Unless you’ve had a close friend or relative who breastfed her baby, you may not know much about breast pumps, and the whole idea can be a little (a lot) overwhelming! There are some misconceptions about breast pumps that are either completely untrue or have changed over recent years. Let’s dive into the most common ones, and clear up any confusion along the way.

Even if you aren’t working or planning to be away from your baby for extended periods of time, it’s helpful to have a small stash of milk on hand for multiple reasons:

• Your partner can aid in feedings.
• You will be relieved of some of the burden that comes with being the sole provider of nutrients for your baby. 
• Date nights! (Or for any outing, so you don't have to feel rushed and stressed about getting back to your baby in time for the next feeding)
• Emergency situations 
• Relief for your babysitter. It can be a little panic-inducing for anyone watching your child to not have the ability to feed your baby if needed. 

For moms who can plan to be with their babies almost around the clock, you can just pump a few mornings every week to build up a small supply. 

If you’re using the appropriate sized parts and a lower suction setting, you should not experience any pain or discomfort during pumping! If you need additional guidance in this area, one of our Certified Lactation Counselors (CLC's) would be happy to help you make some adjustments. Reach out HERE for help! 

It may seem like it at first, and understandably so, but it’s really quite simple: a power cord connects the pump to the electrical outlet, and tubing connects the milk collection bottles to the pump itself. Once you’ve set it up a couple of times you could probably do it in your sleep! (Which, come to think of it, might actually come in handy during those newborn days!)

The primary factor here is the learning curve. Once you get comfortable setting up your pump and emptying milk/washing parts, you’ll see how easy it is to get in a good rhythm and learn some time-saving shortcuts.

We also recommend setting up a breast pump station when possible, so everything remains in one spot and ready to use. 

Breast pumps have come a long way! The majority are lightweight and quite portable, and can even be stored in a pump bag for easier transport.

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies are required to cover breastfeeding equipment, at NO cost to you. Read more about this HERE

It doesn’t have to be! Our Maternity team at Wyatt’s Pharmacy are pros at this. Let us take care of all the details. All you need to do is fill out THIS form (only takes 1-2 minutes and then your part is done!) 

Even if you replace the old breast pump parts and accessories, it’s actually not recommended to use a previously owned pump.

Per the FDA, “Only breast pumps that are designed for multiple users should be used by more than one person. With the exception of multiple user pumps, the FDA considers breast pumps to be single-user devices. That means that a breast pump should only be used by one woman because there is no way to guarantee the pump can be cleaned and disinfected between uses by different women.”

More about this HERE.

It certainly won't hurt to bring your pump along but it’s not necessary. In the event you need a pump while in the hospital, they have hospital grade pumps (made for and intended for use by multiple people) that you can borrow. With everything else you'll be packing, we recommend leaving your own pump at home!

Your employer is required by law to accommodate nursing mothers with time to pump and a designated place to pump. We recommend starting this conversation before your maternity leave begins to establish plans in advance. This will alleviate stress for both parties when it is time for you to return to work. Read the specifics of the guidelines HERE. 

We hope this helps dispel some myths you might have believed about breast pumps. They are real game-changers for breastfeeding mamas, and we want all of you to experience those benefits!

Still have questions? Wyatt’s Maternity staff would love to give you more information and make the process of obtaining your own breast pump as simple as possible for you. Contact us here, or go ahead and fill out our Breast Pump Order Form and one of our staff will be in touch with you shortly!