Love Little Reviews:
THE MUMILK ELLA BREAST PUMP
As a first-time mum stepping into the world of motherhood, I've eagerly sifted through mountains of baby products, each promising to make this beautiful, albeit challenging, journey a tad easier. My name's Jenn, and alongside the new title of 'Mum,' I bring a decade's worth of experience in the baby industry to the table.
Yes, from the latest in baby tech to the softest organic onesies, I've seen (and scrutinized) it all. So, when I stumbled upon "The Ella" from Mumilk, my professional curiosity piqued, but it was my new mum heart that truly leaned in for a closer look.
A good breast pump is more than just a tool; it's a companion in your breastfeeding journey, offering flexibility, support, and sometimes even relief.
Here's a breakdown of what you need to know about breast pumps, the different types available, and how to use them effectively.
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Manual Breast Pumps
These are operated by hand and are great for occasional use. They're lightweight, portable, and relatively inexpensive. Ideal for mums who need to express milk only occasionally or as a backup to an electric pump. I used the Haakaa for both manual expressing and catching letdown during breastfeeding, and highly recommend!
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Single Electric Breast Pumps
Designed for daily use, these pumps are powered by batteries or mains electricity. They're efficient for expressing milk from one breast at a time and are a good choice for mums returning to work or needing to pump once or twice a day.
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Double Electric Breast Pumps
These allow you to pump both breasts simultaneously, cutting down pumping time in half and potentially increasing milk production. They're ideal for mums who need to express often or are building a milk stash. My pick of the bunch is the Spectra S1.
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Wearable Breast Pumps
A newer category, wearable pumps like The Ella, fit directly into your bra, allowing for hands-free operation. They combine the convenience of portability with the efficiency of an electric pump, making them perfect for busy mums on the go.
What to Look Out for
Comfort: Look for pumps with adjustable suction levels and different flange sizes to ensure a comfortable fit.
Efficiency: Consider how effective the pump is at expressing milk. Double electric and wearable pumps are usually more efficient than manual or single electric pumps.
Portability and Convenience: If you're a working mum or frequently on the move, portability will be a key factor. Wearable pumps offer unparalleled convenience for multitasking.
Ease of Cleaning/Sterilizing: To ensure hygiene, choose a pump with fewer parts to clean and that's easy to assemble and disassemble.
Durability and Warranty: A good pump is an investment. Check for warranty coverage and read reviews about the pump's longevity and customer service.
Why You May Need One
Breast pumps serve a multifaceted role in a mother's breastfeeding journey, becoming essential under various circumstances. Whether out of necessity or choice, understanding the reasons behind the need for a breast pump can help you make an informed decision on which type suits your lifestyle and needs best.
Returning to Work
For many mothers, returning to work postpartum doesn't mean they want to stop breastfeeding. A breast pump becomes an indispensable tool in this transition, enabling the continuation of breast milk feeding despite being away from the baby. It allows for the expression of milk during work hours, ensuring the baby can still benefit from breast milk's nutritional and immunological advantages, even in the mother's absence.
Supply Issues
Some mothers face challenges with milk supply, either in terms of underproduction or overproduction. A breast pump can help in both scenarios; it can stimulate milk production and increase supply through regular expression, or it can provide relief and manage symptoms for those experiencing engorgement or overproduction. Regular pumping sessions can help regulate supply to better meet the baby's needs.
Premature Babies
Parents of premature babies often rely on breast pumps during the initial stages of their baby's life. Premature infants may not have the strength or coordination to breastfeed effectively at first. Pumping allows mothers to provide their milk, rich in nutrients and antibodies, to support their baby's development and health until they can breastfeed directly.
Relief from Engorgement
Engorgement can be uncomfortable and even painful, potentially leading to complications such as blocked ducts or mastitis. A breast pump offers a way to relieve pressure and discomfort, making it easier for the baby to latch and reducing the risk of further issues.
Allowing Others to Feed the Baby
Expressing milk means that other family members can participate in feeding the baby, offering a bonding experience for them and a break for the mother. It can also be beneficial for the baby to become accustomed to bottle feeding in addition to breastfeeding, providing flexibility for the mother.
Supporting Milk Supply
Regularly using a breast pump can help maintain a robust milk supply, especially for mothers who cannot always breastfeed on demand due to work or health reasons. It mimics the baby's natural feeding patterns, encouraging continued milk production.
Flexibility and Freedom
A breast pump provides mothers with the flexibility to leave the baby with a caregiver without worrying about feeding schedules. It offers freedom for social engagements, errands, or simply taking a break, knowing their baby can still enjoy the benefits of breast milk.
Health Issues or Separation
In cases where the mother or baby faces health challenges that prevent direct breastfeeding, a breast pump ensures that the baby can continue receiving breast milk. Whether due to illness, hospitalization, or anatomical challenges like a cleft palate, pumping can bridge the gap until breastfeeding is possible.
So how does the Ella Stack up?
Ease of Use
From the moment I started using the Ella, the convenience it brought into my life was undeniable. As a first-time mum who's always on the go, the ability to multitask while pumping is a game-changer. To begin with, being able to use the Ella to help boost my supply while also getting things done around the house took a lot of stress out of the first few weeks. As time went on, and I started feeling more confident getting out and about, I started pumping to allow my husband to take on some feeds so I would run errands or take some much needed me time – another benefit was sharing some fo the overnight feeds! We were lucky that our bub was a happy mixed-feeder so had no issues swapping etween breast and bottle feeding.
I had a staggered return to work after 6 months, and the Ella was instrumental in allowing me to do this. The device is straightforward to use and surprisingly quiet, a feature I didn't realize I'd appreciate so much until I found myself taking calls without anyone being the wiser. Whether I was in the office or at home, it was easy to find time and space to express – something I couldn’t imagine doing with my Spectra (as much as I loved using it at home) which was significantly noisier and far less discrete.
Cleaning on the go has also been a breeze, thanks to its minimal parts—a stark contrast to some of the more complex setups I've used. I bought a cheap sterilizer from kmart so was able to wash and sterilize the pump parts at work and pump a couple of times a day (I used these bags to freeze the milk as I built up a stash).
Quality and Comfort
The comfort and quality of the Ella are standout features. It fits snugly inside my bra, offering a discreet and secure pumping experience that doesn't interrupt my daily routine. However, I did encounter a minor hiccup with moisture entering the USB charging port, a common challenge among us users. This issue highlighted a potential area for improvement in design. Adding a cover over the USB port could prevent such mishaps and extend the device's longevity. Despite this, the Ella remains a staple in my daily life, providing the reliability and comfort I need.
Effectiveness and Performance
The Ella has impressed me with its effectiveness. I've been able to collect significant amounts of milk in each session, rivaling what I achieved with the Spectra S1. This efficiency, coupled with its portability, means I can easily pump on the go, ensuring I always have enough milk for my baby. The comparison to other pumps I've used in the past is favourable, with the Ella holding its own in terms of output. This performance is crucial for me, especially when balancing my time between work, my baby and the million and one things I need to get done around the house every day!
The Ella has been a fantastic addition to my breastfeeding toolkit, blending seamlessly into my life without sacrificing performance or comfort. Its design and functionality represent the evolution of breast pumps towards meeting the real-world needs of modern mothers.