Hospital-Grade Breast Pumps

The best breast pumps for long-term use

Working moms who need to pump several times a day are generally best off with consumer-grade, double-sided electric pumps, like the Medela Pump In Style Advanced and the Ameda Purely Yours. But lactation experts say that moms who pump exclusively -- for instance, those with premature babies who can't nurse -- can benefit from renting a heavy-duty, hospital-grade pump. Moms who only need to pump for a short amount of time may also find that renting is cheaper than springing for a new breast pump. Lastly, moms who aren't sure whether they want to pump can try it out with a hospital-grade rental, since consumer-grade breast pumps aren't returnable. Because hospital-grade pumps are often heavier and bulkier than consumer-grade pumps, and usually don't come with discreet carrying cases, they're less convenient for moms who wish to pump outside the home. With some carrying price tags well upwards of $1,000, renting a hospital-grade breast pump will almost always be your best bet over buying.

Unlike almost all consumer-grade electric pumps, which are unsafe to share because of the risk of cross-contamination, hospital-grade pumps are designed to be used by more than one mom, so long as each user buys her own collection kit. Hospital-grade pumps can be rented through hospitals, lactation consultants, maternity stores and medical suppliers at a cost of anywhere from $45 to $80 a month, depending on the model; collection kits generally range from about $45 to $55.

Cerean.net considers the Medela Symphony (*Est. 1,400) the best of breast pumps "if you don't need portability," praising its power, durability and efficiency. Like Medela's Pump In Style Advanced, the Symphony employs a stimulation phase followed by an expression phase designed to mimic a nursing newborn. It is considerably larger than the consumer-grade Medela Pump In Style Advanced double electric, and has an LED screen. Several parts used with the Symphony, including the breast shields and a protective membrane, are designed to prevent cross-contamination by keeping milk from getting into the pump mechanism. Other options among hospital-grade pumps include the Medela Lactina Select (*Est. $950), which, at 10 pounds, is even heftier than the 7-pound Symphony and the 6-pound Ameda Elite (*Est. $880).