Regarding the P&S for the adoptive mother --  I do not know the answer
for this one. Therefore, I will give my professional OPINION. You might
call several manufacturers and ask for the following on all their pumps
which are capable of double pumping:  strength and expected durability
of motor (amps, etc.), levels of suction reached (this gives a ROUGH
idea only ... there is NO SET STANDARD of mmHG which works BEST), and
"cycle time" (described below).

"Effective suction" can range greatly, from session to session, woman to
woman, pump kit style to pump kit style, etc.

Suction "on" TIMES the number of seconds required to reach "effective"
suction EQUALS "cycle time".  Obviously, if a pump has a LONG cycle
time, suction will be applied, in increasing quantity, and without
release for a longer period.  Generally, this can lead to sore nipples
(think of "hickeys" here), but this can also depend on other factors,
such as the type/shape of breast tissue, how the flange interfaces with
the breast, the mother's perceived discomfort, etc.

What you are looking for -- with a HARD flange kit -- is a short cycle
time (i.e. length of time it takes to allow suction reach a level which
will allow the milk to flow from the breast).  Again, there is no
standard, and the amount of suction required can vary from session to
session, mom to mom, pump kit to pump kit, etc.   The industry tends to
measure a "cycle time" as the time it takes to reach approx. 225 mmHG
negative pressure.  With a soft flange kit, correctly applied,
pressures may exceed 300 mmHG, with no negative reports from the mother.

Thus, it is important to realize that the primary measure of a breast
pump is its effectiveness (how well it expresses the milk), and its
comfort (how it feels to the mother when she uses it). Other factors
include cost, expected durability (how quickly will it wear out or
develop some problem?), warranty, ease of transport, etc.  "Hospital
Grade" primarily refers to expected DURABILITY of the pump.  A hospital
grade pump (motor) can be used by mother after mother, year after year.

If the P&S is equal in sufficient power and cycling as the rentable
(very durable) pumps, I see no reason why it should not work, as long as
it is comfortable to the mother.  The manufacturers should be able to
tell you what differences, if any, there may be in these two parameters
of the P&S and the various types of rental pump motors.  Even if you
select the "best one", it may not be the one the mother prefers.

Remember there is no BEST breast pump.  There is only a best pump (or
pumps) for the individual mother, depending on how she reponds to the
pump, and her related pumping needs desires.  This is why I would like
to see some type of reasonable return or exhange policy on breast pump
kits (i.e. 1 week or even a little less).  This way, women could try one
to see if it works for them.

Sandy Hess, RN, BSN, ICCE, IBCLC
former sales representative for a breastfeeding products company