(BPT) – Preparing for your little one to arrive is an exciting and amazing experience. But it can also be overwhelming. While you and your family are getting to know your baby, you probably have many questions. And one of the most confusing areas can be what type of breast pump is best for you, and how to get one without breaking the bank.

The good news is, the technology behind breast pumps has advanced a great deal, allowing for more comfortable, safe, efficient, and portable options than ever before. These advancements provide new moms and families the freedom to stay active and involved when their babies are still young.

“Using a breast pump allows dads, partners, family members, and caregivers to be more involved in the feeding process,” explains Jeff Castillo, executive vice president of Medela for the Americas. “From prepping breast milk to feeding baby, or cleaning pump parts and breast milk bottles, supporting mom as she navigates breast milk feeding goes a long way. As a dad and grandfather, I’ve seen firsthand how these little acts of support provide meaningful opportunities for others to bond with a new baby.”

As breast pump technology has advanced, so have the options available for parents to choose from. Below are some quick tips to help you choose the right breast pump.

1) Check if your insurance covers breast pumps

Your insurance may cover all or part of the cost of your breast pump, so it’s important to check with your provider. And if your insurance does not cover the cost or only some of the cost, you can use flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings accounts (HSA) dollars to help with expenses. To get started, check out Medela’s Insurance Concierge, a free online tool that makes the process of getting an insurance-covered breast pump delivered to your door easy, simple and stress free.

2) Decide what kind of breast pump is best for you

Start by using the Breast Pump Selector tool from Medela to determine what type of breast pump would best fit your lifestyle and budget. Simply answer a few questions about your needs, such as how often you intend to use a breast pump, and the tool will recommend specific pumps and accessories based on your answers.

When choosing a breast pump to support the duration of your breastfeeding journey, the most important factors to consider are quality, efficiency, and performance. Because breastfeeding works through supply and demand, if you are not emptying the breast fully, your body will think you do not need as much and will begin to reduce the amount of milk you produce over time. Here are a couple of choices that can help you get more milk in less time* using research-based technologies.

Pump In Style with MaxFlow — Using advanced motor technology pioneered by Medela, the Pump in Style with MaxFlow offers trusted performance in a modern design. With MaxFlow Technology that generates a vacuum and micro-vibrations for effective breast milk expression combined with Medela’s proven 2-Phase Expression Technology that mimics baby’s natural sucking rhythm, the pump offers optimal performance. The pump also comes with PersonalFit Flex breast shields, clinically proven to increase milk volume by 11.8%*. The closed system breast pump features 10 pre-programmed vacuum settings based on Medela’s extensive research in breastfeeding and pumping, which take the guesswork out for more effective pumping. It weighs 1.18 pounds, and includes a battery pack, cooler bag, extra bottles with lids and stylish carrying bag that is easy to carry wherever you’re headed.

Swing Maxi — Weighing less than one pound, the Swing Maxi features a compact design that offers the freedom to pump whenever and wherever. The built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery lasts for up to six pumping sessions on one full charge and comes with a USB charging cable. In addition to the trusted Medela technology that parents count on, Swing Maxi also connects to the free Medela Family app to track progress while pumping and access personalized tips and support tailored to your goals.

3) Get help when you need it most

No matter which breast pump you choose, know that you are doing your best to care for your baby. But the truth is, babies don’t come with an instruction manual. The Medela Family App can help you navigate the brave new world of parenting by tracking important stats for pregnancy, baby and breastfeeding from the first trimester of pregnancy through your baby’s first year, while also providing personalized, evidence-based tips and support to help families meet their breastfeeding goals.

“The early days of parenting are overwhelming, and there is so much information out there,” says Castillo. “Medela products and the Medela Family App are designed to support you and your family throughout pregnancy, when you first bring your newborn home, and beyond.”

For more information or to contact Medela, visit Medela.us.

* Compared to traditional breast shields with a 90º angle.

IQVIA ProVoice Survey; September 2020 – August 2021.