A breast pump is a great help during the breastfeeding period and is part of every baby’s first equipment. It allows you to feed your child anywhere and is always flexible. It’s also great for the other parent, who has the opportunity to build a closer bond.
We have selected nine great models from the multitude of breast pumps that have convinced us. You’re sure to find the right breast pump for you. Our checklist and product recommendations will also make your purchase decision easier and provide you with advice.
Enjoy reading and shopping.
- An ideal breast pump should be easy and quick to use around the clock.
- Easy assembly facilitates pumping around the clock.
- You can easily switch the motor of electric breast pumps on and off at the touch of a button.
- Different pumping settings to simulate the baby’s natural suckling can be set and stored in memory.
- Stimulation levels to stimulate your milk flow for optimal milk production.
- Battery or mains operation freely selectable for optimal mobility.
- Supports pumping in upright sitting position without bending forward and on both sides simultaneously.
- Ergonomically shaped breast shield that does not put pressure on the milk ducts, which can lead to uncomfortable engorgement.
- Allows you to pump both at home and on the go.
- Small size of the motor creates optimal conditions for mobility.
- Extra quiet motor noise creates a healthy, quiet sleeping environment for your baby.
- Illuminated buttons for comfortable pumping at night.
- Milk container capacity up to 250 ml allows you to use the breast pump until the end of the breastfeeding period.
- Milk bags in the appropriate size from the same manufacturer and system available to freeze milk portions.
- All parts that come into contact with milk should be able to be cleaned in the steam sterilizer.
- Easy to disassemble to be able to treat parts immediately after pumping in the steam sterilizer.
- BPA-free plastic is used for all parts that come into contact with the milk.
- Supplied with additional matching bottle and ergonomic teat for feeding on the go
- Additional bottle practical for heavy milk production.
- Additional valves, chest tubes and hoses for even more flexible pumping.
- Transport bag for the breast pump and the required accessories.
Table of contents
Recommended Breast Pumps
We have compiled the best and most interesting breast pumps. You can find the list with our product recommendations here.
Tip: You can find great pillows for breastfeeding in our guide to breastfeeding pillows.
The Best Sellers Of Breast Pumps
In a list of bestsellers we have compiled the most popular breast pumps for you.
Tip: Caps for more comfortable breast feeding you can find in our guide to breastfeeding caps.
Current Offers On Breast Pumps
You can find the best current offers on breast pumps in this list.
Breast Pumps Advice
Which Breast Pump Suits Me?
Breast milk is still considered the best food for babies in the first months after birth. Whether you’re having difficulty latching on, want to get back to work early, or just want more flexibility, a breast pump is a great way to provide your baby with healthy breast milk.
Do You Want A Manual Breast Pump Or An Electric Breast Pump?
If you want to pump milk every day, I recommend buying an electric breast pump because it does the work for you and you can sit back and relax. Some electric breast pumps even help to stimulate the flow of milk. Double breast pumps are also faster, which can save you a lot of time. If you only want to pump milk once in a while, then a manual breast pump is enough for you. Manual breast pumps are a little cheaper, but you have to pump yourself. Some find the manual breast pump more pleasant, but that’s a matter of taste because everyone has different tastes.
You Want A Manual Breast Pump?
You Are Type A!
Many moms find that a manual breast pump feels more comfortable and like that they can set the pace as individually as possible. A manual breast pump is a good choice if you don’t want to pump milk every day, but only occasionally. If you want a manual breast pump, the Philips Avent Comfort Manual Breastpump and the Ardo Amaryll Manual Breastpump are just right for you.
The Philips Avent Comfort Manual Breast Pump
The Philips Avent comes up trumps with a particularly soft massage cushion that makes pumping especially pleasant. The breast pump is easy to use and has a practical shape that makes pumping milk easier. Cleaning and assembling are also quite easy, so pumping is always hygienically clean. Of course, the Avent breast pump is BPF-free and generally convinces with good quality, as you are used to from Philips. Especially nice: The scope of delivery not only includes a bottle, a teat, and the cap but also two nursing pads each day and night. So if you want to get the Avent hand breast pump and have not yet decided on a brand of nursing pads, you can test it here for free.
Unfortunately, the Philips Avent breast pump only comes in two sizes of breast caps, but otherwise it’s a great breast pump at a good price.
The Ardo Amaryll Manual Breast Pump
Due to the cleverly shaped lever, the Amaryll breast pump can be operated by both right- and left-handed people. The hand breast pump from Ardo also convinces with the great OptiFlow massage insert, which makes pumping very pleasant.
Ardo also attaches great importance to proper cleaning. The scope of delivery includes a cleaning brush and the vacuum seal barrier ensures that the breast milk is not contaminated. A very well-thought-out breast pump with easy handling. It is particularly nice that directly three breast caps are included in the scope of delivery so that mothers find the right size in any case.
The Amaryll breast pump is also convertible. If you find that an electric breast pump suits you better, the model can easily be converted into an electric breast pump with the pump kit. Very convenient for those who are unsure which type of breast pump is right for them.
You Want An Electric Breast Pump?
You Are Type B!
An electric breast pump is perfect for all mothers who want to pump daily. However, there is one more question before we can find the right model for you.
You Want To Use The Breast Pump On One Side?
The Medela Breast Pump Swing
You can’t really go wrong with the Medela Swing breast pump. It can be used flexibly, whether at home or on the road. Depending on your needs, it is operated either with a power supply or batteries. Due to the compact shape of the Medela breast pump, it can also be easily transported in your handbag.
The 2 phase expression technology makes pumping feel particularly natural, as it mimics the sucking habits of babies. In the stimulation phase, the breast is first prepared for expressing milk, followed by the pumping phase. The vacuum level can be adjusted individually and continuously. Afterward, all non-electric parts of the Medela Swing breast pump can simply be put in the dishwasher and you’re done. Very simple and practical.
The Medela Breast Pump Swing Maxi
The has the same great features as the Medela breast pump Swing. However, this is a double breast pump, for simultaneous use on both breasts. On the one hand, this has the advantage that pumping is faster and, on the other hand, that the amount of milk is higher when pumping on both sides than when pumping on one side. Pumping with the Medela Swing Maxi takes about 15 minutes. By pumping from both sides, moms can also increase their milk volume and prevent the milk flow from slowing down.
So the Medela Milpumpe has a lot to offer and is really worthwhile for anyone who likes to pump more often. In addition, the scope of delivery also includes the Calma teat, whose shape is based on the female breast and thus ensures a particularly natural sucking sensation for babies.
Lansinoh Breast Pump 2in1
With the 2in1 double breast pump from Lansinoh, mothers can also pump from both sides and save time. Like the breast pumps from Medela, the Lansinoh 2in1 has the 2-phase technology with a, particularly natural suction effect.
The Lansinoh breast pump 2in1 is even cheaper than the one-sided Medela Swing and offers the same great advantages except for one small thing. The disadvantage here is that you can not adjust the vacuum continuously, but the breast pump offers 8 different suction strengths. In addition, there are only two different-sized breast caps, so mothers should be reasonably sure that the size is well suited for their breast.
Other than that, the Lansinoh breast pump has ease of use and is just as suitable as the Medela Swing Maxi for increasing milk flow. A very good product with a great price-performance ratio.
Breast Pumps Info
Why Do I Need A Breast Pump?
Many mothers buy a breast pump for a variety of reasons, for example, because they start work early again or because of problems with breastfeeding. However, it is better for your baby to have breast milk than other alternatives. Because breast milk contains a lot of healthy nutrients and the optimal amount for our little ones, as well as a lot of defense substances to make them healthy and strong.
Especially the milk that is formed directly after birth – the so-called colostrum – is particularly valuable. In various tests, it has been shown that babies who have received the colostrum in the first days suffer less frequently from respiratory infections and margin intestinal diseases.
Problems With Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding does not work right away for all mothers, and for some, it does not work at all. This can be due to inverted nipples or insufficient milk flow, among other things. In both cases, the breast pump offers a great solution, because it allows your baby to drink your breast milk.
If the milk flow is low, it is worth buying an electric pump, because it pumps up to 18% more milk than a manual breast pump.
More Flexibility
If you want to return to work early or just want more flexibility in your daily routine, you should also consider a breast pump. There is no shame in the latter. Many parents suffer from the fact that moms always have to be there when the baby is hungry. This not only limits moms who have to take their babies everywhere but also dads. After all, a normal evening at the movies is hardly possible with a breastfeeding gap of three hours. A small milk supply is more relaxing so that your baby can be fed by the babysitter or grandma and grandpa.
Many dads are also very happy when they get the opportunity to feed their baby themselves with pumped milk and thus establish an important bond with the little ones.
If you now work every day again, then an electric breast pump is a good choice. If you only want to be flexible here and there and want to make appointments without the baby, then the less expensive manual breast pump will suffice.
What You Should Look For When Buying
Electric Breast Pump Or Manual Breast Pump?
Here I would like to summarize once again when it is enough to buy a manual breast pump and when an electric breast pump makes sense.
A manual breast pump has the advantage of being comparatively inexpensive. On the other hand, it is, of course, less convenient, as you are responsible for pumping yourself. However, if you only want to have a breast pump at home for safety reasons, for the few cases where the breastfeeding interval is too long, then a manual breast pump is definitely sufficient. Many mothers also find it more convenient to express their milk manually.
You should definitely buy an electric breast pump if you plan to use it every day. It has several advantages. On the one hand, you can just sit comfortably and let the pump do the work. And on the other hand, pumping is much faster, especially with a double-sided breast pump, and is done within about 15 minutes.
One-Sided Or Two-Sided?
With electric breast pumps, you are spoilt for choice: do you pump both breasts in succession or do you want to save time with a double breast pump? The latter option is very practical and stimulates the milk flow particularly well because double-sided breast pumps increase the amount of milk by up to 18 percent. It also increases the fat content of the milk, which has a positive effect on your baby’s development.
However, single-sided breast pumps also do a good job and are usually cheaper than the double-sided version. Some mothers also find single-sided pumping less stressful than double-sided pumping.
The Size Of The Breast Cups
When pumping, it is important that the breast shield fits your nipple perfectly. The breast shield should only enclose the nipple and in no case the areola, otherwise it can quickly lead to inflammation. Also, the breast shield should not be too small. That is why most breast pump manufacturers offer different breast shields in different sizes. Medela has the best selection with five sizes. However, you have to buy them separately if the standard size included with the breast pump does not fit you. Philips and Lansinoh breast pumps have the advantage that both sizes are already included.
The Functions Of An Electric Breast Pump
Two Phase Expression Technology
Babies instinctively know how best to suckle at the breast to get breast milk flowing – even if they sometimes need a little practice first. A fast sucking rhythm at the beginning of breastfeeding stimulates the breast and triggers the milk-giving reflex. Once the milk is flowing, the sucking rhythm becomes a little slower but stronger.
Breast pump manufacturers have adopted this rhythm and implement it with their electric breast pumps to achieve the best possible milk flow. That’s why both the Medela electric breast pump and the one from Lansinoh feature Two-Phase Expression technology. When pumping, they start with a faster stimulation phase that usually lasts about two minutes. This is followed by the pumping phase automatically. Depending on the breast pump, the stimulation phase can also be shortened at the push of a button, because every woman’s milk flow starts at a different time.
Setting The Vacuum
I have already mentioned that it is advantageous if the vacuum can be regulated continuously, as is the case with Medela breast pumps. Why is that? Depending on the vacuum, the milk flow can be positively influenced. But since every woman has a different milk flow, she also knows best how strong or light the vacuum should be. With a step-less regulation, the vacuum can be perfectly adapted to one’s own needs. However, this does not necessarily mean that a setting with steps is bad. I have recommended the Lansinoh 2in1 breast pump to you here, among others, because although not stepless, the vacuum can be adjusted very well here. Mothers can choose between three modes and eight levels, which is actually quite sufficient.
Worth Knowing
What You Should Keep In Mind When Pumping
You should always wash your hands before pumping. Another recommendation is to clean your breasts with a washcloth beforehand for especially hygienic pumping. Then simply pump. This is actually quite easy. Many mothers have difficulty pumping the milk when their baby is not around. It helps to think intensely about the little treasure and some mothers even take a photo of their baby to help. After pumping, all parts that came into contact with the breast milk should then be thoroughly cleaned.
Cleaning The Breast Pump
In general, you should always refer to the operating instructions of the respective breast pump for the best way to clean it. I personally recommend a model where all parts that come into contact with the milk can be washed in the dishwasher. This way, the breast pump is thoroughly cleaned and you have time for more important things. It is also recommended to sterilize these parts once a day in a suitable sterilizer to really remove all germs. This is especially important in the first months of your baby’s life, as the immune system is not yet fully developed and illnesses can quickly occur. In the case of premature babies, sterilization should even be carried out after each pumping.
Storage Of Breast Milk
Breast milk can either be stored directly in small sealed bottles or in freezer bags if you want to store the milk in the freezer. Of course, there are also many great jars to buy that are specially made for storing breast milk. It is advisable to label the bottles with a date so that you always know how long the breast milk can be stored.
You can either use breast milk in the next few hours or even store it for up to half a year. At room temperature, the milk will keep for about four hours. In the refrigerator, breast milk can be stored for up to 48 hours and in the freezer for up to six months.
If you want to feed the breast milk, you can simply warm it up in a water bath. Under no circumstances should you heat it in the microwave, because this destroys the healthy ingredients.
Breast Pumps Are Also Available On Prescription!
If you have severe breastfeeding problems, you can also borrow a breast pump from a pharmacy on prescription. Severe problems include flat and inverted nipples, persistent latch-on problems and breast infections.
You can get the prescription from your gynecologist or pediatrician, so your health insurance will cover the rental fee for the breast pump. The rental period is usually up to six weeks.
If your doctor doesn’t give you a prescription, but you don’t want to buy an expensive breast pump, you can still rent one at your own expense. Some pharmacies offer breast pumps for a rental fee of up to 5 euros per day. So if you only need a breast pump acutely and not normally in everyday life, renting a breast pump at the pharmacy is a great solution.
FAQ For Breast Pumps
Manual breast pumps are cheaper to buy. On the other hand, they are of course less comfortable, since you are responsible for pumping yourself. Often, pumping by yourself is also more comfortable. For occasional pumping, the manual breast pump is sufficient. However, if you use the breast pump daily, we recommend an electric one. On the one hand, you save energy and on the other hand, it is much faster.
Manual breast pumps are cheaper to buy. On the other hand, they are of course less comfortable, as you are responsible for pumping yourself. Often, pumping by yourself is also more comfortable. For occasional pumping, the manual breast pump is sufficient. However, if you use the breast pump daily, we recommend an electric one. On the one hand, you save energy and on the other hand, it is much faster.
You usually can’t go wrong with brands like Medela and Philips, and they perform very well.
A prescription for a breast pump is designed for 4 weeks, during which you can keep the breast pump. If you need it longer, you will need to visit your doctor again and ask for another prescription.
Some brands like Philips Avent and Medela are very far ahead in terms of ratings. Lansinoh is also a good choice.
Weaning is best done calmly by slowly introducing your baby to the bottle or formula. At the beginning, supplementary feeding and breastfeeding should be combined. The breast pump helps you to fill milk and to give it to your child via bottles until he or she can completely switch to real food.
A breast pump should be sterilized or disinfected once a day. You can boil it in hot water or put it in the dishwasher. This process is necessary to remove bacteria and germs.