Pumping breast milk can be difficult, so having the best breast pump Australia offers is a must if you want to make your journey easier. I remember how much I struggled with pumping and I really want you to succeed.
There are heaps of candidates for the best-rated breast pump, it’s just a matter of knowing what to look for. If you’re not completely sure which one to go for then you’re in the right place because this is a complete guide to the best breast pumps, Australia.
In this guide, I not only take you through what to consider when buying a top-rated breast pump but will also share in-depth reviews of some of the best breast pump brands. So, whether you’re looking for the best electric breast pump Australia offers, the best manual breast pump Australia, or something else, we’re sure to have it right here.
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Contents
- 1 Why Use a Breast Pump?
- 2 Our Pick for the Best Breast Pump, Australia 2023
- 3 Best Breast Pump, 2023, Comparison Chart
- 4 Breast Pump Reviews, Australia
- 4.1 Best Manual Breast Pump, Australia: Haakaa Gen 3
- 4.2 Tommee Tippee Manual
- 4.3 Medela Manual Pump
- 4.4 Best Electric Breast Pump, Australia: Medela Swing Single Electric
- 4.5 Philips Avent Single
- 4.6 Tommee Tippee Electric
- 4.7 NUK Single Electric
- 4.8 Best Hospital Grade Breast Pump: Spectra S1 Hospital Grade
- 4.9 Spectra M1 Portable
- 4.10 Best Double Breast Pump: Medela Freestyle Double
- 5 Which Type of Breast Pump is Right for you?
- 6 What to Consider When Looking for a Breast Pump
- 7 FAQs
- 8 Recap of Our Favourites
Why Use a Breast Pump?
Every mother can benefit from a breast pump whether they are planning on staying at home with their baby or go back to work. Here are some top reasons why you should use a breast pump:
- Having a supply of extra milk in the freezer.
- To increase your milk supply.
- If your baby refuses to latch on you can still use a breast pump to get milk into them through a bottle or sippy cup.
Our Pick for the Best Breast Pump, Australia 2023
Medela Swing Single Electric: The Medela Swing Single Electric breast pump is our pick for the best breast pump Medela or any other brand for that matter, makes due to the soft and moldable breast shields that can turn 360 degrees, portability of the unit, and variety of pumping levels you can choose from. It is also quiet and discreet so that everyone in the house or office doesn’t hear you pump and leaves you in peace to concentrate on getting the job done.
Best Breast Pump, 2023, Comparison Chart
Here’s a quick comparison of all the top breast pumps in this article. Keep reading for my in-depth breast pump reviews, Australia, below.
| Product | Image | Type | Material | Capacity | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haakaa Gen 3 | | Manual | 100% food- grade silicone | 160 ml or 250ml | 4.6/5 | Check Price! |
| Tommee Tippee |  | Manual | 100% BPA free silicone | 150 ml | 4.6/5 | Check Price! |
| Medela Pump | | Manual | Polypropylene | 150 ml | 4.7/5 | Check Price! |
| Medela Swing Single |  | Electric | Polypropylene, Silicone, Nylon & Thermoplastic Elastomer | 150 ml | 4.9/5 | Check Price! |
| Philips Avent Single | | Electric | Polypropylene, Silicone, BPA free | 118 ml | 4.7/5 | Check Price! |
| Tommee Tippee |  | Electric | Soft Silicone | 150 ml | 4.4/5 | Check Price! |
| NUK Single | | Electric | Soft Silicone | 150 ml | 4.3/5 | Check Price! |
| Spectra S1 Hospital Grade |  | Electric | BPA Free Materials | 160 ml | 4.8/5 | Check Price! |
| Spectra M1 Portable |  | Electric | BPA Free Materials | 160 ml | 4.8/5 | Check Price! |
| Medela Freestyle Double | | Electric | BPA Free Materials | 150 ml | 4.7/5 | Check Price! |
Breast Pump Reviews, Australia
Here are some of our top picks for the best breast pumps in Australia!
Best Manual Breast Pump, Australia: Haakaa Gen 3
Specifications
- Type: Manual
- Material: 100% food-grade silicone
- Capacity: Available in 160 ml and 250 ml
The Haakka Gen 3 is a cheap breast pump that’s unique because it doesn’t use a handle! Instead, the pumping flanges fold back to attach to the breast and you squeeze the bottle to create suction and collect milk. It’s an easy and unobtrusive way to feed your baby or collect milk wherever you are.
I’ve used the Haakaa myself and it was super simple and I managed to pump a surprising amount of milk. My favourite way to use it wasn’t actually to pump milk though. While breastfeeding I would attach it to the opposite breast to catch letdown and leakage that would otherwise be soaked up by a breast pad. On one occasion, I managed to collect 120ml from one side! I couldn’t believe that I had been essentially wasting that milk before I got the Haakaa.
What we love
- Complete feeding system with pump and bottle
- Pump directly into the bottle
- Dual anti-colic vents in bottle teats
- Small and light enough for travel
- Dishwasher and microwave safe
- Compatible with all gen 3 attachments
What we don’t love
- None. Must have!
>>>Click here to check price on Amazon<<<
Tommee Tippee Manual
Specifications
- Type: Manual
- Material: 100% BPA free silicone
- Capacity: 150 ml
The Tommee Tippee Manual breast pump is a reasonably priced choice for breastfeeding mums that need to occasionally pump to either relieve engorgement or build up a milk supply.
It uses a handle that attaches to a soft silicone breast cup that is ergonomically designed to fit a woman’s hands, translating to less strain over time.
This pump is light and portable enough to fit in your purse or nappy bag. You can even screw on a breast pump storage bag instead of a bottle and pump right into it, saving you the trouble of trying to pour milk from a bottle into a bag and potentially tipping the bag over and spilling it. They say don’t cry over spilled milk, but trust me I definitely have over tipped a bag of hard-earned breast milk!
What we love
- Complete feeding system (bottle/teat included)
- Includes pump, bottle, steriliser, storage lid, and breast pads
- Small and light enough for travel
- Dishwasher and microwave safe
- The pump comes apart into 3 small pieces
What we don’t love
- Not so great suction
>>>Click here to check price on Amazon<<<
Medela Manual Pump
Specifications
- Type: Manual
- Material: Polypropylene
- Capacity: 150 ml
The Medela Manual Pump features a two-phase hand pump that mimics a baby’s natural sucking pattern. I honestly think Medela is the best brand of breast pumps.
The handle itself has two pressing points: a smaller one on the top and a larger one at the end of the lever. Press the top part quickly to begin and encourage let down, then use the end of the lever in rhythmic squeezes to collect the milk once it’s let down.
The Medela Manual Pump is light and portable and a great tool to have. The price tag is in the range of the Haakaa Gen 3 pump, making it a slightly more expensive manual pump than others but again well-worth it due to the two-phase technology.
What we love
- Includes stand to prevent spills
- Small and light enough for travel
- Dishwasher and microwave safe
- 2 phase pump mimics natural sucking
What we don’t love
- None. Highly recommended!
>>>Click here to check price on Amazon<<<
Best Electric Breast Pump, Australia: Medela Swing Single Electric
Specifications
- Type: Electric
- Material: Polypropylene, Silicone, Nylon and Thermoplastic Elastomer
- Capacity: 150 ml
The Medela Swing Single Electric pump is the best Medela breast pump for a few reasons. For one, the motor is a small circular unit that can fit anywhere and operate either on batteries or an adaptor. The buttons illuminate for those nighttime feeds and the motor’s vacuum settings mimic the two-phase nursing pattern of a baby.
Another great reason the Medela Swing Single Electric pump is the best Medela breast pump is that the PersonalFit Flex breast shields swing 360 degrees! This innovative feature makes it very easy to pump in any position. The breast shields are unique as well – they have a soft rim and a wide opening angle which reduces pressure on your chest and collects more milk than a traditional shield.
I personally used the Medela swing single for about 3 years. I got it when my first daughter was a newborn and it proved invaluable when I had to go back to work. Then when my second was born two years later, it still worked perfectly! It’s quiet, efficient, easy to use, and well worth the money.
What we love
- 4 illuminated buttons for easy use
- Powered by batteries or wall socket
- Includes stand to prevent spills
- All parts are BPA free
- Small, discreet, and light enough for travel
- Pump/bottle parts are dishwasher safe
- 2 phase suction mimics natural feeding
What we don’t love
- Nothing. I personally love this!
>>>Click here to check price on Amazon<<<
Philips Avent Single
Specifications
- Type: Electric
- Material: Polypropylene, Silicone, BPA free
- Capacity: 150 ml
The Philips Avent Single electric breast pump is designed to be used while sitting comfortably in a chair and is angled to collect milk so that you don’t have to lean over. The breast shields are super soft and feature petal cushion massage pads for ultimate comfort.
The pump motor is a nice size that doesn’t take up the entire side table and has illuminated buttons for at night. When turned on, the pump starts in gentle stimulation mode to get the milk flowing and then has three pumping settings to choose from. It’s a closed system unit so no bacteria will contaminate milk as long as you keep the parts clean.
The accompanying bottle has a wide breast-shaped nipple that mimics a natural latch, a great feature for babies that will be both breast and bottle-fed.
What we love
- Complete feeding system (bottle/teat included)
- 4 pump settings
- Massage cushion inside breast shield
- Pump/bottle parts are dishwasher safe
- Designed to let you pump in a reclined position
What we don’t love
- Some reviews said it doesn’t work well and didn’t last long
>>>Click here to check price on Amazon<<<
Tommee Tippee Electric
Specifications
- Type: Electric
- Material: Soft Silicone
- Capacity: 150 ml
The Tommee Tippee Electric breast pump is the most reasonably-priced breast pump with some of the same features that make the Medela Swing electric pump so great, such as the size and shape of the pump. The Tommee Tippee pump is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand making it extremely portable and non-conspicuous. It can be powered by batteries or an adaptor and has four pumping settings. However, unlike the Medela Swing pump, the breast flanges are fixed in one position.
The Tommee Tippee electric breast pump also comes apart in three dishwasher-friendly parts making it easy to clean and sterilize. The flanges, although fixed in position, are made of comfortable silicone and are gentle on breasts.
The bottle the pump comes with is one of Tommee Tippee’s Closer to Nature bottles with a silicone teat designed to mimic the breast. I use them with my baby and love them – read more about them and our other favourite baby bottles here.
What we love
- Soft silicone shield
- Battery or mains operated
- Includes pump, bottle, steriliser box, and breast pads
- Small, discreet, and light enough for travel
- Pump/bottle parts are dishwasher safe
What we don’t love
- Some said it’s noisy and if you move around a lot, suction tube can pop off
>>>Click here to check price on Amazon<<<
NUK Single Electric
Specifications
- Type: Electric
- Material: Soft Silicone
- Capacity: 150 ml
The NUK Single Electric breast pump is unique in that the pump has up to 16 customisable settings! These are a combination of four suction strengths and rhythms. Once you find a combination that works great for you, you can save it and use it again whenever you want.
It’s slightly larger than the Tommee Tippee and Medela Swing pump but has the same oval shape that fits comfortably in your hand. It has an LED-backlit display that automatically adjusts depending on how dark or light it is and can be powered by the external power bank or mains plug. The silicone flanges have a narrow neck and an arched shape designed to comfortably fit breasts without having to bend over.
What’s also great about this pump is the accompanying bottle and nipple set. NUK bottles have a special anti-colic design that minimises the swallowing of air and keeps the teat from collapsing.
What we love
- 16 customisable settings
- Mains or external power bank
- Includes pump, bottle, slow flow teat, and power bank
- LED-backlit display
- Pump/bottle parts are dishwasher safe
What we don’t love
- Poor suction and it hurts
>>>Click here to check price on Amazon<<<
Best Hospital Grade Breast Pump: Spectra S1 Hospital Grade
Specifications
- Type: Electric
- Material: BPA Free Materials
- Capacity: 160 ml
The Spectra S1 Hospital Grade pump is a double pump that’s hospital-grade and seriously powerful. The higher price tag reflects that, but it comes with all the bells and whistles you’ll want if you are going to do a lot of pumping.
The pump is actually very cute (it looks like a friendly round robot) and has a built-in nightlight and handle if you need to carry it somewhere. It has an inbuilt rechargeable battery that lasts up to three hours per charge and a powerful yet quiet motor. There are lots of customizable pumping settings that the pump memorizes for you for quick reference and even a timer so you can see how long you’ve been pumping.
Like most electric pumps, the Spectra S1 is a closed system for ultimate hygienic safety. The breast flanges are made of standard silicone and designed in a fixed position that works well for most mums.
What we love
- Powerful hospital grade double pump
- Complete feeding system
- Includes 2 pumps & 2 bottles with slow flow teats
- Rechargeable battery lasts 3 hours
- Built-in night light
- Ergonomic handle for easy carrying
- Pump/bottle parts are dishwasher safe
What we don’t love
- None. Great investment!
>>>Click here to check price on Spectra<<<
Take a look at this full Spectra S1 review for more info!
Spectra M1 Portable
Specifications
- Type: Electric
- Material: BPA Free Materials
- Capacity: 160 ml
The Spectra M1 Portable electric pump is the little sister to its heftier hospital-grade sibling with a lot of the same settings of the hospital-grade version such as the inbuilt rechargeable battery variety of suction and rhythm settings. The Spectra M1 portable can also be used as a double pump if needed.
Like all Spectra breast pumps, the Spectra M1 Portable pump is a closed-system unit. The buttons on the pump are backlit and simple, making it easy to use. The breast flanges are the same as the hospital grade counterpart.
The bottle the pump comes with has a slow flow of soft teat especially designed for newborns. Overall the Spectra M1 Portable is quiet, efficient, and portable enough to be carried around if needed.
What we love
- Converts easily to a double pump
- Complete feeding system
- Includes pump & bottle with slow flow teat
- Built-in rechargeable battery
- Pump/bottle parts are dishwasher safe
What we don’t love
- None! Can’t fault this.
>>>Click here to check price on Spectra<<<
Best Double Breast Pump: Medela Freestyle Double
Specifications
- Type: Electric
- Material: Soft Silicone
- Capacity: 150 ml
The Medela Freestyle Double electric breast pump can fit in your hand and looks more like a Tamagotchi than a breast pump. The display is very simple with only four buttons but has 9 customizable and programmable pumping and rhythm settings. This is a great pump for moms who need to pump often throughout the day and want to take it with them anywhere as it has a rechargeable battery.
The Medela Freestyle Double pump can also be used as a single pump if needed. It has a timer and 2 phase expression technology. Like the Medela Swing Single pump, the motor is not a standalone stand so the bottles come with little stands to sit in and the pump is a closed system unit.
This huge set includes the pump, 4 x bottles, 2 x stands 2 x breast shields, rechargeable battery, cooler bag, cooling element, 4 x disposable nursing pads.
What we love
- 4 illuminated buttons for easy use
- 9 customisable settings
- Includes stand to prevent spills
- All parts are BPA free
- Small, discreet, and light enough for travel
- Pump/bottle parts are dishwasher safe
- 2 phase suction mimics natural feeding
What we don’t love
- Battery is faulty
Which Type of Breast Pump is Right for you?
So, what is the best breast pump? Some factors to consider when choosing what type of breast pump is right for you are cost, manual vs electric, and portability.
Sometimes it’s beneficial to have two different types of pumps for different situations. You might want an electric pump for your main pumping station at home or at work, and a small manual one for your purse for those times when you are out and about.
Electric Breast Pumps
Electric breast pumps are the most efficient way to get the most milk for your baby. Some of the big benefits of an electric breast pump are efficiency, volume, and comfort. A negative is that they can be loud and heavy so they are not always the most discreet way to pump.
It’s important to note the difference between a personal-use and a hospital-grade pump. A personal-use pump has a weaker motor than a hospital-grade pump. They are less expensive, lighter, and easier to carry if needed.
Hospital-grade pumps have a much stronger motor and are generally more robust translating to a much higher price tag if you wanted to buy one. There is sometimes the option to rent hospital-grade pumps if you need a boost at the beginning of your breastfeeding journey to help establish a strong milk supply and then go down to a personal use pump.
Manual Breast Pumps
The best hand-held breast pumps are the ones that are portable, comfortable, and easy to clean. Manual breast pumps do not have a motor and therefore do not require an outlet or battery pack to use. The best portable breast pump is one that you can take apart easily and store anywhere.
A con about a manual breast pump versus an electric one is that they take more physical effort to use, as you have to pump a lever up and down or squeeze to get milk out. However, this is not a big deal if you are using a manual breast pump as your auxiliary unit and not your main one.
What to Consider When Looking for a Breast Pump
There are some factors to consider when looking for the best breast pump for you personally. Manual or electric? Do you need a single or double? What is the ease of use? Will it be comfortable for you? Is it easy to clean? The top-rated breast pumps are meant to make your life easier, not more difficult.
Single or Double?
A single breast pump is meant to be used one breast at a time. A double breast pump is designed to be used on both breasts simultaneously. A single breast pump is a great choice for someone who will mostly breast-feed. Single pumps are less expensive than the double breast pumps and still give you the ability to build up a milk supply.
The best double breast pumps cost more than a single breast pump but are the best choice for moms who are looking to mostly bottle-feed with breast milk and need to have a large supply of breast milk. The best double breast pumps are more efficient as you are pumping two breasts at the same time instead of one, and the milk produced pumping simultaneously has even been proven to have a higher cream content versus just pumping one breast at a time.
Ease of Use
When thinking about ease-of-use, consider how easy it would be to clean the parts, the quality of the customer service, and the different power supplies the unit can use. For instance, make sure the electric pump you choose has portable power accessories.
The quality of the customer service is key as well – breast pumps can be confusing the first few times you use them no matter how good the manual is. Can you call them? Email them? Instant message them? These are questions you can ask.
Comfort
Comfort may be the most important factor when looking at what type of breast pump to buy, especially if you’re exclusively pumping. I highly recommend looking for a unit with flexible breast shields that mould to your breast as you pump. I had a pump with hard shields when I was breastfeeding my daughter and it was extremely uncomfortable.
Another thing to think about is suction speeds. Finding a pump with two-phase speeds that mimics the natural pattern of a breastfeeding baby (quickly at first to encourage let down and then slower and deeper to draw out the milk) is much more gentle on your breasts than using a pump with limited speeds and suction.
Ease of Cleaning
Ease of cleaning is important because feeding a baby is complicated enough! You need a pump that can be taken apart in just a few steps and not made of a ton of parts. If your pump is hard to take apart then you will never want to clean it.
A breast pump must be cleaned regularly so that mold or bacteria doesn’t build up in the tubes, the bottles, or the motor itself- potentially making your baby very sick. Your breast pump must be easy to clean for both your sanity and your baby’s health.
FAQs
Do breast pump parts need to be sterilised?
I recommend sterilising your breast pump parts at least every other day – ideally every day if you can manage it. Luckily almost all breast pump parts are dishwasher safe and some come with sterilization boxes you can put in the microwave if you don’t have a dishwasher.
How do you clean breast pump tubing?
Use a micropipette with warm soap and water to clean out milk residue and let it air dry. If your pump kit doesn’t come with one then they are easy and cheap to order on Amazon. You can usually put most breast pump parts in a bottle steriliser when needed.
How long can pumped breast milk be left out?
According to the Mayo Clinic, freshly expressed breast milk can be kept at room temperature for up to six hours.
Recap of Our Favourites
| Product | Image | Type | Material | Capacity | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haakaa Gen 3 | | Manual | 100% food- grade silicone | 160 ml or 250ml | 4.6/5 | Check Price! |
| Tommee Tippee | | Manual | 100% BPA free silicone | 150 ml | 4.6/5 | Check Price! |
| Medela Pump | | Manual | Polypropylene | 150 ml | 4.7/5 | Check Price! |
| Medela Swing Single | | Electric | Polypropylene, Silicone, Nylon & Thermoplastic Elastomer | 150 ml | 4.9/5 | Check Price! |
| Philips Avent Single | | Electric | Polypropylene, Silicone, BPA free | 118 ml | 4.7/5 | Check Price! |
| Tommee Tippee | | Electric | Soft Silicone | 150 ml | 4.4/5 | Check Price! |
| NUK Single | | Electric | Soft Silicone | 150 ml | 4.3/5 | Check Price! |
| Spectra S1 Hospital Grade | | Electric | BPA Free Materials | 160 ml | 4.8/5 | Check Price! |
| Spectra M1 Portable | | Electric | BPA Free Materials | 160 ml | 4.8/5 | Check Price! |
| Medela Freestyle Double | | Electric | BPA Free Materials | 150 ml | 4.7/5 | Check Price! |
To complete your baby’s needs, check out my ultimate guide to buying the best diaper cream next.
