10 Best Breast Pumps in the Philippines 2021 (Medela, Philips Avent, and More)

When it comes to breast pumps, there are so many options to choose from. You'll find manual and electric ones, even battery-operated pumps if you need something more portable. In this list, we'll share our top 10 picks on the best breast pumps we found available online. Just click the links to check them out.

**Prices may vary depending on the website and their campaign period**

Direct latching stimulates milk-producing glands to increase the supply for the baby. But in instances where a mom needs to leave the house for a few hours, even for days, using a breast pump is a good alternative in expressing breast milk for the baby.

Breast pumps have modes that can mimic the way your baby feeds. This means that the benefits of latching are somehow imitated, too, hence help in increasing your milk supply.

Breast pumps add efficiency in expressing milk. This allows mommies to collect an ample stash of milk in their freezers, perfect for when they return to work, have an errand to do, or just to have a day out with friends.

Health experts agree that breastfeeding is beneficial for both the baby and mommy. Continue reading to know why it is highly recommended to breastfeed your little one for as long as you can.

Breast milk contains the right nutrients in the ideal proportions. And it changes its composition when your baby has been exposed to viruses and bacteria. It produces more antibodies to fight the infection and helps your baby recover faster, if not avoid the sickness completely.

Breast milk is easier to digest, which means less vomiting and diarrhea for your baby. It contains enzymes that enable an infant’s body to easily absorb the milk.

Since formula milk is rich in sugar, feeding your baby with breast milk has less risk for obesity. It also reduces the risk of diseases, such as respiratory tract infections, colds, gut infections, diabetes, as well as asthma, and eczema.

Breastfeeding may help mommies in losing weight. Though most lactating moms have an increased appetite due to hormonal changes, some experience weight loss after three months of breastfeeding as it aids in burning fat.

Breastfeeding releases more oxytocin. This hormone has anti-anxiety effects – a nice thing to count since postpartum depression is commonly experienced by moms who have just given birth. Breastfeeding also provides mommies reduced risks of breast and ovarian cancer and heart disease as well.

The best time to start using a breast pump is when your baby is already 6 weeks old. Because at this time, your milk production is already established. There are a variety of breast pump models these days, and it can be overwhelming to find one that is suited to your needs. Let us guide you on what to consider before buying a breast pump.

Express milk one breast at a time with a single breast pump since it is easier to maneuver. However, your pumping session will take a longer time. This is ideal for moms who can pump more frequently.

In a double breast pump, you can express milk from both breasts simultaneously. This cuts your pumping time into half – perfect when you have to do it while in the office. “Double pumping” also expresses milk that has higher fat and calorie content. But because this requires twice the accessories, double breast pumps may cost more.

Electric breast pumps have a motor that does the pumping for you. They require a power outlet to operate, which is more suitable for expressing milk at home. For more convenience, most electric breast pumps are also battery-operated; some have a built-in rechargeable battery pack for more portability.

Manual breast pumps, on the other hand, are the most compact and lightweight. They are also quiet, making them the perfect pump to use when your baby is sleeping. It is said that it's best to express milk from midnight up to early dawn because breast milk is essentially “restocked” during this time, preparing you for the next day ahead.

A closed-system pump uses a barrier that prevents milk from flowing into the machine. The milk collection kit is separated from the pump mechanism to avoid contamination by bacteria or mold. This type of pump lasts for years since not a single drop of milk reaches the motor.

While an open-system pump, though much cheaper, doesn’t have this barrier feature. The motor of the pump is open to the milk you are expressing. Take note that it will be a challenge to dismantle the pump to clean all the parts. For hygienic purposes, this type of pump should only be used by its original owner. 

Breast pumps have a variety of specifications, too, such as their weight, available pumping modes, and having a display screen. Continue scrolling as we will explain why you may want to consider these features.

Most moms prefer a lightweight breast pump, especially if they are bringing the breast pump to work every day. This also applies to moms who plan to carry their breast pump around during a trip.

Expressing milk requires so many breast pump parts, in addition to other accessories, such as milk storage bags, nursing covers, and a cooler. It is a great advantage if your breast pump comes with a spacious bag to house all of these items. 

Electric pumps have two modes that will help your pumping routine. Check if the breast pump has a Letdown/Massage mode, which imitates the first feeding phase. Here, the motor performs short and fast sucking motions to stimulate the letdown reflex, the same way a baby feeds on a breast to get the milk flowing.

The Express mode, meanwhile, replicates the actual feeding. This uses a slower sucking rhythm where you will begin to collect more milk. Most breast pumps have buttons where you can adjust the level of speed and suction of these modes. These adjustments will help you feel more comfortable while expressing milk.

Most breast pumps have a display screen that shows the mode, level of speed or suction, and the time remaining in your session. For battery-operated pumps, the display screen will include a battery indicator to notify you when it’s time to recharge or change batteries.

Meanwhile, multitasking moms will enjoy hands-free breast pumps. Recent models allow you to pump without the tricky tubing, and some can even be worn under your shirt. This way, you can bond with your baby or finish some work while expressing liquid gold. 

Always double-check if the breast pump comes with a complete set of accessories. This is also known as the breast kit or milk collection kit. Read on to know more about what's included per set.

A complete electric breast pump comes with a motor or the unit that generates a gentle vacuum to express milk. The other half of your purchase is the milk collection kit. This kit includes all the accessories or components that you will need to assemble to start expressing milk.

The breast shield or flange is a funnel-shaped piece of plastic that directly touches the breast. Its tunnel is where the nipple is pulled in so you can extract milk. Attached to the flange is the valve. The valve has an opening where the milk can drip from the flange into the milk collection bottle.

The other end of the flange is attached to the tubing. This long and clear plastic hose connects the flange to the breast pump motor. The tubing should always be dry to avoid mold growth. Some brands have a backflow protector that is attached between the flange and tubing to prevent milk from backing up into the motor.

A flange with a perfect fit makes all the difference in a successful pumping routine. Its size is measured in millimeters and is based on the diameter of your nipple tip. The easiest way to measure this is by using the coin method. 

After breastfeeding, compare your nipple tip to these coins, wherein each coin has a corresponding flange size: 10-centavo coin for 20-24mm, 25-centavo coin for 24-28mm, 1-peso coin for 28-32mm, and 5-peso coin for 32mm. These measurements may also vary if you opt to use a silicone massager, which is attached to the wide opening of a flange to help stimulate the breast. 

BPA or bisphenol-A is a harmful organic compound found in reusable plastic products. And since most breast pump parts are made of plastic, make sure that they don’t contain this harmful chemical that will contaminate the milk.

BPA in plastic products can seep easily into the breast milk. And exposure to this chemical can cause negative health issues, such as the increased risk of obesity, stunted brain development, a likelihood of having asthma, and behavioral problems in toddlers.

There are 2 major rules in expressing milk for your baby. First, hand express or use your breast pump every 2-3 hours. For working moms, ask your company about lactation breaks and lactation rooms. Expressing every 2-3 hours allows your milk glands to produce continuously.

The second rule is to be extra mindful in storing your expressed milk. This video by CloudMom shares some guidelines on how to store breast milk properly, so every drop of your liquid gold can be enjoyed by your baby.

Breast milk is very precious, even fondly called “liquid gold.” However, it can also be easily spoiled when not handled and stored properly. 

Steps in Storing Breast Milk Properly:

1. Sanitize your hands.
2. Open the milk bag (or freezer-safe bottle) and cradle it in your hand.
3. Gently pour the breast milk from the breast pump bottle into the milk bag.
4. Close the bag properly. Make sure it’s sealed.
5. Write the date and time on the bag using an indelible marker.
6. Organize the milk bags by putting the older bags in front so they are consumed first.
7. New batches are to be placed at the back.

It is also important to anticipate feeding time so that you can easily defrost milk by doing the following steps:

1. Take the breast milk out of the freezer several hours before your baby’s feeding time.
2. Let it thaw at the refrigerator or in a bowl of cold water.
3. Thawed breast milk must be used within 24 hours only.
4. Never defrost breast milk in hot water or the microwave.

Now that you know the procedure for properly storing and defrosting breast milk, here are some more quick tips and facts for the proper handling of breast milk:

• Store breast milk at room temperature for up to 4 hours only.
• It’s safe to store milk in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Use an ice pack when traveling.
• Freeze the breast milk in 4-6 oz milk storage bags.
• It's best to freeze the breast milk immediately after pumping.
• Frozen breast milk can be kept in the freezer for one month, and 3-6 months in a deep freezer at -17.8° Celsius.

One of the main concerns of breastfeeding moms is how to maintain and improve their milk supply. Fortunately, several products, such as lactation cookies and malunggay capsules, are now available to help augment the production of milk. Click the links below to check out our recommended products as well as the best nursing covers and nursing bras you can get online.

Most moms can breastfeed their babies up to 7 months. But with the availability of breast pumps that are portable, very user-friendly, and cost-effective, both mommies and their babies can benefit from a long-term breastfeeding routine.

Just remember to “unli-latch” whenever possible, and let your breast pump do its best. Always make room for a well-deserved time for yourself because your baby will enjoy more milk if you are well-rested, too. Best of luck on your breastfeeding and pumping journey! You've already done a great job just by deciding to breastfeed your little one!

Author: A. Mangulabnan

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