Choosing a Breast Pump

When I was pregnant and researching breast pumps, I was extremely overwhelmed. There are so many pump options but all of the information available seemed so sales-y. As a first-time mom, I found that pumping was a topic that none of my mom-friends or family members were comfortable talking about. For some reason, it felt like taboo, so I was facing a big learning curve all on my own. My goal with this blog post is to share what I learned, so you can use this information to make the best decision for yourself and your family.

Step 1: Research

Even if you think you plan to exclusively breastfeed, this is one of those situations where you don't know what you don't know. For example, maybe your milk supply will be too much for your baby to consume, and you'll need to pump to relieve pain or pump to freeze for a "rainy day". Or maybe you'll have a baby that needs to spend some time in the NICU like I did, in that case, you'll need to pump to build up and keep your supply while your baby is being tube-fed or bottle-fed. Or maybe latching will be challenging so you'll need to pump to keep your supply up while you work through these logistics with your kiddo. Or maybe you'll pump at night while your partner bottle-feeds your kiddo. The list of maybes goes on and on. The solution to all of these maybes is to have a reliable pump ready for when your baby makes his or her arrival earth-side.

When you start to look into pumps, you'll quickly find that there are an insane number of options: pumps with tubes, pumps with no tubes, pumps that are big and powerful, pumps that are compact but still powerful, battery-powered pumps, pumps with cords, all-in-one-pumps, pumps with tons of settings, pumps that promise the world. All of them have one thing in common: they claim to be the best. But, at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is finding a pump that fits your body and meets your needs for pumping breastmilk. 

When I was trying to pick the right pump for me, I thought that I was going to want to be able to clean, or do dishes, or move around the house, or hold my baby, or pump on the go all of the time. But the reality of it was that when I was pumping, I was too exhausted to do all of these ambitious things so I just enjoyed sitting in the rocking chair and reading while I pumped instead. Don't let that mom guilt get to you! This "me time" was a vital piece of my self-care in those early stages of parenthood. And, when I was on the go, my compact pump was easy to use even with the tubes. 

Now, onto finding the right fit. No matter what brand you choose, it is vital to make sure your pump has multiple flange size options available. There is no such thing as "one size fits all" when it comes to flange sizing. Finding and using the correct flange size is vital to your comfort and success in pumping breastmilk. Something to keep in mind regarding finding the right size is that your nipples change a lot during pregnancy and postpartum. So, keep all of the flanges that are provided with your pump and research ahead of time to be sure the pump you choose has more sizes available to be ordered just to be safe.

Step 2: Checking with insurance

Did you know that a majority of insurance companies provide a breast pump to expectant and new mothers for each pregnancy? Being armed with this information could be a huge cost savings for your family! 

You can browse options that are standard or upgraded pump options in terms of available insurance coverage here or check your insurance eligibility here.

If you've done your research ahead of time, you can easily narrow down your top pump choices by considering insurance coverage as part of this decision. Sites like Aeroflow Breastpumps handle the logistics of working with insurance companies and shipping the pump directly to your home.

Step 3: Ordering helpful accessories

There are a lot of products that are good to have on hand when breastfeeding and pumping, some things to consider are: 

• Hot and cold therapy packs for your breasts 

• Lactation Massager to help with clogged ducts or to just get the milk flowing for pumping

• Breast milk storage bags 

• Breast milk coolers for when you are on the go - there are tons of options, but make sure you choose one that fits a bottle-friendly ice pack

• Pump sanitizing bags

• On-the-go cleaning wipes for your pump

• Two or three Pumping bras - there are so many options and every body type is different so it may take some trial and error to find one you like best. This one was my favorite.

• Nipple cream (my favorite is linked here)

• Disposable Nursing pads

Finally, having a pumping bag to keep things in one place while you are on the go is vital for your sanity. I found this backpack-style bag to be the perfect size for my needs.

Step 4: Using and troubleshooting your pump

When packing your hospital bag, be sure to include your breast pump! The hospital staff and lactation consultant will help you set up your pump and determine the flange size you need. The best part about getting this professional help for determining your flange size is that the hospital has extra sizes available for you for free.

Talk to your provider about your goals related to pumping and breastfeeding. They will help you figure out a plan for how to achieve these goals. Keep in mind that breastfeeding is a team sport with a steep learning curve; you need the participation of your baby to be successful at it (unless you choose to exclusively pump). Give yourself grace during this learning period, everyone is different! Finally, don't be afraid to change the plan if something isn't working for you or for your baby. The most important thing is that your baby is getting the nourishment they need and that your mental health is cared for. 

Bonus: Know your rights when flying with a breast pump

Airlines are required to allow you one bag in addition to your personal bag and carry-on bag for your breast pump or other breastfeeding supplies. Your pump is considered medical equipment and you are allowed to keep it within reach at all times when flying. 

Before flying, visit your airline's website and print a copy of their policies related to traveling with children. To find this information, simply Google your airline's name "+Breast Pump Policy." Here's an example from Southwest Airlines. The reason that I recommend printing the policy is that not all airline employees are fully informed of your rights, so be an advocate for yourself and have a printed copy on hand to give them if anyone tries to tell you something you know to not be true. A printed copy also removes the variable of internet access from this equation.

Also, here is TSA's policy for traveling with breastmilk and other children's items concerning airport security screening protocols.

Check out my posts about breastfeeding on a plane and also flying with a newborn for additional information.

I hope that this information helps you tackle anything you want to take on, Mama!