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Wearable breast pump: How to make a great choice for you and your baby
As a mom, you know your breastmilk is one of the very best gifts you can give your baby, and you're the only person in the world who can provide it. It's likely that you want to breastfeed for as long as possible, but life can be so busy. You may have trouble getting your baby to latch, or you may need to go back to work long before you're ready to stop nursing. Either way, you know that you need to pump frequently to maintain your milk supply, and you also know that it would really be great if you didn't have to spend several hours a day holding an old-fashioned breast pump up to your breasts. A wearable breast pump just may be the perfect solution.
How do wearable breast pump devices work?
Designed for quiet, discreet use, wearable breast pumps have only been available in the U.S. since 2018. Their advanced technology eliminates the need to be tethered to a breast pump by tubing that creates suction. Instead, you can attach a small combination pump and milk collection device over each of your breasts and double-pump while your hands are free to do other things. This saves you 10 to 30 minutes for each pumping session. Over the course of a week, that adds up to about five hours of time.
Wearable breast pumps available at Edgepark
Edgepark has long been a leading supplier of electric breast pumps and now offers two hands-free wearable pumps. In addition to the Freemie Independence II wearable pump, which has been available through Edgepark for some time, Edgepark recently added the Elvie Stride, a hands-free, hospital-strength double electric wearable pump, available to select insurance plans. Both devices allow for double pumping, or pumping both breasts simultaneously. Take a closer look at the Elvie Stride and the Freemie Independence II.
The Elvie Stride wearable pump
- Weighs 1.2 pounds
- 5-ounce milk collection cups
- Dishwasher safe
- Suction strength = 300 mmHg
The Freemie Independence II wearable pump
- Weighs 0.5 pounds
- 8-ounce milk collection cups
- Hand washable
- Suction strength = 280 mmHg
Which breast pump is right for me?
If you plan to pump regularly, choosing a pump that works well for you and your baby is essential. Consider these factors when evaluating what kind of pump will meet your needs:
- Is this a double pump or a single pump? Double pumps cut pumping time in half and are a must for moms who will need to pump regularly.
- Can I change the strength and speed of suction? Different women need different amounts of suction to get maximum milk flow. A pump with variable suction strength as well as variable speed will help mom feel most comfortable while pumping.
- Does this pump fit my budget? You may want to choose a breast pump that is covered by your health insurance plan.
- Is this pump discreet? Do you want to wear the pump during meetings or while traveling in airplanes? If so, you'll want a very quiet pump you can wear under your clothes.
- Is this pump easy to use? Does the technology seem user-friendly? How about the milk storage? Is the pump easy to keep clean?
In addition to wearable breast pumps, Edgepark offers a dozen different high-quality electric breast pumps, from portable battery-operated pumps to corded hospital-strength electric breast pumps. Most electric breast pumps are designed to last for about as long as a mother pumps for a single infant. In most cases, private health insurance will cover the cost of a new electric breast pump during each pregnancy. If you're expecting, find out which breast pumps are covered by your health insurance carrier, and place your breast pump order now so you'll have one less thing to worry about when your new baby arrives.
Expecting a baby? There's so much to learn! Find out more by reading this article: 5 things expecting mothers need to know about breast pumps.
