Best Breast Pump for Working Moms

Best Breast Pump for Working Moms Ah, the memories of pumping milk in my office and on work travel get me so misty-eyed.No, elend really.I suspect most of us who have been in the position of working and pumping breast milk experienceconflicting feelings Gratitude for the ability to produce milk that nurishes our little ones.Annoyance and frustration at the logistical nightmare that can be pumping at work and on the go.And sometimes horror at the pumping sounds that can come from our offices.I once calculated that between my two children, I had pumped over 1,000 times over the course of a nearly two-year period.I schlepped that pumping bag with its pump, bottles, milk, and ice packs on planes, trains, and automobiles.And there were definitely things I learned along the way that I wished I had known earlier in my pumping career. (Replace those little white Medela membranes and youll get better suctionPump earlier in the morning when your supply is higher)If youre going through the stre ss of pumping, you want to make sure you choose the right appliance for the job. And you, my dear mamas, have the benefit of some advanced technology that simply wasnt available when I was pumping in the dark ages, 5+ years ago.To make pumping at work easier for you, Ive reached out both to my Mindful Return course alumnae (all new working mamas themselves) andthe breastfeeding experts at Metropolitan Breastfeedingto ask their opinions on THE best pumps for working mamas.The Best Breast Pumps for Working Moms1 The SpectraThis pump got the most votes and cheers of enthusiasm from new working moms.Hands down.Bar none.No comparison. The mamas who talked about this pump were true groupies.Almost made me want to pump again.(Almost, but bedrngnis quite.)What makes it so great?Heres what they sayIts speedy. One mom said she pumped half as long and got a lot mora milk than from her other pump.Its quiet.Its lightweight.Its more comfortable and gentler.Theres a built-in light (convenient for night-time pumping) and a timer.The flanges are a perfect fit for Avent bottles.Its a closed system, so less worry about buying one used.Only downside?Its a bit bigger than some other pumps, which can make it a bit more bulky for travel.Apparently, most insurance only covers the Spectra S2, but with some insurance, you can still get the S1 and simply pay the difference.Mamas loved the S1 for its rechargeable battery than can last several pumping sessions, which can be especially great for long, international trips.Best working mama quote about the pump? Without it, I could not have nursed my child as long as I did.2 Rent a hospital grade pump to keep at the office. (E.g.Medela Symphony)The second-most votes went to just rent a hospital grade pump for your office rather than buying a consumer model.Why?Saves time gets the job done fasterMore effective at getting out more milk.Quieter than many of the commercial options.This option gets a ringing endorsement from my friends at Metrop olitan Breastfeeding, too. Sometimes we find that working parents need a little more power with their pumps, says Michelle Stulberger, MHA, IBCLC, the Director of Business Operations at Metropolitan Breastfeeding.When youre away from baby and pumping multiple times during the day, she notes, it can be difficult to keep up your supply for many reasons, including the fact that many people do not respond as easily to a pump as they do to their baby. This is why we always remind parents that what you pump isnt always an accurate reflection of your supplyFor these reasons, we love to recommend the Medela Symphony pump as a great option for working parents. The Symphony is compatible with the Pump in Style pieces (youll just need a different type of tubing and caps), which many parents have already received from their insurance. There is a letdown phase to start, and parents can adjust the speed and suction easily.Want more reasons to go this route? Michelle gives bonus points for storage Although the rental comes in a hard case, there are pumping bags available to store all items and optional accessories like car power adapters for pumping on-the-go. Using a higher powered pump like the Symphony also can result in faster pumping sessions, which is something that all working parents can appreciateBest working mama quote about the pump? So much time saved and more milk pumped For the first few months, I rented a hospital grade Medela, and it was worth every penny.3LimerickThis isnt one Id heard of, but wow did it get an enthusiastic review from a new working mama.Why?The pump is a closed system (again, less risk if shared), and works extremely well.Great customer service.Limerick is a small, woman-owned company.One-size fits all silicone flangesThe only downside appears to be the price. It is more expensive than its counterparts.(And we hear its most similar in function to the Spectra.)Best working mama quote about the pump?I loved everything about my Limerick pumpI loved it so much I bought a secondout of pocket so I could leave one in my office.4Medela FreestyleThere were also several shout-outs for the Medela Freestyle electric pump.What does it have going for it?Its a small and portable double electric pump, that can work without being plugged into the wall.Easy for traveling, as its very compact.You can walk around wearing it.Best working mama quote? The Medela Freestyle is great Very convenient for pumping wherever you need it.What about hand pumps?Looking for a hand pump? behauptung can be useful first thing in the morning while nursing on the other sideor in case of emergencies like forgotten pump part or a broken pump. The Mindful Return mamas recommend these twoMedela Harmony Great in a pinch, if you know you wont be able to plug in, and lugging a bigger pump isnt a good fit. It fits discretely into a purse and is basically silent when you use it.Haakaa Silicone Manual Breast Pump No parts, quiet, and a total lifesaver. One mama used it before she went back to work, to help build a freezer stash of breast milk.She used it throughout the day (without having to take the time to set up an electric pump) and got 2 or 3 ounces a day from it.Other pumping accouterments?Three other pumping accessories got shout-outs as wellFreemie attachmentThe Freemie is simply a collection cup system, with a filter, valve, and funnel that fits over your breast just like the original flanges that come with any pump. The cups tuck into your bra, making you look a little like Madonna in that famous cone bra, except these binnenseem infinitely more useful, raved Jewelyn Cosgrove.Because the Freemie makes pumping hands-free and discreet, mamas especially love using it for pumping in the car. Pumping Pal breast pump flangesThey come with three different sized pairs, and the word on the street is that they make pumping a million hours a day so much more comfortable.The Dairy Fairy BraHaving a hands-free pumping bra can make all the differen ce in your office pumping experience.I heard accolades for The Dairy Fairy line of brasA Few Final ThoughtsIn addition to insurance covering pumps and supplies these days, be aware that breastfeeding supplies count as reimbursable items through flex-spending accounts. This even includes nursing pads and storage bagsAnd finally, remember that whatever youre able to pump will be enough, mama. Working, pumping, and generally just putting yourself together every day to get out the door requires a herculean effort. Take the time to zoom out, see the bigger picture, and realize that you are doing the absolute best you can. And that baby will be just fine no matter what. When pumping gets you down, and you need a good laugh, read my ode to Dr. Seuss pumping poem, too Oh, the Places Youll Pump--Lori K. Mihalich-Levin, JD, is the founder of Mindful Return, author of Back to Work After Baby How to Plan and Navigate a Mindful Return from Maternity Leave, and creator of the Mindful Return E-Cou rse. A partner in the health care practice of a global law firm, she also is mama to two beautiful red-headed boys. Lori holds a law degree from the Georgetown University Law Center and completed her undergraduate studies at Princeton Universitys Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.