What's the difference?
Before I start I have to make a little disclaimer – I am not a lactation consultant, but I did struggle with breastfeeding and I learnt A LOT during my journey (and considering I am a midwife and NICU nurse that should tell you something). Also, at no time am I saying that every woman needs to express – this is a personal choice. Many LC’s will say there is no need to buy a breast pump before baby arrives. I agree with this, but would add that you should know about the different types and where to get one quickly, should the need arise.
I often get asked what the difference is between the pumps that I sell/rent? I usually start by saying 2 are ‘hospital-grade’ and one is for occasional expressing. Most people then ask ‘what does hospital grade mean?’
There is no official definition of ‘hospital-grade’ but among those in the breast pump business it usually means this: a pump that is a closed system (ie no milk will get into the motor of the pump), and can therefore be shared between multiple users, and it is capable of initiating and maintaining milk supply, without the baby ever having to latch to the breast.
The Spectra® S1 and S2 meet this definition. Spectra® also class their Dew 350 as ‘hospital-grade’ but it does not have a let down function, which a lot of women need. Their 9 Plus and M1 are also a closed system pump, but are not capable of initiating, maintaining, and increasing supply. Other brands of hospital grade pumps are the Medela® Symphony, and the Ameda® Platinium*. Mamivac® (a German based company) also make hospital grade pumps.
The Spectra® S2 (the S1 is blue, but the same size)
When should a hospital grade pump be used?
They are used primarily when baby cannot directly latch to the breast. This can be because the baby is admitted to a Special Care Nursery and either cannot be fed, or their mother cannot be with them 24/7. If the mother is unwell and cannot be with her baby. If the baby has a medical condition that does not allow him or her to latch (such as a cleft lip, or cardiac condition). If the baby is not interested in feeding (and yes, that can happen). Or it can be a personal choice not to have the baby latch directly.
Another reason is to increase milk supply. The baby might be latching, but not transferring enough milk and therefore mum might not be making enough (this should be diagnosed by a Lactation Consultant). Using a hospital grade pump to express after a feed can help increase supply.
What if I have an oversupply?
I sometimes get asked “what sort of pump should I use if I have an oversupply?” I usually ask how old baby is and why exactly they want to express. The answer to the second part is usually “for relief”. My answer usually depends on the answer to the first part.
For the first 6-12 weeks milk supply can be controlled by hormones. If she has an oversupply in this time, it can lead the woman to believe that she doesn’t need to feed or express as often (or the baby does not want to feed frequently). When the hormones drop off, milk supply becomes about supply and demand. If there hasn’t been much of a ‘demand’ then her body may think it doesn’t need to make as much as it has and her supply drops dramatically. Using a non-hospital grade pump in this time may have the same effect – it hasn’t really be expressing the breast milk, but rather the milk has just been flowing out by force, and then when her supply starts to drop the pump is not ‘good enough’ to increase her supply again.
The Spectra® 9 Plus
In the last couple of months I have had a few phone calls from women who bought non-hospital grade pumps from me 2 or 3 months earlier and now that their supply has dropped the pump isn’t working for them anymore. As much as I feel for them and want to help, I have to say ‘sorry, but I can’t take back a used pump’ (I have little use for a used non-hospital grade pump, even as a rental). And so they are left feeling frustrated, and either have to buy a hospital grade pump or risk having to give up breastfeeding.
So what is my recommendation?
If you need to do a lot of expressing, you need to increase your supply, or maintain it because the baby can’t, then get a hospital grade pump.
If baby is more than 12 weeks old, is feeding well, and you need a pump for going back to work, leaving the baby for a few hours, etc then a non-hospital grade pump will probably do.
If you have an over-supply before 12weeks then the choice is up to you – a hospital grade pump will work well to relieve pressure and hopefully ensure you don’t lose any supply, but once your supply has stabilised it may not be necessary. On the other hand, getting a non-hospital grade pump before your supply has stabilised may work to relieve the excess, but if your supply drops it probably won’t be strong enough to help increase it again.
Renting a pump can help you decide which type you want long-term.
If you are struggling with breastfeeding it is really important to find a good lactation consultant and to surround yourself with people who are supportive of your decisions. And remember, some women just do not respond to breast pumps, and others just cannot make enough breastmilk regardless of what try to increase it.
As always, I am happy to answer any questions you might have. Please keep in mind that I can only rent or sell Spectra® breast pumps in Perth (if you are outside Perth please click here). All other products on the website can be posted Australia-wide.
*There may be other brands, these are the ones I have heard of.
To find out about buying or renting a Spectra® breast pump in Perth please click click here or contact me on 0405427998
