Best Breast Pumps
For breastfeeding mothers, a breast pump is essential.
However, they can be rather expensive! I remember when I was pregnant with Jack that I decided to forgo even buying one because there was no way I could afford one on our meager college student budget.
Fortunately, I didn’t really ever need one, but that situation was different with Oliver (and our life was different, and a breast pump was more attainable).
Nowadays, getting a breast pump is a little easier. In this post, I’ll tell you just how to do that, as well as which breast pumps covered by insurance are the best ones to get!
Does My Insurance Cover a Breast Pump?
While I am not the biggest fan of the ACA, I do think that it has made things easier for breastfeeding moms – it is now required for insurance to provide a breastfeeding mother with a breast pump.
So if you are currently paying for insurance and you are pregnant or given birth in recent months – hooray! You likely will be able to get a brand new breast pumps.
What pumps are covered by insurance depend on who your insurance is through. They may provide you with a new one, or a rental pump, and it may be a manual or double. It’s important to double (or maybe triple) check when you are getting insurance to see what is offered.
You can always call your insurance office to make sure you have the right information. Some of them will allow you to get one before your baby is even born.
One thing to keep in mind is that if you are on Medicaid, you may or may not be able to get a breast pump. This varies by state, but I know that in Colorado, they will recommend you to the local WIC office. They may be able to loan you a breast pump (though, again, it depends on the office). Some of them will provide you with a manual pump, others may lend you an electric pump. It really just depends.
How to Get a Breast Pump Through Insurance
Yes, you can get a free breast pump through insurance (well, more like it’s included with your premium. Not so sure free is the best word ;-). It’s very easy to do!
There are a lot of different websites out there that can help you order your pump, but the one that I find to be the most straight forward is Aeroflow. All you do is submit your information, they will let you know if you qualify, and once you’re approved, you can place an order directly from their website. They also have a pump upgrade program, which is kind of nice.
Even if you don’t qualify through insurance for some reason, Aeroflow typically offers the lowest price on breast pumps as well, so you can buy those directly through their store. Many moms recommend using Aeroflow, which is why I’m recommending it to you all. I found the other websites available to be too confusing.
Anyways, here’s the basic process, in case you are more of a visual learner 🙂
Go to Aeroflow.com and click on “Qualify Through Insurance.
On this page, you will fill out your contact information, as well as your insurance information.
You press submit, and a specialist will contact you by phone or email within a few days to discuss with your what your insurance offers and how to place an order.
Once coverage has been verified, Aeroflow contacts your doctor for a prescription so they can place the order.
And then your new breast pump will be on its way!
Aeroflow also offers breast pump accessories, storage supplies, and more, so you can get everything ready to go all at once.
Best Breast Pumps Covered by Insurance
When you go to a website like Aeroflow, it might be overwhelming when you see the different breast pumps that are available. There are so many options!
I went to the ABC Baby and Kids Expo last year, and holy cow, there were SO many pumps. I didn’t even realize that many different pumps could exist (and of course, they all thought they were the best).
Anyways, I “hang out” in a lot of breastfeeding groups (specifically the Breastfeeding Mama’s Support Tribe I run on Facebook), so I’ve heard a lot of feedback on different breast pumps. So, I thought I’d share the most popular ones so you can decide which one is right for you.
This is, by far, the most highly recommended pump I see from other mothers. Most mothers talk about the Spectra S1 and S2 (though I just noticed there is an S9, which, admittedly, I don’t know much about). The main difference is that the S1 is rechargeable.
Many mothers believe the suction is better than other pumps, and that they are able to pump more milk (and more efficiently). It is also said to be quieter than some breast pumps. It is large, but it’s also very powerful. They both weigh about four pounds.
Another great thing about the Spectra pumps is that they are closed systems. Basically, that means that the milk never crosses the machine, so it can be used by more than one mother. If a pump is an open system, only that mom should really be using it.
There are two electric Medela pumps that may be covered by your insurance – the Pump In Style Advanced (PISA), and the Medela Freestyle.
From what I’ve seen, the PISA is the most likely pump to be available through insurance, but some companies will cover the Freestyle.
Both of these pumps are open systems, though from what I understand, there is better separation between the milk collection chamber and tubings than the with the Freestyle than the PISA, so that is something to keep in mind.
The Freestyle is lighter (by about two pounds), and it is a little more handheld. It also comes with a rechargeable battery
The PISA weighs a little bit less (though they both are quite heavy), however, because it’s a more common pump, it might be easier to find replacement parts for. It is a backpack style pump, which may be a good thing or a bad thing. It has an AC adapter but no rechargeable battery.
If I were given the option, I would definitely go with the Freestyle over the PISA. But both are good pumps. I have heard they are rather loud!
Honorable Mentions
This one isn’t available through Aeroflow, but if your insurance covers it, I highly recommend it. I was sent one of these to review when Oliver was a baby, and I absolutely LOVED it.
It was so easy to use, super comfortable, and I feel like I got more milk pumping with it than I did with the hospital grade Medela I used in the hospital when Oliver has RSV. I feel like this pump doesn’t get nearly as much attention as it should! I loved it.
A while back, I actually reviewed the Motif Duo. It’s a very small pump, and it’s also a closed system. It’s not as common of a pump. It’s very quiet and super easy to travel with. It comes with a rechargeable battery, which is really nice.
Honestly, don’t underestimate a manual breast pump. I used mine quite a bit with Oliver, and I honestly felt like I was able to get the most milk when I used it. I also feel like you are a little more in control of the flow and how much milk is drawn out.
If you aren’t planning to pump very often – or if you need to pump on the go frequently – definitely look into getting one. I had good luck with the Medela Harmony.
Other Pumps Available Through Insurance:
There are countless other pumps that are available through insurance. Here are a couple of brands I often see as an option (keep in mind that some insurances only have one or two options, so don’t get your heart set on one before you find out if you qualify!)
OTHER BREASTFEEDING POSTS YOU MAY ENJOY:
- Pumping 101: Tips for Breastfeeding Mothers
- Breastfeeding Not Blissful? 13 Common Breastfeeding Problems
- The Best Breastfeeding Tips for New Moms (Love, Moms Who’ve Been There)
Katie is a Colorado-native, BYU graduated, and most importantly, wife to one and mother to three beautiful boys. She is passionate about sharing her experiences with others – especially about pregnancy, breastfeeding, cooking, and crafts. She is currently training to be a Certified Lactation Educator. She loves spending time with her family and helping others find joy in family life.
Chelsea @ Life With My Littles says
I have heard great things about Aeroflow! If I didn’t already have my pump I would have used them the last time I was pregnant! This is such an awesome post!