These Are The Best Breast Pumps on The Market

The short answer is “It depends.” Some moms never or rarely pump, and some exclusively pump. Many are somewhere in between.

Exclusive pumping usually takes place when there are issues with nursing directly, such as difficulty latching. It can also be a matter of preference. Caryn Cassidy, MD, FAAP, at Tenth Street Pediatrics, says she knows moms who prefer to exclusively pump because they feel it’s more efficient. On the flipside, Morgan Dixon, lactation consultant, says that one message she likes to make sure gets communicated to her clients is that you don’t have to pump, or that you can very rarely pump, if you don’t want or need to based on your ability to be near your baby most of the time.

Many moms begin pumping some percentage of the time in order to gain a bit of independence from their baby, often for the purposes of returning to work. If you fall into this category, Harvey says it’s important to start pumping when your baby is two to four weeks old and give them the bottle around three times per week and no more than once a day — even if you’re not going back to work for several months. If you don’t do this, she says, your baby may refuse the bottle when you urgently need them to be able to take it.

If you’re uncertain as to when to incorporate pumping into your routine, Harvey recommends seeking advice from a lactation consultant who can provide personalized guidance.

“The choice depends on your lifestyle, pumping needs, and personal preference,” says Jada Shapiro, lactation consultant and founder of Boober. Your pump preference may change over the course of your breastfeeding journey, too. Here is a breakdown of each type, along with when it’s most likely to be useful:

Hospital-grade: “It is usually recommended for a mother with a hospitalized baby in the NICU, a mother with twins, a mother with a low milk supply, or a mother with a history that would put her at risk of a low supply (for example, if she’s had breast surgery),” says Harvey. “Hospital-grade pumps, like the Medela Symphony, are also the best for establishing, building and maintaining milk supply.” This is the only type of pump that can be used by multiple mothers, says Harvey, as it’s guaranteed against cross-contamination. Hospital-grade pumps are pricey, but can be rented from the hospital after delivery for a reasonable fee.

Double-electric: This is your second-best bet for a go-to, reliable pump. “Double-electric breast pumps are designed for frequent use, allowing people to pump both breasts simultaneously, which is efficient and can help increase milk supply,” says Shapiro. Like a hospital-grade pump, these pumps are also powered by a motor, which is either rechargeable and runs off batteries, or needs to be plugged into an outlet in order to work.

Single-electric: These pumps are identical to double-electric pumps except that they include just one pump, so you will only be able to express milk from one breast at a time. “Single electric pumps offer more portability and convenience, making them ideal for occasional use or pumping on the go,” says Shapiro.

Portable: Portable pumps are pumps with motors that run off batteries and are more lightweight than double-electric pumps. They will typically include a pump motor that’s often small enough to fit into your pocket, with tubing that connects to flange kits you can insert into a pumping bra for a hands-free experience. They tend to be popular with moms given their portability, fairly reliable output, and relative ease of use.

Wearable: Wearable pumps are those that are completely wireless and can fit inside your bra for hands-free, relatively discreet use. These are great for on-the-go use, especially if you need to pump through a Zoom meeting, in the office, or out to dinner. They do tend to be less powerful than other pump types, however, so Harvey does not recommend planning to use them as a primary pump.

Manual: Manual breast pumps rely on hand-operated suction rather than a motor and as a result, they are lightweight and easy to transport. These pumps “are perfect for people who pump infrequently or need a quiet and compact option and don’t want to be bogged down by a cord,” says Shapiro.

Silicone: This final type of pump hangs off the breast, using natural suction that is constant and does not suck and release to extract milk. This type of pump is to be used sparingly. Harvey says most mothers utilize this pump while they’re nursing.

Breast-pump use is very personal, and while there are some “safe” choices, such as a double-electric pump, women tend to have not only different needs but different experiences with each type of pump. This may result in some trial-and-error, but generally speaking, Shapiro says that you should consider the following factors when shopping for a pump: frequency of use, portability and convenience, power source, comfort and fit, ease of cleaning, noise level, cost and insurance coverage, whether you need to run around while pumping, and any special features that may suit your lifestyle and nursing goals.

Often, pumps will offer a range, which varies from pump to pump, of suction and speed or intensity settings, which can be great tools for customizing your feeding sessions according to your output needs and preferences. Some new pumps, says Harvey, even allow you to customize settings for each breast.

And pumps do need to have at least two different settings. The first is often called stimulation mode, and the second is often referred to as expression mode.

“Pumps will often start with a quick let-down phase that usually lasts about two minutes, and this is usually a faster-speed pump,” says Dixon. This mimics the way a baby initially feeds — it’s called “non-nutritive sucking,” says Harvey — and it stimulates hormones that trigger the release of milk. “Then it’ll switch over to a long, drawn out suction pump for expression,” Dixon says. “That’s when it’s great to have multiple suction settings, which just depends on preference — the higher you set it, the stronger the suction will be.”

While breast pumps themselves do not come in different sizes, crucial breast pump parts called flanges, or breast shields, do come in different sizes, and finding the right fit for you is critical for optimizing milk output and comfort. “There are measuring tools; however, we recommend starting with the flange that comes with your pump and then buying one size smaller as well,” says Harvey. “Most pumps come with 24-millimeter flanges, and Medela did a study which suggests that about 95 percent of women are 21s to 24s.”

Most of the parts you need will come in “the kit” included with your pump, including flanges (a.k.a. breast shields), bottles, connectors, valves, and membranes. Beyond that, you should look to purchase or register for the following:

Additional flanges in different sizes: At least one additional, smaller flange than the one that comes with your pump is what’s recommended by Harvey.

Spare parts: Harvey also recommends investing in a few spare parts from your pump kit in order to save time with the washing if you’re very busy or working.

A pumping bra: Some pumping bras can be used to nurse and pump, so you can nurse on one side and pump on the other, and others can just be used to pump, says Harvey. Both enable you to pump hands-free.

Nipple cream: This is used to lubricate the flange opening, says Harvey, and to moisturize and heal dry, cracked nipples in the early months of nursing.

Milk-storage bags: Pumped milk is stored in these bags, usually in the freezer. Some pumps allow you to pump directly into these bags, while with others you will have to transfer from the bottle or collection cup.

Collection cups: According to Dixon, these are “the best thing ever,” and Harvey agrees. They can be placed inside your bra to capture and save leaking milk. They shouldn’t have any suction as they are just meant to serve only as milk receptacles. Harvey’s favorite collection cups are made by Lacticups. You should not, says Harvey, wear them to bed.

Breast-milk chiller: This is more of a nice-to-have than a need-to-have, but Cassidy swears by it. It’s basically a water bottle made just for breast milk that includes an ice pack that keeps the milk chilled. This allows you to leave the milk unrefrigerated for hours if necessary. Mila’s Keeper offers a chic yet functional option.

Saline spray: Dixon says it’s a good idea to invest in a saline spray as well. “It’s amazing to have on hand just to refresh your nipples and make sure they’re moist for breastfeeding and pumping,” she says. “This will help to ensure they don’t blister or crack.”

Nursing Pads: These won’t collect milk, but they will prevent you from leaking through your bra and shirt when you’re out in public or at work.

There are only two main criteria to consider. One is that your pump is comfortable. “If your pump hurts, it’s not the right pump. Pain in the early days can be normal because you’re getting used to something new, but any sustained pain that’s making you not enjoy breastfeeding shouldn’t be happening,” Harvey says.

The problem may be that you have the suction setting turned up too high, or that the flanges don’t fit properly, etcetera. You should reach out to a lactation specialist to help you fix it.”

The second criteria to consider is whether or not your pump is effective at removing milk. The ideal amount of milk will vary depending upon the mom, and even the breast, but in general Harvey says you want to feel like your breasts are a little softer after you’re done pumping. If your output seems low, you shouldn’t necessarily assume the problem is you, says Harvey. The culprit could be the type of breast pump you’re using, e.g. a wearable versus a double-electric, or an ill fit.

The Affordable Care Act requires that most insurance plans cover one breast pump, says Shapiro. Double-electric pumps like the Spectra S1 are typically covered under these policies, but it’s best to check with your provider for specifics. With respect to a second pump, you may be able to use Flexible Spending or Health Savings Accounts for tax-free purchases, she says. “Additionally, many new parents create a registry for care and services where you can include a fund for a special breast pump or an additional pump if it’s not covered by insurance,” Shaprio says.

Harvey also offers a hack for moms looking to supplement their reliable double-electric with a pricier wearable. She says that if your insurance is willing to pay for the wearable, then you may want to get that one for free, since it’s more expensive, and then purchase or register for the double-electric pump, which tends to be more affordable. And while it can be tempting to buy a used pump, Harvey does not recommend this as the only type of pump safely made for use by multiple women is a hospital-grade pump like the Medela Symphony.