Comparatif 2024 | Quel est le Meilleur Tire-lait Electrique ? Lequel choisir ?
Whether it’s to return to work, overcome breastfeeding challenges, or simply take a moment for yourself, an electric breast pump can become a precious ally for any breastfeeding mom. There are many models on the market, but two different types of electric breast pumps stand out: wired and portable. It is essential to choose a breast pump model that will perfectly meet your needs, so before investing, here is everything you need to know.
Hospital-grade electric breast pump 🔌
Hospital-grade electric breast pumps are wired devices. They are powerful breast pumps, particularly effective for double pumping (simultaneously pumping both breasts).
When to use a hospital-grade electric breast pump?
This type of device is very suitable for moms wishing to establish their milk supply, such as moms separated from their baby, with a premature baby…
The hospital-grade breast pump is intended for intensive and prolonged use as its performance far exceeds the needs of a mom who would like to express her milk occasionally.
Operation of the wired electric breast pump
Electric breast pumps work by replicating the sucking motion of the baby during breastfeeding. Their mechanism allows for effective nipple stimulation to extract breast milk and maintain adequate lactation when the baby is not nursing. Most hospital-grade breast pumps operate on electricity.
Maintenance and cleaning
Regular maintenance of the hospital-grade electric breast pump is crucial to ensure its proper functioning and the safety of the expressed milk. It is essential to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning and sterilizing the parts. In addition, meticulous maintenance will ensure a hygienic environment for your breast milk.
Advantages of the hospital-grade electric breast pump
Hospital-grade electric breast pumps offer great efficiency by allowing quick milk extraction. You can adjust the suction strength according to your needs. Plus, hospital-grade breast pumps are available for rent in pharmacies or you can purchase one from specialized rental sites.
Drawbacks of Wired Breast Pumps
Hospital-grade electric breast pumps have some drawbacks that can limit moms’ freedom and convenience. Firstly, their lack of mobility is a crucial point, as these devices are often wired, requiring tubes and cables that restrict movement and require staying in place during the expression session.
Furthermore, their bulkiness and weight make them less portable, which can be cumbersome for active moms. For some moms, the noise level emitted by these devices can also be disruptive, as well as their complexity of use.
Also, the need to expose oneself by removing clothing and the necessity to hold the collection bottles can make the experience less comfortable, limiting hands’ freedom of movement.
The need to isolate oneself to pump milk or invest in specific bras can therefore be perceived as additional constraints for moms using hospital-grade electric breast pumps.
These aspects should be considered when choosing a breast milk expression device to ensure comfort and convenience.
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Portable Electric Breast Pump 🙌
To offer a more practical and comfortable breastfeeding experience, there are now portable electric breast pumps available. Their shape is adapted to the breast and they have an integrated reservoir to collect milk.
Nomadic and specially designed for transport, this type of device simply slips into the bra. No more constraints related to wires and connections!
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When to Use a Portable Device?
Using a portable breast pump can be beneficial in many situations. Whether it’s for occasional use at home, to continue with daily activities while expressing milk, or during outings such as shopping or temporary absences of a few hours, a portable breast pump offers a practical and suitable solution.
Moreover, the portable breast pump can be a valuable ally for moms who practice mixed feeding or exclusive pumping. It is also particularly useful to facilitate milk expression at work or while traveling, thus helping to maintain lactation while ensuring effective milk extraction to meet the baby’s needs.
How to Use a Portable Breast Pump?
Portable electric breast pumps are designed to be used hands-free and offer flexibility to active moms. They operate with rechargeable batteries, allowing wireless and cordless use.
Je veux tirer mon lait les mains libres
To use a portable breast pump, start by assembling all the parts according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Then, place and adjust the breast pump on your breast, ensuring that the flange is centered on your nipple. Finally, turn on the breast pump and adjust the suction power for your comfort, then let the magic happen and resume your activities during expression!
Maintenance and Cleaning of the Portable Electric Breast Pump
The maintenance of portable electric breast pumps is similar to that of hospital-grade models. Disassembling the parts and regular cleaning will ensure a healthy use of the device, despite its portability.
However, some models of portable breast pumps may be more complicated to maintain, requiring, for example, the use of a bottle brush to clean the milk collector. This is the case with bottle-shaped collectors, for example. Drying such a container is also not optimal as water droplets can continuously remain on the bottle walls. Preferably opt for a breast pump with easy cleaning and maintenance.
Advantages of Wireless Breast Pumps
Hands-free portable electric breast pumps offer a more convenient and comfortable breast milk expression experience for active moms. They have multiple benefits.
1. Freedom and Flexibility of Use 🙌
Portable breast pumps allow for collecting breast milk anywhere, whether at home, work, in transit, or while traveling, providing greater flexibility in organizing your day and daily tasks. You can simply carry on with your activities while pumping, no need to stay still.
2. Discretion 🤫
Thanks to their compact size and discreet design, portable breast pumps are generally more discreet than traditional models, allowing moms to express milk discreetly, even in public.
No cables, plugs, or containers sticking out, all the equipment fits in your bra! No need to isolate or hide to pump milk.
3. Ease and Comfort of Use 🧼
Portable breast pumps are easy to handle and ensure optimal comfort with soft silicone breast shields. Suction and intensity settings are intuitive.
Moreover, most wireless breast pumps are easy to clean and assemble, saving time while ensuring a clean and hygienic product for each use.
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Disadvantages of Portable Breastfeeding Devices
In addition to their advantages and undeniable practicality, portable devices still have some drawbacks. Some models may, for example, have slightly less power than hospital-grade models.
1. The Price 🏷️
The main drawback of this technological advancement lies in its high cost. Indeed, the price of some portable and connected breast pumps can soar to over €200, making it a significant investment, especially for mothers looking to do double pumping who will therefore have to pay double the price!
Fortunately, there are also other equally effective but non-connected portable devices that are much more affordable.
2. No rental or trial possible before purchase 🚚
Rental options for portable breast pumps are often limited, as pharmacies and companies generally focus on hospital-grade and wired models reimbursed by social security. However, manufacturers offer a one to two-year warranty on breast pumps and in most cases, a product trial period of up to 30 days.
This return policy allows you to return the product if it does not suit you. Indeed, using a portable breast pump sometimes requires an adjustment period to find the right comfort and proper use. In conclusion, whether you opt for a hospital-grade or portable electric breast pump, these modern devices make breastfeeding for moms easier and simpler. Make the choice that suits your needs and above all, enjoy this precious time with your baby!
How to choose your electric breast pump?
If you are looking to acquire a portable electric breast pump, here are a few key points to keep in mind to guide you and help you find the one that suits you perfectly!
1. Pumping efficiency 💪
First, make sure that the portable breast pump offers sufficient suction power as well as different stimulation modes and suction levels to meet your needs. This will make your pumping experience more enjoyable.
2. Comfort of use 🤗
Choose a model with comfortable breast shields. Their quality is a crucial element as it influences the efficiency of milk expression. Manufacturers generally provide guides to determine the correct breast shield size.
The best option is to have different breast shield sizes included with your portable breast pump. This will allow you to find the one that fits your breasts best and, most importantly, to be able to change and adjust it during breastfeeding if necessary.
Also, make sure to check the dimensions and weight of the electric breast pump you want to purchase. Especially if you plan to use it on the go, some models are bulkier and heavier than others.
Also, prioritize a good fit, especially for moms with a generous or smaller chest. Some manufacturers offer strap extensions with their product to ensure optimal adjustment.
3. Ease of Use ✅
Another advantage of electric breast pumps is that they are easy to use. They generally only have a few buttons on the motor unit to make mode and intensity adjustments. Some models come with a screen that provides visual indications of the pumping time or the remaining battery charge.
Some portable connected breast pumps work with an app. The learning curve and startup time may be a bit longer, and you will need your smartphone to view real-time pumping information.
If you are looking for an intuitive and easy-to-use model that is quick to operate, we recommend opting for a non-connected breast pump that operates autonomously, without an app, like the Emy Pump portable electric breast pump.
4. Discretion 🔇
Portable breast pumps are generally quiet, with a noise level between 40 and 60 dB depending on the model and selected settings. For reference, the noise level of a normal conversation is about 55 dB, and the noise level found in a library is between 40 and 50 dB.
Moreover, some models of portable breast pumps are aesthetically a bit less discreet than others. Especially those with a small clip-on base on top of the reservoir. Often, this base protrudes from the bra and can create a visible “bump” over clothing.
Furthermore, this type of breast pump can also be less practical to use due to the limited contact surface between the base and the reservoir, increasing the risk of detachment during movements.
5. Maintenance of the Portable Breast Pump 🫧
Choose a breast pump with easily removable washable parts for easy and convenient maintenance. The fewer parts the breast pump has, the quicker the maintenance will be! Preferably, choose a breast pump where you don’t have small seals to assemble, so you can be sure not to lose them. It is also interesting to note that some manufacturers also offer basic spare parts included in their basic kit.
Some portable breast pumps may require more maintenance, such as those equipped with bottle-shaped collectors that require the use of a brush for thorough cleaning. Additionally, drying these bottles may be less effective, leaving stagnant water drops on the walls, which can promote the growth of bacteria. Opt for a breast pump that offers a fully washable milk collector to ensure the simplest and most hygienic cleaning and maintenance possible.
6. Reservoir Capacity 🥛
The capacity of portable breast pump reservoirs can vary almost twice as much depending on the models. It generally ranges between 100 and 200 ml. The amount of milk you will express at each pumping will vary and, above all, it will depend on the storage capacity of your breasts.
Thus, if you do not store much milk between two feedings, you may only express 100 ml per session whereas you could express double if you had a large storage capacity. In any case, keep in mind that the volume of milk expressed is not always constant and varies depending on the frequency and duration of your pumping sessions.
Therefore, it is better to opt for a fairly large collection capacity of at least 150 ml to be sufficient for most of your pumping sessions. Also, make sure that the device offers an easy and appropriate milk pouring method to avoid losing a drop!
7. Autonomy 🔋
Firstly, examine the operating duration to know how long the breast pump can be used on a single charge. You can estimate the number of sessions you can perform with your breast pump without recharging it. This can be particularly useful if you plan multiple uses in a location where you cannot recharge it.
Next, find out about the time needed to fully recharge the battery, as a short charging time can be advantageous. Also, make sure to check the battery capacity, as it directly determines the breast pump’s autonomy. Lastly, look for models equipped with battery indicators to alert you when the charge is low, making it easier to plan your pumping sessions.
In any case, remember that there is no perfect breast pump. This very useful tool is chosen mainly based on your needs. Furthermore, not all breast pumps are equal. Models with breast shields that fit your morphology are more comfortable, just like those that have a suction system that closely resembles a baby’s. Enjoy your breastfeeding journey 🥛🫶
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