A brand new baby has a lot of needs—and a regular supply of milk is one of them. Whether you plan to breastfeed or bottle feed, a good breast pump can help you meet one of your baby’s most vital requirements. But when to buy a breast pump? And what kind should you get?
These questions can spark some anxiety, but we’ve got you covered. Momcozy offers an array of excellent wearable pumps to choose from at an affordable cost. Below, we’ll lay out all the details on when to buy a breast pump, why you need one, and how to choose your perfect fit.
Do You Need a Breast Pump?
Before you decide on when you should buy a breast pump, you may wonder if you need one at all. The answer to that question depends on many factors, says Leigh Anne O'Connor, a licensed International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), but it can be especially useful if the baby’s breastfeeding mother plans to return to work, or if baby will be separated from mom for any extended time.
“I recommend getting a breast pump to all the mothers I work with prenatally,” says Nicole Schwartz, a lactation consultant also licensed through the IBCLC. “It is best to have a breast pump as back-up in case your baby is struggling to nurse.”
Different Ways to Breastfeed Your Baby
Human milk contains nutrients vital to your baby, and research shows the skin contact can have not only physical, but also emotional benefits for your baby (1). You have several choices for feeding your new arrival: you can feed at the breast every time, split feedings between breast and bottles of expressed milk, or use only expressed milk bottles.
Some moms stay home and can feed at the breast throughout the day, while others work long hours or must be separated from their baby for other reasons, such as medical issues. These moms can still offer breastmilk to their babies through pumping.
How Breast Pumps Benefits Your Breastfeeding
Some days, it may feel like your baby never wants to leave the breast, especially during times of rapid growth and development. Even during less-intense feeding times, the first few months may mean feeding every two to four hours. (2)
Breastfeeding can seem all-consuming and busy moms can’t always stop to sit and breastfeed every few hours throughout the day. For these moms, breast pumps can offer the gift of time, especially those that let you pump on the go, like Momcozy’s S12 Pro Wearable Breast Pump.
Breast pumping can offer all kinds of benefits, like:
- Offering flexibility to your schedule
- Relieving milk duct engorgement
- Increasing milk supply
- Giving you a break
- Saving time: multitask while using a wearable pump
Even if you can nurse all day, pumps can give you a break when you need it, says Schwartz. Using a breast pump can even help you stick with breastfeeding longer.(3)
Situations Where a Breast Pump Can Be Helpful
“A breast pump is helpful in many situations but especially for moms who have a preterm baby or infant that needs to be in the NICU,” says Schwartz. For infants born with critical health issues, human milk can prevent serious infections. (1)
A breast pump also allows moms who work outside the home to continue that nursing relationship and provide breast milk to their baby while they are away, says Schwartz.
Breast pumps can also help you increase your milk supply, says O'Connor. To do this, you can pump between feedings and right after your baby finishes eating to let your body know it needs to boost milk production. (4)
When Should I Buy a Breast Pump?
The best time to buy a breast pump is during your pregnancy, says Schwartz. “This allows…time to receive the pump, learn how to use it, and wash all the pump parts. That way it is ready to be used if necessary postpartum.”
Momcozy’s breast pumps can get to your door in a few days, and it’s a good idea to have it ready to go before your baby’s arrival.
Pros and Cons of Ordering Your Breast Pump Early vs. Late
Many moms wonder when to get a breast pump during pregnancy. On one hand, the earlier you can order your brand new breast pump, the better prepared you’ll be for your baby’s arrival. Momcozy’s breast pumps are user-friendly and intuitive, but it still helps to get to know your way around your pump before the big day.
Keep in mind, though, most pumps come with limited warranties. So, if your breast pump comes with a 6-month warranty and you get it in your 4th month of pregnancy, you’ll only have a few months left to notice and report any problems with your pump. (5) Momcozy takes away some of this risk by offering a one-year warranty with all their breast pumps.
You may also choose to buy your pump after the baby comes. Maybe you didn’t think you’d need it, or perhaps time just got away from you. After all, there’s a lot to get done! If you waited until after the birth, that’s ok—it’s never too late to order your breast pump.
Pros of ordering your breast pump early:
- Get to know your pump before you have to use it.
- Rest easy knowing you’re ready to provide your baby with milk on the day they’re born.
- Take more time to choose the perfect pump.
Cons of ordering your breast pump early:
- You may “waste” some of your warranty time before using it.
- Insurance providers may not always be willing to pay for a pump too early.
When Can You Order a Breast Pump Through Insurance?
Did you know you can order a breast pump through insurance? It’s true—you can order a Momcozy pump through your insurance provider during your pregnancy. Every insurance company has different rules on when you should order your breast pump, so the best way to find out is to call or email your insurance carrier.
Most plans cover a free or discounted breast pump, says Schwartz. If not, you can purchase one outright or reach out to your local governing authority for help. (6)
If you’re still wondering when you should order a breast pump through insurance, you can try as early as you’d like!
Choosing the Right Breast Pump for You
As you prepare for your new baby, when to buy a breast pump isn’t the only question—you want to know which breast pump will be right for you. Breast pumps come in an array of types, and fit different lifestyles and needs.
While you shop for your Momcozy pump, be sure to consider price, portability, flange options, power source, and technology features. (7) All Momcozy pumps offer a long battery life, affordable pricing, and easy cleaning.
Manual vs. Electric Breast Pumps
Manual pumps are a bit old-school, but they are smaller and less expensive than other types. To operate this type of pump, you place the flange (plastic piece that fits over your nipple) and squeeze a trigger-like device to create suction and express milk. This can take a fair amount of effort, so manual pumps work best if you only need them occasionally. (6) (7)
Electric pumps work better for frequent use or pumping on the move. They can draw milk out of your breast more quickly and don’t require much from you other than setting up your flanges, tubes, and collection bottles. Electric breast pumps like all Momcozy’s hands-free pump models let you pump from both breasts at once, which can also increase your milk supply. (6) (7)
Portability and Power Source
Whether you’re pumping in your office or in the kitchen while you get your older children some lunch, portability is a huge factor when choosing your pump. One big factor in portability lies in your pump’s power source.
If your breast pump needs to stay plugged in, you can only move as far as the power cord will let you. However, battery-powered pumps allow you to go where you need, making it easier than ever to pump throughout the day. Momcozy takes portability to the next level with wearable pumps like their Momcozy Mobile Flow™ M9 Hands-Free Breast Pump.
Built-In Technology
Want to know how each pumping session is going? Using the Momcozy app with their bluetooth-enabled pumps like the M9, you can be sure never to miss a single detail. The app allows you to adjust and customize your pumping settings, track and record how much milk you express each time, and send alerts about your pumping schedule.
Price
Manual breast pumps offer the smallest price tag, costing only $20 to $50 in the US, while electric pumps can cost anywhere from $50 to over $1,000. Insurance companies typically cover mid-range models, but may offer partial payment for a more expensive pump.
Momcozy offers wearable breast pumps at an affordable price between $74.99 for an S12 single to $229.99 for an M6 double. Single pumps work just fine, but double pumps will let you empty your breasts in half the time. (7) You know your budget best, but remember that your time is valuable, and good-quality pumps can give you back hours of your day.
Flanges
Breast pump flanges look like a funnel and are the part of the breast pump that comes in contact with your skin. To use it, you place a flange on your breast, with the nipple centered in the middle. As the pump creates suction, it draws your nipple into the funnel, where milk can flow out and into your collection containers.
If the opening for your nipple is too big or too small, pumping may feel uncomfortable. That’s why Momcozy offers a comprehensive sizing guide to measure yourself for just the right flange size.
When to Use Your Breast Pump for the First Time
When to start pumping depends a lot on your individual goals and plans for feeding your baby, says Schwartz. “If breastfeeding is going well, I recommend waiting a few weeks so you can work on getting into a groove with breastfeeding and letting your baby establish your milk supply.”
Before Birth
If you’re anxious for your baby to come, some people may suggest using your pump before birth to stimulate your nipples and release a hormone called oxytocin, which helps prepare your body for birth.(8)
“Nipple stimulation from pumping can in some cases of low-risk pregnancies be an effective way to induce labor,” says Schwartz, “[but]...I always recommend moms talk to their OBGYN or midwife about it before starting to make sure it is appropriate for their particular situation.” (9)
After Birth
If you and your baby are separated after birth, such as after a pre-term birth, pumping can help signal to your body that it needs to start making more milk. (6) Research shows that women who pump within one hour of giving birth can produce more milk in the long run. (1)
At first, your baby or pump will only be able to get small amounts of “pre-milk” called colostrum. As you keep feeding and pumping, your milk supply will increase.(6) When your milk fully “comes in,” it will contain a lot of water, plus carbohydrates, fat, and a little protein.(10)
If you are able to exclusively breastfeed your baby from the get-go and your baby is gaining enough weight, you don’t need to pump right away.(6) “It is good to pump a week or two before baby will need to be given a bottle,” says O’Connor. “This [can help] parents to determine if their specific pump is effective for them and allows for practice of bottle feeding.”
How Often to Pump
How often you pump depends on your breastfeeding goals, says Schwartz. “If you are an exclusively pumping mom, you should aim to pump a minimum of eight times a day for the first several weeks postpartum to establish your milk supply.” If your baby has trouble latching, you can pump during feeding times to keep up your milk supply and store some away for the next feeding.
If you return to work or are away from your baby for any reason, it’s best to try to pump at the times your baby has a bottle, says O’Connor.(11) Your schedule may not always allow you to do this, but the closer you can stick to your baby’s feeding times, the better you’ll be able to keep up your milk supply.
Final Thoughts
Whatever your pumping needs and timeline, Momcozy has an affordable, stylish, and convenient breast pump for you! Choosing a pump pay feel overwhelming, but with Momcozy’s 30-day guarantee and year-long warranty, you can feel great about trying one out. Browse our various hands-free, wearable models and get ready to enjoy the sweet newborn days ahead.
Sources
- Spatz DL, Froh EB, Schwarz J, et al. Pump Early, Pump Often: A Continuous Quality Improvement Project. J Perinat Educ. 2015;24(3):160-170. doi:10.1891/1058-1243.24.3.160
- How Much and How Often to Breastfeed | Nutrition | CDC. Accessed July 31, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/InfantandToddlerNutrition/breastfeeding/how-much-and-how-often.html
- Using a breast pump | March of Dimes. Accessed July 31, 2024. https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/topics/parenthood/using-breast-pump
- How to Increase Your Breast Milk Supply | Advice for New Parents. Accessed July 31, 2024. https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/b/breast-milk-increase-supply
- How to Prepare for Breastfeeding in the Month Before Birth | ACOG. Accessed July 31, 2024. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/experts-and-stories/the-latest/how-to-prepare-for-breastfeeding-in-the-month-before-birth
- Breastfeeding FAQs: Pumping (for Parents) | Nemours KidsHealth. Accessed July 31, 2024. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/breastfeed-pump.html
- Working and Breastfeeding - La Leche League International. Accessed July 31, 2024. https://llli.org/breastfeeding-info/working-and-breastfeeding/
- Oxytocin - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. Accessed July 31, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507848/
- Stark EL, Athens ZG, Son M. Intrapartum nipple stimulation therapy for labor induction: a randomized controlled external pilot study of acceptability and feasibility. Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM. 2022;4(2):100575. doi:10.1016/j.ajogmf.2022.100575
- Kim SY, Yi DY. Components of human breast milk: from macronutrient to microbiome and microRNA. Clin Exp Pediatr. 2020;63(8):301-309. doi:10.3345/cep.2020.00059
- Pumping Breast Milk | Nutrition | CDC. Accessed July 31, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/infantandtoddlernutrition/breastfeeding/pumping-breast-milk.html
