What is Hospital Grade Pump?

Traditionally, a hospital grade pump means it is a multi-user pump shared by mothers in the hospital.

It has the following features:

A closed system

A powerful motor

Higher efficiency in milk clearance

Range of suction levels to choose

There are no standard requirements to be considered hospital grade.

Different pump manufacturer follows their own criteria.

“Hospital grade” is more a marketing term than an absolute guarantee of meeting certain criteria.

However, you can still base off some criteria when deciding whether certain pumps meet the “hospital grade” standard.

Size of breast pump

Hospital grade pumps tend to be bigger mostly due to a more powerful motor designed for rigorous use.

Multi-user vs Single user

Hospital grade pumps will usually be a closed system which ensure hygiene for multi-users.

Warranty coverage can suggest whether it is multi-user.  Most brands’ warranty only cover the 1st owner suggesting that it is encouraged to be used as a single user pump.

Wired vs Wireless

Most hospital grade pumps are wired.

Wearable pumps are not usually classified under hospitable grade as it is designed to be lightweight with a compact motor hence providing a lesser suction range.

However, this does not discount their efficiency in clearing milk.

Suction Range

Hospital grade pumps usually have a maximum suction level in the range of 300 MmHg while personal grade pumps are mostly in the 200 MmHg range.

This does not necessarily mean on pump is superior than the other – it is just symptomatic of hospital grade pumps having bigger motors since they are designed for more rigorous use.

The pumping journey is one filled with trials and errors.

Hospital grade does not mean that it will work well for you.  Most mums do not (and not recommended) to use the maximum suction levels hence personal grade pumps suction works just as well.

There is no one pump that will suit all, so checking your flange size, settings, pump positioning and trying the pump is a better way to assess pump performance.