pumps
Tricare covers pumps up to a certain amount. They cover one electric or one manual per birth event. They also cover storage bags, valves, and other pump parts. Here’s a checklist to help you with the process:
1.) Get a prescription for a pump from your OB, typically at 28 weeks (your medical provider should be able to do this — for me, they wouldn’t give it to me until I was 36 weeks pregnant, but I think it’s dependent on where you live and the provider).
2.) Figure out the pump you want (wearable/wireless, double electric, portable, or hand pumps… while this article won’t cover all the different pump types out there, I will recommend some and we’ll get more into these later)
3.) You can either buy a pump on the economy and get reimbursed OR you can go to a supplier who works with Tricare, give them your prescription, and they are able to give you the pump on site.
*For more on what’s covered, take a look at Tricare’s website: https://www.tricare.mil/CoveredServices/IsItCovered/BreastPumpsSupplies.
Suppliers (good reviews from military mom friends only):
Online suppliers (looking for more inputs, so send me your recs!):
Aeroflow: https://www.aeroflowbreastpumps.com
Notes: Great customer services, lots of pumps available. Bonus: Tricare covered 6 virtual classes on breastfeeding, pumping, baby sleep schedules, birthing expectations, etc. Very helpful. I mixed-and-matched using these classes from Aeroflow and ordered my pump from Every Ounce.
Every Ounce: https://www.everyounce.com
Notes: I used this site! Wonderful customer service, easy-to-use website (easily shows which pumps they offer which are fully covered by Tricare, unlike other sites where you have to provide all your insurance/personal information before they show you which pumps they will provide for you). Top pumps free of charge: Spectra S1, Eufy S1 Pro, Momcozy M5, Pumpables Genie Advanced, Elvie Stride… so many! They also offered (free!) virtual lactation consulting, which was very beneficial when we were dealing with some feeding challenges in the first couple months with my second baby.
The Breastfeeding Shop: https://www.thebreastfeedingshop.com
Notes: When you order the Spectra S1, it comes with a pumping bag (according to some moms, they got it covered by Tricare)
Baby Pavilion: https://www.babypavilion.com
Notes: They carry the Kiinde bags, and some mom’s have reported they’ve been covered by Tricare! The Kiinde system you’ll have to pay out of pocket — look for sales! (More info on the Kiinde system in the breastmilk storage article.)
Homefront Pumps: https://homefrontpumps.com
Notes:
1Natural Way: https://www.militarypumps.com/tricare-breast-pumps
Notes: Provides monthly valve replacements & monthly storage bags covered by Tricare
Physical Address Suppliers (looking for more inputs, send me your recs!)
Colorado Springs area ladies: TENS Unlimited on North Academy Blvd. Took my prescription from my Fort Carson Evans Army Hospital midwife. They gave me a Spectra S1 fully covered by Tricare on the spot. They also took some time to show me how to use it. Came with the flanges, pump parts, and pump bags. Could get new bags every month (if I’m remembering right) for a whole year. https://maps.app.goo.gl/QpKL3KSe7V86qULH9
*Note, recommended products are solely based on my own experiences and experiences of other military mamas sharing their gouge with me. I am working on linking Amazon affiliate links for some products to help pay for this website, but I am not endorsing products for profit.
Top Pumps:
*Note: Pump technology is advancing all the time! If you would like to contribute to this article, email me!
Spectra S1 (the blue one): Rechargeable lithium battery (so you can take it with you on the go) and most often noted as having the best output. It’s not a wearable, though. So know that you may want some privacy when using it.
Spectra S1
Some mechanics of pumping that are not necessarily intuitive (note, I’m not a lactation consultant, but just a mom who learned some of this the hard way when I struggled with supply early on):
Establish a good fit for your nipples. Not all nipples are created equal (you may have one nipple that’s larger than the other). If when you pump your nipples rub against the sides, you need a larger flange. Talk to a lactation consultant about finding a right fit or take a look at this article for sizing: https://www.healthline.com/health/breastfeeding/breast-pump-flange#sizing
Start with stimulation mode, then after a few minutes, switch to expression mode
Pump from both sides (it’s more efficient)
You can feed your baby on one side while you pump on the other (more efficient to pump both sides at the same time)
Plan out your pumping to match your baby’s feeding schedule so you can keep up with demand
You probably don’t need to aim to create a giant freezer stash — staying a few feeds ahead is enough (I had a lot of anxiety about this as I approached going back to work). All of our milk supplies are different and it’s ok if your body doesn’t produce as much milk as someone else. Formula fed babies grow up to be well-adjusted adults too!
If you’re going to use the Spectra S1, I highly recommend purchasing a pumping bra! It took me a few months to figure this out. I was trying to only pump one breast at a time, felt latched to my couch because I was pumping and thought I had to hold the flange to my breast the whole time. Turns out I was wasting time AND your breasts will likely both give more output if they BOTH have suction on them at the same time! Eventually I got smart, looped a belt through the pump to put around my shoulders, and connected the flanges to my breasts through a pumping bra and I was then a mom on the go! Being able to do dishes (like cleaning/sterilizing bottles & pump parts) reduced my stress level dramatically! Multi-tasking is possible!
I liked these Momcozy pumping bras on Amazon for both the Spectra S1 and the Elvie wearables.
https://www.amazon.com/Momcozy-Pumping-Adjustable-Breast-Pumps-Holding/dp/B0CQN843VZ
MomCozy Adjustable Pumping Bra
Fibrous breast tissue?
If you’ve ever been told you have fibrous breast tissue, you may want to consider warming and massaging your breasts before you pump and icing them after. This may help with letdown and recovery between feeding/pumping. I used these from Lansinoh: https://www.amazon.com/Lansinoh-TheraPearl-Breast-Therapy-Cover/dp/B0070767DU
I’ve heard good things about pairing the Spectra 9 or the Pumpables Genie Advanced with the Spectra S1 for a more mobile option with interchangeable/compatible parts. The Spectra 9 pump can fit in your pocket (similiar, but less expensive than the Baby Buddha).
Wearables
Great news is that wearable pump technology is improving all the time! Here’s a quick summary of the technicals of using them in the workplace. Some comparisons of different wearable pumps: https://www.whattoexpect.com/baby-products/nursing-feeding/wireless-breast-pumps/Wear them in your bra (you need something to hold them against your chest)
This article gives great insight into wearable technology and the differences between different sets: https://www.karingforpostpartum.com/blog/wearable-pump-comparison
Here’s some of my own thoughts & experiences on wearables:
Most are controlled by an app and some have sensors to tell you when they are full
Rechargeable batteries with varying levels of battery life
Some have more parts than others (key for cleaning efforts)
Some are louder than others (key for how closely you are working with others and if this makes you uncomfortable).
Most have both massage/stimulation mode and expression mode, just like more traditional pumps
Most/all can be covered by Tricare depending on the cost of the pump
Many moms look at having Tricare cover the wearables, then they buy a more traditional pump too
While some moms may exclusively use wearables, I think more commonly, moms will buy them in addition to a more traditional pump
Military Mom Reviews of Wearable Pumps:
(Intent here is to get some reviews from moms like to you fill this section in! So you or your friends, please email me at momgouge@gmail.com to fill this in!)
My personal experience with the Elvie wearables:
I wore them while flying! Yes, I was pumping while actively at the controls of the aircraft, taking off, landing, and conducting all phases of flight! (When I landed between sorties, I gave the milk in a cooler to the crew chiefs to put in the fridge for me).
Pro tip: Clean off what you can, but if you’re busy, just throw everything in the fridge so it won’t grow bacteria and clean it later.
I wore them during simulator training!
I wore them during an academic flying class with other students. During the class, a fellow student asked “what’s that sound?” to which I responded, “oh, that’s probably me… I’m pumping!” and he responded, “What? That’s amazing!”
I wore them in a staff meeting and no one seemed to notice.
Occasionally with the Elvie (and I’ve heard this as feedback with the Willow 3.0 as well), I would feel like I had a good latch and that there was milk expressing, but then 20 minutes later, there would be barely any milk collected.
My Spectra S1 would consistently gather more output.
My supply would reduce if I relied heavily on the Elvie and didn’t intersperse the Spectra S1, but it was great for periodic use when privacy was unrealistic.
Manual Breast Pumps
Whether you’re looking for a way to catch your letdown or need a quick/easy/lightweight addition to your pumping tools, the Haakaa manual breast pump receives some great reviews! Here’s an article about the Haakaa and how to use it: https://www.parents.com/how-to-use-haakaa-breast-pump-7229762#:~:text=All%20you%20have%20to%20do,milk%20without%20as%20much%20stimulation.
I recommend also getting a Haakaa cover with it (tons of different options). Note also Haakaa makes a slightly more expensive version of the pump with a more stable base if you’re worried about spilling (I get it… there definitely IS use crying over spilled milk!).
Troubleshooting
There are lots of issues that can plague us throughout our pumping journeys. Here are a few and some suggested troubleshooting steps:
Rubbing, sore nipples, irritation - Check flange fit/nipple size and shape. Your nipples may change size throughout your pumping/breast feeding journey, so know that you may need to get a different size. Also, check your breast alignment - ensure the flange is seated properly around your nipple. Try warming before and cooling after with warm compress/heat pads and ice packs.
Clogged Milk Ducts (if it becomes mastitis, please see your doctor!)-
Massage, warm/heating pads - massage through pumping to help push the milk out through the ducts
Poor suction -
Assembly - Ensure assembly of the pump is tight and parts are seated correctly (this would often be an issue with the Elvie when I thought I had a good latch, but no milk was expressing.
Replacement parts - Check to see if you need new valves, tubing, or backflow protectors. The valves especially can break down (you’ll see the opening separate more and more… this could be an issue if the opening becomes too large).
Lower supply than you want -
Power pumping https://exclusivepumping.com/power-pumping/ is shown to increase supply. Remember that supply typically is a direct result of demand… but a couple days after you put the demand on your breasts.
Lactation cookies (bake your own… I love this recipe!): https://www.howsweeteats.com/2015/02/lactation-cookies/
Mothers Milk Tea
Consider combination feeding (combining breast milk and formula) — this may help alleviate stress-levels too!
