What is a Hospital Grade Pump?
You may have heard the term “hospital grade” when describing pumps’ suction strengths. But what does this really mean? Funny enough, this term is not regulated by the FDA for a certain strength criteria to be considered “hospital grade”. Sadly, this has caused most breast pump manufacturing companies to adopt this term into their marketing, which can be a bit misleading for new parents.
SO REALLY, WHAT IS IT?
Most people refer to “hospital grade” pumps as the larger, industrial size multi-user pumps that are available in the hospital setting. These pumps typically have a stronger motor, different programming and wavelengths than typical single-user double electric breast pumps. There are only a few brands— most common being Medela Symphony, Ameda Elite, Ameda Platinum, and Unimom Opera. I’ve used both the Medela Symphony and Ameda Platinum in my early postpartum days with jaundice babies and both were wonderful!
Hospital grade pumps are multi-user pumps. This means that before you, another woman used it— and after you, another woman will use it. You do get your own accessory kit to pair with this pump for personal use only (flanges, valves, membranes, bottles, tubing, etc).
DO I NEED ONE?
These pumps were made to help women who may want to establish supply immediately after birth (bring in mature milk), bring in milk quickly for a premature baby, feed baby in the NICU, increase milk supply if experiencing breastfeeding difficulties, multiple births (twins/triplets), prolonged separation of mother and child, congenital defects, etc. Many insurers may limit their coverage on these hospital grade pumps based on the circumstance of use, but these aren’t always necessary for all women. If you do want to use one, they are rentable too!
HOW DO I GET ONE?
Remember, these are not necessary for every woman. Many hospitals actually have these pumps available for use during your postpartum stay in the hospital. The 2 hospitals I have worked at both supplied hospital grade pumps for almost all patients if they wanted to use one! The bigger hospital I used to work at had one in every room. Some hospitals may need to rent them out. Every facility is different.
When you are returning home, if you’re wanting to use a hospital grade breast pump, you would rent the pump. Some hospitals rent out their hospital grade pumps and there are companies like Aeroflow to rent a hospital grade pump.
DO I RENT OR BUY?
The cost of a “hospital grade” breast pump can range from about $500-$2000+. The cost of renting usually falls between $50-100 per month. Many women prefer to rent hospital grade pumps (many times temporarily) before switching over to their insurance-provided double electric breast pump. Some insurers may cover at no cost, but if not, you may be able to rent through Aeroflow or your local hospital (even if you didn’t deliver there!). I think it’s important to consider your circumstance as well as how long you would plan to pump if possible before deciding on whether to rent or buy a hospital grade pump!
Another thing to consider is their size. These pumps are large or '“industrial sized”— typically not fitting for an “on the go” or busy lifestyle! At our hospital these pumps are on wheels because they are too heavy to carry around from room to room!
PROS/CONS
PROS
STRONG
EFFECTIVE
CONS
BULKY
EXPENSIVE
LOUD
INSURANCE MAY/MAY NOT COVER RENTING COST
Have you used a hospital grade pump? Did you find it removed milk more effectively than your regular double electric breast pump?
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