Hospital-Grade Breast Pumps

The best breast pumps for heavy, long-term use

Heavy-duty breast pumps like the Medela Pump In Style and the Ameda Purely Yours work well for mothers who need to replace two or three feedings daily or who want to pump as a supplement to regular breastfeeding. However, experts say moms who need to pump full-time - those with premature babies who are unable to nurse, for instance - should use a hospital-grade pump instead.

Hospital-grade pumps, also called piston electric pumps, are rugged, multi-use devices designed to withstand several years of continuous heavy use. These pumps are normally rented through hospitals, pharmacies, medical suppliers or lactation consultants rather than purchased outright. Rental rates range from $20 to $80 per month. Each mother also buys a pumping kit (*Est. $30 to $50, depending on the model) to prevent cross-contamination.

Cerean.net calls the hospital-grade Medela Symphony (*Est. $1,480) their "true favorite home pump." The Medela Symphony uses the same two-phase pumping process as the Medela Pump In Style Advanced, but also includes an updatable program card, an LCD screen and a choice between manual and automatic pump control. Like all hospital-grade pumps, it incorporates a protective membrane to prevent cross-contamination through the pump mechanism, meaning it can be used by more than one mother as long as each uses a separate pumping kit. Alternatives to the Medela Symphony include the Medela Lactina Select (*Est. $900) and the Ameda Elite (*Est. $850). Neither breast pump has the Medela Symphony's two-phase pumping system, but both are hospital-grade pumps designed for frequent, long-term use.

One thing to keep in mind when considering a hospital-grade pump for daily use is that they are heavier and far less portable than heavy-duty pumps. They also don't come with discreet shoulder bags or backpacks, so they're not ideal for carrying to and from the office. Also, unless you think you'll need to pump exclusively for many months, buying a hospital-grade pump isn't cost effective.