The biggest stress for most working mothers is breastfeeding their baby on time. These mothers might be able to provide the morning and night feed to the infant easily, but aren’t usually present at the time of the other feeds owing to work obligations.

Breast pumps have been a unique and pleasant revelation to nearly all mothers, working or not. In the earlier days, mothers experiencing problems with breastfeeding and lactation had to make do with their hands for expressing milk. It took a lot of time and effort to express even a small amount of milk in this manner. But soon breast pumps came to the rescue and did this job for mothers more efficiently.

Why breast milk? Nearly all doctors as well as lactation consultants will encourage you to breastfeed your baby since the mother’s milk contains all vital nutrients and minerals needed for the infant’s healthy development. Most importantly, it contains naturally occurring antibodies which can help fight diseases and illnesses that the baby might be susceptible to.

So if you’re a busy working mother and need to move out of the house every day, a breast pump is the best way to continue to breastfeed the baby even in your absence. After using the breast pump, you can leave the milk behind with a nanny (or someone in the daycare facility) in a bottle and they can make the baby drink your milk. This way, your baby is not deprived of essential nutrition, present in the mother’s milk, and you are saved from feeling guilty.

Breast pumps for working mothers Selecting a good breast pump is extremely important when you are planning to get back to work while your baby is still breastfeeding. Here are some points that you need to focus on when selecting a breast pump. It should be:

• Easy to use
• Efficient
• Convenient
• Portable
• Comfortable
• Quiet

There are plenty of options available for working mothers looking to purchase breast pumps. Also, it is important to check whether your insurance policy covers breast pumps beforehand (a lot of them do). Some of the most popular breast pumps among working mothers include:

Breast pumps with built-in motor
Portability needs to be a priority among mothers who are planning to carry the breast pump to work. There are pumps available with a pumping motor fitted inside a carry bag. There is also enough room to keep accessories. You can choose from different styles of bags including a tote, satchel and a backpack. It is best to pick a bag style keeping in mind your daily commute.

Breast pumps with cups
There are some breast pumps which have two separate ‘bowl-shaped’ cups (instead of a bottle) that collect your breast milk. These innovative breast pumps allow you to pump milk without using your hands. This type of breast pump is perfect for mothers who work in a desk job. It allows them to keep working and pumping milk simultaneously. 

Article Reviewed By Crystal Ibetoh MD, MBA reviews each article and ensures the accuracy of the health information. Dr. Ibetoh has strong medical interests in women's health and preventative medicine. She is also a mother of three and uses her medical expertise in addition to personal experience to provide advice about breastfeeding.

*The information provided on this site is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding breastfeeding.*