Keen to share the feeding load but overwhelmed with where to start? We've got you covered. 

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Keen to share the feeding load but overwhelmed with where to start? We've got you covered with these pumps which are quiet, discreet and won't make you feel like a milking machine. 

There are so many things to consider when you have a new baby, but front and centre of many mums' minds is how they will feed them. Whatever you choose - breast, bottle or a combination of both - is awesome and entirely up to you, but even if you've chosen to breastfeed, it's still not a bad idea to think about getting a pump.

Not only are they a great backup option if you're having any trouble getting your bub to latch or if you're struggling with sore nipples or the dreaded mastitis, they're also really wonderful for letting those around you help share the load, as exclusive breastfeeding 24/7 can be mentally and physically exhausting. I personally mix-fed my son breast milk and formula since day one, and while I didn't use my pump every day, I loved knowing it was an option for giving myself a break. 

There are lots of different options when it comes to breast pumps. We're rounding up the best ones on the market, below. 

Medela Swing Flex Electric breast pump, $196.93 at Amazon NUK Nature Sense Single Electric Breast Pump $299 at Baby Bunting Philips AVENT Electric Breast Pump, $229.49 at Amazon

Avent Double Electric Comfort Breast Pump, $399.95 at Amazon Medela Freestyle Flex Double Electric Breast Pump, $519 at Baby Bunting Pigeon Go Mini Double Electric Breast Pump, $324 at Baby Bunting Elvie Pump Double Silent Wearable Breast Pump, $733.05 + $22.03 delivery at Amazon

LT Portable Hand Pump, $17.95 at Amazon haakaa Silicone Breast Pump, $37.20 at Amazon NatureBond Silicone Breastfeeding Manual Breast Pump, $16.99 at Amazon Medela Harmony Essential Pack Manual Breast Pump, $79.95 at Baby Bunting

Unimom Forte Hospital Grade Double Electric Breast Pump Spectra S1 Plus Hospital Grade Double Electric Breast Pump, $274 + $27.47 delivery from Amazon Hospital Grade Automatic Breast Pump with Dual Motor System, $409.50 at Dick Smith

A single electric pump is a great option if you're looking for an affordable, everyday option to supplement your regular feeding. 

This is an updated version of the breast pump I used with my son four years ago and for me, it worked a dream. I used it probably once a day for the first six months of his life, and this was all I needed, to give others a chance to feed him on occasion and to give myself a break. It is small, compact and lightweight, perfect for travel or pumping on the go, and is battery operated or can be used with mains power. This pack comes with one oval PersonalFit Flex breast shield which has a soft and flexible edge to perfectly adapt to any breast. 

With 16 different programmes varying in rhythm and suction strength, along with a memory function to set your favourite program, this pump is powerful and adaptable with a USB rechargeable battery, a soft silicone breast shield and a handy carry strap. 

"I have had a NUK breast pump previously and nothing compares... Love that it charges by USB, it’s various settings are perfect for customisation, it’s quiet and I can’t fault anything about it. The best breast pump I’ve ever had," raves one mum. 

This pump has a unique design that allows your milk to flow directly into the bottle even while you are sitting up straight or laying flat - whatever is most comfortable. The suction cup has a soft massage cushion with massaging petals that helps to mimic a baby suckling and stimulate let down. It's super quiet and discrete and can be used with batteries or connected to mains power.

If you're planning on doing a fair amount of pumping, either because you're going back to work or because you want to share the load with your partner, a double breast pump is a great investment. They are definitely more expensive, but they are also massive time savers, allowing you to pump a massive amount in a short period of time. 

The same as AVENT's single pump, (above) but with double the capacity and gets the job done in half the time. "I am absolutely in love with it," one reviewer writes. "I used to only get 30mls out of my left side but with this pump, I get 80-120mls each time I pump. It's been amazing!"

This pack is pretty much the ultimate when it comes to everything you need to breastfeed your baby. Not only does it give you a double electric pump (with the same patented BreastShield as on the single) but it also comes with a carry bag, ice pack, bottles and different sized shields. It has an average of 4.5/5 star reviews and people agree there is a lot to love about this pump.  "Definitely worth the investment for all of its amazing modern features, comfy breast shields & easy of pumping on the go. I’ve used other pumps and this is a far superior compact product which took some of the stress out of breastfeeding."

One of the more affordable double pumps on the market, there is still a lot to like about this model from Pigeon. It is compact and lightweight - not much bigger than a mobile phone - and is easily switched between stimulation and expression mode, and powered by a USB. Plenty of mums absolutely love it and really enjoy the fact that is so compact. "It’s small but really effective. From the beginning I got same amount of milk compared to the hospital’s monster pump. Suction is strong and the massage mode stimulates milk quickly." 

This electric breast pump is pretty revolutionary in that it is completely hands-free, sitting inside your bra and pumping while you go about your day. It's silent, small and lightweight, with zero cords and attachments, so in theory, you could be wandering around the grocery store pumping and no one would know. It also comes with an app so you can track your feeding and pumping throughout the day. It's only available via overseas stockists, but the shipping isn't too hefty, so if you're after a truly unique pump for your busy mum-life, this is worth considering. 

If you plan to pump purely to supplement your regularly feeding schedule, you can definitely get away with a manual breast pump. These are super affordable and great to have simply as an additional pump for when you need to pump on the go or in a hurry.

Small and lightweight, this pump has a specially-designed ergonomic handle that makes pumping easier, reducing hand and wrist fatigue. "Easy to use and clean, pumps out milk very well. Worth the price," writes one reviewer. 

Highly rated on Amazon, this pump is small and compact, made from 100 percent BPA free silicone and comes with its own leakproof cap. "It took me awhile to get the hang of it," writes one mum, "but I'm now a big fan. Lots of milk always at hand for top ups without actually having to take out the time and energy to pump manually (and wash countless parts). It’s discreet (silent) and is portable enough to use anywhere and everywhere! And it’s a breeze to clean up! And you just can’t go wrong with the price. This has to be one of my favourite purchases of all time!"

With over 100 reviews and a 4.5/5 star rating, this is Amazon's choice when it comes to manual pumps and - for the price - it seems like an amazing buy. This model has a Patented Pump Strap to hold your pump and a silicone stopper, a dust cover lid and comes with a velvet pouch for carrying. "I was a skeptic but ordered this pump to keep in my handbag for emergencies," wrote one mum, adding, "I’m actually gobsmacked by how good and effective it is at pumping in quite a short space of time."

Medela's manual pump comes with a pack containing all you'll need to get started. It includes one silicone teat, four milk storage bags, four super soft nursing pads and one express, store and feed bottle. It's compact and easy to clean and if you're already someone who loves the Medela range, it's a great addition to your feeding kit for on-the-go pumping. "Great for travel, work and anywhere," says one mum. "No power supply needed. Very quiet and comfortable."

If you are planning on pumping a lot, if you have multiples or if your bub is born premature, you may require a heavy-duty pump. Hospital grade pumps are always available in hospital after you have your baby, but they can also be rented once you go home from hospitals and pharmacies. They are the most powerful pump you can buy and are great for getting your supply going, and while they can be super expensive, there are a few great options you can use at home. 

This pump has a hospital-grade motor but is designed for use in the home for those mums who plan to exclusively pump. It mimics the natural rhythm of a baby's suckling and is made from soft, food-grade bpa free silicone. It also has an adjustable vacuum for a wider variety of suction levels. 

This one will have to be bought from overseas but the shipping is relatively cheap, and for a top-rated breast pump, it's a very good buy. (Just consider that you may need an adaptor to plug it in). This hospital grade breast pump is super quiet and has a built-in night-light so you can pump easily at all times of the day or night. With a varying suction and cycle it also has a built-in massage and letdown mode. It comes with two 28mm breast shields, a battery that lasts for three hours on a full charge and two collection bottles.  

"This has been the most amazing product. I'm so happy I got it and this is so much cheaper than if I'd gone through the Australian spectra site - like $100 cheaper," writes one reviewer. 

This pretty fancy, hospital-grade pump features an LCD touch screen to make it easy to pump any time of the day, even late at night. You can create and save custom settings based on suction and cycle speed and it features both massage and expression modes - which can be calibrated individually, so you can be expressing on one side and massaging on the other (which to me, sounds pretty cool!) It's not exactly portable (hospital-grade pumps aren't known for portability) but it can be run for up to two hours off a charged battery, so you can take it with you and use it on the go if you need to. 

The main thing you should be considering is how and when you plan to use it. If you're commuting or needing to be pumping at work, you likely want a pump that is lightweight and quiet. If you're after a pump you can use on the go, you may want something that is hands- free. If you're just looking for something to use occasionally when you need a break, you would probably be fine with a manual pump. 

You also want to consider whether the pump is open or closed system. A closed system pump simply has a barrier between the pump parts (so the breast shield, valves, bottles etc) which blocks breast milk or moisture from the pump from reaching the motor. It certainly makes it more hygenic, but it can make it harder to clean. Most electric pumps these days (certainly hospital-grade pumps) are closed system, but if you're buying a pump new and not planning on selling it or using it on a second baby, it doesn't matter too much if it's open system. Always check what each individual pump says, however, as they will definitely specify. 

No, you don't necessarily need a breast pump if you are planning to exclusively breastfeed, but many breastfeeding mums find that the pump is incredibly handy at increasing their supply in those early days. Breastfeeding operates as a supply-and-demand kinda thing, so the more you feed (or pump) the more your body will make. 

You might also find that you simply need a break - trust me, it happens to everyone - and being able to pump means you can leave your partner or another caregiver to take some of the late night feeds, or allow you some much-needed time off during the day. 

It can definitely be overwhelming, especially when you're buying an expensive product at a time when you're sure how much you're going to use it. My advice would be that it's good to have a breast pump - any breast pump - on hand, because chances are the time you will feel most overwhelmed or frustrated is the time you'll need it most. Better to have one, just in case. 

As to what kind you should buy? Unless you plan to really share the feeding load or you're planning to return to work soon after having your baby and you need to pump a lot of milk, you likely don't need a double pump. They are extremely convenient and if you are really someone who is keen to pump they'll make a huge difference, but they are also quite expensive. If you're only planning to pump semi-regularly, a single electric or manual pump will work fine. 

Want more baby essentials? Here are the best cots for guaranteed sweet dreams and here are the best baby teething toys for sore gums. Ready to shop? Check out our coupons page for the best steals and deals.

This article was originally published July 7, 2021 and was updated January 28, 2022.