Nothing says welcome to motherhood like breast pump shopping, but who knew these contraptions could come in so many different shapes, sizes, and prices? From single or double devices to manual or electric ones, choosing the right breast pump for you and your baby may be a little harder than you anticipated. We came up with some helpful questions to keep in mind to help you determine the best breast pump for your needs.
How Often Do You Pump?
First things first, how often you need to pump to keep your baby happy and healthy plays a significant role in the type of breast pump you should be looking for. For example, if your newborn is a big eater and you exclusively breastfeed, you may prefer a pump that allows the machine to do the work. A fully automatic, double electric device pumps milk from both breasts and can be a real timesaver for moms who need to pump frequently.
On the other hand, for breastfeeding moms who only need to pump a few ounces occasionally, a manual or inexpensive single electric pump may get the job done. A small percentage of moms who have trouble producing milk, have a premature baby, or have an infant who has trouble latching may need a hospital-grade pump. Specifically, these moms may need the additional suction, reliability, and efficiency of a hospital strength pump like the Spectra S1 or S2 to make sure their little one gets the best possible breast milk.
Where Do You Pump?
The place you spend the most time pumping also contributes to the kind of breast pump you should be looking for. If you need to pump frequently in your workplace, a double electric pump may limit your time in the nursing room and maximize the amount of time you can spend working. For those with flexible working hours or who spend most of their time pumping at home, a manual pump or a single electric pump may suffice. Many pumps are also designed to work quietly and discreetly, so you can feel comfortable pumping in your workplace or at home while your little one is sleeping.
Does Your Insurance Cover Choosing a Breast Pump?
New parenthood comes with a lot of expenses–some you may have never considered before–and investing in a breast pump is no exception. According to the Affordable Care Act, all health insurance plans, excluding grandfathered plans, must provide support, counseling, and equipment for the duration of breastfeeding. And, yes, that includes the cost of breast pumps!
Your insurance company may have guidelines on the specific breast pumps that are covered, but most plans take care of a significant portion of costs to ease the financial burden on new parents. To find out which breast pumps are available to you through your insurance at low or no cost, fill out this form.
Does the Pump Come with Helpful Accessories?
Though an electric breast pump can speed up your breastfeeding process, most moms need more than just a pump to make sure their little one gets enough breast milk each day. Breastfeeding moms also often search for storage bottles or bags, different size flanges or breast shields, a cooler, a carrying bag, and more. And trust us, the price of these additional accessories can add up quickly! Luckily, many breast pumps include these essential accessories, so you can save yourself the hassle and cost of buying numerous add-ons out of pocket.
Whether you rely on the consistency of a manual device or discover the ease of a double electric one, make sure you choose the breast pump that best suits you and your baby.
We want to give you one less thing to worry about so you can focus on your little one. With one of the largest varieties of insurance and upgrade pumps available in one location, Pumps for Mom has a breast pump for everyone. Order yours through insurance today!