We at Mother’s Milk Mate applaud your decision to breastfeed your baby!  You may face many challenges in maintaining your commitment to provide your baby with the best food possible – your breast milk – for the first year.  With the right breast pump and the award-winning Mother’s Milk Mate Breast Milk Storage System, you will have the right tools to continue to give your baby breast milk for at least the first six months to one year, as all leading experts recommend!



So, whether you’re a busy mom on-the-go, are returning to work and placing your baby in daycare, or plan on others taking care of your baby at home, a good breast pump is an absolute necessity to make sure your baby continues to receive your breast milk, if you can’t always be there to actually breastfeed.

Choosing the right breast pump is as important as choosing the right car seat or stroller.  Pumping allows you the maximum flexibility while still ensuring that your baby can continue to receive your breast milk for as long as possible.

A variety of pumps are available for purchase or rental.  In general, factors to consider include ease of use, speed of pumping, and portability.  Usually, models that are more expensive will be quicker and easier to use.  Some women prefer a pump that allows them to pump both breasts at the same time.  It is not recommended to borrow or purchase a used breast pump.

There are several leading companies from which hospitals rent or purchase their pumps.  Look for pumps made by these companies and usually you won’t go wrong with your pump choice.   Mother’s Milk Mate recommends pumps from Medela® and Ameda® especially.  The Medela® Pump-In-Style or Ameda® Purely Yours use the same high quality components as hospital-grade pumps.  Both these breast pump brands are also compatible with the award-winning Mother’s Milk Mate Breast Milk Storage System, as are many other leading breast pumps.

If you are looking for a breast pump just to express an occasional bottle of breast milk, then a single electric pump may be enough.  If you’re planning on returning to work and pumping more regularly, to provide milk for your baby as well as to maintain your supply of breast milk, then a good double electric breast pump is what you’ll probably want to purchase or rent from a lactation consultant.

A high quality double-electric breast pump pumps both breasts at the same time.  These pumps are good at effectively removing breast milk, which is the most important factor in maintaining your milk supply.

Since many chain baby stores do not have a vast collection of breast pumps, check online with local mom and baby boutiques or with local lactation consultants for quality brands and advice.

If purchasing a pump is not an option, you can also RENT a hospital-grade pump.  Check with your local hospital.  They can also recommend a breastfeeding/lactation  consultant who rents pumps, as well.  You can also find a local lactation consultant through the International Lactation Consultants of America (www.ILCA.org).

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