About Hospital Grade Breast Pumps

Hospital grade breastpumps are without a doubt the strongest and most durable breastpumps available to breastfeeding moms. These pumps effectively stimulate your breasts to adequately raise your levels of the hormones prolactin and oxytocin to increase your breast milk production and output.

While personal use breast pumps are intended for use by only one mother, hospital grade pumps are designed and approved by the FDA to be safe for multiple users. Hospital grade breastpumps can be used by more than one mom because they are designed with barriers that prevents cross contamination. When multiple moms use a hospital grade breastpump, each mother will need to use her own collection kit.

Hospital grade pumps have stronger, more powerful motors that provide a higher level of suction and more efficient pumping. These pumps are larger and heavier, which in turn makes them less easy to transport than their personal pump counterparts. They are also more durable and are covered by a 3 to 5 year manufacturer’s warranty rather than a 1 year warranty.

Consequently, the increased durability and strength of hospital grade breastpumps cause them to have much higher purchase price than even the most expensive personal pumps. Thankfully, these pumps are also available as rentals. Hospital pumps can be rented from your lactation consultant or hospital.

 

When should I use a hospital grade pump?

Hospital grade breast pumps can be used in any type of pumping situation because they are designed for frequent, daily pumping; however, they are recommended for use under special circumstances including when pumping:

• For premature or sick infants
• For twins or other multiples
• To increase milk supply
• To induce lactation

 

Since hospital grade pumps are approved safe for multiple users, they are a great pump option to make available for working moms in office lactation rooms.

For many first time moms choosing and buying the right breast pump can be a quite daunting task especially since they do not have any experience with breastfeeding or pumping. The opportunity to use a rental pump before you buy one will help you to gain a better understanding of what you are looking for in a breastpump.

Hospital grade pumps available today:

• Ameda Elite
• Ameda Lact-e
• Ameda SMB
• Hygeia EnDeare
• Medela Classic
• Medela Lactina
• Medela Symphony

 

It is important to mention that some personal use pumps have been FDA approved as safe for multiple users. Both the Bailey Medical Nurture III and the Hygeia EnJoye electric pumps are safe for multiple users as long as each mother has her own pumping kit, which includes breast shields, tubing, collection bottles and valves.

If you are unsure about whether to buy a personal use pump or to use a hospital grade breastpump, consider meeting with a lactation consultant before making a decision. She can help you to determine what your pumping needs will be and which type of pump will best suited to meet those needs. To find a lactation consultant in your area visit the International Lactation Consultant Association website.

 

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