The Best Breast Pumps for Healthcare Professionals

As a healthcare professional and a new mother, juggling breastfeeding with a busy, demanding job can feel like an impossible balancing act. Whether you’re a physician, nurse, dentist, veterinarian, or other healthcare provider, your day is often structured around caring for others. Finding the time and space to pump can feel like a huge challenge.

As a former nurse who struggled with pumping at work, I know firsthand how hard it can be. You’re often caught between caring for patients and taking care of your own needs, and in healthcare, it’s easy to put yourself last. But when it comes to pumping, that can lead to frustration and, ultimately, to a decline in your milk supply.

In this blog post, I’ll share the challenges of pumping as a healthcare professional and recommend some of the best breast pumps to fit your busy schedule. If you’re looking for personalized help with balancing work and breastfeeding, you can apply to join my long-term coaching program, designed specifically for working moms. Let’s dive in!

(This blog post was originally a video. Check it out, here!)

Challenges of Pumping as a Healthcare Professional

1. Time Constraints Time is the number one challenge for most healthcare professionals. Between patient care, charting, and endless administrative tasks, finding time to pump can feel impossible. You don’t have the luxury of extra time, especially if you’re working 12-hour shifts or on call. It’s hard enough to meet your patients’ needs, let alone carve out moments for yourself to pump. You need a pump that’s fast and efficient.
   
2. Logistics and Cleanliness Working in a clinical or hospital setting introduces additional challenges when it comes to maintaining cleanliness. You’re often interacting with patients who are sick, and you may be working in environments that require high standards of sterility. Finding a clean space to pump, ensuring all your parts are sanitized, and getting your pump set up without interrupting patient care can be logistically tough.
   
3. Privacy Privacy is a huge concern in busy hospital and clinic environments. Even if you’re lucky enough to have a designated pumping space, it can still be hard to find the time to step away from patient care. This is why many healthcare professionals gravitate toward wearable pumps, although these can have their own challenges (more on that later).
   
4. Uniform Restrictions Scrubs, lab coats, and other medical uniforms don’t always lend themselves well to pumping. Scrubs, in particular, are often made of non-stretchy cotton, which can make it difficult to fit a wearable pump under your clothing. What you wear on the job can complicate how and where you pump, especially if you plan to pump while seeing patients or while working in an open area.
   

Best Breast Pumps for Healthcare Professionals

Choosing the right breast pump is critical to your success in balancing breastfeeding and work. Here are some of the best breast pumps for healthcare professionals, taking into account efficiency, ease of use, and practicality.

1. Tabletop Workhorse Pumps

• Spectra S1: A solid, heavy-duty pump like the Spectra S1 (with a battery) is a reliable option if you have a space where you can sit down to pump. This is a hospital-grade pump that can deliver strong, efficient pumping sessions. While it’s a fantastic pump for home or office use, it may not be practical for everyone in healthcare due to the time constraints of your job.
  
• Spectra Synergy Gold: If you have access to an outlet and can step away for longer breaks, you might want to consider the Spectra Synergy Gold. This dual-motor pump allows for customizable settings on each breast and offers powerful suction and versatility. However, it’s bulky and needs to be plugged in, so it’s not ideal if you need something more portable.
  
• Unimom Opera: For healthcare professionals looking for a portable option that still packs a punch, the Unimom Opera is a great choice. It’s much smaller, has a battery option, and features customizable cycle speeds and vacuum levels.

2. Wearable Pumps

Wearable pumps are an attractive option for busy healthcare professionals who need to pump on the go, but they do have some drawbacks. Wearable pumps can be less efficient at emptying the breast, which can lead to a decrease in milk supply if used exclusively, so use your best judgement!

• Willow Go: This pump has a strong suction similar to the Spectra, making it a great choice if you’re already used to a more powerful pump. It’s easy to clean and use, though it can be tricky if you rely on the fridge hack (where you refrigerate pump parts between sessions instead of cleaning them each time).
  
• Elvie: Known for being the quietest and most discreet wearable pump, the Elvie is ideal for healthcare professionals who need to pump without drawing attention. While it’s on the pricier side, it offers a sleek, quiet design. Be cautious of potential leakage issues, especially if you have a large milk supply.
  
• Zomee Fit: If you’re looking for a mid-range wearable option, the Zomee Fit is a solid choice. It has soft silicone inserts for comfort and is a bit more affordable while still providing reliable performance.

3. Portable Pumps

Portable pumps offer a great middle ground between heavy-duty tabletop pumps and wearable pumps. They allow you the flexibility to move around while pumping and tend to be more efficient than fully wearable options.

• Pumpables Genie Advanced: This pump is one of my favorites for its flexibility. You can use it with traditional flanges for faster, more efficient emptying or switch to wearable cups for hands-free pumping. It has adjustable cycle speeds and comes with a lanyard for portability, making it a fantastic option for healthcare workers.
  
• Baby Buddha: The Baby Buddha 2.0 is the lightest portable pump available, making it perfect for healthcare professionals on the go. The 2.0 version has an improved stimulation mode, which offers a gentler pull than the original model.
  
• Ardo Alyssa: This pump is an interesting hybrid, offering the power of a traditional tabletop pump in a portable, lightweight design. It’s great for healthcare professionals who want the flexibility of portability without sacrificing the strength of a hospital-grade pump.

Maximizing Pumping Efficiency

To make pumping work for you as a healthcare professional, it’s essential to be efficient and strategic. Here are a few tips:

• Combine Pumps: One of the best strategies is to use a combination of pumps. Use a heavy-duty pump during longer breaks or at home, and rely on a wearable or portable pump during patient care or when you’re on the move.
  
• Set Up Stations: Make sure your pump is set up in an easily accessible place so you can get started quickly. You don’t want to waste valuable time fumbling with parts.
  
• Get Extra Parts: Keep extra pump parts on hand so you don’t have to clean them after every session. You can also ask someone else to help with cleaning, if possible.
  
• Fridge Hack with Caution: If you use the fridge hack (where you store pump parts in the fridge between sessions), make sure it fits within your job’s hygiene standards, especially if you’re working in a clinical setting.
  

Final Thoughts

As a healthcare professional, your job is demanding, and your time is limited. However, finding the right breast pump can help you maintain your milk supply while also meeting the needs of your patients. Whether you choose a powerful tabletop pump, a portable pump, or a wearable option, the key is to find what works best for your unique schedule and needs.

Remember, it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You can combine different types of pumps and strategies to make pumping fit more seamlessly into your day. If you need more personalized help in navigating the world of pumping while working in healthcare, I’d love to help! You can apply to my coaching program where I support working moms, including many healthcare professionals, in finding balance.

Good luck and happy pumping!