Breast Pump Buying Guide

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding exclusively for six months. According to the AAP, breastfeeding gives your baby antibodies just as they received in utero, which improves their immune system. Breastfeeding also appears to offer some protection for your baby against eczema, persistent diarrhea, and ear infections, and can reduce your own chances of developing breast and ovary cancer. 

Even if you decide you want to breastfeed, it can be challenging to do so and live a full life, particularly since newborns need to eat every 2 to 3 hours. That’s where a breast pump comes in. Pumping and storing milk can guarantee that there’s a supply of breast milk when you’re not able or available to breastfeed. 

There are a lot of options for breast pumps these days. They include heavy-duty pumps that are ideal for people who are exclusively breastfeeding or pumping and those that you can wear even on a plane. You’re bound to find something that works best for your needs.

The type of breast pump—or breast pumps—you’ll need depends on when, where, and how often you’ll be using it. “The first thing to think about is how the parent will use the pump. So a regular separation, for example, versus going back to work or school, where you’re going to be separated from your baby every day for several hours,” says Jacque Ordner, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and breastfeeding educator at Aeroflow Breastpumps. “Versus the occasional, ‘I just need to go out on a date’ or to a doctor’s appointment kind of thing.” In those cases, having two types of pumps may prove useful. 

If you’re planning to exclusively pump right out the gate, you might want a device that’s strong enough to get your supply flowing when you’re still in the hospital or just recently home. In this situation, you may want to use a multi-user pump, sometimes called a “hospital-grade pump.” These pumps are typically rented, either from a hospital or a medical supply company. Although most breast pumps available on the market will suffice for a majority of new parents, there are circumstances in which you may want a multi-user pump available from the hospital. “For mothers and babies who have particular challenges, such as a long NICU stay or other type of separation, a hospital grade rental can be beneficial,” Ordner says. “While some hospital grade rentals vary little from personal-use pumps, others offer features like pre-programmed pumping patterns designed to closely mimic the nursing pattern of a newborn.” 

Typically, you’ll be able to obtain for free or buy your own breast pump through your insurance—and even in cases where you’re relying on your breast pump, you likely won’t even need the so-called “hospital grade pump” (a term that isn’t regulated, FYI). According to Lora Luczywo, IBCLC, there’s not much of a need for rental pumps these days, though that wasn’t always the case. “Insurance companies cover a lot of pumps nowadays,” she says. “And many folks use their insurance to pay for their pump. And sometimes for a small additional fee, they’ll let you upgrade to a different pump.”

For most people who will be using a pump regularly, a double electric or battery-powered pump will work. It works on both breasts at once to allow for maximum efficiency. Ordner calls these “traditional workhorse pumps.” They’re ideal if you need to pump three times a day, and/or you’re away from home for 8 or more hours per day—e.g., you’re a working parent. Their suckling action is designed to mimic the way a baby feeds, according to La Leche League International. They can be hefty, so they aren’t ideal for carting around on your commute, though they may come with their own carrying cases. Some plug directly into a wall outlet and others use battery power. A pump like this “is going to give you a lot of options, like customizing the cycle or how fast the pump is suctioning on and off,” Ordner says. “So that could be somebody with multiples; it could be somebody who’s exclusively pumping. If they’re using that pump on a regular basis—we’re looking for, you know, guiding them in the direction of finding the pump that has a lot of options to customize so that they can get the most out of the pumping experience.” 

These pumps are not typically super-loud, though they do produce noise that may bother some parents. 

You’ll want to take a look at the features and power capabilities of the particular pumps you’re considering (and you can read more about specific pump features below). 

You might also want to take a look at wearable or hands-free breast pumps. These can be great, says Ordner, but “they’re not going to be quite as efficient and helpful for establishing a milk supply or growing a milk supply.” You may want one anyway, though, because it allows for some flexibility on where and when you can pump. A wearable pump is a good option for traveling, for instance, or if you plan to be away from home for the day only on occasion. Wearable pumps are battery-powered, don’t come with suction tubing, and are often quite light. They may even sound quieter to some people because they’re fitted beneath clothing that muffles the noise, says Ordner. Some battery-powered pumps can be made into hands-free pumps by using a pumping bra.

“There are lots of moms who pump and have their traditional pump, and then have a wearable or portable pump as a complementary pump,” Ordner says. “There are families that use the wearable pump almost exclusively, but most of them have used the more traditional pump to at least get their supply established and stable before they’ve gone to using more of a wearable pump.”

Finally, there are manual-style breast pumps, sometimes called “hand-operated pumps.” These require no power (except for what your own hands provide) and can be great for traveling, reducing engorgement, catching letdown, or using as a backup pump, but because they take so much effort on your part, they’re not convenient for regular use. Because they don’t have a motor, Ordner says they can be quieter than other types of pumps.

There are two main types of manual breast pumps: passive and active manual pumps. Active manual pumps have a lever that you pump to stimulate milk flow. Passive breast pumps are bulb-shaped and suction to one breast to passively collect letdown during a pumping or feeding session on the other breast. These pumps are “very, very portable, easy to clean, and inexpensive,” says Luczywo. The Haakaa is a manual silicone breast pump that both Luczywo and Ordner find helpful for new breastfeeding parents. “It’s fantastic,” Luczywo says.

When it comes time to choose a breast pump, the features offered by different pumps can tell you a lot of what you need to know. 

Power is really the most important thing to consider when picking out a pump, says Luczywo. Power, often known as suction, is usually measured in millimeters of mercury, or mmHg. Luczywo notes that “a pump should go up to at least 250 mmHg.” A suction power level of about 250 to 300 mmHg should work for regular, exclusive pumping, according to Ordner, while for occasional pumping, look into pumps that offer suction power of at least 200 mmHg.

You also might want to consider choosing a pump that offers different suckling modes, says Luczywo. “There are a lot of pumps on the market these days that have a two-phase technology or two modes,” she says. “One is referred to as a massage mode or a stimulation mode, and then the other would be the expression mode.” This technology, a core feature of many breast pumps, is designed to mimic how a baby feeds. In the first phase, the breast pump action is faster but gentler. In the second phase, the pumping action is longer and slower. Some pumps switch from stimulation to expression phase automatically, while with others, breastfeeding parents switch phases manually. A pump with two-phase technology, which is increasing in number, would be great, “but it’s not a deal breaker by any means,” says Luczywo. 

Keep in mind that if you have health insurance, you likely won’t have to pay for your breast pump entirely by yourself. Most health insurance plans must cover breast pumps. Ordner recommends maxing out your insurance coverage by buying a pricier workhorse breast pump through your insurance. If you plan to return to work after several months, you can buy a less expensive wearable or portable pump out of pocket.

Before you deliver, call your insurance company to ask for guidance on getting a covered breast pump. Some breast pump companies, such as Aeroflow and Medela, provide assistance in ensuring that your device is covered.

If you don’t have insurance, shop around because prices vary. You can also get in touch with your local Womens, Infants, and Children (WIC) clinic for help affording a pump if you don’t have insurance.

Ease of storage, particularly if you plan to be traveling or commuting with your pump, is a feature you may want to think about. Some double electric pumps come with cases that have space for your pump and any relevant accessories, though you can also buy cases or bags (and even cooler bags to store pumped milk) that have greater appeal to your aesthetics or needs.

Built-in night lights can make it easier to use your breast pump at night. Many breast pumps come with LED lights that illuminate the buttons so that the breastfeeding parent is less likely to need to turn on other household lights that could wake up the baby or other family members. For more read "Here’s What 34 Parents Think About Their Electric Breast Pumps."

The fanciest, highest performing pump won’t do you much good if it doesn’t fit your breast and nipple size well. Flanges, also known as breast shields, fit over the areola to ensure a snug seal. Poorly fitted flanges can cause pain, clogged ducts, and decreased milk supply. Pumping can feel strange or uncomfortable the first few times you do it but it should never be painful.

When you’re wearing your breast pump, make sure that your nipple doesn’t stretch all the way into the flange; this could indicate that the flange is too big. It should extend just about halfway, with no uncomfortable rubbing, which means it fits poorly. When you’re buying a pump, “make sure that there’s availability for different flanges,” Ordner says. “With most pumps, we can find a compatible flange that will fit almost any flange size. It may not be from that pump manufacturer, but we can find something that’s compatible.” You may need to try multiple sizes of flanges to find one that fits you (just think about how hard it is to shop for pants!). That’s totally okay and normal. 

Working with a lactation consultant can help you know for sure if your breast pump fits well, and online resources, such as YouTube instructions or manufacturer websites, can be helpful, too. Some pumps are easier to determine fit than others, though, says Luczywo. “If you’re trying to get a good fit and see how the pump is operating on you, [many] wearable pumps don’t allow you to see the nipple move when the pump is operating,” she says, though she notes that she recently saw a pump with clear parts that allow for a slightly better view. It might make it a bit more challenging to troubleshoot an issue if there is one. Lactation consultants are covered by most insurance, as well as pump parts and maintenance of the pump. You can start working with a lactation consultant during pregnancy.

Storing pumped breast milk might seem kind of complicated at first, but you’ll get the hang of it. And if you’ve ever worked in a restaurant or other food prep establishment, some of the guidelines might feel familiar.

Storage guidelines differ depending on whether you plan to refrigerate or freeze your breast milk. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, breast milk can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days. In the freezer, breast milk will keep for up to a year, but it’s best used within the six-month mark. Plan to use it that day? Breast milk is generally safe at room temperature for up to 4 hours, so long as your room temperature is 77 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Regardless of where you plan to stash your breast milk, keep it in clean breast milk storage bags or food-grade containers made of glass or plastic, with tight-fitting lids.

Storage tips and tricks
Label your breast milk bottle with the expression date. That way, you’ll know when it’s time to toss it, if necessary.

Freeze small amounts. Measure out 2 to 4 ounces of breast milk or the amount your baby typically eats in one feeding to avoid waste.

Don’t store breast milk in the door of your freezer or fridge because those areas are more prone to temperature changes and could degrade the quality of your milk. 

Leave about an inch of space between the milk and the top of the container. Breast milk expands when it freezes!

Remember FIFO: First in, first out. Use your oldest breast milk before moving on to the newer stuff. 

Refreezing breast milk can contribute to bacterial growth and break down nutrients. Check out the Center for Disease Prevention for more complete instructions on safely thawing breast milk. 

Like most things that come into contact with the human body, breast pumps need to be cleaned. Cleaning is important because bacteria can grow on breast pump parts and sicken your baby. This year the CDC published a report about a baby whose death was linked to contaminated breast pump equipment. Cleaning pumps is relatively straightforward, though it’s laborious, too. The CDC recommends that breast pump parts that come into contact with breast milk be fully washed either in a dishwasher or in a tub with warm, soapy water after each use, and allowed to air-dry. Check your own pump’s instruction manual, though, because cleaning directions vary by manufacturer. Consider sanitizing once a day, especially if the baby is younger than 2 months old, was premature, or is immunocompromised. This step is less essential if the baby is older, especially if you’re already diligent about regular cleaning. Because breast pump tubing doesn’t touch breast milk, it doesn’t need to be cleaned regularly, though if you see condensation or any residue on or in the tube, check your pump instruction manuals for instructions on cleaning or disposal. 

Buying a used breast pump or using a friend’s is not advisable, according to the Food and Drug Administration. It’s hard to ensure that the pump has been properly maintained, and if it wasn’t, you or your baby could get sick. But because most insurance covers breast pumps in the U.S., it’s much easier to afford a new breast pump than it was in the past.

Remember what we wrote about painful pumping? You’ll want to keep an eye out for that not only because it feels bad but also because it can signal infection or injury, too. If you feel achy or experience flu-like symptoms, nipple irritation or pain, fever, bleeding, or a yellowish discharge for 24-48 hours or more, call your doctor. Think it’s because of a faulty breast pump? You can report that to the FDA. Things you may want to report include pumps that break or don’t work correctly, infections that you suspect may be because of the pump, or moldlike substances in the pump.