How to choose a breast pump

There's no single best pump for everyone. The right pump depends on how often you'll use it, where you'll use it and how much time you have. Here are the main types and the questions that help you choose.

Updated 7 October 2026

In short

If you'll express only occasionally, a manual pump is enough. For daily use, a double electric pump saves a lot of time.
The flange (the part that goes on the breast) must be the right size. This matters more than the brand.
Second-hand pumps are only safe if they're a closed system and used with new parts.

Types of breast pump

Type	Who it's for	Watch out
Manual pump	Occasional expressing, travel or as a backup. Cheap, light and silent.	Tiring for the hand and slower.
Silicone milk collector	Goes on the other breast while you breastfeed and collects milk that flows on its own.	Not a real pump. Used every time, it can boost supply more than needed.
Single electric	Expressing a few times a week.	Takes twice as long as a double pump.
Double electric	Daily expressing, returning to work or exclusive pumping.	Heavier and more expensive. Check if it has a battery.
Wearable pump (in the bra)	Hands-free expressing on the move or at work.	Often weaker suction and pricier parts. For many mothers it works better as a second pump.
Hospital-grade (rental)	Premature babies, when the baby can't feed at the breast or when supply needs building up.	Large and usually rented from the hospital or pharmacy.

Questions before you buy

How often will I use it? Once a week or several times a day?
Where will I use it? At home, at work, in the car? Is there a socket there or do I need a battery?
How much time do I have? A double pump expresses both breasts at once.
Can I adjust suction strength and speed? It should be comfortable, not painful.
Are flanges available in different sizes, and can I find spare parts locally or online?
How easy is it to assemble and clean? How many parts does it have?
How noisy is it and how much does it weigh?

What worked well for your sister or a friend won't necessarily work well for you. If you can, try it or ask a lactation consultant before buying.

Closed or open system

Closed-system pumps have a barrier (a backflow protector) between the milk and the motor, so milk and moisture can't get into the tubing and motor. Open systems don't have this barrier. A closed system is easier to clean and more hygienic.

If you're taking on a pump someone else has used, only take it if it's a closed system, and always buy new parts: flanges, valves, membranes, tubing and bottles. Open-system pumps shouldn't be shared between mothers.

When to start expressing

If your baby is breastfeeding well, many specialists advise waiting about 3–4 weeks before you start expressing regularly, so breastfeeding can settle. If your baby is in hospital, has trouble latching or you're separated, start as soon as possible after birth, with help from the staff.

Track it with Ditari i Bebes

In Ditari i Bebes you log expressed milk and bottle feeds, so you always know how much milk you have in reserve and how much your baby has drunk.

See the app

Sources

This guide is for information only and doesn't replace advice from your doctor, midwife or lactation consultant. Every mother and every baby is different. If something worries you, talk to your doctor.