A Mom Compares Wearable Breast Pumps vs Conventional Pumps
Kicking this off with a fun fact; did you know that, while the earliest recorded patents for breast pumps in the U.S. are less than 200 years old, breast pump tech actually goes back millennia? In fact, archaeologists have unearthed ceramic devices used by the ancient Greeks in the 5th century to extract breast milk. Breast pumps have evolved over the years – manual pumps gave way to electric pumps and now electric pumps are being replaced by wearable breast pumps. But we know that not all pumps are equally effective which is why it’s important to compare wearable breast pumps with expert and consumer-tested reviews for several products before you make a choice. There are several factors to consider when considering wearable breast pumps to electric or manual ones.
Ease of Use
Wearable
Wearable breast pumps are definitely the easiest pumps to use since they slip right into your bra. You can use them while doing your daily chores, running errands, or even exercising.
Electric
Electric pumps are not easy to use. Electric pumps require a wall outlet or a battery – the ones that need a wall outlet are not easy to use because you have to put your day on pause while you pump. The ones that have a rechargeable battery offer better mobility but they are larger and heavier than wearable pumps.
Manual
Manual pumps are the least user-friendly pump here. Manual pumps take more time and effort and your wrists will be burning by the time you’re through with your first session. Each pumping session can take 15 to 45 minutes and most new moms pump every couple of hours, so you can just imagine how (much more) exhausted you will be at the end of your day.
Cleaning Time
Wearable
Wearable pumps are small and compact so that they can fit inside of a bra. This also means that they have very few components that can be easily assembled and disassembled. The detachable pump motor does not come in contact with the milk so it doesn’t need to be cleaned. The rest of the parts that need to be cleaned are dishwasher safe, which minimizes cleaning time.
Electric
Cleaning electric pumps can be an absolute nightmare! This is because most electric pumps have connecting tubes to help collect the expressed milk. According to recommendations for cleaning breast pumps, all parts of the breast pump that come in contact with breast milk have to be cleaned after every use – this means that those thin connecting tubes need to be thoroughly cleaned using a special brush.
Manual
Manual pumps need to be cleaned and sanitized with boiling water after every use. One of the drawbacks to cleaning manual pumps is that if you are using a stovetop to boil the water and clean them, you have to continuously move the pieces around so that they do not rest on the bottom of the pan which will damage them.
Discretion
Wearable
Wearable breast pumps are very discreet because of their natural shape and size. The motors used in these pumps are close to silent and the soft hum is only audible if you are in a small, confined space. This means that you can wear them in public and no one would realize that you’re pumping.
Electric
Most electric breast pumps are noisy, though pumps that require plugging into a wall outlet are typically not as loud as the battery pumps.
Manual
Manual pumps do not have motors, which means that they are completely silent when it comes to noise. However given the amount of manual work required to pump, you will require privacy to pump in order to express milk continuously.
Cost and Insurance Coverage
Wearable
Wearable pumps can vary greatly in cost. Some wearable breast pumps are under $100, while others with smart technology features like mobile app connectivity that give you stats on how much you’ve pumped, how frequently, and more, can cost over $1,000. You’ll mostly be able to find a good wearable pump for about $150-200, but your insurance may not cover the cost. Or at best, they might partially cover it.
Electric
Electric pumps can cost around the same price as a good wearable pump, typically between $60 and $150. Some health insurance plans cover electric pumps, either as a rental unit or a new one that you get to keep.
Manual
Under the Affordable Care Act, your health insurance plan must cover the cost of a breast pump, though it does not specify what kind of pump. Manual pumps range from $20 to $50, so most health insurance plans completely cover these pumps.
Each type of breast pump has its pros and cons, but wearable breast pumps have the most value for money since they allow you to continue with your day as usual. Whether working from an office or at home, a wearable pump offers comfort and freedom.
