The sooner the better!

While breastfeeding may seem like it’s an eternity away, we promise the baby is coming! Instead of scrambling to work with insurance or sending someone to the store to get you a pump on your way home from the hospital, order your breast pump during your pregnancy. No one should have to figure out how to order and use a pump while also bonding with a brand new baby

While it’s probably not what you want to hear, there is no such thing as the perfect pump - only the perfect pump for you! When choosing your pump, take some time to think about your breastfeeding journey:

• Will you be pumping exclusively or as needed?
• Do you want a manual or an electric pump?
• How often will you need to take your pump on the go with you?

Each of these questions is important in evaluating which kind of pump you should pick. There is no universal right answer for everyone - every breastfeeding journey is different!

When deciding on your pump, don’t overlook the experience of other moms! You can read all of the product descriptions and ratings on a pump without knowing how a mother feels about the pump when she is trying to relieve engorgement or frantically trying to pump between calls.

Take a deep dive into the reviews written by the women using the pumps! What are things they wish they had? What are things they love? Compile a list of pros and cons and see which pump you seem to gravitate toward the most!

When you are ready to order your breast pump, there are a couple of ways you can go about it. The first is to walk into a store that sells breast pumps and buy one right off the shelf. The second is to go through your insurance.

While this takes a bit more time than just going to the store, it will save you money! How much, you ask? Well that is going to depend on your specific insurance. This is one of the main reasons we suggest buying your pump during your pregnancy. Think about it - do you want to be navigating the insurance world while bonding with your newborn baby? We wouldn’t want to interrupt one second of those baby snuggles!

When going through insurance, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• The process is not immediate. As funny as it may sound, your doctor may need to write you a prescription for a breast pump or provide a pre-authorization to your insurance company. To find out what your specific plan requires, we recommend calling your insurance provider.
• Most insurance plans have to abide by the parameters of the Affordable Care Act, which require insurance companies to cover the expense of a breast pump. The specific pumps and upgrade options, however, will vary based on your insurance plan. Luckily, there are several online insurance checkers that will help you navigate this process!

Once you have your breast pump in hand do not leave it in the box! This is the perfect time to begin familiarizing yourself with the inner workings of your pump. Take out the parts, sterilize and wash according to the directions, and then check for fit!

You may be surprised to learn that there are different size flanges for different size nipples. Before you begin pumping, be sure to measure your nipples so you know what flange size you need. Pumping with the wrong size flange can be detrimental to your breastfeeding journey, not to mention incredibly uncomfortable for you.

While it is important to size your pump flanges ahead of time, be sure to consult with your doctor prior to pumping during pregnancy.

Once you are comfortable with your pump, the fun part happens - setting up your pumping/nursing space! Take advantage of your nesting instincts and set up a space that is designated for nursing and pumping. In this space, you will want to keep everything you will need during a pumping or nursing session. Here are some of our favorite must-haves:

• Water or other hydrating beverages
• Snacks to curb the breastfeeding munchies - sustaining life is hard work!
• Nursing pads/li>
• Pumping bra
• Nipple balm
• Books
• Nursing pillow or back support pillow
• Extra pump parts and bottles

At Willow Pump, we know just how busy the newborn stage is - and how tiring! That is why we create high-quality wearable breast pumps! These hands free pumps are perfect for helping you keep up with your new pumping schedule while going about your daily life. See what makes us different from other pumps, here.