDA-approved solutions prove to be among the most interesting options for many moms. Since they have the extra peace of mind about the safety of their products, they are likelier to store the milk in the fridge for a few hours as well. Even more, it is also recommended to choose the solutions which work for you and which allow you to travel with them as well. This is why even some of the most complex designs might not make the best breast pumps as they can be complicated to clean, especially when away from home.

Some of the most important aspects of breast pumps come with the materials which are in contact with the breasts as well. They often cause discomfort and this is why much of the innovation is in this area as it is constantly improved. With softer materials, moms will be likelier to use them every day. But breast pumps are not exclusively tied to materials when it comes to durability. This is only the case with manual breast pumps. Electric breast pumps are among the first products to show signs of wear, especially at the motor. Most motors come with a guaranteed lifespan. You can expect around 1500 hours of pumping from the average motor on the market.

Comfort and Adjustability

The comfort of the pump is closely related to its adjustability. Even small changes in the pumping angle can have a large impact on your comfort levels. It is why you should seek the designs which naturally follow the shape of the breasts. Some manufacturers even offer different breast shield sizes which are recommended for different moms. Not all breasts are the same and this is why it is so important to actually look for the solutions which work best for your shape and size.

Battery and Motor Life

Electric pumps are considerably more modern but they are also influenced by their batteries and their motors. The good news is that you can expect good motor performance, especially with the designs which are made with different pumping speeds. They can allow you for a natural pumping experience which can even be more comfortable in the long-term compared to manual alternatives. But the motor is influenced by battery power as well. This is why you need to ensure the batteries are fully charged before living home. At the same time, you need to find the best charging solutions. Working moms can find USB charging to be among the best solutions and this is why you need to stay up to date with the latest technologies in the industry if you want to save tome with breast pumps.

When to start pumping breast milk?

Although breastfeeding is the most recommended form of feeding an infant up to 6 months, some circumstances might force the mother to opt to pump. Being a career woman might force you to pump your breast milk. Most health experts recommend a good breasting routine before you start pumping. However, You can start pumping a few weeks after the baby is born, this should be in short sessions.

Why you may need a breast pump?

Let’s look at some reasons why a mother would want to pump:

Storing milk

If you’re not a stay-at-home mom, then it means you will be away from your baby sometimes. Some mothers might even work for long hours. If you fall into this category, then you might be forced to pump milk to ensure your baby keeps on feeding on breast milk even in your absence. You might also pump milk when you’re running errands or when leaving the baby with friends, family, or a babysitter. If you pumped milk will not be enough for the toddler to feed the entire time you’re away, you may get him/her feed on formula and do breast milk in between.

Baby is unable to latch

The joy of every mother is to breastfeed her bundle of joy. But when the bay is struggling to latch, it can cause stress, leading to low milk production. A few days after the baby is born, your breasts will be swollen, painful, and rock-hard. This will make the baby find it hard to latch. When engorgement occurs, and the milk is not removed often, it can lead to more swelling and inflammation. At this juncture, you’re left with no option but to pump.

Sore nipples

This is one of the nightmares of every mother. It hurts and gets incredibly painful when the baby starts to suckle. You may see cracked or bleeding nipples with painful blisters. If you feel a shooting or burning pain after you’ve finished breastfeeding, then you might have a thrust. Sore nipples might limit your milk production due to the psychosomatic stress it causes. At this stage, pumping will be of great help. Pumping will give your nipples time to heal.

Donating milk

If you have been taking care of yourself, drink lots of water, and pump often, then you might have more milk supply than your baby would want. If you’re generous enough, then you will join other mothers in the world doing a noble course: donating milk. But you will have to go through a few tests to ensure your milk is safe for consumption.

Oversupply of milk

Do you always find your breasts leaking even after breastfeeding? If this is you, then your baby is luck as she/he will enough supply of milk. However, the leaking breast can be embarrassing. If you find yourself in such a situation, it’s wise to pump excess milk and freeze it for future use.

While pumping, ensure you’re in a quiet and clean environment. Babies are delicate, and any contamination can be fatal. The good thing about pumping is that it’s easy and comfortable!

How to use a breast pump while working?

Pumping breast milk is not easy especially when using a breast pump. For first-time moms, it will take time, resilience, and dedication, but in the end, it will be worth the effort. Like any other skill, it might take you long to learn how to use a breast pump. the pump won’t stimulate the breastfeeding feelings, but with time, the body will get used to it and trigger the let-down reflex.

Below are the tips on how to use a breast pump in the office:

Don’t be in a rush to start pumping in your office

Breastfeeding is the best thing you can ever do for your baby. For the first three to four weeks, you should build your milk supply by trying to nurse the baby as much as you can. If the baby has no issues in latching, you need to pump milk. However, if you need to be apart with your little angel, pumping become inevitable. Remember there is no need to express milk in the first few weeks if the baby is breastfeeding well.

But on the scenario where the baby cannot latch because he’s premature or maybe your nipples are hurting, you may need a grade double breast pump from the hospital to help you pump your breast milk. Aim at 8 – 10 pumps in a day.

Do the timing

On the first pumping session, do it for about 15 minutes and do not worry about the amount of milk you’re going to express. With regular sessions, the let-down reflex will stimulate breast for more milk supply.

Some breastfeeding mothers find breast-pumping an hour after a feed boost milk supply. But this does not mean it will work for every mom. Create your routine that will fit your lifestyle. If you go to work, you can express milk in the early morning and evenings.

Hygiene is paramount

This is quite straightforward. Your baby is delicate, and any contamination can lead to serious health problems, and some extent causes infections. Ensure the breast-pump is clean and sterilized. You should also clean your hands before and after expressing them. Ensure all the pieces are sparkly clean and dry. Store the unit in a clear container or bag until the next use.

Make yourself comfortable

When you’re relaxed, the oxytocin hormone gets released which kindle the let-down reflex. The best breast-pumping position in which you feel at ease. Distractions and discomfort can impede the process. You, therefore, need a secluded and comfortable place. More so, ensure your back and arms are well supported. You can get an ergonomic chair with armrest and back support.

Soothing music, deep breathing, massage by a spouse, and visualization techniques are some of the strategies some moms use to help them express milk. Find out what works best for you.

Customize the pumping sessions

After establishing your milk supply, you can customize the number of sessions per day and how many minutes it will take per session. Every mother has a unique pattern. It’s essential to establish what will best work for you and your baby.

Apart from establishing a great pumping routine, it’s also important to find the best pump that will help you express milk comfortably.

How Long to pump breast milk?

When it comes to breastfeeding your baby, it might be unnerving making some decisions. Do you want to breastfeed or formula feeding? Do you want to go back to work or not? If you opt on breast-pumping, knowing how long you should pump can make things easier for you.

Pumping can begin a few hours after the baby is born. It can be due to preterm birth, low milk supply, or even oversupply of breast milk. The number of pumps you make in a day varies depending on your situation. On the other hand, the length of pumping depends on whether if you’re doing it exclusively or occasionally.

For both exclusive and supplemental pumping, double pumping is encouraged. Double pumping is when you pump both breasts concurrently. For the first few days of the baby’s life, the double pumping should take approximately 10 – 15 minutes per session.

Once the milk is in, you might lengthen the session to about 30 minutes. It will ensure you pump more milk, leaving the breasts drained for more milk production.

Types of pumping procedure:

Essentially, there are two types of pumping: Supplemental and exclusive.

Exclusively pumping: When you’re exclusively pumping, it means you don’t breastfeed the baby directly, but you provide enough breast milk. Exclusive pumping might happen eight to ten times per day before the milk production is fully established. Don’t stay for more than five hours without pumping. More so, ensure you pump at least once during the night. You might feel as if your life revolves around cleaning, pumping. But don’t worry as it will be worthwhile for your baby.

On average, a baby takes 25 ounces each day for the first six months. This will give you an estimate of the ounces the baby can take on a single day.

Supplemental Pumping: This is where you’re just trying to keep up with excess breast milk or stashing milk in the freezer for future use. You only have a single or two pumping sessions each day. Early mornings or evenings are the best times to pump when the breast are full of milk. You can wait for 45 -60 minutes after latching or one hour before nursing. You can take advantage of a long morning nap from your baby. Ensure you establish a good breastfeeding routine before you start pumping.

There are many great electric and manual pumps on the market. They represent a clear solution for busy working moms. Made with different materials and often offered in packs of two, the breast pumps are now easier to handle since they come with various programs that make pumping automatic.  At the same time, you can find some great alternatives which are powered manually. They can offer a simpler experience with the same results. The key is to choose the pump which is most comfortable for you, which is easy to clean and which is within your budget. As a working mom, you do not have the time to experiment with too many pumps and taking your time for the best decision is advised.