You may have seen the ads for wearable breast pumps – technology you can wear like a bra under your clothes. Companies like Willow and Elvie are boasting these devices, and the market is booming. Experts credit the steep rise in breast pump sales in part to the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act (“PUMP Act”), which was signed into law in 2022 and grants eligible employees the right to privately pump at work. That year, the wearable breast pump market was valued at $522 million and is expected to reach $1.3 billion by 2032, according to research firm Global Market Insights.
The demand for these products is high and with good reason. Rather than tethering you to an external device with cords and bulky bottles, wearable pumps store breast milk inside the device itself, giving moms the option to pump hands-free and on the go. The pumps are shaped like a half-dome and are held in place by the woman’s bra.
In theory, you could sport a wearable breast pump at work, while out with friends, or while running errands. But wearable pumps aren’t for everyone. Current styles aren’t always as leak-proof and user-friendly as they’re marketed to be, and choosing the right style comes down to personal preferences about comfort and privacy. As a doctor and a mom, I’ve used traditional and wearable pumps, and there are benefits and drawbacks to both. Let’s discuss the ins and outs of wearable pumps so you can make the best choice for yourself and your baby.