Questions to Ask Yourself When Choosing a Breast Pump

Before selecting a breast pump, it is important to understand and define what is valuable to you throughout your journey.

• Are you planning to exclusively pump and start pumping immediately after birth?
• Will you be nursing/chest feeding once baby is born, then pumping to build a freezer stash before work?
• Do you plan on pumping at work?

All of these will have a direct impact on the type of pump you get.

If your goal is to exclusively pump or pump at work to give your caregiver as much milk as your baby needs, it’s crucial that your pump keep up with your needs and can get as much milk as your baby would get out. Breast milk production works on a supply-and-demand system. Meaning, the more milk you remove, the more your body signals to produce. The less milk you remove, the less milk your body produces. That’s why having a primary pump that can keep up is a must. 

A primary pump is an electric breast pump that is meant to support your milk supply from the very start and keep going throughout your breastfeeding journey. They often have stronger motors, adjustable settings, and longer battery life (like the S6+ Adjustable with 85 setting combos). Primary breast pumps provide enough power to get the most out of your breast pump sessions. Which is crucial for supply and demand.

Remember: more milk out = more milk produced.

If you plan to exclusively pump, pump in the NICU, or rely on pumping at work, most lactation professionals recommend you use a primary pump. A primary pump is used to establish and maintain your milk supply. This is especially important if you are exclusively pumping or pumping in the NICU.

If you are only planning to pump occasionally, for instance, if you are going out for a girl’s night or a date with your partner and need enough milk for the sitter while you are gone and some relief while you are out (hello, engorgement!), a secondary pump, sometimes referred to as portable or wearable pump, could be enough. Either way, we recommend having a primary pump waiting for you so you can be fully prepared for whatever situation comes your way.

It’s important to keep in mind, while you may have an idea of what your feeding journey looks like, things can change – and that’s okay! Sometimes life throws curveballs. Be flexible and give yourself grace.

Many parents wonder if they should get a single or double electric breast pump. A single electric breast pump means it is pumping one side at a time. It usually means only one pump for one side is being purchased (this impacts pricing, so pay close attention to the details). This is different from a double electric breast pump, which means that both sides operate at the same time. When you get a double electric breast pump, you are getting a device that will pump both sides at once. Most breast pumps are double electric breast pumps.

• Single electric breast pump = one side at a time
• Double electric breast pump = both sides at time (with single pump option)

A double electric breast pump is the most efficient way to pump milk because you are pumping both sides at the same time during a 15 – 30 minute session instead of one side at a time, for a total of 60 minutes or longer. In addition to saving time during pump sessions, pumping with a double electric breast pump has been shown through studies to yield more milk. Talk about a win win! Most double electric breast pumps allow you to single pump, so if you need or want to, you are still able to pump one side at a time. For efficiency, milk output, and time savings, most lactation professionals recommend a double electric breast pump.

At one point in time, breast pumps used to be big and bulky. While some still are, many of them are much smaller now. Now, it’s common for primary breast pumps to be both rechargeable and portable. If you like the sound of having a portable pump, but aren’t really sure if you need that or what having a portable breast pump means, here are some things to consider.

Using it for work? While work certainly can seem like traveling, and in some cases does require hopping in a car, train, or plane, if you’re going to the office every day and you have a place to pump with access to an outlet, you don’t necessarily need a rechargeable pump. That said, a rechargeable primary pump can give you the portability you are looking for with the reliability of a primary pump.

Traveling frequently? If you’re often on the go – whether it’s a road trip, a quick weekend escape, or some other fun adventure, having something portable could be a good option.

How portable is portable? Some things to consider for portability are weight, size, and shape. Being rechargeable is another must if you are looking for portability (as opposed to something that needs to be plugged into a power outlet.) Accessories like a lanyard or a dedicated travel bag can make a difference in how portable your breast pump is.

How will you store your milk? If you are pumping on the go, you’ll need to store your milk on the go, too. Having a dedicated bag for your breast pump with an insulated pocket for breast milk (like the Journey Breast Pump Backpack) ensures you have everything you need in one place with a safe storage area for your precious milk supply.

Thankfully, most insurance plans cover a breast pump. Which means you can get one for free or at a reduced cost for a small “upgrade” fee. To find out where you can get a Cimilre breast pump through insurance, go to our Pumps Through Insurance page, search by region, and you’ll find a list of DMEs (durable medical equipment providers) that you can get your breast pump from. Our partners make the process quick and easy. In most cases, all you have to do is put your state and insurance information in to see what you qualify for. Some have comparison options so you can see your top picks side by side to compare features. You can compare Cimilre breast pumps here.

Many insurance plans cover breast pump replacement parts and breast milk storage bags too! Be sure to take advantage of everything your insurance includes so you can get the most out of your coverage.

If you haven’t used a breast pump before, it can be hard to know what features will be the most useful (or not so useful) to you. Part of it will depend on where you will be pumping (at work), when (middle of the night or early morning), and how often (all day while baby is at daycare) you will be pumping. From there, you can get a feel for how certain features can help and what is an absolute must-have.

Here are some features to be on the lookout for:

• Hospital-strength suction
• Rechargeable
• Dual motors
• Adjustable cycle speeds
• Customizable setting combinations
• Modes
• Quiet Motor
• Nightlight
• Backlit LCD Screen
• Auto shut off timer
• Closed system
• Double pumping
• GentleFlow Technology™
• Interchangeable breast pump parts
• Available Flange/Breast Shield Sizes
• Get the Right Fit – Cimilre’s program where you can choose your breast shield size for free

A quick note on hospital grade vs hospital strength. While many breast pumps claim to be “hospital grade”, the reality is the FDA doesn’t define the term “hospital grade”. It’s really just a marketing term and doesn’t imply features, strength, or capabilities approved by the FDA. Read more about what the FDA actually says in our blog “The Truth About “Hospital Grade” Breast Pumps.”

Choosing a breast pump is a big deal, it’s how we feed our littles! But it doesn’t have to be overwhelming or confusing. Running through these questions will help you determine your specific needs and what to prioritize when getting a breast pump.

Ready to get started? See which Cimilre breast pumps would suit your needs and find a DME to get your breast pump through insurance in your region.