On the other hand, an open system does not have a barrier of any kind. Not having a barrier can cause unwanted problems, including contamination of breast milk. Mould may develop in the tubes, as well as the pump motor.

Manual and battery-powered pumps can be easy to transport and use in small spaces. There are also some electric breast pumps with recharging capabilities for when you are on the go. Your comfort level and breast pump settings Noise level: Do you need a breast pump that's quiet and more discreet, for example if you're pumping at work?This puts your expressed breast milk at risk of contamination since it is exposed to mould, even if the tubes are thoroughly cleaned or replaced. Its quiet operation, at only 35dB, ensures discreet pumping, and its compact and lightweight design makes it easy to carry anywhere. Highlights of Mama’s Choice Wearable Breast Pump: Two intelligent modes with nine intensity levels: Massage Mode to help stimulate milk flow and Express Mode which mimics breastfeeding Again, Medela comes out as a clear winner. The Medela Harmony features two pumping options to stimulate the initial let-down and then flow of milk. Although manual pumps do not have the option to be hands-free, it’s important that the manual pumps are comfortable for your hands. The handle of the Harmony pump is ergonomically correct, which means your hand won’t cramp up during a pumping session. The Harmony pump is also efficient and can sport different sized flanges for your comfort. It’s also BPA-free, lightweight, and affordable. Transparency is really important to us and that's why we're always upfront about how we choose the products we recommend. We won't always recommend the cheapest products, or the ones with the most extra features. We write about products that we feel offer the best value to most parents – the ones we'd recommend to our own friends and family.

Breast pumps mimic the suction of a nursing baby. Your breast pump’s objective is to persuade your body into thinking a baby is trying to nurse when nursing is not possible. Electric pumps can also be quite heavy and noisy; however, with advancements in technology, electric pumps on the market are lightweight with less noise produced. Portability of the breast pumpRelated: The best cribs and bedside co-sleepers for keeping your baby close How does a breast pump work?