The Different Types of Breast Pumps New Moms Need to Know About

As a first-time mom, it can be overwhelming to see all the different types of breast pumps available. How do you know which type of breast pump is right for you? How do you know when the different types of breast pumps are necessary? This blog post is meant to educate you on the different types of breast pumps all new moms should know about so you can make the best-informed decision about what you need. 

DISCLAIMER: I am a nurse, but I am not your specific nurse. This blog post is purely for educational purposes and should not be misconstrued as medical advice. Please consult your provider or an international board-certified lactation consultant for any personal medical advice.

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Situations When You May Need a Breast Pump

As an exclusively breastfeeding mom, you may be wondering why you would even need a breast pump. You plan to nurse exclusively, so is there a point in getting a breast pump? There are many reasons that breastfeeding moms need a breast pump which include:

• Returning to work after maternity leave
• To help increase milk supply
• To build a stash of milk in your freezer
• So that someone other than yourself can feed your baby
• Use your breastmilk to make foods for your baby once they hit 6 months old
• You are unexpectedly away from your baby for longer than planned and need to pump to keep your supply up

What to Consider When Looking Into Different Types of Breast Pumps

The different types of breast pumps can help you meet different needs. For example, if you will only be pumping occasionally for relief but will be exclusively nursing then a hand pump or single electric pump may work. But if you are exclusively pumping or going back to work and having to pump frequently throughout the day a double electric primary pump may be the right fit. 

Doing your research on the different types of pumps available and what type of pump your insurance will cover is important to help you make the right decision!

Different Types of Breast Pumps for Breastfeeding Mothers

Here is a comprehensive list of the different types of breast pumps available and the pros and cons of each type.

Hospital Grade Breast Pumps

Hospital-grade pumps are designed for frequent use and sharing among different users. For example, the pump you would use on the postpartum unit in the hospital is one specifically meant to be shared between multiple users. The breast milk doesn’t even touch the machine itself. When using a hospital-grade pump you will get your own single-user accessories to use. So the only thing you share with others is the “pump” itself and will have your accessories that touch the milk! It also has a powerful and durable motor and can provide strong, consistent suction.

Hospital-grade pumps are most frequently used by moms who need to establish their milk supply, are pumping for medically fragile babies or babies in the NICU, for mothers who have had postpartum complications, and/or moms of multiples. When in the hospital if you have to pump your postpartum nurse will typically recommend you use the hospital-grade pump supplied to you over one you bring from home. 

The term “hospital grade” is not FDA-regulated. So many pump manufacturers can state that their pump is “hospital grade” when it in fact is not. 

• Pros
  • Powerful suction and adjustable settings
  • Efficient milk expression
  • Can pump both breasts at once
  • Durable and reliable
• Cons
  • Expensive
  • Bulky and not very portable
  • Typically requires rental or hospital use
• Examples
  • Medela Symphony
  • Ameda Platinum
  • Spectra S3 Pro

Single Electric Breast Pumps

Single electric breast pumps are pumps that can only pump on one side at a time. These pumps are great for women who do not need to pump frequently or who only need to pump one side at a time. Single electric pumps can be more affordable and smaller than double electric pumps, so they may be more convenient for some. If you plan on pumping both breasts in a pumping session, it could take longer for you to pump.

• Pros
  • Affordable compared to double electric pumps
  • Easy to use and set up
  • Portable and lightweight
• Cons
  • Slower pumping time as it pumps one breast at a time
  • Less powerful than hospital-grade pumps
• Examples
  • Medela Swing
  • Philips Avent Single Electric Breast Pump
  • Evenflo Advanced

Double Electric Breast Pumps

Double electric breast pumps are a type of breast pump that can pump both breasts at the same time. This is a perfect breast pump for women who are exclusively pumping because it will be more efficient to pump both breasts at once. It is also a great type of pump to use when going back to work after maternity leave because it will take less time to pump both breasts when doing it simultaneously. A double electric breast pump is typically considered a “primary pump”.

• Pros
  • More efficient
  • Reduces pumping time
• Cons
  • More expensive than single electric pumps
  • Bulkier than single electric pumps
• Examples
  • Spectra S1/S2
  • Medela Pump in Style
  • Lansinoh Signature Pro
  • Philips Avent Double Electric Pump

Dual Motor Breast Pumps

These breast pumps are ones with two independent motors. This allows you to customize the suction on each breast. This means you can increase the suction on your “slacker boob” higher than what you have suction set to on your other breast. 

• Pros
  • Highly customizable, offering different suction levels for each breast
  • Can help address issues like uneven milk supply
  • Efficient and effective
• Cons
  • More expensive than single-motor pumps
  • May be slightly bulkier due to dual motors
  • May need to be plugged in (unlike some rechargeable double electric breast pumps)
• Examples
  • BabyBuddha Dual Motor Breast Pump
  • Zomee Z2 Dual Motor Breast Pump
  • Spectra Synergy Gold Dual Powered Double Electric Breast Pump
  • Legendary Milk Duette

Portable Breast Pumps

Portable breast pumps are a type of breast pump that does not need to be plugged into the wall to be used. These typically have a small motor that connects to your flanges via tubing, so it is not “discreet” or considered a “wearable” pump. You may still need to use a hands-free pumping bra to be truly hands-free with a portable pump and you may not be able to pump in public with a portable pump. Because the motor is separate from the flanges itself it can be more powerful than a wearable pump. A portable pump *can* be powerful enough to be your primary pump, but not always!

• Pros
  • Lightweight
  • Good for moms on the go
• Cons
  • May have less suction power compared to pumps you plug into the wall
  • Battery life can be an issue
  • May not be as discreet as a wearable pump
• Examples
  • Medela Freestyle Flex
  • Elvie Stride
  • Pumpables Genie Advanced
  • Baby Buddha
  • Legendary Milk Duette (also a dual motor breast pump!)
  • Spectra S9
  • Motif Duo

Wearable Breast Pumps

Wearable breast pumps are meant to be a discreet, hands-free option for pumping. These pumps have the motor, milk collection chamber, flanges, etc. all together in one piece that fits in the bra. There is no tubing that hangs down or a motor you have to attach to your waistband. This truly makes for a good on-the-go option for pumping, especially since you can pump in public with these pumps in your bra. 

Wearable pumps are not meant to be a primary pump. They are good secondary or backup pumps, but the suction is typically not as strong or powerful as a primary pump. A lot of women tend to not fully empty the breast using a wearable pump, so as nice as they are it is best they aren’t used exclusively. 

• Pros
  • Very convenient–allows pumping while doing other activities (such as working, taking care of toddlers, cooking, etc.)
  • Discreet 
  • Portable and lightweight
• Cons
  • Expensive
  • May not be as powerful as traditional electric pumps
  • Limited milk storage capacity
  • tends to not empty the breast as well as a traditional pump
  • Not *typically* fully covered by insurance (although some may be depending on your coverage)
• Examples
  • Willow Wearable Breast Pump
  • Elvie Pump
  • eufy S1/S1 Pro
  • Lansinoh Discreet Duo
  • Momcozy M5
  • Legendary Milk Imani
  • Zomee Fit Hands-Free Breast Pump

Silicone Breast Pumps

Silicone breast pumps are typically marketed as “passive” but depending on how they are used they are active breast pumps. They actively pull milk from your breast when you have it suctioned to the breast. A lot of women will suction it to the opposite breast from which they are nursing and will collect their letdown as well as continue to actively collect milk. If the pump is not suctioned onto the breast but just placed onto the breast it will passively collect the letdown from that breast. Even the Haakaa website states that suctioning the Haakaa onto the breast is a way to actively pump.

• Pros
  • Affordable
  • Easy to use 
  • Easy to clean (only one piece!)
  • Portable and lightweight
  • Great for catching letdown milk without actively pumping
• Cons
  • May not work as well at extracting milk as an electric pump (or even a manual one)
  • Suction can decrease over time and you may have to continue to re-suction to your breast 
  • Easy for your baby to kick off if using to collect your letdown while nursing (if using one like the haakaa).
  • Not ideal to be used for exclusive pumping 
• Examples
  • Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump
  • NatureBond Silicone Breast Pump
  • Lansinoh silicone breast pump
  • Boone Trove 

Hand Pumps (Manual Pump)

A manual pump is the most underrated breast pump of them all, and that is a hill I will stand on forever!! These pumps are so beneficial. They are operated by hand, so a lot of people prefer not to use them. Since they require no electricity they are a wonderful backup pump option. They are also very affordable compared to other pumps you could purchase as a backup pump. Hand pumps are also very small and can be thrown into your diaper bag, purse, or pump bag for work and used while out and about or in case of emergency.

When would you need to use a manual pump? In case the power goes out, you are away from your baby longer than expected, you forget critical pump pieces at home, or you are engorged and want to pump a little bit without fully emptying your breasts. These are just a few times you may use a manual pump. I find myself reaching for my hand pump quite frequently, especially just for a quick pump session or if I’m only pumping one side. 

• Pros
  • Affordable
  • Portable, small, and lightweight
  • No need for electricity
• Cons
  • Requires manual effort
  • Slower and less efficient compared to electric
• Example
  • Medela Harmony
  • Lansinoh Manual Breast Pump

Different Types of Breast Pumps

There are many different types of breast pumps available for you to choose from. I hope this blog post helped you learn more about what types of pumps are available and what type you want for your breastfeeding journey. 

Before you purchase your own pump be sure to check with your insurance to see if it is covered by insurance! The website I used to get my last 2 breast pumps through insurance was aeroflow. You enter your insurance information and it’ll check what your coverage is! Not every pump is covered through insurance and some may be partially covered or have an upgrade fee. 

I was also given a manual pump at the hospital after I had all 3 of my babies, so you can check with your lactation consultant at the hospital to see if they have them for patients!

Do you have any other questions about the types of breast pumps available? Let me know in the comments!

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