You’ll need a breast pump if you’ll be working full-time or part-time outside your home after your baby is born and plan to continue breastfeeding (high five!).

A breast pump is key to getting the job done—and keeping the breastaurant open!

Thankfully, because of the Affordable Care Act, health insurance companies must cover breastfeeding support and supplies, which includes the cost of a breast pump.
That benefit can potentially save you hundreds of dollars if your insurer covers a deluxe pump, such as the Medela Pump in Style Advanced. (Nice!)

Many insurance companies do pay for a high quality pump because they know it gives moms the best shot at breastfeeding success, which ultimately helps reduce medical costs.

Breastfeeding Benefits

In fact, research shows that breastfed babies have lower risks of:

• Asthma
• Childhood leukemia
• Childhood obesity
• Diarrhea and vomiting
• Ear infections
• Eczema (a.k.a. atopic dermatitis)
• Necrotizing enterocolitis, a disease that premature babies, or babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy
• Respiratory infections
• Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
• Type 2 diabetes

Breast milk is Mother Nature’s super smoothie because it offers so many benefits. Besides boosting your baby’s immune system and a healthy digestive tract, it promotes brain and vision development.

Breastfeeding can also help you return to your pre-baby weight faster (it burns an extra 300 to 500 calories per day; I was never so skinny as when I was breastfeeding) and may decrease your risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
That’s a whole lotta healthcare costs potentially saved, not to mention the peace of mind!

Photo source: Pexels/energepic.com

The price you’ll pay? Health Plan Homework!

The catch? Getting a free pump through your insurance company can be a headache.

First, you gotta call your health insurance company to find out which type of pump you can get and the brand options they offer because it’s not probably listed on their website. (On my health plan’s website, it doesn’t even say that a breast pump is covered under “durable medical equipment” in the benefits section.)

If the selection doesn’t include the brand/model you had in mind, you’ll have to ask whether you must get the “recommended” pump or if you can choose to purchase one that’s “out of network.”Then, you have to get a prescription for the pump from your doctor. Then, you have to submit the breast pump receipt for reimbursement, and wait for a check. Then you’ve got to hope the pump makes its way to you in time. (Uh oh. Where’s that tracking number?!)

There must be an easier way to get this free mommy must-have.

Enter Aeroflow Breastpumps!

Aeroflow Breastpumps is a user-friendly free service with dedicated breastpumps specialists to help pregnant and nursing women get their breast pump through insurance. You’ve heard of an insurance broker? They’re akin to breast pump brokers.

“Our breastpump specialists navigate insurance policies and streamline the process so our moms have one less thing to plan for or worry about during their pregnancy. We carry everything a mom would need to successfully breastfeed her baby,” says Jennifer Jordan, director of Aeroflow Breastpumps. The Aeroflow Breastpumps’ process to qualify for a free breast pump through insurance is easy.

Your Aeroflow Breastpumps Specialist will:

• Determine the insurance benefits you’re entitled to based on your specific insurance plan so that you get the best breast pump to make your breastfeeding experience a positive one.
• Contact your insurance company to verify your coverage and handle all the billings with your insurance company.
• Coordinate with your doctor to get your prescription to your insurance company
• Help you understand the different benefits of the variety of breast pumps. Insider tip: Insurance plans don’t specify a brand or specific breast pump they’ll cover. But they do cover features. An Aeroflow Breastpumps Specialist can help you find the right breast pump with the right features to fit your lifestyle. You can also choose to pay a little to upgrade your breast pump.
• Make sure your pump ships right to your door as soon as possible. Some insurance companies limit when a breast pump can ship (for example 30 days before your due date). Aeroflow Breastpumps generally ships the breast pump via UPS ground and will provide a tracking number.

What You Need to Do

All you’ll need to do is fill out their online Qualify Through Insurance form. After that, a dedicated Aeroflow Breastpumps Specialist will be in touch within three to five business days to handle everything. “We take the hassle and confusion out of the process so you can relax and prepare for your new baby,” Jordan says.

Breast Pump Fine Print

You can contact Aeroflow Breastpumps any time during your pregnancy and up to a year after giving birth. Aeroflow Breastpumps is usually able to ship the breast pump anywhere from 30 to 60 days before your due date. (Timing varies based on your insurance provider; some breast pumps can only be shipped during a specific time frame.)

Depending on your insurance, you may be eligible to receive an upgraded breast pump! Insurance companies only cover what’s “medically necessary” to express breast milk. That’s why upgrade options include extra bottles, parts, accessories or a breast pump bag.

Aeroflow Breastpumps offers upgrades for brands, such as Medela, Lansinoh, Spectra and more. Moms can use FSA or HSA funds to pay for upgrade pumps or supplies as well a debit or credit card or PayPal. Aeroflow Breastpumps also offers financing through Affirm.

Breast Pump Features to Consider

Each Breastpump specialist has her own profile on Aeroflow so you can get to know who you’re working with and share with your friends. When working with an Aeroflow Breastpumps Specialist to choose a breast pump, consider how often you plan to use your breast pump. When you’re away from your baby, you’ll pump every time your baby would normally nurse, which could be as many as eight to 10 times per day.

• Will you be transporting it every day?
• Will you use it for an extended period of time?
• How portable do you need it?

In general, if you’re going to be pumping every day, get a double electric breast pump. It’s the gold standard for working moms everywhere because it’s fast and efficient. Other breast pump features to consider:

Suction Power

Each pump has enough suction to express breast milk. You need a more powerful pump if you plan to exclusively pump and/or is returning to work or school. If you only plan to use a pump occasionally and nurse your baby most of time, suction power isn’t as important.

If in doubt, Aeroflow Breastpumps suggests going with a stronger pump, as in double electric beast pump with great suction power. A strong pump can help encourage your milk supply.

Noise Level

If you’ll be working in a busy office, try to get the quietest breast pump possible. It’ll just make your life less stressful knowing that you can use the pump in peace. To understand where the noise comes from, it’s important to know how a breast pump works. The pump alternating suction strengths to mimic a baby’s natural nursing style. The pump’s noise typical originates from the pump engine. Some pumps are quieter than others.

Size

None of the breast pumps are heavy or large. Some pumps are small enough to fit into a purse while others require a larger bag like the size of a beach tote.

Closed vs Open System

A closed system has a membrane that prevents breast milk from back flowing down the tubes and into the pump. An open system does not have a barrier and milk could flow into the tubes and into the pump engine. Without proper cleaning, mold could grow in an open system more easily, which could make you or your baby sick.

Battery Option

Some pumps can run on batteries, which is important if you won’t have access to an outlet.

Digital Display

A digital display as well as other features, such as a timer and memory button can help you personalize and control your pump sessions.

Breast Pump Chart

Check out this chart to size up the selection.

Read online reviews from other moms, too.

Why A Used Breast Pump is Not an Option

A breast pump is like a tooth brush. It’s meant for personal use. Even closed system breast pumps are designed for a single user only. Breast pumps (unless you get rent a commercial pump from the hospital or lactation center) aren’t safe to share or borrow. In other words, you’ve got to get a new one.

If you want to lighten up your commute, you might even want to get two—a freebie pump from the insurance company to keep at the office, and another breast pump that you pay for, for home.
Like most anything else, using a breast pump is a process. Your Aeroflow Breastpumps Specialist can help you figure out the best breast pump strategy for your situation and your success!

For more information about Aeroflow Breastpumps, visit Aeroflowbreastpumps or
call 1-844-867-9890.

Yes, this is a sponsored post.