Comparison Medela Mini Electric vs Medela Swing

The type determines the general principle of operation of the breast pump and its key features.

- Electric. Breast pumps equipped with built-in motors powered by mains or batteries (see "Power"). The main advantage of such devices over mechanical ones is simplicity and ease of use. There is no need to manually pump the lever, pull the piston or squeeze the pear: mom just needs to attach the nozzle to her chest and press the power button. Among the electric models, there are very advanced devices - for example, with attachments for both breasts, two-phase intensity, and even a remote control(see "Advanced"). Yes, and the impact of such breast pumps are more delicate. The main disadvantage of electric models is the high price. It is also worth considering that the motor is quite noisy, and you need to turn it on with caution so as not to disturb the baby.

- Mechanical. Breast pumps operated by hand. There are several varieties of such devices, they are described in detail below, in the "Type" section. Here we note that the main advantages of mechanical models over electric ones are simplicity, low cost, minimum noise and independence from sockets / batteries. On the other hand, the use of a mechanical breast pump can be quite tedious, in such models it is difficult to provide additional functions such as two-phase pumping (see "Additional"), and some typ...es of "mechanics" quite intensely affect the breast, which leads to discomfort and even cracks nipples. So it is worth paying attention to this variety first of all if the breast pump should be inexpensive and quiet. In turn, mechanical is divided into categories:

- Piston. A breast pump equipped with a piston and working on the principle of a syringe: to suck milk, you need to pull the piston, creating a vacuum inside. The main advantages of piston models are compactness, simplicity, low cost and ease of cleaning and sterilization. At the same time, the use of such a device is not very convenient: you need to hold the nozzle at the chest and at the same time pull the piston with force. The mother may simply “not have enough hands” for this, and effective pumping often requires the help of another person. On the other hand, by changing the speed of the piston, it is possible to change the suction intensity.

- With a pear. The breast pump having in a design an elastic pear. Also, such models are called "pump-action". During operation, the pear must often be squeezed by hand, creating the necessary vacuum inside the device. Such devices are somewhat more convenient than piston ones; a mother can easily handle such a breast pump on her own; and they are inexpensive. At the same time, such models can hardly be called comfortable: inflating a pear can be quite a tedious task, and the efficiency and speed of pumping often leave much to be desired. In addition, pump-action breast pumps are not distinguished by delicacy; frequent use of such a device is fraught with discomfort and even nipple cracks.

- Lever. The most advanced type of mechanical breast pumps. A distinctive feature of such devices is the lever, which, when used, must be pumped, pressing the nozzle to the chest. Some devices allow you to do all this with one hand. In addition, the articulated model can be made two-phase (see "Advanced"). In general, such breast pumps are quite comfortable, and less tiring than pump pumps. Due to all this, this variety is the most popular today.

And electric (sometimes mechanical) have a different number of phases for better pumping:

- Biphasic. Two-phase breast pump: first, the device stimulates the nipple to produce milk, then pumps out the secreted milk. This way of working is considered the most natural, closest to how a baby sucks milk. Most devices with this function are electrical, but there are also mechanical models. Also note that switching between modes usually needs to be done manually.

— Two-phase. Two-phase models imitate the baby’s natural behavior when sucking the breast: first, the device “pulls” often and lightly, stimulating lactation, then with less frequency, but more strongly, when the milk has already started flowing. Modes are switched manually - so mom can independently change the settings at the most appropriate moment.

— Three-phase. Such breast pumps are essentially similar to two-phase ones (see the corresponding paragraph), however, the stages of stimulation and expression in them are supplemented by a third phase - the so-called hardening. It turns on during the final stages of breastfeeding to help clean the nipple and increase lactation.

- Intensity adjustment. The ability to adjust the intensity of exposure provided by the breast pump; roughly speaking - to change the force with which the device acts on the nipple. Such an adjustment will allow you to adjust the mode of operation to your personal characteristics: for example, if the nipples are very sensitive, the intensity can be reduced for the first time until the breast gets used to the effect.

- Display. The presence of its own display in the design of the breast pump. Only electric models have this function (see "View"). The display provides additional convenience in use, various information can be displayed on it: the exposure intensity set, the elapsed time, the fullness of the jar, the battery charge level, etc. However, these features are important mainly for advanced models with an abundance of functions; therefore, the presence of a display, as a rule, indicates a high class of the device.

- On two breasts. A breast pump with two nozzles that allows you to express milk from both breasts at once. This allows you to noticeably speed up the process: in fact, such a device takes half the time than a similar device for one breast. However, keep in mind that the nozzles, most likely, will have to be pressed with both hands, while many models for one breast allow you to leave one hand free. Note that this feature is indicated only if both nozzles are initially in...cluded in the delivery set. Models are available that allow use on both breasts, but are equipped with only one pad - they are not included in this category.

- Remote control. Remote control that allows you to control the breast pump from a distance. This function is found only in electric models (see "View"). Most often, such a "remote" is a separate unit, which contains both the control panel and the motor to create a vacuum; this block is connected by a hose to the working nozzle. Thanks to this design, when expressing milk, you do not have to hold the entire device in your hands, but only a working nozzle with a jar - this is much easier. Yes, and changing the settings on the external remote control is more convenient than on the working nozzle itself.

- Massage pad. Overlay of a special form, which provides an additional massage effect on the chest. This pad improves the overall efficiency of the device, stimulates milk flow more, and can reduce the discomfort of pumping. Note that the specific forms of massage nozzles may be different.

— Overlays of different sizes. The set includes several interchangeable pads with different sizes. This allows you to choose the size of the pad for the anatomical features of the chest. Such equipment is especially useful in cases where the mother’s breasts are noticeably different from the “average” ones - for example, if it is small, or vice versa, massive, with large nipples.

- Milk storage bag. The presence of a bag for milk in the delivery set of the device. Such a package can be hermetically fastened; it is useful primarily for storing breast milk in the refrigerator, including for freezing.

- Milk container. The presence of a container for milk in the delivery set of the device. In fact, in this case we are talking about a bottle (or several bottles) supplied in addition to the main container. This configuration is convenient in that the bottles can be alternated - for example, use one while the other dries after washing.

- Bottle adapter. The presence of an adapter fo...r bottles in the delivery set of the device. Baby milk bottles are available in two versions - with a wide and narrow neck, and various accessories are made to fit these sizes, including breast pump nozzles. The specific type of adapter may vary: in some cases it is designed to use a “narrow” nozzle with a wide bottle, in others it is vice versa. However, in any case, we can say that with the presence of an adapter, the breast pump will be compatible with both types of bottles - both narrow and wide.

- pacifier. The presence of a pacifier in the delivery set of the device. Such a nipple is convenient in that it is ideal for the bottle supplied in the kit. Thus, having bought a breast pump with a nipple and a container, you have at your disposal everything you need to feed your baby with expressed milk.

- Bag / case. The presence of a bag or cover in the delivery set of the device. A bag is commonly referred to as a soft pack with a handle or strap for easy portability; the case is somewhat simpler, it does not have a handle and is designed to be carried in a travel bag, backpack, etc. However, both types of packaging can be very useful during storage and transportation: a bag / case closes the device from dust and other contaminants, ensuring hygiene, and also protects the contents to some extent from bumps and dirt. In addition, in a bag or case you can keep not only the breast pump itself, but also additional accessories for it.

- Bra pads. Presence of inserts for a bra in a delivery set of the device. Such an insert, in fact, is a sanitary napkin designed to dry the breast after feeding or pumping. Excess milk entering the bra causes discomfort and can even lead to the development of a breast infection; the liner effectively absorbs moisture and prevents unpleasant consequences. Complete wipes can be disposable or reusable, this point should be clarified before buying. We also note that the inserts are sold on their own, however, it is more convenient to buy them immediately, together with a breast pump, than separately.