Hospital-Strength
Breast Pumps
What Does "Hospital-Strength" Really Mean? Is a Hospital-Strength Breast Pump the Right Choice for You?
Our International Board Certified Lactation Consultant is here to explain everything you need to know—and help you make the best decision for you and your baby!
Hospital-Strength Breast Pumps:
Your Guide to High-Performance Milk Expression
Breastfeeding can be a frequently changing journey while adjusting to motherhood. Whether you’re facing challenges with low milk supply, pumping for a premature infant, or needing to return to work, the right tools can support your breastfeeding and pumping journey. Hospital-strength breast pumps offer high-quality performance and durability, making them an ideal choice for mothers who pump frequently or who have unique pumping needs.
“Hospital-Strength” is a term used to describe a breast pump with high powered pumping capabilities. There is no regulation when using the term hospital strength for a breast pump, so it is important to understand that hospital strength does not mean hospital grade.
What is a Hospital-Strength Breast Pump?
A hospital-strength breast pump is a powerful, high-performance pump designed for frequent, long-term use. Hospital-Strength breast pumps are electric breast pumps that provide “hospital-grade” strength, which refers to strength similar to a hospital-grade breast pump. Keep reading to discover the difference between hospital-strength and hospital-grade breast pumps.
Benefits: If you are planning on exclusively pumping, a hospital-strength breast pump might be your best option due to its reliable strength and expression capabilities. They are also extremely efficient at expressing milk, possibly leading to a higher milk supply.
Cons: All hospital-strength beast pumps are all designed differently. It is important to do your research on the features each pump provides. Hospital-strength breast pumps may be noisy or require you to be plugged into an outlet to use.
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Powerful suction levels for efficient milk expression
A closed system design to prevent milk from entering the tubing or motor, reducing the risk of milk contamination
Customizable settings to adjust suction strength and cycle speed
Durability for long-term, frequent use
Who Can Benefit from a Hospital-Strength Breast Pump?
Hospital-strength breast pumps are ideal for a variety of situations:
Mothers experiencing a low milk supply who require frequent pumping to establish or maintain their supply
Mothers returning to work and need to pump frequently while away from their baby
Mothers of twins or multiples who need to pump a large amount of milk
Mothers who want to build a freezer supply later use or for a caregiver to use
Mothers experiencing breastfeeding challenges such as latch issues, nipple pain, or medical conditions that make breastfeeding difficult
Top Rated Hospital-Strength Breast Pumps
Why Choose a Hospital-Strength Breast Pump?
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Mothers struggling to establish or maintain a milk supply benefit from the strong suction and efficient pumping of a hospital-strength breast pump. These pumps help stimulate milk production by increasing the amount of milk expressed
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Hospital-strength pumps are engineered to express milk more quickly than a standard electric breast pump. Mothers who plan on pumping exclusively or pump frequently will appreciate the efficiency of a hospital-strength breast pump.
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Most hospital-strength pumps have a closed system design. This ensures that milk does not make contact with the motor or tubing, making these pumps a safe choice for moms who pump frequently.
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Most hospital-strength pumps include customizable settings that allow you to adjust the suction strength, speed, and cycle to best suit your comfort level. This customization helps reduce discomfort and ensures efficient pumping sessions.
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Hospital-strength pumps are designed for frequent use. Their durability and efficiency make them ideal for mothers who need a reliable pump for an extended amount of time after birth. Most come with a 1-2 year manufacturer warranty.
Hospital-Strength
vs. Hospital-Grade
Differences between a Hospital-Strength Breast Pump and a Hospital-Grade Breast Pump:
Number of Users:
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A standard breast pump is made designed to be used by a single user and not to be shared or sold to another user
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Hospital grade breast pumps are designed with sophisticated closed systems that allow it to be used by more than one person. The breast pump kits are typically sold separately and fully independent from the pumping mechanism therefore preventing overflow of milk into the tubing.
Suction Strength:
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Standard breast pumps have a variety of different massage and suction levels. Some are described as having “hospital strength”, which means they have strong suction capabilities. Typically have a max strength of anywhere from 240-300 mmHg.
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There are standards a breast pump must meet to be considered hospital grade, so these pumps are considered the most powerful and efficient at expressing milk. Typically have a max strength of 300-350 mmH
Size and Weight:
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Standard breast pumps come in many different sizes and weights depending on the brand but are typically designed to be small and lightweight. Thanks to their compact design, they are highly portable. This is particularly true for rechargeable pumps, which can be conveniently worn on a lanyard or wrist strap, as well as cups that can be discreetly tucked inside your bra.
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Hospital grade breast pumps are usually bulky and heavy due to their large motors. You might spot these powerhouse pumps rolling around on stands in hospitals, particularly in pediatric, NICU, and post-partum areas. They also must be plugged into a wall to use.
Access:
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These pumps are available at various price points and can be easily found in retail stores and online. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, private insurance companies and Medicaid cover a variety of hospital-strength breast pumps. The best part? Many of these pumps are fully covered through insurance.
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These pumps are significantly more expensive compared to standard breast pumps, making them a bit of a splurge for most moms. Hospital-grade pumps can be rented on a monthly basis through hospitals, birthing centers, maternity stores, or online. This can be a great way to access top-notch equipment without breaking the bank. Some insurance policies may cover the cost of renting a hospital-grade breast pump if it’s deemed clinically necessary.
Hospital-Strength Breast Pumps vs. Hospital-Grade Breast Pumps
Hospital-grade has more powerful suction capabilities than a standard electric breast pump. “Hospital strength” is a term used when describing many electric breast pump’s features. Although not as strong as “hospital-grade”, breast pumps that contain “hospital strength” are still a powerful and efficient breast pump option and will likely be a great tool for moms with no special circumstances.
Is a Hospital-Strength or Hospital-Grade Breast Pump Right for Me?
In most cases, a breast pump with hospital strength is powerful enough for a mom to use on a day-to-day basis to feed her baby. Another benefit of using a breast pump with hospital-strength is the affordability. Many models are covered by insurance, making them the most affordable option for moms. If you are struggling to produce enough milk, your baby was placed in the NICU, or if you gave birth to multiple babies, then you may consider using a hospital grade breast pump. Do your research, talk to your doctor or lactation consultant, and be aware of all the breast pump options available to you prior to giving birth, that way you will be able to decide what is best for you and your baby.
Common Hospital-Grade Breast Pumps
Medela Symphony: A popular hospital-grade pump known for its dual-phase expression technology, which mimics a baby’s natural feeding rhythm.
The Spectra S3 Pro: Like the Spectra S1 pump, the Spectra S3 boosts a rechargeable battery with multi-user capabilities.
Ameda Platinum: Designed for hospital use, this pump provides reliable performance and customizable settings for a comfortable experience.
Unimom Opera: Is a unique multi-user pump that has an LCD touchpad screen that provides an innovative interface to customize your pumping sessions.
Ardo Bellis: A compact easy to use multi-user breast pump that is able to connect to your phone to track your pumping sessions.
Order you Breast Pump with Maternal by Sentido
Start pumping with confidence. Let us help you find the perfect breast pump today!
Receiving a hospital-strength breast pump through insurance is simple. Here’s how you can get started today:
Fill out our Insurance Eligibility Form to get started. Have your insurance information ready!
Select Your Pump: After verifying your insurance, we’ll help you choose the best pump based on your needs, preferences, and the options available through your insurance. Review all our breast pump options and download our breast pump comparison chart.
Receive Your Pump: Once approved, we’ll ship your pump to your home with no shipping costs.
Have any questions? Call or email us today!
Complimentary Lactation Support
When you order a breast pump through Maternal by Sentido, you will receive complimentary lactation support from one of our international board-certified lactation consultants. If you have questions about how to use your breast pump, correct flange sizing, getting a correct latch, or a breastfeeding/pumping schedule, seeing a lactation consultant would be extremely beneficial to your breastfeeding journey. Read about the benefits of lactation consulting here.
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A Message from the Author:
Hi! I’m Tara. I am a wife, a mother of two energetic children, a registered dietitian, and a lactation consultant. As a lactation consultant, I specialize in helping mothers and babies navigate feeding and growth challenges. My mission is to foster a successful mother-baby dyad, understanding that every journey is beautifully unique. I am deeply committed to empowering mothers with the guidance, tools, and encouragement they need to thrive in their breastfeeding and parenting goals.
About the Author:
Meet Tara! Tara earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Food and Nutrition with a minor in Business Administration from the University of Houston, followed by a Master of Science in Nutrition from Texas Woman’s University. With over 17 years of experience in clinical nutrition, Tara has had the privilege of working with both adults and children. For the past six years, she has focused her expertise on pediatric nutrition at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, Texas, where she discovered her deep passion for supporting growing families. During this time, Tara earned her certification as a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) and later achieved the prestigious International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) credential. She accomplished this after completing over 1,000 hours of lactation-specific education and hands-on experience.