Traditional vs. Wearable Breast Pump: Which One Is For You?

You’re in a quandary because you’ve heard amazing things about both electric breast pumps and wearable breast pumps. Admittedly, there’s a growing demand for both types of breast pumps, but how do you know which one to choose?

Finding the best wearable breast pump or electric breast pump really boils down to your lifestyle and expectations. What do you want your breast pump to help you with? How will it seamlessly slot into your breastfeeding routine? All of these questions are answered to help you find your perfect fit and highlight moments when switching between the two can be even more beneficial for breastfeeding mums.

What Is a Traditional Electric Breast Pump?

A traditional electric breast pump typically has design features that a wearable breast pump doesn’t. Breast pump models such as Spectra, Medela, and Lola&Lykke’s Smart Electric Breast Pump are considered “traditional” electric breast pumps because of how they work and their design.

Earlier electric breast pumps have tubing which hooks up to the hospital-grade motor and breast flanges. Some also plug into the wall to power, rather than using rechargeable batteries. This is a common feature in high-spec hospital-grade pumps for mums who need to increase their breast milk supply. You can also purchase breast pump accessories to make the earlier models hands-free.

As designs have progressed, traditional electric breast pumps can now be hands-free with no tubing, cords or wires to plug into the wall. They are ideal for use at home, exclusive pumping and boosting breast milk supply.

Favourite features and benefits mums love about electric breast pumps

• Consistent suction power that mimics a baby’s feeding rhythm
• Great for mums who want to pump exclusively
• Hospital-grade strength for efficient milk removal
• Flexibility of pumping into a breast milk storage bag or a baby bottle
• Compact designs make pumps easy to clean and assemble

What Is a Wearable Breast Pump?

A wearable breast pump sits inside your bra and collects the milk. Some wearable breast pumps are an all-in-one design where the whole breast pump sits inside your bra, and others have the motor sitting on top so it is just visible above the bra line.

Wearables are a go-to breast pump for mums who need or want to pump on the go, multitasking, or returning to work. They are discreetly hidden under your clothes so you can pump wherever and whenever. Elvie, Willow, and Bloome Wearable Breast Pump are great examples.

Favourite features and benefits mums love about wearable breast pumps

• Completely hands-free so you can multitask
• Quiet motor and compact design allow you to pump discreetly
• Easily pump on the go and small enough to put in your handbag
• Hospital-grade strength you can use flexibly alongside an electric breast pump
• Customisable settings for your preferred pumping mode using an LED display

Feature-by-Feature: Electric vs. Wearable Breast Pumps

Both styles of breast pumps have their strengths and differ in their features, so there is no clear winner. It is simply down to how you want to use your breast pump to create a flexible and convenient breastfeeding and pumping schedule. These are the features you should look out for and get full clarity on before deciding on the best breast pump for you.

How Lola&Lykke Supports Different Pumping Styles

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to breastfeeding, and pumping is no exception either. At Lola&Lykke, we recognise that mums need flexible feeding solutions that fit in seamlessly with their daily routines. Whether that’s using a traditional electric breast pump, a wearable breast pump, or a combination of the two.

Smart Electric Breast Pump by Lola&Lykke

A cordless single electric breast pump that is small, yet mighty. Compact and powerful, the Smart Electric Breast Pump has won multiple awards for “Best Electric Breast Pump UK” due to its innovative design and performance. With very few parts to clean and assemble, it’s a firm favourite amongst breastfeeding mums who like the familiarity of a traditional breast pump.

Breastfeeding mum, Anna, to her 3-month-old says, “It’s quieter than any electric pump I’ve previously used. It’s powerful yet gentle and it feels more like the baby is feeding than a pump. The smart screen is fantastic for tracking battery life and remembers what settings you used previously. It has a great battery life, which is super handy.”.

Bloome Wearable Breast Pump by Lola&Lykke

Quiet, strong, and efficient, everything a mum wants in a wearable breast pump. A truly hands-free pumping experience with an all-in-one breast pump that sits snugly inside your bra. Get the best fit with three breast flange sizes and customisable pumping settings for maximum comfort. Cooking dinner? Playing with your kids? Relaxing? Whatever you’re doing, Bloome won’t stop multitasking mums from pumping.

Which Breast Pump Is Right for You?

Breastfeeding and pumping are a constantly moving piece which will change with your baby’s feeding pattern and your day-to-day lifestyle. There will be times when a traditional breast pump and a wearable breast pump have their moments to shine in your breastfeeding journey, but how can you choose what will work for you right now?

Reflect on your routine and what you expect the next few months to look like. Ask yourself which of these statements rings true for you:

• Stay-at-home parent or returning to work?
• Do you travel often or barely at all?
• First-time pumper or an experienced power pumping mum?
• Prioritise discretion over powerful performance?
• Will you pump short-term or long-term?

In any of these situations, there may be times when both types of breast pumps will work for you. Switching between the two gives mums flexibility over their pumping schedule for those days that don’t quite go to plan!

You might love an electric breast pump if...

• You pump mostly at home
• You prefer visible control of settings
• You want hospital-grade power with less movement

You might thrive with a wearable breast pump if...

• You multitask or work while pumping
• You prefer discreet, hands-free freedom
• You want the most modern design for flexibility

Tip: If you think you’ll want to use a traditional electric breast pump and a wearable breast pump, start with a reliable electric breast pump first and then add the wearable for flexibility.

Final Thoughts: The Best Breast Pump Is the One That Supports You

I wish I could say that one breast pump will see you through every single eventuality when breastfeeding and pumping, but the truth is that there is no “one right choice”. It’s about aligning your goals, expectations, body, health, and schedule so that the pump you choose for that phase fits in effortlessly.

Breast pumps are there to help mums throughout their feeding journey. The best breast pump is one that enhances your lifestyle rather than hinders it. If you’re not sure whether a wearable is the right choice for you yet, start with a smart pump like ours. You can later add on a wearable breast pump for extra freedom.

Whatever you choose, we’re here to support you.