New moms (or even experienced moms!) always pay great attention to the products they are going to use during pregnancy and postpartum. This concern starts with baby skin care products, and ends up extending to breastfeeding care, which we are going to talk about today. Swiss brand Medela focuses on making breastfeeding as comfortable and enjoyable as possible for mothers and babies, and so it offers a line of breast pumps that are among the most popular on the market. If you need help choosing the best Medela pump for you, this guide is for you. Read on!
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The exclusive technology of Medela breast pumps
Let’s start with the features that make Medela breast pumps so popular.
2-Phase Expression Technology
First, they use the exclusive 2-Phase Expression Technology, a rhythmic pumping technology that mimics the baby’s natural suckling rhythms. It features two phases: in the first, a fast and light rhythm stimulates milk flowing; in the second, a slower, deeper rhythm allows is able to express more milk faster. Using this technology, Medela has created an efficient way for pumps to mimic the natural dynamics of breastfeeding.
PersonalFit Flex™ breast shield
On top of the exclusive 2-Phase Expression Technology, Medela breast pumps use the PersonalFit Flex™ breast shield. this unique breast shield is designed to easily adapt to the shape of each woman’s breasts, all the while encouraging milk flow and preventing compression of the milk ducts.
How to choose the best Medela breast pump for you
Now that we’ve explored the features that make Medela breast pumps so unique, we can help you choose the one that best suits you and your needs. today we are going to explore four different breast pumps: Harmony™, Solo™, Swing Maxi™, and Freestyle™ Hands-Free.
Medela Harmony™ Flex Manual Breast Pump
The best-selling manual breast pump
Medela Harmony™ Flex Manual Breast Pump
Let’s start with simplicity with the Medela Harmony™, a hand-powered breast pump designed for occasional use.
This best-selling breast pump has a compact, easy-to-carry design and a soft touch swivel handle for enhanced ease of use and a comfortable grip. It is also this handle that guides the 2-Phase Expression technology. Begin by using the short side at a fast pace to stimulate milk flow; then, once you find that milk is flowing, use the long side of the handle to express milk with ease.
Quick and easy to use, this is also the most affordable breast pump in the Medela range. If you’re on a budget and don’t need an electric pump, this might be the best Medela pump for your needs!
Medela Solo™ Single Electric Breast Pump
The lightweight single electric pump
Medela Solo™ Single Electric Breast Pump
Moving on to electric pumps, the Medela Solo™ is a simple, compact, and easy-to-use electric breast pump. Quiet and portable, it uses a simple 4-button control and features a built-in rechargeable battery that lasts up to six pumping sessions.
If you are looking for comfort and practicality, this might be the best Medela pump for you. Keep in mind, though, that this is a single breast pump–meaning, you can only express milk from one breast at a time. Wondering if this breast pump is convertible into a double pump? The answer is no, as the motor of this pump simply does not generate enough vacuum to express milk from both breasts at the same time. If the ability to double pump is important to you, then check out the Medela Swing Maxi™ pump below.
Medela Swing Maxi™ Double Electric Breast Pump
The practical double electric pump
Medela Swing Maxi™ Double Electric Breast Pump
Medela has done a lot of research on the benefits of double pumping (expressing milk from both breasts at the same time) compared to single pumping (one breast at a time). Among these benefits are increased milk flow–up to 18% more!–and milk with a higher energy content.
Many mothers know this too, and therefore opt for double breast pumps. The Medela Swing Maxi™ is just that, a portable, compact, and easy-to-use double electric breast pump made to fit seamlessly into your lifestyle. It has all the features of the Medela Solo™, with a more powerful motor, added app connectivity, and, of course, the ability to express milk from both breasts at the same time.
For extra comfort, you can also use this breast pump hands-free, using the Medela Easy Expression Bustier.
Medela Freestyle™ Hands-Free Double Electric Breast Pump
The ultra-lightweight wearable breast pump from Medela
Medela Freestyle™ Hands-Free Double Electric Breast Pump
For those looking for the most practical Medela pump, look to the top-of-the-line product from the brand: the wearable Medela Freestyle™ Hands-Free Double Electric Breast Pump.
Super small, super portable, and super lightweight: that’s the Medela Freestyle™ Hands-Free. The combination of a compact motor unit with a couple of small and lightweight collection cups makes this pump incredibly easy to wear; while the motor unit slides easily into your pocket, the collection cups are small enough to fit inside your nursing bra. This way, your hands remain free throughout the entire expressing process!
Alongside the portability features, this pump also features a built-in battery, rechargeable via USB with the provided power cable and adapter. Last, but not least, you get app connectivity to allow you to follow your breastfeeding process and take things at your own pace.
Now that we’ve introduced you to the specs of four different breast pumps, we hope you’re a little closer to deciding on the best Medela pump for you. Make sure to also check out our full Medela range in the shop!
