If you’ve decided on breastfeeding your baby, you are obviously already cognizant of the benefits of breast milk.  The breast pump is great for when you’re not available to breast feed, you’re planning to go back to work, or you just want someone else to feed the child as a bonding experience while you benefit from some rest.

There are numerous options of breast pumps available – hospital grade breast pumps, electrical breast pumps, battery operated breast pumps and manual breast pumps.  There are even nursing bras and breast pump sets that you can buy together as a hands free nursing bra.

The hospital grade breast pumps are for those mothers or babies who have trouble breastfeeding but still want the healthy nutrition of breast milk.   These pumps are highly efficient and simulate the suction rate of a nursing baby.  Since the collection kit are separate from the pumps, multiple users can share using the breast pump.

Next on the list are personal electric breast pumps.  These are just a notch down from hospital grade breast pumps but are more portable and a good option for the working mother.  Some models can even plug into a car’s cigarette lighter or have a battery pack built-in for on the go pumping or when an electric outlet is not available.   For these personal models, you cannot share the breast pump with others as breast milk goes through the pump itself and can carry bacteria and viruses between individuals.

The battery operated breast pumps are for mothers expecting only short separations from their child and want to save some milk for the caregiver.   The pumping action of these battery breast pumps are not as efficient as the higher end electric models but they will do the trick to pump one breast at a time as most mid-range models allow.  These are great for portability as well.

Then there’s always the manual option of breast pumps.  Many women do prefer the manual breast pumps as they are smaller, lighter and last but not least – affordable.  Some women have the knack of pumping their milk manually one breast at a time while other women not at all or find it a really slow process. On the plus side, the manual breast pump is a more quiet process than the electrical pumps for those who like to pump their breast while their baby is nursing on the other side.

Obviously for the manual breast pump, it’s a operated by two hands as it requires a piston motion.  However, for the electric and battery operated breast pumps, look for options that will allow you to attach them onto nursing bras for hands free pumping.  Or you can buy a breast pump and nursing bra designed to work with each other as a hands free nursing bra.

Finding the right breast pump for you is all about the price you set on convenience and lifestyle.  Whichever breast pump you choose, know that you are providing the best nutrition for your baby.