Why Breastfeeding Mothers need a Breast Pump?

• Allows a nursing mother to easily express and store breast milk to feed her baby for times when they will be apart.
• Give the father an opportunity to feed his child as well.
• When baby is too sick to breastfeed or when mother is down with cold.
• Help increase low milk supply and maintain an ample supply with an electric breast pump.
• Freeze milk for emergency use — unforeseen situations where the mother might be away.
• Relieve engorged breasts — pumping a little milk will soften the nipple area and make it easier for the baby to latch on.
• Frequent or daily pumping generally requires a single or double electric pump.

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I’ve been spending the past 4 days researching on Breast Pumps (BP): manual, electric, single and dual *seeing stars that look like BPs**LOL*

Reading the first-hand experiences of other Malaysian Mommies and also some digging around the WWW, has helped me to understand why a Stay-at-Home-Mommy also needs a BP. And why it is definitely more advisable to get the BP before delivery rather than later. But of course, everyone is entitled to their own opinion based on their personal experiences *salute*

I began my no-knowledge-of-BP-whatsoever research by firstly considering an electric dual BP because it is less tiring and saves time. But now after more reading and more digging, I’ll most likely get a manual or single electric BP.

Anyway I’ve posted a question on the forum and hopefully I’ll be further enlightened. Here are the brands and models — within RM1,000 — that were given a thumbs up by most Mommies.

Manual Breast Pumps

Avent ISIS
(Normal Price: RM219)

Medela Harmony with 2-Phase Expression
(Normal Price: RM269)

Electric Breast Pumps (Single)

Medela Mini Electric
(Normal Price: RM469)

Avent ISIS IQ UNO
Can be converted as manual BP
(Normal Price: RM695)

Medela Swing
(Normal Price: RM799)

Electric Breast Pumps (Dual)

Medela Mini Electric Plus
(Normal Price: RM729)

Ameda Lactaline Personal
Similar to Ameda Purely Yours Ultra in the USA
Can be converted as manual BP
(Normal Price: RM788)

Shopping online can get you better deals as compared to buying it from the shops.  EnjoyBreastFeed.com was highly recommended by a lot of Mommies for their good bargain and efficient after sales. After doing some comparisons, I think I agree with them too *thumbs up*

I’m planning to see a demo of the real products before making the final decision since you can’t from buying online. Fabulous Mom carries the brands above and they provide demonstrations of the BPs. I called the TTDI outlet yesterday — For expecting mothers like myself, they’ll place the pump against our baby bump so we can get the sensation. As for lactating mothers, they can probably test it for real!

What else did I find from my digging?
That you might like to know

Avent, UK

• Avent electric BP is quieter
• Avent ISIS manual BP gave this Mommy locked wrist *ouch* — daily manual pumping could cause this

Medela, Switzerland

• Medela’s electric BP sounds like a lawn mower — this is an actual quote, no kidding!
• Medela Harmony vs Avent ISIS

Ameda, Sweden

• Ameda Lactaline Personal was the most recommended BP, next to Medela PIS that cost almost RM2k!
• Lactaline Personal increases expressed breast milk (EBM)
• Ameda in KL has good after sales services

Psst. . . I’ll add to the list once I dig up anything new. Stay tuned!

Edited 7/11/09, 3.35pm
I think I finally got the perfect BP in mind after more research *phew*

Once I see and feel the real product in my hands, will post up Part 2. And Part 3 will come next year after LBJ arrives

Breast Pumps Sequels
Breast Pumps, pt 1 – The Research.
Breast Pumps, pt 2 – The Purchase.
Breast Pumps, pt 3 – My Verdict.
Breast Pumps, pt 4 – Ameda Lactaline Personal.
Breast Pumps, pt 5 – Manual vs Electric.

Possibly Related Post:
Breast Pumps, pt 2 – The Purchase.
Baby Wearing, pt 1 – The Research.
Baby Wearing, pt 3 – The Gift.
Cloth Diapers, pt 4 – Velcro vs Snap Buttons.
Cloth Diapers, pt 5 – Snap Buttons!