Whether you’re a first-time or an experienced mum, breastfeeding your little one can take a toll on you. The frequent pumping hours (approximately eight times a day for newborns!) and having to breastfeed on demand can cause plenty of pent-up frustration.
Knowing how to choose the best breast pump for you is important -- some factors to consider include the frequency you intend to use it, your budget and your preference for a manual (budget-friendly and portable) or electric pump (higher efficiency). Read on for our guide on choosing the best breast pump in Singapore, including tips on how to increase your milk supply when pumping!
Types of breast pumps
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Image source: kevin liang / Unsplash[/caption]
There are a wide variety of breast pumps available in Singapore and it can be difficult to choose the one that best suits your needs. We’ve broken down the different breast pumps into three main types:
1. Manual
Manual breast pumps are a low-cost option and tend to be quieter and smaller, making them one of the best breast pump options in Singapore for mums on a budget! One thing to note, though: manual breast pumps do require more work, as they need you to squeeze the pump repeatedly to create the suction that mimics your baby suckling.
2. Electric
One of the most popular breast pump options in Singapore are electric breast pumps! The suctions from an electric breast pump are powered by a motor and most models allow you to adjust the speed and suction. Electric breast pumps also come with double breast pump options, making it an efficient choice for working mums!
3. Hospital-grade pump
If you are looking for the most efficient breast pump, the hospital-grade breast pump is the one for you. Pumping at a faster and stronger frequency, it’s also more costly than the other two types of breast pumps. The faster speed also means that the hospital-grade breast pumps are louder than the rest. They will be most suited for mums who prioritise efficiency over other factors!
Factors to consider when choosing the best breast pumps in Singapore
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Image source: The Honest Company / Unsplash[/caption]
There are plenty of factors and specifications to consider when choosing the best breast pumps. If you’re wondering how to increase your milk supply when pumping, follow this guide! With the right breast pump, you can ensure that you’ll be comfortable and even increase your milk supply.
Frequency of use
In selecting your breast pumps, consider how frequently you’ll be using them. If you’re only pumping occasionally, a simple manual breast pump may be all you need. Alternatively, if you want to only feed breastmilk to your babies and will be pumping frequently, invest in a hospital-grade pump or an electric breast pump!
Cost
Another important consideration in picking the best breast pump for you is your budget. The hospital-grade breast pumps are more powerful and effective and hence tend to be the most costly, followed by electric and manual breast pumps.
Open system vs closed system
For your breast milk to take the most hygienic route, ensure that your chosen model has a milk barrier. Models with a milk barrier, also known as the closed-system breast pumps, are one of the best breast pumps to get in Singapore. Milk barriers help to prevent milk from back flowing and entering the tubing, allowing milk to go straight from breast to bottle. This lowers the risk of mould or bacteria growing in the tubing.
However, an open-system breast pump is not a bad choice too. If you buy an open-system breast pump, do remember to pay extra care to cleaning the tubes of the pump. Make sure that they are properly dried so your baby’s milk will always be safe for consumption!
Breast shield size
To avoid experiencing any pain and discomfort during the pumping process, it’s important to make sure that the breast shield, also known as the flange, is of the correct size. There are plenty of sizes available so find the one that fits you as the wrong size could potentially lead to boob soreness and injury!
Weight and noise of the pump
Take the portability and noise of the model into account. If you’re pumping at work, a lightweight, quieter model will be more ideal. For convenience, make sure that the model comes with an additional insulated bag to store your milk between commutes.
Best breast pumps in Singapore
Hegen PCTO™ Manual Breast Pump Review:
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Image source: Hegen Official Store[/caption]
Got your hands full with your little one? Hegen breast pumps’ unique single-handed operation allows you to easily remove the Hegen PCTO manual breast pump (available on Hegen Official Store) from the milk bottle with a twist! It’s no wonder that Hegen breast pumps get rave reviews. With their unique single Press-to-Close and a Twist-to-Open mechanism, you can easily swap between the pump and Hegen PCTO breast milk storage lid (both available on Hegen Official Store) which can be bought separately. Pair it with Hegen PCTO feeding bottle and Hegen feeding collar (available on Hegen Official Store) to enjoy the full seamless transition from pumping to feeding!
While there are many electric breast pump options that surely do the job of expressing milk faster, a manual breast pump remains a good investment. Mama’s Choice Manual Breast Pump (available on Mama's Choice Official Shopee store) is a practical choice for mums who want an affordable pump without compromising quality.
This manual pump is so easy to use and you only need one hand to operate it thanks to its innovative design! It also takes away the pain when you pump, as it mimics the gentle sucking of a baby. Even better, it’s free of BPA and other hazardous materials, ensuring it’s safe to use. From its attractive colour to the free bottle that it comes with, Mama’s Choice Manual Breast Pump is a definite shoo-in to be every mum’s go-to manual breast pump.
Pigeon Manual Breast Pump Review:
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Image source: Pigeon Official Store[/caption]
Looking to invest in a manual breast pump but not looking forward to the potential hand fatigue you may face? Pigeon’s manual breast pump (available on Pigeon Official Store) boasts an ergonomically designed handle which makes expressing milk so much easier! This lightweight model is also easy to carry on-the-go. The Pigeon’s manual breast pump features two different modes -- Simulation mode to initiate milk flow and Expression mode to maximise your milk flow. With its comfortable fit, the Pigeon’s manual breast pump is definitely one of the best breast pumps in Singapore!
Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump Review:
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Image source: Haakaa Singapore[/caption]
Looking for eco-friendly breast pumps in Singapore? We recommend checking out the Haakaa silicone breast pump (available on Haakaa Singapore)! Made of 100% silicone, the Haakaa silicone breast pump is a single-piece equipment that’s lightweight, compact and easy to use. Neither manual nor electric, this breast pump works by using powerful suction to draw the milk out while you’re breastfeeding. To use it, simply squeeze the base of the pump before placing the flange onto your boobs. The Haakaa breast pump will provide a constant gentle suction that will simulate your boob to release the milk. One breastfeeding tip is to place the Haakaa breast pump on one boob to capture any letdown during breastfeeding on the other boob. Once the pump is full or you’ve finished expressing, you can simply stick the suction base of the breast pump onto a flat surface while you finish redressing!
Medela Swing Single Electric Breast Pump Review:
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Image source: Medela Singapore Official Store[/caption]
Have your heart set on an electric breast pump? The Medela Swing single electric breast pump (available on Medela Singapore Official Store) is one of the best electric breast pumps on the market! This breast pump boasts a multi-award winning design which allows mums to pump more milk in a shorter time. Use a hands-free pumping bra for the pump and the in-built belt clip to attach the machine to your pants so you can pump comfortably while doing other activities. The Medela swing model is also offered as a Medela double electric breast pump (available on Medela Singapore Official Store) for those keen on saving even more time by pumping both breasts at once. However, the Medela Swing is an open-system breast pump which means that you’ll have to take extra care of ensuring that it’s fully dried when cleaning your breast pump!
Philips Avent Easy Comfort Single Electric Breast Pump Review:
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Image source: Philips Official Store[/caption]
The Philips Avent Easy Comfort single electric breast pump (available on Philips Official Store) is one of the best breast pumps in Singapore to use for discreet pumping! The unique design of the breast pump allows your breast milk to flow easily from pump to the bottle. Sit comfortably upright and allow this Philips breast pump to do all the work for you. Psst! A tip is to turn on the backlight display so you can pump at night without turning on the lights and waking anyone! There is also Philips Avent double electric breast pump (available on Philips Official Store) as an alternative for those who prefer pumping both boobs at once.
Spectra S1+ Breast Pump Review:
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Image source: Pupsik SG Official Store[/caption]
A hands-free breast pump is a convenient way to express milk while entertaining your older kids at the same time. We recommend the Spectra S1+ Breast pump (available on Pupsik SG Official Store) for its hospital-strength suction! A breastfeeding tip is to connect the Spectra Handsfree accessory (available on threeflag.sg) to the Spectra S1+ to enjoy the greatest handsfree convenience. The Spectra handsfree fits snugly into your bra with no weird protrusion at all. For better comfort, wear a wireless nursing bra whenever you’re pumping. It’s easy to use and compatible with many other breast pumps in Singapore!
Cimilre F1 Double Electric Breast Pump Review:
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Image source: Pupsik SG Official Store[/caption]
Boasting hospital-strength suction, the Cimilre F1 double electric breast pump (available on Pupsik SG Official Store) has multiple suction levels so you can adjust based on your preference. It’s also a quiet breast pump so you can pump discreetly at night without worrying that you’ll wake your little one up. At a weight of merely 250g and rechargeable battery, this is one portable breast pump you can easily bring around to work or on travels!
How to clean your breast pumps
The key to ensuring your milk is safe to drink for your babies is to properly clean the breast pumps and tubes before and after every use. If you’re wondering how to best clean your breast pumps, here are some tips you can adopt:
- After expressing milk, all parts of the breast pump (including the bottles!) should be washed, dried and sterilised before your next session
- Rinse milk from every part of the breast pump before washing with hot soapy water. Use dedicated cleaning sponges, brushes and cloths to scrub them well. If possible, use a dedicated washbasin so as to avoid any germs that may be lurking in the kitchen basin.
- Air-dry the parts instead of using a towel as that may contain germs and bacteria
More breastfeeding tips for the new mums
We hope this guide has been helpful to you in choosing the best breast pumps in Singapore and learning how to increase your milk supply when pumping! If you’re expecting, check out these best pregnancy apps to guide you through this exciting time. Alternatively, download this newborn checklist for a list of items to prepare before the arrival of your little one. We know that being a new mum can be daunting, so join us at Shopee’s Mum’s Club for exclusive membership benefits and useful tips to help you along in this journey.
This article was first produced by Shopee Singapore and republished on theAsianparent with permission.
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