We all know that breastfeeding is a superpower in itself, but let's face it – sometimes, we need a little extra help to feed our baby. That's where the trusty breast pump comes in. But let’s be honest, breast pumps are kinda weird! They are truly unlike anything you’ve used before. So let us tell you everything you need to know about how to find the best breast pump for you.
Most likely! But honestly, you won’t really know until you’re in the thick of it. Women pump for many different reasons. Here are the big ones:
There are 4 types to have on your radar. It’s common to have more than one pump! Personally, I had an electric, wearable and a couple manual ones!
These you rent from the hospital with a prescription from your provider. These pumps are ‘multi-user’ pumps and it’s rare that you’ll go this route.
These are the most common ones. They are what you might imagine a breast pump to look like with a motor that sits on the table that connects with tubing to your body.
These fit all or mostly in your shirt.
These are passive collection pumps or hand-powered. These are usually paired with either an electric or wearable pump.
Here’s where our quiz comes in. You need to think through some things about your lifestyle. For example, the answers to ‘where’ and ‘when’ questions will help you determine if you want a wearable or an electric pump. So here we go!
This question might be a hard one to answer before you meet your baby. The answers here range from occasionally, to (what feels like) all of the time. So, think of the answer as a continuum between only breastfeeding and only bottle feeding pumped milk. You might fall somewhere in the middle. If you only plan on breastfeeding, that means you will pump for a variety of reasons and any pump could work. If you will be an exclusive pumper you want a high performance pump and perhaps the ability to optimize the pump session yourself versus a predetermined pumping setting.
A - I plan to only feed my baby pumped milk.
B - I will pump when I return to work.
C - I will pump when I need to be away from the baby, like to go out to lunch.
Portability is the theme to this question. We all love our routines, and (eventually) when you find your pumping routine, where are you?
A - I will be in one place like at home or at work.
B- I will have easy access to an outlet.
C- I will be commuting, or on the move.
D- I need to travel with my pump.
E- All of the above
Meaning, do you need to pump discreetly? And how discreet is discreet for you?
A - I will pump in public (for in person meetings)
B - I will pump around others, but I’ll be joining meetings virtually.
C - I’ll be around others at home (like around family).
Pump parts need lots of cleaning love. So, get ready to clean your pump parts. Hack it: One way to reduce the cleaning load is to purchase multiple flanges or collection cups. These extras will not be covered by insurance and the price ranges depending on the brand.
A - Whatever, I’ll buy multiple parts
B- I’m going to throw these in the dishwasher
C - I’m OK with lots of pieces to clean by hand
Some pumps are more expensive than others. You’ll most likely be able to get some partially or fully covered by your health insurance. Read more about how to do that here. But in the meantime some things to consider:
Some pumps have lots of fancy tech features.
A - I need an app for everything.
B - I don’t care.
It might feel like a strange question, but you’ve already asked about all the other baby gear you need so why not ask about the breast pump. Ask your friends what they have used and if they would recommend it.
Depending on your answers to these questions you want to look at:
Good news! Health insurance plans in the US must provide coverage for breastfeeding support - and that includes breast pumps. So, what can you get covered? It depends on your state and your plan. Some cover up to a specific dollar amount - like $200. Some pumps will be completely covered by that amount, or you can pay the difference for a pump upgrade. Check out Villie's guide to get your brast pump.
