SingaporeMotherhood | Baby & Toddler

June 2021

11 Best Breast Pumps for Breastfeeding Mums in Singapore

When you want to milk every last drop of precious breast milk for your little one, a breast pump can help. Breast milk is the ideal food for babies. It contains all the necessary nutrients for a baby’s growth and development, as well as antibodies that protect babies from many childhood illnesses. Furthermore, the World Health Organization recommends that babies be fed breast milk within their first hour, and for the first six months of a baby’s life. 

But sometimes it may not be possible for a you to latch on to breastfeed your baby. This is especially so if you have to return to work outside of the home. If you want to continue giving your baby breast milk, the best thing to do is to invest in a breast pump. 

This will allow you to maintain your breast milk supply while keeping your baby nourished. Pumping your breast milk also gives you the opportunity to feed multiples, lets dad (or another caregiver) help with baby feeds, and help reduce painful engorgement. Most importantly, it can let you enjoy some me-time, sans baby. 

Choosing a Breast Pump: Manual or Electric?

Image: Anthony Shkraba from Pexels

The first step to finding the perfect breast pump for you is to ask yourself – manual or electric? These questions can help guide you to the right one.

  1. How often will you be pumping? If you do not foresee yourself expressing often, you can probably get by with a manual breast pump. However, if you are planning to express and store your breast milk, an electric pump will be more efficient. 
  2. Will you be returning to work? Working mums may need to express more regularly and quickly, hence electric breast pumps will suit them better. You may want one that’s quiet too, if your work place does not have a dedicated space for you to pump, and you will be expressing at your desk. If you are planning to latch on most of the time, you can consider a manual pumps for those short periods of time when you are away from your baby.
  3. How much time do you have? Electric pumps express milk faster than manual pumps. If you are often on the go, or hope to build up your store of milk quickly, an electric breast pump will suit your needs better. However, if you just need to complement latching on, a manual pump is fine.

(See also: 5 Ways to Help Breastfeeding Mums at Work)

ELECTRIC PUMPS

Image: Harry Grout on Unsplash

Electric breast pumps are a great choice for mums who express daily. If you are returning to work, an electric breast pump will be the most efficient option for you. Busy mums who are short on time may also find an electric breast pump more convenient. It’s also important to consider if you need a battery-operated pump if you’re constantly travelling, or out and about.

1. :: NEW! :: Cimilre P1 Portable Double Electric Breast Pump

At just 250g, the Cimilre P1 is compact, lightweight and powerful — perfect for mums on the go. The sleek and minimal design brings a modern look to this pump, ensuring that it blends well with any environment, whether you are at home, or in the office. With easy-to-use touchpad controls, even first-time mums can get started on expressing their breast milk with no problems at all. Best of all, the built-in rechargeable battery can be powered by a power bank so you cant really bring this everywhere! (The battery lasts up to 120 minutes in a single full charge)

What we love: The strong and quiet motor allows you to pump even when Baby is asleep; you won’t have to worry about waking her up! In addition, the P1 comes with a massage mode with 5 suction levels to choose from, and an expression mode which has 10 suction levels to choose from. This means you can always express at your desired comfort level. Finally, a large, backlit digital LCD makes night pumping a breeze. 

Considerations: It may not be as strong as a hospital-grade pump. However if you are planning to latch your baby to breastfeed directly for most of the time, this is definitely good enough.

  • Price Point ★★★★★
  • Efficiency ★★★☆☆
  • Ease of Use ★★★★★
  • Portability ★★★★★

Price From $219.00 (currently on sale for $179.00)
Purchase Click here

2. Cimilre S6 Plus (S6+)

The Cimilre S6 Plus (S6+) is a hospital-grade double electric closed system breast pump with a powerful yet gentle suction, exceptionally quiet motor (only 38 dB) and a built-in LED night light with three adaptable settings. Sleek on the outside and high-powered on the inside, the S6 Plus also comes with newly developed hands-free breast shields that are slim enough to fit into your regular wireless/nursing bra — perfect for busy, modern, multi-tasking mums!

What we love: Made in Korea, the Cimilre S6 Plus lets new mothers get started on their breastfeeding journey easily, by mimicking the suckling of baby to stimulate and promote milk production. Five cycle speeds and 12 suction level settings (a total of 60 combinations) ensure a comfortable pumping experience every time. Concerned about fit? Don’t worry. The breast shields come in two different sizes ( 24mm and 28mm) so you can easily choose your best fit. All pump parts — there are only five, for easy cleaning and assembly — are BPA-free.

Considerations: Cost-wise, it lies on the higher end of breast pumps. But there’s a two-year local warranty included, so you can continue your breastfeeding journey with no worries.

  • Price Point ★★★★☆
  • Efficiency ★★★★★
  • Ease of Use ★★★★★
  • Portability ★★★★★

Price From $499.00 (currently on sale for $229.00)
Purchase Click here

3. Philips Avent Electric Breast Pump SCF398/11

Over 10 years of research, and three independent clinical studies using advanced ultrasound imaging, Philips has identified that babies use a special, wave-like tongue motion to help release milk quickly when breastfeeding. They’ve replicated it in the design of this pump, which uses a combination of suction and nipple stimulation inspired by the way babies drink. The design also lets you express without having to lean forward, so you can have a more comfortable pumping session.

What we love: The soft silicone cushion fits all nipple sizes, and gently flexes and adapts to a mother’s changing nipple size and shape during the nursing journey. Additionally, the device is specifically designed to be quiet, so you can express discreetly no matter where you are, with its rechargeable battery.

Considerations: Price-wise, this definitely comes in at the high end of the range. 

  • Price Point ★★★☆☆
  • Efficiency ★★★★★
  • Ease of Use ★★★★☆
  • Portability ★★★★★

Price From $599.00
Purchase Click here

4. Hegen PCTO Electric Breast Pump

Hegen’s been making waves lately in the baby industry – and for good reason! This homegrown label has created some of the most innovative products we’ve seen. The just-launched Hegen PCTO Electric Breast Pump is its newest – and most exciting – addition. It’s the world’s first relaxation breast pump, giving you a massage as you pump!

What we love: Obviously, the relaxation function — a world first. Simply detach the ring attachment, and the pump becomes a mini kneading massager! You can opt to massage your breasts before pumping to help with letdown, or after, to soothe tired muscles. We also love how compact and portable this breast pump is. Weighing no more than an iPhone, it is a cinch to pack in your office handbag. And it comes with a micro-USB charging port so you can charge it with a power bank.

Considerations: As this electric pump is the first from Hegen, it hasn’t withstood the test of time yet. Mums who don’t have Hegen’s “ecosystem” of bottles, attachments, and teats may find it tricky to incorporate with their other breastfeeding accessories. While the Hegen PCTO Electric Breast Pump works as a double pump, you’ll have to get the manual pump (see below, under manual pumps) as well for both flanges and bottles. This may be a hindrance for budget-conscious Mums.

  • Price Point ★★★☆☆
  • Efficiency ★★★★★
  • Ease of Use ★★★☆☆
  • Portability ★★★★★

Price $450.00
Purchase Click here

5. Spectra S2 Breast Pump

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A post shared by spectrababymyofficial (@spectrababymyofficial)

The Spectra S2 Breast Pump is an efficient, powerful breast pump for mums who express often. Like other Spectra pumps, the S2 features a closed system (a physical barrier between milk and pump) for extra hygiene. The Spectra S2 Breast Pump is also said to be hospital-grade, great for mums who are looking for an effective, strong pump.

What we love: It’s so quiet! Electric breast pumps tend to be louder than manual ones, making it slightly embarrassing to express in the office. With the Spectra S2 Breast Pump, that’s never a problem. We also like the digital controls which allow you to set pumping speed and rhythm according to what’s best for your body. Mums who have difficulty pumping will find it helpful to be able to switch back and forth between both options. The suction power is also adjustable during both modes.

The pump also boasts a massage feature which stimulates letdown before expressing. Finally, there’s a night light so you can pump in the dark (without waking your baby!).

Considerations: While the Spectra S2 Breast Pump is quiet and powerful, it is not battery-compatible. You will have to find a power outlet every time you need to pump. If you’re constantly on the go, this may be a hassle. In addition, the Spectra S2 Breast Pump is only compatible with wide-neck bottles, so you will have to buy these if you do not already have them. A few mums have also mentioned that the duckbill valves may fall off while pumping.

  • Price Point ★★★☆☆
  • Efficiency ★★★★★
  • Ease of Use ★★★☆☆
  • Portability ★★★☆☆

Price From $289.00
Purchase Click here

(See also: 5 Useful Pregnancy Splurges That Are Totally Worth Spending On)

6. Bellema Effective Pro Double Electric Breast Pump

The Bellema Effective Pro Double Electric Breast Pump is a closed-system pump. With a dual-phase pumping mode, this breast pump mimics natural breastfeeding, with letdown and expression phases. Its specially-designed ‘Pumping Rhythm’ mimics a baby suckling, helping mums to express as much breast milk as possible.

What we love: The price point is the one of its advantages. We also like that this pump can be used at both breasts simultaneously without a reduction in suction power. This pump also allows you to adjust the speed for each breast, allowing you to express in the most comfortable way for your body. We also love that it can be operated either via battery or a power plug — perfect for mums on the move!

Considerations: Some mums find its suction power lacking. Other users have also complained about breast pumps breaking down after several months of use. If you are looking for an electric pump that can last for the long haul, it may be better to invest in a sturdier one. There are also more parts to the Bellema pump than other electric pumps, which means more time spent on washing and sterilising.

  • Price Point ★★★★★
  • Efficiency ★★★☆☆
  • Ease of Use ★★★☆☆
  • Portability ★★★★☆

Price From $189.42 (+ $27.19 Delivery)
Purchase Click here

7. Medela Freestyle Double Electric Breast Pump

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A post shared by Official Medela Singapore (@medela_sg)

Fitting in the palm of your hand, this petite but powerful pump is perfect for mums who express daily. It is also super portable, making it a great and efficient choice for working mums who need to pump in the workplace.

What we love: We adore how compact this electric breast pump is. Its lightweight and portable design makes it a breeze to bring about anywhere. In addition, despite its compact size, mums have reported that this pump is well-built and powerful. Finally, we also love that this pump can be operated via a rechargeable battery so there’s no need to hunt for a plug outlet. 

Considerations: While the Medela Freestyle Double Electric Breast Pump may be compact and discreet, it is not quiet. It is also a little slower than other electric pumps, so if you are looking to express quickly, a more efficient pump may suit you better. This pump is also relatively costly, and may not be suitable for mums on a budget.

  • Price Point ★☆☆☆☆
  • Efficiency ★★★★☆
  • Ease of Use ★★★★☆
  • Portability ★★★★☆

Price From $599.00
Purchase Click here

MANUAL PUMPS

Image: Ardalan Hamedani on Unsplash

Manual breast pumps are great for Mums who are often with their babies (and hence can simply let Baby latch on to breastfeed). They’re lightweight and extremely portable. While some mums have a misconception that manual pumps aren’t “strong enough”, there are mums actually express more milk when pumping manually! With a manual breast pump, you’ll also be in full control of the speed at which you express.

8. Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump

Lightweight and easy to use, this manual pump comes with an ergonomic twist handle so your fingers and hands don’t cramp up. This pump also features Medela’s 2-Phase Expression Technology, mimicking the natural stimulation and expression phases of breastfeeding.

What we love: The Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump’s intuitive design makes it oh-so-easy to use. Assembly is a breeze and we especially like how discreet it is. It’s so quiet, you can pump while Baby’s napping. It’s also lightweight and portable; just throw it in a bag and head out the door! If you’re using other products from Medela, you’ll also love how it is compatible with the full range.

Considerations: While the Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump is easy to use, it won’t be suitable for mums who need to express often. It can get tiring after pumping for just one session! It’s also a rather slow process, so busy mums might find it inefficient. While most mums give positive reviews of this breast pump, some find that it lacks the suction they desire. Cleaning it isn’t difficult, but extra care needs to be taken as the delicate membranes can break easily!

  • Price Point ★★★☆☆
  • Efficiency ★★☆☆☆
  • Ease of Use ★★★★☆
  • Portability ★★★★★

Price From $69.90
Purchase Click here

9. Philips Avent Manual Breast Pump

The Philips Avent Manual Breast Pump has long been the go-to breast pump for breastfeeding mums in Singapore. They find this pump an easy to use, and a convenient way to express occasionally. This portable breast pump is also great for on-the-go use. It has few parts and a super intuitive design, making for easy use and clean up.

What we love: The Philips Avent Manual Breast Pump scores big points with its “relaxing position” feature. Many breast pumps require mums to lean forward while pumping, and this can be tough on the back, especially after you’ve just given birth. This pump allows you to sit back and relax even while expressing. It’s also ergonomically shaped, minimising the chances of your hands cramping as you pump. Busy mums will also love that it has few parts, and is easy to clean and assemble.

Considerations: While the Philips Avent Manual Breast Pump scores big with portability, it’s not great for mums who need to express more in a shorter time. Mums have also reported slight leakage when using this pump, so do ensure a proper breast-to-pump seal before expressing. Also, some of the milk may collect under the massage cushion — not ideal for mums who wish to save every precious drop!

  • Price Point ★★☆☆☆
  • Efficiency ★★★☆☆
  • Ease of Use ★★★★☆
  • Portability ★★★★☆

Price From $99.00
Purchase Click here

10. Hegen PCTO Manual Breast Pump Module

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A post shared by Hegen | Cherish Nature’s Gift (@hegen)

If you are already using Hegen accessories, the Hegen PCTO Manual Breast Pump Module will fit all your other Hegen parts perfectly, ensuring seamless pumping, feeding, and storing.

What we love: As with other manual breast pumps, we like that the Hegen PCTO Manual Breast Pump is lightweight and portable. Designed to be compact, you can even use it easily with one hand. Mums who like to express one side while latching on at the other side will find this feature especially helpful.

Considerations: If you don’t fit Hegen’s standard 24mm breast shield, there aren’t any other options. The Hegen PCTO Breast Pump Module also doesn’t come with a bottle, so you’ll have to purchase these items separately, making it one of the costlier manual pumps in the market.

  • Price Point ★★☆☆☆
  • Efficiency ★★★☆☆
  • Ease of Use ★★★☆☆
  • Portability ★★★★☆

Price From $70.00 (module only)
Purchase Click here

11. Haakaa Manual Breast Pump

Forget large, complicated breast pumps! The Haakaa Manual Breast Pump is one of the easiest breast pumps to use. Made from 100% medical grade silicone, this one-piece pump is great for Mums who prefer simplicity. Simply attach the silicone pump and let it do all the work!

What we love: This breast pump stands out with the fact that it requires zero effort. Simply suction it to your breast, and it’ll do all the work. You don’t even have to repeatedly pump it to draw milk out! We also love that this pump only has one component. Less cleaning is always a plus point! Made from 100% medical grade silicone, it’s also super soft and comfortable to use.

Considerations: If you’re looking for a quick, efficient pump, this may not be for you. Some mums say they need to squeeze the base of the pump for a little bit before they can get a good flow. It’s also said to work better while your baby is sucking on the other breast. Mums have also reported that because of its narrow base, milk may spill if you don’t transfer it to a bottle immediately.

  • Price Point ★★★★★
  • Efficiency ★★★☆☆
  • Ease of Use ★★★★☆
  • Portability ★★★★★

Price From $29.90
Purchase Click here

Which breast pump will work best for you?

We know how important breast pumps are to breastfeeding mums, and getting the right one can be a challenge. With this guide, we hope that you’ll be able to pick the right breast pump for your needs. Be it a manual breast pump or an electric one, it’s important for every mum to buy according to her body’s needs and preferences. Happy milking!

Featured image: Deon Black on Unsplash

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11 Best Breast Pumps for Breastfeeding Mums in Singapore