Best breast pumps

Does every new mom need a breast pump? Experts say no, it really comes down to a personal preference. But if you do, how do you pick? Manual or electric? Hands free or wired? Without trying each one, how are you supposed to know what you need?

Jennifer Kleckner BSN, RN, LCCE, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and Lead Outreach Specialist at the Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital Breastfeeding Center, says that not every mom will need a breast pump but some of the most common reasons why someone would want to pump are:

So, if you want to pump, when's a good time to start? You can start pumping breast milk immediately after birth if you need to – for example, if you're exclusively pumping, or if your baby is unable to nurse.

If that's not the case, many lactation experts recommend waiting a few weeks before you start pumping to make sure that you and your baby develop a solid breastfeeding routine first. Many moms find that around four to six weeks is a good time to start pumping and storing milk.

There are a few different types of breast pumps, so let's break them down.

Electric

Wearable

Manual

Borrowing a friend's pump or buying one used isn't a good idea. Breast milk can carry bacteria and viruses that can contaminate pumps and pass an infection to you and your baby. However, there are single user pumps and hospital-grade pumps that are designed to be shared and/or rented. What's the difference?

Open vs. closed systems

Single-user pumps vs. hospital-grade pumps

The top thing to consider when choosing a breast pump is how often you'll use it and why. If you're exclusively pumping and bottle-feeding, or working outside the home full-time, you'll likely want a double electric breast pump. If you'll pump less often – say once a day so your partner can give your baby a bottle – then a manual pump that empties one breast at a time may suit your needs.

We asked Kleckner what moms should consider when choosing their breast pump and she narrowed it down to a few things: how portable it is, is it easy to clean, what are the features, and how noisy it is. Beyond that, consider what's most important to you in a pump. Do you need a lightweight pump that's easy to bring with you? A wearable pump so you can get things done while pumping? A quiet pump so you can pump while making calls? Here are some things to think about.

Is it portable?

Is it easy to clean?

Is it noisy?

Each pump comes with different features, but you may want to look out for these in particular:

Kleckner says that choosing a pump is not easy. She recommends a pump that will best suit a mom's overall needs and preferences, and those change from woman to woman. Speaking with a lactation consultant can help you narrow down your options and figure out what you need.

When choosing your pump, think about where you might be using it, and what you might need during that time. Are you planning on using it at night? A night light might be a good idea. Going back to work and wanting to pump while you’re away? A bag and ice packs are great for that. If you’re planning on feeding shortly after pumping, pumping straight into a bottle is a great option for you.

So, as you can see, there's not a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to breast pumps. But by asking the parents in our parent networks, and tuning into the chatter on BabyCenter's Community, we were able to find pumps that are most often recommended from one mom to another. Further research uncovered the pumps that are high-quality, well-priced, and easy to find in mainstream retailers. Keep reading to find our favorite wearable pump, our favorite electric pump, and the best hands-free options.

Spectra pumps are beloved by moms because they’re quiet, lightweight, and they simply empty your breasts better than other pumps. The Spectra S2's marquee feature, though, are the adjustable settings, that allow you to dial in your ideal intensity and speed, and the "massage mode" that simulates a baby's natural sucking. It can be used as a single or a double and is super lightweight at only 3 pounds, even though it's a hospital-grade pump (in other words, it has a stronger motor and stronger suction than many competitors). The nightlight on this pump is great for late-night pumping sessions, too.

Heads up

The duckbill valve on this pump is a weak point: It can fall off mid-pump and land in your milk, especially if you haven't replaced it in a while.

Parents say

"I love it. The closed system is great. All you have to clean is the bottles and flanges. It's very gentle yet effective and very customizable. You can change settings for suction and speed and it has different modes for inducing letdown and for the rest of the pumping session."

"I have the Spectra S2 and LOVE it. I don't have experience with any other pumps but I have 0 complaints about this one and it came highly recommended by the LCs and nurses when baby was born."

"The suction on this pump is comparable to the cost-prohibitive hospital-grade pumps, which I tried during lactation consultation visits. There's a stimulating letdown setting, and then the regular setting where you can adjust both suction and speed. It's pretty quiet; my coworkers say they never notice it. I even make calls at work with it on. I highly, highly recommend it!"

Specs

The workhorse pump for generations of moms went through a substantial update in 2020, and Medela's classic two-phase technology is now souped up with what Medela calls MaxFlow: tiny vibrations that are designed to more closely mimic the vigorous sucking a real infant starts with when nursing (i.e. the first phase). The result, tests show, is more milk in the bottle per pumping session. Other great updates: this Pump in Style version is lighter (just over a pound) and easier to carry, and if you use Medela-brand connectors, the new system is a closed one: moisture can't get into the tubes, and thus you don't need to wash them after each use. It also has larger openings for easier cleaning, intuitive push-button controls with 10 adjustable vacuum levels, and an oval flange for a better fit.

Heads up

We recommend getting a pumping bra to use with the Pump in Style since the flanges are known to disconnect if they aren't held into place. A pumping bra would solve for this and allow your hands to be free while pumping.

Parents say

"I love Medela also, I got the Pump in Style with my first, the Freestyle with my second, which I loved because of how portable it was, and I got the Pump in Style with Max Flow this time around. They are easy to use, easy to clean, and have worked well for me."

Specs

Manual pumping shouldn't be painful. This pump from Lansinoh has a smart, ergonomic handle that will help keep your hand from cramping up. It's compatible with Lansinoh's milk storage bags and bottles, and includes two sizes of flanges (the part that goes over your breast) to ensure a comfortable fit for anyone. The kit comes with a bottle and a nipple, too.

Heads up

You can only pump one breast at a time, so it takes longer to empty both breasts. This pump is better for occasional use or travel.

Parents say

"The Lansinoh pump works very well. I use it if my baby sleeps through a night feeding and I feel engorged, since it's much quieter than an electric pump and I don't have to wake everyone up."

"The Lansinoh manual pump is my favorite – it's comfortable and I get the most milk from it. It's perfect for travel, or if my baby only nurses on one side I can pump on the other."

"I have a Lansinoh manual pump and love it. I don't use an electric pump anymore... just the manual one, and I exclusively pump!"

Specs

A relatively newcomer on the market that's making big waves, this hands-free, wearable pump with no cords, tubes, or bottles combines a pump and milk container in one unit that's so small that it fits inside a nursing bra. You just line up your nipple with the flange and put it in your nursing bra and go about your business. The pump operates in two modes like other electric pumps – simulation and expression – and can be customized with seven different intensity settings. Two sizes of breast shields are included, and a third is available to purchase separately. The battery can be fully charged in two hours, and the pump can be connected to the free Elvie Pump app to monitor milk volume in real time, track pumping history, and control the pump remotely.

Heads up

The maximum the milk container can hold is 5 ounces, so if you pump more than that you'll need to empty it mid-session. Also, though the Elvie is expensive, you can buy a single Elvie pump rather than a double for about half the price.

Parents say

"I use the Elvie and love it! I breastfeed, but use it once or twice a day for freezer supply and the occasional bottle. Will continue to use it when I go back to work, it's amazing!"

"It can be kinda tricky and hard to see if your nipples are in the right spot (not up against the sides or crooked) but once you get it fitted on right, it's freaking genious and awesome!"

"I honestly never use my Spectra anymore. I can hold her, clean the house, walk the dogs, pump in the car...it's honestly made pumping a lot less miserable and I would 100% spend the money for it again."

Specs

The wearable pump revolutionized the breast pump world, and the Willow Go is a cord-free, hands-free, small and mighty wearable pump that fits discreetly in your bra. Even though it is small, it doesn't skimp on power with a hospital-grade suction all in a sleek, wearable design. The battery life will last all day (up to five pumping sessions) so you can pump anywhere at any time. It also connects to the Willow Go app to keep track of your pumping sessions.

Heads up

The pump only holds five ounces but you can purchase seven-ounce containers separately.

Parents say

"The Willow Go - I LOVE. Soft but strong suction, if that makes sense? It's just like my Spectra. I get antsy having to be in one spot for too long so I love the portability. I use it as my main pump now and haven't had any issues with supply."

"It is a game-changer! I love my Willow!"

"I can pump while fixing breakfast for my toddler, getting dressed, feeding the dogs, and making coffee. The morning routine is much smoother."

Specs

The Haakaa solves a problem many moms have when nursing: the lost milk on the other side! Because of this, it's a favorite among moms and lactation consultants, and it's easy and effective. Just attach it to your breast, squeeze once or twice, and milk starts dribbling out. The Haakaa is made of a food-grade silicone that's safe for moms and babies. Since it's one piece, it's a snap to clean: just put the Haakaa in boiling water for two to three minutes.

Heads up

The Haakaa has an open top, so you can't use it to transport your milk unless you buy an upgraded model that includes a lid or stopper. Otherwise, you'll have to transfer your milk to a separate storage container.

Parents say

"I love my Haakaa pump. I use it while nursing or immediately after, and it pretty much does everything itself just with the suction, though sometimes I have to manually pump it to get it going. It's super easy, and I love how little there is to wash."

"I got one for my second baby and it was a game-changer! I produced a lot of milk, so while my son was nursing on one side, I would suction the other side. The letdown would give me a few ounces, then I would nurse him on that side after. No engorgement, no waste, and no pain! Anyone I know who's pregnant and planning to breastfeed gets one as a gift from me."

"The Hakka milk catcher is a life saver! Typically what would drip out and get wasted this thing caught! Just got home from the hospital, milk isn't even all the way and collected 3+ ounces :). I'm not a huge producer so it's nice to be able to start saving."

Specs

The thoughtfully designed Ameda Mya Joy PLUS breast pump combines the effectiveness of hospital grade suction with a lightweight design that makes this one of the best bets on the market. The Mya Joy PLUS is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand or throw in your diaper bag, and the long-lasting, rechargeable battery is strong and gets the job done with 6 levels of stimulation and 12 levels of expression.

Heads up

We recommend having a second set of rechargeable batteries on you, just in case.

Parents say

"I ended up with the Ameda Mya Joy Plus & I love it. For it to be so small, it performs as well as the Ameda Platinum hospital pump."

Specs

If control is important to you, the Medela Harmony is a great option for you! It lets you control the suction, and with two-phase expression technology, it mimics how your breasts release milk when you're nursing your baby. You use one part of the handle in the "stimulation phase" to get your milk flowing, then switch to the longer side of the handle, which creates a slower "expression phase" cycle to express the majority of your milk. Conveniently, you can pump directly into Medela bottles, and two breast milk bottles with lids are included.

Heads up

Some moms say this pump loses suction over time and becomes unusable. Also, it only comes with one breast shield, and if you need a different size you'll need to buy it separately.

Parents say

"The Medela Harmony manual pump is what I have and it's awesome. I exclusively breast feed so I rarely pump, but when I do it's the manual pump. I love that I can hook up my Dr Browns bottles directly to it."

Specs

Everything you want in one inexpensive package, the Lansinoh Smartpump 2.0 Double Electric pump allows you to discreetly pump anywhere. It has all the features you want – like the Baby 2.0 app that connects via Bluetooth, eight adjustable hospital strength suction settings, the ability to pump directly into a Lansinoh breast milk storage bags, an included tote bag, and a breastmilk cooler bag – at a fraction of the price of the other options on the market. The style and suction level are also displayed on the pump's backlit LCD screen, which includes a timer, so you know how long you've been pumping – no need to pull out your phone or keep an eye on a clock.

Heads up

It operates with a power adapter, but if you want to use it on the go, six AA batteries are required.

Parents say

"I have a double Lansinoh: I've been very happy with it and have used it with all three of my babies. I'm a stay-at-home mom and I used it to help relieve engorgement and to store a little extra milk."

"The Lanasinoh double pump is great. There are lots of different settings for comfort and it's pretty quiet."

Specs

Weighing in at less than half a pound, the Motif Duo Double Electric Breast Pump is ideal for traveling. It's quiet, portable, discreet meaning it's a great lightweight option for traveling, working or multitasking. It lasts 2.5 hours between charges with a quiet motor and easy-to-read LED screen, all of which offers you quality and convenience all in one pump.

Heads up

The Motif Duo Double Electric Breast Pump is a great travel pump, but it doesn't have the high suction levels that some of the other options on this list have.

Specs

Insurance companies are required to cover a breast pump for each pregnancy, but coverage can vary widely depending on your insurer and plan. Some cover hospital-grade pumps, others do not. Some pay only for a pump rental, others give you the pump outright. The covered pump may be manual or electric, and you may receive it before or after birth.

Some insurers require additional steps, such as getting a prescription for your preferred pump from an ob-gyn, or specifying which vendor you must buy your pump through. The only exception is "grandfathered" individual plans (so not ones you’d get through your employer) that don't have to cover "pre-existing conditions," so they can opt out of breast pump coverage.

How will you know what coverage your plan offers? There are two ways to go: the first is to use a breast pump vendor that interfaces with your insurance on your behalf to help you reduce costs, such as Aeroflow. Getting a pump through Aeroflow is a three-step process:

If you'd rather handle the process yourself, it starts with a phone call or email. Contact your insurance provider and tell them you want a breast pump, then get the answers to the following questions:

Once you have the answers to these questions, you'll move forward with these steps.

Whew! It's an exacting process, and some busy new moms-to-be may feel overwhelmed looking at that to-do list. But since breast pumps have been covered more routinely by insurance, there has been a 10 percent uptick in breastfeeding duration amongst the eligible population. So we're going to say that it's worth it!

Clean pump parts after each use by washing them in a clean bowl with hot water and dish soap. Scrub, then rinse parts with fresh water and allow them to air dry on a clean, unused dish towel or paper towel. You may also be able to clean parts by putting them in the dishwasher in a closed-top basket. (Check your pump's manual for specific instructions.)

Don't clean the tubing in an electric pump unless breast milk gets into it. You may see small water drops in the tubing after you pump. If that happens, just turn the pump back on for a few minutes to dry the tubes out. If you see milk in the tubing, check the manual for cleaning instructions, and let it air dry before reattaching it to your breast pump.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends you follow the 4-4-12 guideline when it comes to milk storage.

They also noted that the colder the freezer, the better. So consider a deep freezer if you’re planning on creating a freezer stash.

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[AAP] 2021. American Academy of Pediatrics. "Breastfeeding: Frequently asked questions." https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/breastfeeding/frequently-asked-questions/ [Accessed September 2022]