Hospital-Grade Breast Pumps vs Regular Breast Pumps

By Cindy Puppos | June 26, 2023

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Hospital-Grade Breast Pumps vs Regular Breast Pumps

There are many reasons why mothers prefer breastfeeding their children. Breastmilk is rich in vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that support your baby's growth. This is why 24.9% of babies exclusively breastfeed.

However, traditional breastfeeding may not work for many parents. The father's involvement in feeding is essential to the social bonding between daddy and baby.

Since more mothers are working—and needing to go back to work while the infant is as young as a week old—traditional breastfeeding is no longer an option. This is why many mothers opt to use breast pumps.

Should you use hospital-grade breast pumps or regular ones? Here are the pros and cons of both.

Regular vs. Hospital-Grade Breast Pump

There are a few differences between hospital-grade and regular breast pumps. These vary in size and effectiveness.

Size

Hospital-grade breast pumps are bigger than regular ones. That is because these are multi-user pumps with multiple technological features and a strong motor. Some mothers may need robust power, but they are not the most mobile option. For stay-at-home moms or mothers who only breastfeed at home, using a hospital-grade breast pump is not a problem. But these pumps are inconvenient for mothers who need to pump breastmilk at another location, such as at work.

Multi-User or Single-User

Regular breast pumps are made for "personal use," meaning only one person can use them. This differs from hospital-grade breast pumps since they are made for multiple mothers in a maternity ward.

Why would you need a multi-user pump if you know you will be the only one using it? Since a hospital-grade breast pump is made to support multiple women, it can handle more use than conventional breast pumps. If you will be pumping breastmilk 8-10 times a day, you should choose a hospital-grade breast pump.

However, if you plan on traditional breastfeeding and only pumping a couple of times a day, you may only need a regular breast pump.

Effectiveness

Hospital-grade breast pumps are more effective than regular ones. They have a powerful motor, making them more efficient at pumping breastmilk for longer periods of time. The suction is also higher and more effective at collecting breast milk.

In addition, hospital-grade breast pumps have more flexible speed options. You can choose to set your pump at a faster speed, releasing breastmilk faster than a conventional pump. This is the better option if you juggle multiple tasks in a day, such as working from home while caring for the baby full-time.

Are Hospital-Grade Breast Pumps Available for Personal Use?

Yes, but it depends on the brand. Some brands only make breast pumps for hospital use, while others only offer the option to rent them out to consumers. But with more demand, many breast milk manufacturers are expanding their product line to create breast pumps that imitate the quality that consumers find in hospital settings.

Do You Need a Hospital-Grade Breast Pump?

Many mothers consider using hospital-grade breast pumps because they are stronger than average pumps. But that does not always mean you need a hospital-grade pump.

Personal breast pumps may not be as powerful or flexible as ones meant for hospitals, but they are still effective at pumping breast milk. There are sometimes when a personal pump may be better. For example, this is the better option if you need to pump breast milk outside the home.

Otherwise, hospital-grade breast pumps are the better option if you're struggling to produce breast milk or need to increase your supply. These pumps have more power in their suctioning and more speech options, so they are better at getting breast milk out and at faster speeds. Since hospital-grade breast pumps are a better option for many uses, they are a longer-lasting option for mothers planning on pumping breast milk multiple times a day.

There are other options you should consider when choosing a breast pump, such as:

• How many children do you plan on having?
• The length of time you plan to pump or breastfeed
• Cost of the breast pump

You should also consider other factors, such as identifying a hospital-grade breast pump and how you will pay for one.

How to Choose a Breast Pump That's Hospital-Grade

The FDAdoes not recognize the term "hospital-grade" in breast pumps, meaning they are unregulated. Consumers will have to do some digging if they want to buy hospital-grade breast pumps.

Fortunately, breast pump manufacturers have set criteria to differentiate between regular and hospital-grade breast pumps. Always check for labels such as "multi-user." Since hospitals use these breast pumps, you can reach out to your local maternity ward or the birthing place you chose and ask for recommendations.

Should You Buy or Rent a Breast Pump?

Breast pumps can be expensive, and many mothers choose to rent one to save costs. But is it worth it to rent the best breast pumps?

First, let us look at the downsides of renting a breast pump. When renting a breast pump, you may not be covered by the manufacturer's warranty. To prevent cross-contamination, you may still be required to purchase your own accessories, such as tubing and breast shields. You will also have to find a reputable hospital or medical supply store that will rent out the highest quality breast pump.

If money is a concern, there may also be no reason to rent a breast pump. Many insurance carriers cover the cost of a breast pump, and you can always give your insurance information to the manufacturer or store.

Even if you do not have insurance or it does not cover a breast pump, there are other ways to save. For example, many stores offer payment plans such as Klarna, where you pay a certain price a month to cover the cost of the breast pump.

Are You Looking for a Hospital-Grade Breast Pump?

If you are an expecting mom, you only want the best for your child. We understand this, which is why we offer hospital-grade breast pumps. Our breast pumps are quiet, portable, and offer the latest technology. You can buy your breast pump with insurance or choose a payment plan if you need to pay full price.

Set up an account with us today or give us a call at  (888) 977-2229

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