Looking for a breast pump can seem overwhelming when faced with all of the options on the market
today.
Use these tips to help you navigate the different types of pumps and breastfeeding resources available.
Where to Look
Some health insurance companies, including Medicaid, will often cover a breast pump
for new mothers. Contact your health insurance company to find out more
information such as:
● What steps you will need to take in order to
receive the pump, such as possibly getting your
doctor to write you a prescription for it.
● What types or brands of breast pumps are
covered so that you can assess all of your options.
● When you will receive your breast pump.
Before or after delivery?
If your health insurance will not provide an
appropriate breast pump for your needs, or you
simply would like to purchase it yourself - there are many options on the market to
explore. Check out your local Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) office as they can
help provide you with an appropriate rental breast pump, pump accessories and
breastfeeding support!
Different Types of Breast Pumps
Personal pumps are intended for use in maintaining a previously established milk
supply while hospital-grade breast pumps are effective in building your milk supply
when needed. The four main types of breast pumps include:
Manual: A small, hand-operated pump that you hold and use a squeezing motion to produce
suction on the breast. These are portable and inexpensive compared to battery-powered or
electric breast pumps.
Single: Uses a motor to automatically pump milk from one breast at a time. Often, single
pumps are battery powered but may be electric. These pumps are useful for pumping one
breast while an infant is nursing on the other simultaneously.
Double: Uses a motor to automatically pump milk from both breasts at one time. Most double
pumps are electric. Lots of double pumps have a single option as well.
Multi User: These are hospital-grade breast pumps that are able to be used by multiple women.
A kit containing new flanges and tubing is given to each user. The new tubing is attached to the
motor base of the pump between each user to keep it safe and sanitary. This type of pump has a
powerful motor and is often used to establish a milk supply in situations when a mother and
her infant may be separated such as within neonatal intensive care units (NICU) or when there
is a medical issue making breastfeeding difficult.
Flange Sizes
The plastic bell-shaped part of the breast pump that surrounds your areolas to create
the suction is called the flange. The nipple is pulled into the flange with the suction it
creates but it should not rub against the flange, make a popping noise or cause pain.
Often, women fit the standard size flanges that come with their breast pump but some
may need smaller or larger sized flanges since bodies come in all shapes and sizes.
Contact your breast pump manufacturer, local WIC office or certified lactation
consultant (CLC) for help finding more flanges if needed.
Which Pump is Best for You?
The best breast pump is the one that fits your specific needs and preferences.
Depending on how you plan to use your breast pump, certain ones may work better for
you. Choosing between single or double is a preference.
● If you plan to return to work or need to travel away from home often, a
lightweight portable pump may be best for you. Some breast pumps even come
with carrying bags that include a cooler compartment for breastmilk storage.
● If you plan on mainly pumping at home, you may not need to consider a pump’s
weight or size. A double electric pump that plugs into the wall of your nursery
might meet your needs in this case.
● Hospital-grade double electric pumps may be right for your needs in situations
when mother and baby are separated or there are medical issues making
feeding at the breast difficult such as prematurity, down-syndrome, cleft
palate, etc. These pumps have a powerful motor which can be helpful during
the frequent sessions to establish your milk supply.
October 27, 2021
References:
Morgan, Jamie. M.D. (2016, November 15). Your Pregnancy Matters. UT
Southwestern Medical Center. 5 Things to Know About Buying or Using Breast Pumps. 5
things to know about buying and using breast pumps | Your Pregnancy Matters | UT
Southwestern Medical Center (utswmed.org)
U.S Breastfeeding Committee (2010, September). Landscape of Breastfeeding
Support Image Gallery. Album: California Breastfeeding Coalition. USBC : Landscape of
Breastfeeding Support Gallery (usbreastfeeding.org)
U.S Food and Drug Administration. (2018, February 4). Types of Breast Pumps.
https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/breast-pumps/types-breast-pumps
U.S Food and Drug Administration. (2020, August 7). What to Know When Buying
or Using Breast Pumps.
https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/what-know-when-buying-or-using
-breast-pump
