Latest news with #wearablepump
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
I Tested the MomCozy Wearable Breast Pump and Now Use It More Than My Spectra
No matter how much research you do, it's impossible to prepare for the arrival of a new baby, especially when it comes to how you will end up feeding them. In the case of Mary, mom to a now four-month-old baby boy, she was thrown a curve ball when her newborn wound up with jaundice (he was fine!) in that she had to turn to a formula/breast milk combo right out of the gate. The good news: He took to a bottle quickly. The even better news: She had to reach for her wearable pump, the MomCozy Mobile Flo, earlier than expected to keep her supply up and keep bottles at the ready. Between her standard electric breast pump (the Spectra!) and the MomCozy, Mary can attest: She reaches for her wearable breast pump the most. To test this product, as described, Mary started pumping from the minute her newborn arrived. She tested it while walking the dog and while running errands; she packed it for longer road trips (with a cooler by her side to keep milk chilled) and even carried it as her first choice pump for a wedding weekend. There's no better testament to how well it works. With her baby now approaching four months, the MomCozy Mobile Flo breast pump has been Mary's failsafe—and really helped her establish her supply, not to mention her breastfeeding routine. MomCozy For breastfeeding moms toying with the idea of testing a wearable pump, consider this an endorsement of your choice: The freedom to not have to lug around a regular breast pump just to empty her boobs and feed her kid has been a gamechanger, but more importantly it's time-saving. ('It's the ability to do two things at once and be hands-free—I can wash the dishes and not ever have to worry about spillage,' Mary shares.) But that's not all: To start, the MomCozy Mobile Flo pairs with its own app to give mom full control over her pumping style. Per Mary, you can choose from preset pumping patterns, but also turn your own cadence into a preset (and still adjust as you go). The app also goes beyond that—there's a pause feature, which Mary can attest is incredibly helpful in virtual meetings just in case you find yourself mid-pumping session and want to stop the whirring sound of an electric pump. It also milk volume tracking, which allows you to keep track of your total ounces easily, another helpful feature for moms who are hanging onto every drop. (Ahem, all of us.) Mary also shouted out the intuitive set-up, even for a first-time mom. The MomCozy offers a snug—and comfortable—fit and a range of flanges that come included (24mm, plus 17mm, 19mm and 21mm inserts) so that you can really zero in on that perfect fit. A single charge should also get you through about four or five pumping sessions, sometimes more, which is helpful for anyone on-the-go. The app also makes it a breeze to track your pumping schedule, pinging you with notifications so you don't forget. And cleaning is easy, too. (Mary relies mostly on the Baby Brezza Bottle Washer to clean all her pump parts, but during that wedding weekend, she used pump sterilization bags to great success.) Most amazing of all, Mary says she yielded an identical supply with the wearable as when she pumped using her Spectra, an impressive result. In the case of the MomCozy Mobile Flo breast pump, Mary was clear: The ability to leave the house and be expressing milk for your infant at the same time is quite a feeling. That said, the MomCozy's discretion level is seasonal, she says. 'It was much easier in the wintertime when I could throw a bulkier coat over my clothes vs. summertime when I'm wearing much lighter layers,' she describes. (To be clear, this doesn't make MomCozy's breast pump less portable, it's more about visibility—if you have a sweater on over the pump, you're less likely to catch a glimpse than if you're using it while wearing a tank top, FYI.) For Mary, the best use of it really has been on the road—to multi-task like that while commuting is kind of amazing. Some of the parts can be a bit flimsy—like the tabs on the milk collector, which break off after repeated use. In Mary's experience, if they did snap, it was close to the expected life span for replacement (they're meant to be replaced every three months), but something that was a bit of a nuisance. One additional frustration: It's hard to tell exactly how much milk you're collecting while pumping, so you have to maneuver the pumps a bit to peek and make sure it is, in fact, working. 'With my Spectra, I can see my progress at a glance, but for the wearable pump, I tend to base it off of timing and feel.' It's quiet, it's efficient, it's portable, but above all, the MomCozy Mobile Flo delivered the same output as Mary's regular pump—the point. $270 at momcozy Attention, Moms-to-Be: You Can Now Get a *Wearable* Breast Pump for Free Through Insurance
Forbes
11-06-2025
- Health
- Forbes
The 8 Best Wearable Breast Pumps, According To Moms And Experts
Pumping can be hard, especially for busy moms juggling childcare, work, meal prep and tending to their baby. The best wearable breast pumps offer a discreet, comfortable and efficient solution, making pumping more convenient while keeping your hands free to do other things. Many parents rely on these pumps in addition to their regular pumps to ensure they have milk for their baby while also working or taking care of other kids. My top pick, the Elvie Pump, is designed with smart features that make it easy to use, has dishwasher-safe parts and, most importantly, is comfortable. 'Having the option of a wearable pump takes convenience to a new level and may increase the likelihood of meeting those pump sessions they otherwise may not have been able to make work,' says Karrie Locher, a certified lactation counselor and postpartum and neonatal nurse. I spoke with lactation experts, used feedback from real mom testers and drew upon my own personal experience as someone who pumped through three kids to curate this list of the top wearable breast pumps, including the affordable Momcozy M5 and the leak-proof Willow 360. Flange sizes: 15mm, 17mm, 19mm, 21mm, 24mm and 28mm | Milk capacity: 5 ounces per cup | Battery life: About 5 to 6 pumping sessions | App: Yes | Dishwasher-safe parts: Yes When I was nursing my twins, the Elvie pump went everywhere with me. It's super quiet and comfortable, with no tubes to get tangled in. The pump connects to an app that monitors milk volume in real time, tracks your pumping session and offers insights on your pumping behavior. Smart features also automatically switch from stimulation to expression mode once it detects a letdown (or after two minutes) and stop the pump when the collection cup is full. As a busy working mom of three, all of these thoughtful details allowed me to pump on the go without much effort. Once I put the pump on, I didn't have to think about it again until I took it off. I did notice that my output was a bit lower than normal when using this pump, but that's common with wearable pumps. 'Elvie changed my life,' says mom of five, Chaunie Brusie. 'I had a NICU baby and had to exclusively pump. I was about to give up because it was so hard caring for her alone and my other four kids. The Elvie was a game changer and I will forever sing its praises.' The pump has seven intensity settings and features smart pumping rhythms, including a rhythm for sensitive breasts and one for heavy let-downs and milk flow. Busy moms will appreciate that you can clean the pump parts in the dishwasher, though there are five parts to clean and assemble, which is more than some of our other top picks. Once you're done with your pumping session, you can put a lid on the collection cups to store them in the refrigerator. Flange sizes: 17mm, 19mm, 21mm and 24mm | Milk capacity: 5.6 ounces per cup | Battery life: 100 to 120 minutes | App: No | Dishwasher-safe parts: No The Momczoy M5 is a popular option thanks to its affordability and ease of use. 'It's easy to use and wash and has a good suction,' says Lauren Scheeler, a mom of four who has been using the pump for her twins. The pump doesn't have any cords or tubes, and it's available in multiple colors. That little pop of color might seem insignificant, but since many moms often have better output when they're relaxed and happy, it's a nice touch. There are four parts that need to be cleaned, but they aren't dishwasher-safe. While it doesn't connect to an app, the controls are on the top of the pump and easy to use. 'I wear mine at work all the time and even pumped in Disney with it and walked around. It's small, so not hard to bring with you places and it comes with a small carrying pack,' says Scheeler. Compared to some larger and heavier pumps on our list, this is definitely a more discreet option. Our tester also found that it had a high yield compared to other wearable pumps, which is helpful for emptying your breasts and making sure you have enough milk for your baby. There are nine suction levels and three modes of operation, and the pump is designed to mimic the angle of a baby's sucking, which may be part of the reason many moms get great output with this pump. Flange sizes: 21mm and 24mm | Milk capacity: 5 ounces per cup | Battery life: Up to 3 pumping sessions | App: Yes | Dishwasher-safe parts: Yes A smart breast pump makes pumping easier (and more discreet) since you don't need to keep reaching into your shirt for adjustments. The app allows you to track your milk volume, control the pump and gain access to expert advice and tips. There are 15 different levels of suction, allowing you to customize the pump to achieve your maximum output. Dishwasher-safe parts mean you're spending less time cleaning and more time with your baby, although there are quite a few of them (six total). As a result, you may need to spend some time getting acquainted with how to assemble your pump before you get the hang of it. Moms who need a wearable pump for work or other places likely want something quiet—which the Willow Go is. There aren't any cords or tubes to get tangled up in either, making it easy to use. Moms who have a high output will appreciate the generous 5-ounce collection cups and the 7-ounce collection cups that are available as an add-on. Flange sizes: 17mm, 19mm, 21mm and 24mm | Milk capacity: 5 ounces per cup | Battery life: Up to 5 days with wireless charging case | App: Yes | Dishwasher-safe parts: Yes The Eufy S1 Pro is an innovative pump that uses heat, which may help with comfort, relaxation and output. It's a personal favorite of Locher, who likes the heated feature and finds that it provides good output and strength. At 300 mmHg (millimeters of mercury, the unit that measures suction power), it's more powerful than many other wearable options. It includes a wireless charging case that provides up to five days of power, making it particularly ideal for moms on the go. In the app, you can customize the rhythm, suction and speed, which includes seven intensities and three cycle speeds. You can also log volume, track your pumping sessions and analyze your pumping patterns. Running at 46 decibels, it's also a pretty quiet pump. There's a double seal to help prevent leaks and the parts are dishwasher-safe. Flange sizes: 24mm | Milk capacity: 6 ounces per cup | Battery life: About 7 to 8 pumping sessions | App: No | Dishwasher-safe parts: No Many wearable breast pumps only hold about four to five ounces of milk, but the Momcozy S12 Pro Wearable Breast Pump holds six ounces per cup. This is ideal for moms who tend to produce a lot of milk or who just prefer a larger collection cup. There aren't any cords to get tangled in, and the pump has a nice long battery life of seven to eight pumping sessions. It's three modes and nine levels of suction, allow the user to customize their ideal pumping setup. The pump comes in several different colors: gray, white or pink, which is a nice bonus. Pumping can be a long and arduous journey for many people, so something that can make it a little more joyful–even just a pop of color–can help. The pump also has a double-sealed silicone flange—which I always found to be more comfortable than hard plastic ones—that's designed to bring it closer to your breast. It's rather large with a control panel that sticks above the cups, so it's probably not the best option for someone trying to pump discreetly at work or out in public. Flange sizes: 21mm and 24mm | Milk capacity: 4 ounces per cup | Battery life: Up to 5 pumping sessions | App: Yes | Dishwasher-safe parts: Yes One of the main perks of a wearable breast pump is the freedome to move while you're pumping. However, if you try to bend over or get too active while using one, the milk can spill out—which very well may be the one time that you cry over spilled milk. The Willow 360 solves this problem with a leak-proof design that uses self-sealing milk bags. 'It was nice to throw those in and keep doing chores throughout the day. I even put them in when work was busy and I didn't get a chance to step away to pump,' says Kendra Gallagher, a mom of three who often pumps at work during long shifts as a nurse. You need to use the bags for the pump to be leak-proof—collection cups alone can leak. 'What I loved about the Willow 360 is that you buy bags that go right into the pump, so you don't have to pour milk from the pump into storage bags,' she says. Several features make this pump easy to use, including app and Apple Watch compatibility, smart letdown detection and built-in sensors to keep track of your milk volume. You can view this data in the app and also access to Willow 360 Care, which provides a virtual onboarding session and sizing support—among other perks—which can be very helpful for first-time pumpers. Clean-up is a breeze, too: there are only two parts and both are dishwasher-safe. Flange sizes: 21mm and 24mm | Milk capacity: 5 ounces per cup | Battery life: Up to 8 pumping sessions | App: Yes | Dishwasher-safe parts: Yes A wearable breast pump should make your life easier, not harder. Our tester found the Medela Freestyle to have an intuitive setup, and overall, very easy to use. There are only three pieces to wash and they're all dishwasher-safe. The collection cups are incredibly lightweight at only 2.7 ounces, thanks in part to being separate from the motor. However, this means that they're connected to the motor via tubing and you'll need to put the motor in your pocket and be careful not to get the tubes tangled. Once you have the pump in place, you don't need to fidget with it to change any settings. Our tester appreciated that it automatically goes from stimulation to normal expression after two minutes, and you can adjust anything you need to via the control panel on the motor. While there is a compatible app that keeps track of your sessions, you can't control the pump through it. Flange sizes: 15mm, 17mm, 19mm, 21mm, 24mm and 28mm | Milk capacity: 5 ounces per cup | Battery life: Up to 3 hours | App: Yes | Dishwasher-safe parts: Yes A good pump should be comfortable enough to encourage everyday use. Our tester found the Elvie Stride 2 incredibly comfortable. It has silicone flanges, which tend to be more comfortable than hard plastic ones. Plus, with six flange sizes, it ensures a comfortable and secure fit. Ten intensity settings allow for customized suction while pumping, and dishwasher-safe parts makes cleaning a breeze. You can control the pump with an app or the control panel located on the motor that's connected to the cups via tubing. This does mean you'll need to contend with tubes, but the pump comes with a waist clip and a neck strap to help you place the motor in an easy-to-access spot. The baby and kids team at Forbes Vetted is dedicated to helping parents and caregivers find the products that work best for them, whether that's the best stroller or the best baby swimsuit. We spend countless hours testing and researching products to make it easier for you to choose what best suits your needs and lifestyle. We combined market research, testing and insight from parents in our networks to curate our list of the best wearable breast pumps. Here are some more insight into our selection process. Before you consider various features and specs of wearable breast pumps, think about why you want to use one. Locher explained that moms using a pump for busy work days in meetings might want a more quiet and discreet pump while a stay-at-home mom might need something that won't leak and will keep strong suction while they're running after their kids. 'I have noted that mothers with very large or pendulous breasts have a difficult time keeping the wearable pumps in place,' says Blatz. Before choosing a pump, consider whether it has correctly-sized flanges for your nipple size. "Fit is very important and we're all different sizes,' says Locher. Also consider how big the collection cups are. Some are pretty discreet, fitting well inside your bra. Others are larger and may stick up past your bra. Most wearable breast pumps hold around four or five ounces of milk per collection cup, while some go up to six or seven ounces. Because wearable pumps are designed as more of an extra tool in addition to a full-size pump, most moms do well with smaller collection cups. However, if you have an oversupply or will be wearing the pumps for extended periods of time, you may want to opt for one with larger cups. Battery life can vary, with some wearable pumps only lasting for around three pumping sessions and others lasting for eight or more. If you're relying on your wearable pump a lot, you probably want something with a longer battery life. 'In general, I think it's helpful when pumps are easy to assemble and clean,' says Locher. Some pumps only have two parts to clean and assemble while others have five or more. While most offer dishwasher-safe parts, not all do. If that's important to you, confirm that the parts are dishwasher-safe before purchasing. 'Many pump companies rave about being 'hospital grade,' but this is not an FDA-regulated term, and truly is more of a marketing tactic,' says Locher. Maximum suction is often somewhere between 200 mmHg and 300 mmHg. Consider how strong you want your suction to be as well as how customizable you want it to be. Some pumps offer more ways to customize the suction and modes than others. What Is The Best Rated Wearable Breast Pump? The Momcozy S12 Pro wearable breast pump has the best rating on Amazon of all the pumps on our list with 4.5 out of 5 stars. Parents like it because each cup holds six ounces, it has comfortable silicone flanges and it has good battery life. Is It Worth It To Get A Wearable Breast Pump? A wearable breast pump is a great secondary option for parents on the go. 'There is a wide range of how effective wearable pumps perform for different individuals. A pump-dependent mother who has a hospitalized infant may not find the wearable pump as a good option to establish and maintain her milk supply whereas a parent that has healthy infant that nurses well throughout the day and just needs to pump a few times during the day when she is away from the baby may find a wearable pump to be a good pump for this family,' says Blatz. Do Wearable Pumps Decrease Milk Supply? If you're consistently using a wearable pump and not fully emptying your breasts, it's possible that your supply could decrease. 'As with any pump, different things work for different people. However, in the majority of cases, wearable pumps should be used as an 'on the go' or 'as needed' option alongside their regular pump,' says Locher. 'Many women find that wearables don't fully empty the breast, leaving behind some milk when finished pumping. When this happens consistently and frequently, that can end up telling our body to make less milk, not more.'
