Breast Pumps

If you decide to breastfeed, a breast pump can be an invaluable tool in your journey. Choosing a breast pump is one of the more subjective decisions you’ll make as a new parent. There’s a lot to consider, including your personal and feeding preferences, lifestyle, employment situation and how long you plan on breastfeeding. We recommend getting a breast pump if: you’re planning to be away from your baby regularly, you need to maintain your milk supply, you need to increase your milk supply (called low supply) or relieve engorgement, or you prefer feeding your baby expressed milk.

There are four main types of breast pumps: electric, wearable, portable, and manual. How do you know which type of pump is best? Before choosing a breast pump, think about how often you plan to pump and what your pumping goals are. If you’re an exclusive pumper, pumping regularly (like at work or every night before bed) or simply don’t want to deal with the hassle of a manual pump, then a traditional electric breast pump or a powerful portable pump are the best choices for you. These types of pumps are fast and efficient at removing breast milk and fully emptying your breast. Pumping infrequently? Going out for the night or need to pump on an airplane and don’t want to drag your electric breast pump along? A manual or a wearable pump may be right for you. Just note that most lactation consultants do not recommend a wearable breast pump for frequent use.

Breast pumps can be pricey. What you may not know is that thanks to the Affordable Care Act, breast pumps are covered under most health insurance policies for free. Read our guide to how to get a breast pump through insurance and best breast pumps for every budget before your order to learn about your options. Check your eligibility at Babylist Health to see if your plan covers pumps like Spectra, Medela, and more.

If the idea of pumping at work has you stressed out, you’re not alone. Returning to work while you’re breastfeeding or pumping can be one of the most overwhelming aspects of new parenthood. From managing the logistics of it all to worrying if your supply will keep up to wondering how you’re possibly going to fit it all in and get your job done, there’s a lot to think about. Read this comprehensive guide on pumping at work before baby arrives so you’ll know what to expect, or bookmark it to refer to when you return from maternity leave so you’ll know how to prepare.

Baby bottles can be used with breast milk and formula. If you are pumping, look for bottles that are compatible with breast pumps if you plan to express milk directly into the bottle.

Yes, this approach is known as mixed feeding. It allows flexibility for the mother and can involve breastfeeding along with supplementing with formula or expressed breast milk using bottles.