Choosing the Breast Pump that is right for you

I am super passionate about breast pumps. May sound like a weird obsession but I assure you, I have good reason.

When I expected my first child, NOBODY talked about how I would feed this little miracle once it was delivered safely into my arms. I just assumed breastfeeding would be easy and that is the mindset I had going into our very bumpy breastfeeding journey. Someone had donated me a used Medela Pump in Style Tote and I figured that I was set. I was so wrong!

Silly me, I did absolutely no research. Had I done my due diligence, I would have known that breastfeeding can be pretty challenging. I would have known that there are resources available to us. I would have also been informed that all I needed to do was ask someone for help. Instead, I struggled. I was an active duty mom, a cook that was required to be away from her baby once it turned 6 weeks old. I pumped in bathroom stalls with this huge, loud, monstrous contraption and I was hurting. And my supply dropped. And my boobs were chapped, blistered and I wanted to cry just thinking of pumping or nursing. We switched to formula soon after.

Now, I am not telling you this to discourage you from breast feeding. Absolutely not. The opposite is the case. I want you to nurse your baby, pump for your baby, hand express and spoon or syringe feed your baby. You can do it! I also want to encourage you to set yourself up for success. A good pump that meets your needs is pretty much a must have, especially when you are in the military.

If you are a Tricare beneficiary, Military Mommies is your one-stop-shop for all of your durable medical equipment. This means breast pumps, pregnancy support bands, post partum garments, compression socks and positioning pillows. Depending on the Tricare region you may qualify for all or some of these items. The good news is, that breast pumps are always covered for Tricare beneficiaries, along with up to 36 months of supplies. As your Military Mommies partner, I will provide you with free resources, virtual consultations and assistance with the ordering process. Even better, you benefit from my experiences and knowledge even after you order your pump. I can help with info on how to use your pump, warranty claims and breastfeeding in general. You can reach out to me, leave me a comment below or email me and I will be happy to help you.

Even if you are not a Tricare beneficiary, I do want to share some information on the different pump that are on the market and available to you. There are two types of pumps - closed system and open system pumps. Furthermore, there are portable pumps, wearable pumps, and pumps that can only function when plugged up to an electrical source. Open system pumps do not have any backflow protectors that would keep the milk out of the tubing and out of the pump. This could lead to molding and corrosion. Closed systems have backflow protectors that keep milk from going past the flange. Open systems are not ever multi-user pumps, closed system pumps can be passed on to another user (with new tubing, new flanges, new backflow protectors, new bottles).

Before you decide on a pump, you want to ask yourself how often are you going to pump and where will you be primarily pumping? Are you a mom that is on the go? Do you work? If yes, what does your work environment look like (office, motor pool, outside, dining facility)? Are you planning on exclusively pumping or primarily nursing? There are many aspects to consider before making a choice.

Personally, I favor portable pumps. They give you some flexibility and allow you to pump even when electrical outlets are not available. My good ole Medela was not a portable pump, so I had to eventually buy a battery pack so I would be able to use the pump while in the field. Today, there are many great portable options. I will list all the pumps offered through Military Mommies and some of their highlighted features below.

Medela Pump in Style MaxFlow - this is the newest member of the Medela Family. It is small, light-weight, portable (thanks to the included battery pack), has PersonalFit flex flanges, and comes with tote and cooler pack. This pump is a closed system and was inspired by the Medela Symphony.

Medela Freestyle Flex - this small, chargeable pump can provide up to 2.5 hours of pump time without the need to be plugged in or attached to a battery pack. This pump is also a closed system and comes with cooler pack and tote. The Bluetooth technology allows you to connect directly to the Medela app on your phone to track your pump time and output. This pump has a $50 upgrade fee.

Unimom Minuet - I am a little biased because this is one of my personal favorites. The Unimom Minuet is small, pink, round, chargeable via USB charging cord, a closed system pump and comes with silicone inserts for the flanges that allow for a comfortable pumping sensation. The Unimom brand pumps have a unique suction pattern that is cyclic and imitates your baby’s suckling. This one also comes with a tote.

Unimom Opera - the Opera is our second Unimom pump. It is also portable, but slighly larger than the Minuet. This pump is a star with LCD touch display, nightlight in the carrying handle, two motors that allow for individual settings for each breast, and it is a true hospital grade pump that compares to the Medela Symphony. The Opera is a closed system pump and recommended especially for exclusively pumping mothers, mothers of babies in the NICU and mothers of multiples. This pump has a $50 upgrade fee.

Lansinoh 2.0 - the Lansinoh Smart Pump 2.0 connects to the app on your phone where you can track pump output, duration and more. It comes with a tote and cooler pack, has the ComfortFit flanges and is a closed system pump. This pump can be operated with batteries to allow for portability.

Spectra S1/S2 - the Spectra S1 and S2 are ultimately the same pump with the only difference that the S1 is portable and the S2 is not. The S1 has a blue cover, while the S2 is pink. Both pumps are closed systems, have an integrated nightlight and allow to manipulate suction strength and frequency separately from another. Spectra pumps are very efficient and are known for their great suction.

Spectra S9 - the S9 is the smaller Spectra model. It weighs about .5lbs, is portable with more than 2 hours of pumping time once fully charged. The pump features the Spectra technology and flanges without the added bulkiness. This is a great closed system pump for moms on the go.

Motif Luna - this one is the direct competitor to the Spectra S1. It is portable with sleep design, has a night light, and offers the ability to manipulate suction strength and frequency individually. The pump has a neat display that features light letters on dark background which makes it easy to see in dark or dimmed rooms. The Motif is a little lighter than the S1/2 and is a closed system pump.

Elvie - this is our wearable pump option! It is silent, hassle free and automatically detects let downs and adjusts from massage to expression mode accordingly. It comes with two breast shield sizes and 7 intensity settings and connects to a free app. This pump has a $185 copay through Tricare and you will receive the double pump.

Are you interested in finding out more about these pumps? I would love to connect with you and help you select the ideal pump for your needs. If you are covered by Tricare, all consultations are free! You can email me to khopkins@militarymommies.com

Remember - all pumps suck! It is about finding the one that best meets your specific needs and supports your lifestyle.