If you’re a breastfeeding parent, finding a pump which works for you can be a game-changer. Whether you are just occasionally expressing for an evening away from your baby or you are exclusively pumping round-the-clock, we have something for you.
Why do I need a breast pump?
Breast pumps are useful if there will ever be any time where you aren’t able to breastfeed your baby. This might be because you are returning to work or going away for the weekend or you might simply want to take a break from night feeds and let your partner step in to care for your little one. Even if you are planning to exclusively breastfeed, having a pump can be handy for helping you to build up your milk supply in the early days of parenting. Expressing small amounts of milk can also help provide relief if your breasts become engorged and swollen, which can be painful.
What is the difference between manual and electric breast pump?
A manual breast pump requires no power supply or batteries to express your milk. Instead, they work by pumping a handle, which creates a vacuum to stimulate the flow of milk from your breast. Manual pumps tend to be very affordable and portable and are ideal if you only plan to express occasionally.
Electric pumps are either battery-powered or mains-operated and tend to be more powerful than manual pumps. Powered by a motor, these pumps have a cycle which aims to recreate the sucking action of a baby to express your milk. You can choose between double or single pumps. If you are feeding twins or plan to exclusively express, a double pump is likely to be more effective as you can express from both breasts at the same time.
All breast pumps work on the same principle – a breast shield goes over your nipple and areola, creating a seal and triggering your natural let-down reflex so your body releases milk. Once you have collected your expressed milk, it can be kept in the fridge for up to two days or stored in the freezer.
To help you find the right breast pump for you, we’ve put together a list of our favourites.
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Elvie Pump
Discreet, quiet and lightweight, Elvie allows you to express milk anywhere, any time while you simply get on with your day. Just pop Elvie into your bra and you can pump your milk on the go without anyone realising.
The portability of this pump, along with the fact you can barely hear it at all, will make a major difference for those who express regularly. The pump is charged using a USB cable and can be operated remotely using an app so you’re not having to fiddle around with your bra in public.
The app also tracks how much milk you have produced and allows you to see exactly what you have expressed and when – useful if you are aiming for a specific quantity to cover feeds while you’re away from your baby.
Buy now £269.00, Boots
Ardo Calypso Double Plus
If you are exclusively expressing, feeding twins or need to build up your milk supply, this powerful hospital-grade pump is a great choice for you. It may not be as stylish or discreet as some pumps but the Ardo Calypso Double Plus means business and will save you time as you can express from both breasts at once.
Both mains and battery operated, this pump is designed to offer a personalised experience rather than offering a one-size-fits-all solution. There are 64 different suction levels so you can find the one which works best for you and it comes with three different sizes of breast shield. It’s also extremely quiet for such a powerhouse of a pump.
Buy now £139.99, Amazon
Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump
This silicone breast pump is perfect if you’re looking for something super simple, easy to clean and affordable.
Developed in New Zealand, the Haakaa works completely differently to conventional breast pumps. It isn’t electric but it isn’t manual either, the hands-free design works by using suction to naturally draw milk from the breast.
One popular way of using the Haakaa is to put it on one breast while feeding (or pumping) from the other so you can collect any milk released during let-down so nothing goes to waste. It doesn’t stimulate milk production in the way an electric pump does so is best used alongside breastfeeding by people who already have a plentiful supply.
It can take a little bit of practice to get it to attach comfortably but once it is in place, you can leave it in position until your milk stops flowing.
Buy now £15.57, Amazon
Lola & Lykke Smart Electric Breast Pump
This pump from Finnish firm Lola & Lykke uses smart technology to make the pumping experience as hassle-free as possible.
The pump is lightweight and portable with a simple design and a touch screen where you can time and log pumping sessions. Intended to be something you can easily pop in your bag and take with you, the pump can be charged up using a USB cable.
It has two rhythms – one for stimulating milk production and one for expressing – plus a number of different speed settings. The breast shield is really soft and flexible and is designed to simulate your baby’s natural sucking pattern.
It is also extremely quiet and there are no awkward tubes or wires to deal with.
Buy now £125.00, Lola & Lykke
Medela Solo Electric Breast Pump
Medela is an extremely well-known breast pump brand but its Solo model stands out for combining power and efficiency with simplicity and portability.
A reimagining of its iconic Swing Flex, its two-phase expression cycle is meant to mimic how a baby feeds from the breast to make it a more natural experience. It comes with a PersonalFit Flex breast shield which is extremely soft and designed to help you find the most comfortable position for you. The Solo has a rechargeable battery, which can be charged using a USB cable and will last long enough for up to six pumping sessions.
Small but effective, this is a pump you can use away from home but it has enough power behind it that it can be used by those who are exclusively expressing as well as those who want to build up their milk supply.
Buy now £159.99, Boots
NUK First Choice Electric Breast Pump
Finding the right speed, rhythm and suction strength that works best for you can be a pain but the NUK First Choice allows you to save your preferred settings so you don’t need to adjust them every time you pump.
This electric breast pump is very versatile with an LED display which makes it simple to use and even adapts to the lighting so it isn’t intrusive at night. There are four different suction strengths and four rhythms, making 16 possible settings in total so you are likely to find a combination which works well for you but it might take a little bit of experimenting when you first start using it.
You also do need to be plugged in so will either need to pump near a socket or get yourself a power bank.
Buy now £108.42, Amazon
Nuby UK Double Digital Electric Breast Pump
The timer feature on this electric breast pump from Nuby is super handy if you’re trying to keep track of exactly how long you spend expressing.
As it’s a double pump, it’s ideal for mums who want to express large quantities of milk and there are nine levels of stimulation and expression, all of which can be controlled by a touch screen. Rather than expressing by squeezing the nipple – which can be uncomfortable, especially for new mums - it works by drawing the milk down from the breast. The shields are made from soft silicone and you can choose how strong you want the suction to be.
The pump comes with a rechargeable battery, which lasts up to three hours but if you do need to plug in, the wire is extra-long so you won’t end up stuck next to a socket.
Buy now £170.00, Argos
Lansinoh 2-in-1 double breast pump
This double pump is super easy to use and its pumping action is really effective. It also offers flexibility as it can be used as a single pump as well as a double, which makes it a versatile bit of kit.
It also works with batteries for those times when it’s more convenient not to be plugged in. It isn’t as slick as some of the other products – you will need both hands to pump and although it isn’t very noisy, you will definitely hear it while it is in action.
That said, it offers great value for money for a double electric pump and the back-lit LCD display means it is easy to use at night.
Buy now £123.00, Currys
MAM 2-in-1 Single Breast Pump
This MAM breast pump means you don’t have to choose between manual and electric expressing as this one product can do both.
As an electric pump, it has a clever touch screen- which looks a little like a smart meter – and the rechargeable battery lasts up to five hours, although there is also the option to plug in. To switch to a manual pump, you simply switch the top of the unit and then you can use the ergonomic handle to express your milk.
It’s also a great option if you use MAM bottles as they fit directly onto the pump so there is no faffing about transferring your precious milk and not a drop will be wasted.
Buy now £112.00, John Lewis
Tommee Tippee Made For Me Single Manual Breast Pump
This manual pump from Tommee Tippee is compact, lightweight and the handle has been designed to be the right size and shape for women’s hands. This means it’s comfortable to hold and won’t leave your hands feeling tired and achy just a few minutes into expressing. It’s also very efficient at getting your milk and can be easily popped into a bag to take with you to work or if you’re going out and about.
As it’s a manual pump, there is no irritating buzzing noise and it’s fairly discreet. Another big plus is that it is compatible with most Tommee Tippee bottles so you can give anything you express straight to your baby.
Buy now £19.99, Boots
Verdict
The Elvie pump scores maximum points for innovation and convenience. We love the fact you can pop it into your bra and forget about it, while an app keeps track of how much milk you produce. No more rushing home to express or hiding away to pump away from home. A special mention also goes to the Ardo Calypso Double Plus- a powerful hospital-standard pump you can use at home.
