Changes in research, marketing, and design in baby gear means new items on the shelves each and every year. It makes no difference whether a mother is expecting her first baby or her fourth, new items that claim to be better and more effective often draw a lot of curiosity. Breast pump innovations are no exception to this rule. Each model or brand that comes out claims to have an exclusive new feature, but is it only hype or are the new breast pumps really better than your old standby?
The Latest and Greatest News in Breast Pumps
Breast pumps have been around for ages. Basic pumps from years ago were simple manual pumps. They often required the use of both hands, and in some cases they were painful. Today, it is possible to pay a fortune for a breast pump that is a dud while others work like a dream. The companies that market breast pump innovations are sometimes promoting a high quality product. Other times, their claims prove to be nothing more than a marketing ploy.
There are a few of the higher end brands, such as Medela breast pumps and Ameda breast pumps, that boast their highest end models are able to trigger let down of milk. Given the settings available and the design of the models, it's safe to say that for most mothers, this does in fact hold true. These brands produce double electric pumps that make it possible to pump both breasts at the same time, which of course provides the features of both ease and speed. If used in conjunction with a bra designed for them, it is possible to also pump hands free. For a mother working in the professional world, with a private office, this could potentially mean that pumping can be accomplished at her desk while continuing work at the computer. These new breast pump features are very appealing for professionals that want to continue giving their babies breast milk after they return to work.
There are other brands that advertise new breast pump features as well, but caution should be used when considering the purchase. These brands are traditionally of a lesser quality that often advertise heavily in baby and parenting magazines. They advertise ease, speed, and safety. In reality, they are notoriously ineffective, and some can even cause damage, rather than helping. When researching their advertising claims, research the company. Find out how long they have been around, and more specifically how long the company has been making breast pumps. Consult with consumer product reviews, and of course, a lactation consultant.
Some breast pump innovations are not so much new to the world of breast pumps as they are new to a particular manufacturer. Again, do the routine checking of the product before purchasing it. As an example, the pump brandAvent has long been known for making a high quality single manual breast pump, and has recently added both single electric and double electric breast pumps to their line. While the electric pump is nothing new, it is newly offered from this company, so if Avent in a brand that you have used and grown to trust, it may be worth investing in one of their breast pumps.
As more mothers learn of the benefits of breastfeeding, for both themselves and their babies, breast pumps continue to see increasing demand. With that increase in demand naturally comes new innovations from all manufacturers of breast pumps.
