Pumps and Parts — EP and Me

PUMPS

Pumps work to extract milk by creating a seal around the nipple—just as a baby would do with their mouth—and alternatingly suctioning and releasing to release milk. It’s worth checking with your health insurance company to see if it covers the cost of a breast pump. Many health insurance companies cover part, if not all, of the cost of a pump and additional parts; however, the selection you are permitted to choose from may be limited. If you have a medical spending account, such as an FSA or HSA, you should check to see if your breast pump, parts, and accessories (like milk storage bags) are eligible expenses.

All breast pumps consistent of a few basic parts, the flange, a pump, and a milk container.

Types of Breast Pumps:

Manual pumps
Battery-powered pumps
Electric pumps

Manual Pumps:

There are two types of manual pumps: handle pumps and suction pumps. Manual handle pumps utilize a handle or lever to create suction and encourage the release of milk. They are called “manual pumps” because they are hand operated. They are a low-cost option that does not require electricity or batteries. Even if you prefer to use a battery or electric pump, a manual pump is a good backup to have in case you are unable to plug in your pump or your pump suddenly stops working. Most manual pumps are considered a “single” breast pump because the unit will only attach to one breast at a time (although nothing is stopping you from buying two and attempting to double pump that way!) A few examples of manual pumps include:

Manual suction pumps passively draw milk out of your breast through suction. Some mothers find a manual suction pump is a good compliment to using a manual handle pump. If using it alone, massaging the breast and gently squeezing the silicone bottle can help remove milk. A few examples of manual suction pumps include:

Battery/Rechargable and Electric Pumps:

Battery/rechargable and electric pumps are “powered” by batteries or electricity from an outlet and many allow you to double pump—pump both breasts at the same time—or single pump. These pumps will perform the suction and release cycle for you. They generally have settings allowing you to adjust the amount of suction and the speed of a cycle (one suction and one release is considered a “cycle”). Battery and electric pumps are further divided into two types:

Open system:

There is no barrier between the milk and pump mechanism, which may allow milk to come in contact with the pumping mechanism
Can be less hygienic but open systems are often less expensive than closed system pumps

Closed system:

There is a barrier between the milk and pump mechanism (often called “overflow protection”) that prevents milk from entering the machine
Often more expensive than open system pumps

A few examples of electric (via outlet) pumps are:

Spectra S2 Pump (closed system)
Medela Symphony Breast Pump (closed system)(note there is a rechargeable battery option below)
Spectra Synergy Gold Dual Adjustable Electric Breast Pump (closed system)

Battery or rechargable pumps are popular because they are more portable. A few examples of battery pumps are:

Spectra S1 Pump (closed system)
BabyBuddha Single or Double Portable Breast Pump (closed system)
Medela Pump In Style with MaxFlow Breast Pump (closed system)
BellaBaby Double Electric Breast Pump (closed system)
Medela Freestyle Flex (closed system)
Evenflo Deluxe Advanced Double Electric Breast Pump (closed system)
Evenflo Advanced Single-Electric Breast Pump (single pump) (closed system)
Motif Luna with Battery Double Electric Beast Pump (closed system)
Ameda Finesse (closed system)
Medela Symphony Breast Pump with Rechargeable Battery (closed system)
Pumpables SuperGenie (closed system)
NCVI Double Electric Breast Pump (closed system)
Babyation The Pump (closed system)
Ameda Mya Breast Pump, Ameda Mya Joy, or Ameda Mya Joy Plus (all closed system)

As technology improves, companies are providing even more options by creating wearable battery pumps. Generally, the wearable pumps allow you to pump while dressed and moving freely around your home or work. Based on their design, these pumps generally do not allow for massage and compression of the breast while pumping.

Willow 3.0
Willow Go
Elvie (Single or Double option)
Elvie Stride
Imani i2 Breast Pump
Freemie Liberty II Deluxe
BellaBaby Double Wearable Breast Pump
TSRETE Breast Pump Electric (Single Pump)
Pumpables Genie Advanced

Although not a different type of pump, it is worth mentioning that some pumps are considered hospital grade and thought to be ideal for establishing your milk supply immediately postpartum. Although a number of pumps are promoted as “hospital grade,” I am only familiar with one: the Medela Symphony Breast Pump.

A Few Things to Consider When Choosing a Breast Pump (for a full breakdown of things to consider, click here):

Is the pump easy to assemble? How many parts does it require?
Is the pump easy to travel with? Consider its size and weight
If you will be pumping frequently in a day, perhaps you may want to invest in an electric or battery pump instead of a manual pump
If you plan to pump for an extended time (months/years) the durability of the motor may be important
Does the noise level of the pump matter?
Is hygiene a concern for you (closed system or open system) because your baby is medically fragile?
Will you have access to an outlet where you pump?
Will you be pumping somewhere you require a more discreet pump?
Is the pump reviewed as comfortable and effective?
Is cost or insurance coverage a consideration?
Are the pump parts easily replaceable?
What do users say about the suction strength and type of suction?

PARTS

In addition to your pump, you have the parts that attach to your breast and allow you to remove milk. Your pump parts may consistent of the following pieces, though every pump is different (especially the wearable pumps!):

A flange/breast shield: a funnel shaped piece
A base connector
A combination flange and base connector that do not detach from each other
A valve and membrane or duckbill
Milk container
Tubing and tubing adaptor
Backflow protector

If you do not like certain pieces of your system, you can often “hack” your parts i.e. purchase adaptors or other pieces from other brands to use with your pump. For example, there are flanges and cups that you can use in place of the flanges or cups that came with your system. Before buying a new part, make sure it is compatible with your pump system. Although there are a few examples below, more customizations are listed here. Examples of flanges and cups that may be subbed for the parts your pump came with:

- Maymom
  - Provides replacement parts for many different pumps as well as additional flange sizes and adaptor pieces to allow use of one brand’s pump parts with a different pump. Often the maymom parts are more cost efficient.
- Pumpables Liquid Kit
  - A closed system that can be used with any non-wearable pump. Note: you must use the entire liquid kit, which comes with breast shields and silicone inserts but you can pump into any wide neck bottles or use an adaptor to pump into narrow neck bottles. If using a Medela pump, you may need a connector attached to the end of the tubing.
- Pumpin Pals
  - These flanges are designed with a more gradual angle from the breast shield funnel into the nipple tunnel.
  - Their silicone flanges with Elast+Assist Technology can help improve milk flow for mothers with elastic breast tissue
- Legendairy Milk Silicone Collection Cups
  - Wearable cups that allow you to pump discretely because they slip into your bra rather than hanging outside your pumping bra)
  - Holds 8 ounces
  - Compatible with many popular pumps
  - May not allow for massage and compression due to design
- Spectra Baby CaraCups
- Idaho Jones Pump-A-Collect Breast Milk Collection Cups
- Youha Milk Collection Cups
- Freemie cups
  - Wearable cups that allow you to pump discretely because they slip into your bra rather than hanging outside your pumping bra
  - May not allow for massage and compression due to design
  - Can be customized with inserts
  - Three types of Freemie cups:
    - Freemie: holds 8 ounces and is compatible
    - SlimFit5: holds 5 ounces of milk
    - Slimfit6: holds 6 ounces of milk
    - Freemie is compatible with many popular pumps but the Slimfit models may only be compatible with Freemie pumps
  Brands EP&Me has explored:
  - - - Willow 3.0
  ACCESSORIES
  
  As with anything, there are many accessories that can enhance your pumping experience or improve efficiency.
  
  Milk storage bags:
  - Kiinde Twist Pouch (can pump directly into – may need adaptor)
  - Spectra Simple Store (can pump directly into – may need adaptor)
  - Tommy Tippee (can pump directly into – may need adaptor)
  - Lansinoh
  - GOGO
  - Target’s Up & Up
  - Pumpables
  - Momcozy
  - Medela
  - Dr. Brown’s
  - Philips Avent
  - Nuliie
  - Nanobebe
  - Baby Lemon
  - Kindred Bravely
  - Milkies
  - Motif Medical
  - Zip Top
  - Momcozy (reusable silicone)
  - Haakaa (reusable silicone)
  Pumping Bras:
  Other useful accessories:
  - Haakaa Silicone Colostrum Collectors (useful only before your milk comes in)
  - Medela Breast Milk Bottles (useful for small bits of extra milk if you have just a little bit leftover after making up your bags/bottles or to heat small amounts of milk to add to a bottle in use)
  - Breast Massagers: LaVie Warming Massager, LaVie Massager, Frida Mom (heat & massage), and Momcozy (heat and massage)
  - DC power adaptor to charge your battery pump in the car
  - Nipple lubricant
  - Lactalite breast pumping light
  - Sanitizing wipes
  - Pumping cover
  - Bag for transporting your pump and accessories
  - Cooler for transportation of milk
  - Breast pads
  - Adaptors to pump into different bags or bottles (see post on how to pick a breast pump for links)
  - Ameda ComfortGel for nipple pain relief
  - Medela TheraShells Breast Shells for sore, flat, or inverted nipples