We’ll be honest - you do not need two breast pumps, even if you are exclusively pumping. Pumps are made to last through your entire breastfeeding journey. Just because you do not absolutely need a backup pump, however, does not mean there aren’t benefits to having one. Before we can dive into how many pumps you should get, it’s important to look at different pump situations.
Evaluate Your Breastfeeding and Pumping Plan
Before deciding how many pumps you need, or even which pump you need, think about what your breastfeeding and pumping will look like. There are two main questions to ask yourself:
- Are you going to be leaving to go to work every day or will you be home?
- Are you going to pump exclusively or supplementally?
Each of these questions will carry weight when determining how many pumps you will want to have. If you have decided to pump supplementally, one pump is likely enough. If you are planning to frequently pump away from home, a second pump could come in handy.
What are the Benefits of Having a Second Pump?
When you are pumping away from home, one of the worst fears can be something happening to your pump. From leaving it at home to the battery pack dying or not having the cord, being without your pump is a no go!
Having a second pump for work can alleviate this fear by having a pump designated for work and a pump designated for home. This allows for a designated pumping space to be fully set up (as much as possible) in both places without the fear of forgetting anything. And let’s be honest, mom brain is a thing that finds all of us at one point or another. Of course, you will still have to remember your bottles and cooler for transporting the milk back and forth!
Another benefit of having a second pump comes when traveling. Some moms choose to have a wall -based pump and a wearable pump (Hello, Willow Pump!).
Picking a Second Pump
When picking your second pump, take into consideration the main reason you are choosing to get a second pump. You want to be sure to choose the pump that will suit your needs the best. If you are getting a second pump so that you have one wall-based pump and one portable pump, you either need to choose a pump that has a portable battery or a wearable pump that is completely cordless.
If you are getting a second pump to leave at work, you have more wiggle room in your options. Before choosing a second pump, speak with your employer about your pumping accommodations at work. Once you know the space you will have available to you, you can make the most informed decision.
Willow 360™ Wearable Breast Pump
Willow 360™ Wearable Breast Pump
Willow 360 is designed with a zero-gravity latch to give you 360° of leak-proof mobility. It's the hands-free breast pump that changed the game.
Willow Go™ Wearable Breast Pump
Willow Go™ Wearable Breast Pump
With hospital-grade suction and a 100% comfort rating, Willow Go pumps quietly and discreetly (no dangling tubes, bottles, or external motors) so you can do it all.
Alternatives to Picking a Second Electric Pump
If getting a second pump is not something you want or are able to do, don’t worry - there are plenty of options!
Instead of investing in another electric pump, you could choose to buy a manual or suction pump, like the Haaka. These pumps are great for using in tandem with or shortly following nursing sessions to catch any milk that may leak out of the breast you are not nursing or pumping on. If you are wanting a second pump just to help with leaking, you can also look into getting breast milk collectors that you can place in your bra to catch any leaking milk.
Let Willow Pump Be Your #1 … or #2
Whether you choose us to be your primary or secondary pump, Willow Pump is here for you throughout your breastfeeding journey. Our high-quality, wearable pumps are made to make pumping as seamless as possible, while taking into account the demands of motherhood.
