Two glass baby bottles on a side table by an armchair in a calm nursery

Breast pumps, explained plainly

Pump types, coverage, cleaning, and milk storage, from the FDA and CDC.

See the pump types

Start here

One clear manual breast pump with a white lever handle on pale linen

Pump types

Manual, electric, wearable, multi-user.

A plain box tied with twine on a nursery dresser

Getting a pump

Insurance, renting, used, choosing.

Clean pump parts drying on a rack beside a wash basin

Parts, fit, and cleaning

Parts, fit, use, cleaning.

Bottles and storage bags of milk on a refrigerator shelf

Storage, work, and travel

Storage, thawing, work, travel.

Popular guides

A manual pump and an electric pump side by side on a table

Types of breast pumps, explained

Manual, battery, electric.

A closed folder and a plain box on a writing desk

Breast pumps and health insurance

What HealthCare.gov says about coverage.

Bottles and storage bags of milk at the back of a refrigerator shelf

Storing breast milk

Countertop, fridge, freezer.

A breast shield, a bottle, and four parts in a white wire rack on stone

Cleaning breast pump parts

After every use.

One wearable pump cup on folded linen in a walnut tray on a linen table

Wearable breast pumps, explained

Worn in a bra.

One clear breast shield lying on its side on grey linen in low light

Breast pump flange fit, explained

What fit means, and who can help.

Why use these guides

Plain language

Shields, valves, and flanges in plain words.

Sourced facts

From the FDA, CDC, HealthCare.gov, the Department of Labor, and the TSA.

Health line on every guide

Every guide points you to your doctor, a lactation consultant, or your baby's pediatrician.

No picks or prices

We explain pumps. We do not pick them or list prices.

New to pumping?

Start with how each type of pump works.

See the pump types

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