How do I order a breast pump?

In 2010 The ACA or Affordable Care Act was enacted and along with several other benefits, this act states that: Any calendar year a Mother is pregnant and/or breastfeeding insurances within the Marketplace will cover the cost of a breast pump. While working as a hospital based Lactation Consultant only about half of our mother’s new this. I always encourage mother’s to call their insurance for a pump even if they have one, even if they’re registered for a cool new hands free one. There are different pumps that can benefit different seasons of your lactation journey and if you can get one for FREE, let’s do it.

The first step is to call your insurance and inquire about this benefit, because although they offer pumps every carrier is a little different! They’ll ask for all your info and likely send you a link to a website to order a pump. Pumps can vary! We have hospital grade, double electric plug ins, we have more mobile double electric (battery operated), wearables and manual pumps too.

It’s imperative that you have the right pump for the right occasion. Let’s break it down!

Hospital Grade

Hospital grade pumps are the heavy hitters of the breast pump world. These pumps can be great if you; have a premature baby(s), if you’re trying to induce lactation without pregnancy, re-lactating years after involution, or are planning to breastfeed and/or pump for years to come. They can also be good if you’re planning to have back to back pregnancies, practice extended breastfeeding, or if you’re planning to be a long term milk donor. If you’ve had a premature infant(s) when you contact your insurance for a pump be sure to mention this, as some policies will issue a hospital grade pump in these instances. Hospital grade pumps are also able to be shared within a friend group or community because their motor is made to last close to 10 years, and milk is not in contact with the pump itself. If you find yourself in need of a hospital grade pump, reach out to a local LC to ask for pump rentals in your area. Typically you can rent one for around $85/month which is cheaper than buying as they can be over $2k! And remember, if you’ve had a preemie tell your insurance!

Double electric plug in

Double electric plug in pumps are some of the most popular on the market, due to their size and function. This pump is the most highly recommended from lactation professionals as the motors and power most closely mimic hospital grade pumps but they’re a fraction of the cost and sometimes a fraction of the size. These pumps consist of the popular Spectra S1 and S2, which as a hospital based LC are the ones I saw the most. Having a pump that allows you to pump both breasts at the same time, and that plugs in to ensure we never have a low battery are just 2 of the many perks of this style pump. They’re also now much more affordable, easier to find parts for, and most come in a convenient compact size. I recommend this pump for; the every day pumper, full term infants, mother’s planning to pump for the next 6 months - 3 years and intermittent pumping. My top recommendations are; Spectra S1 , Spectra S2 , Medela Swing Maxi

Double electric battery operated & portable

There are several portable pumps on the market now, the most popular being the Medela Freestyle Flex! These pumps are great for being on the go because they are compact and typically hold a charge for over 2 hours. These can be great if you need to pump in the car or on your commute, or even on a plane trip! Portable battery operated pumps are also made to be quiet and their small discreet size means you can pump while multitasking without being overwhelmed with tubes, wires or cords! Several of the battery operated pumps are now less that 2 lbs and can fit in most standard size purses! Always on the go? This is a great option for you! My top recommendations are; Medela Freesyle Flex , Signature Pro from Lansinoh , Spectra 9 Plus

Wearable or hands-free

These are SUPER trendy right now but just because you see these on Tik Tok doesn’t mean they’re the best thing for YOU. These pumps are popular for a variety of reasons including; they’re new, totally hands free, wearable and fit into most bras, they’re quiet, simple buttons, and some have no-spill features. These pumps can be GREAT for Mom’s who; have older toddlers running around, have a regular commute to work, always on the go and need an extra pump to use intermittently. The cons of these are; they can be expensive, they are NOT as effective as double electric plug in pumps as the motors are a fraction of the size, and hands-free doesn’t always mean best option. When we use these hands-free pumps we do not remove as much milk as we could with a bigger heavy-hitting pump like the double electric plug ins or hospital grade. BUT, of course I have a trick of the trade for you! Using a technique called hands on pumping can help you let down up to 40% MORE milk each session even if using a hands-free pump! Hands on pumping is when we massage our breasts gently by compressing downward towards our nipples while pumping. This should be done gently because remember our ducts respond best to gentle compressions, not intense squeezing or pressure. So if you’ve already ordered a hands-free pump and you’re set on using it, add some hands on pumping to help with supply! My top recommendations are; BabyBuddha , Willow Go , Momcozy , Elvie

Manual Pumps

Some of you may have received one of these during your hospital stay, but if not yes, there are manual pumps. These are less popular because they require you to do the pumping, control the pressure, suction and duration all by yourself. However, from a lactation standpoint, I like these because they can be a VERY cost effective pump typically under $30! They’re great for being on-the-go pump, they’re easy to clean, require no cords or charging, and allow Mother’s who may be sore to control the pressure used during pumping. This includes the new and very popular Haakaa pump which can be used two ways, check out the link for in depth demonstration! These, like all of our other options are not for everyone but they’re definitely worth exploring as a cheap option in addition to your other pump(s). Also, they can be used short term if your main pump becomes broken, lost or dirty. Don’t sleep on these manual pumps, they can be a good back up to any breastfeeding Mother.  For manual pumps, my top recommendations are; Medela Harmony , Haakaa , Made for Me