Automatic breast pumps are better for frequent use than manual or portable pumps. Cheaper models are suitable for casual use, while more expensive models are better for extensive pumping. Double pumping is the most efficient way to collect milk, and most automatic pumps are compatible with dual pumping equipment.
For those women who plan to pump their breast milk often, an automatic breast pump is usually a better choice. These are opposed to manually expressing milk without a pump or using a portable pump that requires a significant action to simulate breastfeeding and get the milk flowing. Both of these choices may be fine if the need to express occurs on a very occasional basis. They tend to pale in comparison to an automatic breast pump when expressing milk frequently.
There are many different types of automatic breast pumps. Some are battery powered or have small plugs, but don’t provide a significant amount of suction. These are usually much cheaper models, many around $20-40 US Dollars (USD), and these are, like their manual partners, better for casual use.
A significant jump can occur in price and function. For a couple of hundred dollars, women can purchase models of automatic breast pumps that are much heavier and more suited to extensive pumping, as might occur in a workplace setting or if a baby cannot drink breast milk due to of illness or hospitalization. Many of these styles have a variety of features, including ways to adjust the suction methods or speeds the pump employs, different cups that can stimulate or slow lactation, and a variety of delivery methods.
At the top of the scale are the heavier, higher-end models, which are often called hospital pumps. These are very expensive to purchase, but many birthing centers and lactation consultants rent them out to women for reasonable monthly rates. It’s perfectly safe to hire one, as the women use their own collection equipment and contamination between mothers isn’t likely. In fact, in a hospital environment, several women can share the same breast pump.
All automatic electric breast pump models tend to run on wall current. Some may have backup batteries as well, making them more portable or usable in the event of a power outage. Mid-sized pumps are likely to work with car adapters as well.
One thing women should definitely consider with any type of automatic breast pump is purchasing equipment that allows for double pumping. Unless a woman intends to breastfeed a baby every time she pumps, pumping tends to present an opportunity to waste a lot of milk. Double pumping, in which a suction cup and collection device is attached to each breast, is the most efficient way to completely empty the breast and collect the most milk. This eliminates the worry of milk splashing, mess or wasted milk if only one breast is being pumped. Almost all automatic machines are compatible with dual pumping equipment and it’s worth the small extra investment to get dual pumping equipment.
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