Breastfeeding sounds easy when people talk about it. You feed, baby eats, and everyone moves on. But real life? It’s not always that simple. Some babies struggle to latch, some parents deal with low supply, and some just want the freedom to share feeding with a partner. Add the stress of work schedules or medical needs, and suddenly having the right pump becomes a big deal.
Buying one outright isn’t the only option. You can actually rent a breast pump, and in many cases, it makes more sense. You'll save some cash, plus get extra time to see what really clicks for you and your little one. A lot of parents don’t realize how easy it is to do this through a hospital, pharmacy, or even a boutique baby store like A Mother’s Haven.
What's a Rental Breast Pump?
A breast pump rental means that the pump is borrowed (rather than purchased). You select the duration you need, pay for that duration, and then return it when you're finished. During those first few months when the milk supply is still properly adjusting, rentals are a popular option. Some parents rent a breast pump for a few weeks, others keep one for a year or more.
The most common option is a Medela Symphony rental, a hospital-grade breast pump, which means it’s built to handle heavy use without losing power. The pump uses a special two-phase pumping mechanism that mimics a baby’s natural suck, making it more effective in helping mothers maintain milk supply.
Personal-Use vs Hospital-Grade Breast Pumps
Personal-use pumps are the kind you usually get through insurance. They’re smaller, lighter, and designed for use by a single person only. Hospital-grade pumps are stronger and more durableThe Medela Symphony is the most trusted hospital-grade breast pump on the market, and it is designed to support mothers from the earliest stages of milk production. It can be used for both single and double pumping. That means you can pump from one side or both at the same time, which is a huge time-saver if you’re pumping around the clock.
Benefits of Renting a Breast Pump
If you’re on the fence about renting, you aren't alone. A lot of parents wonder if it’s worth the hassle when you could just buy one. Here are just a few of the reasons it simply makes sense.
- Saves money: New Medela Symphony hospital-grade pumps don't come cheap. If you only plan to pump for weeks or months, it’s more cost-effective to rent a breast pump instead of buying one.
- Hospital-grade at home: This rental brings you the same pump trusted by hospitals for their NICU parents and supply-struggling new moms. It gives a reliable, steady suction, reinforcing the milk flow, making it easier to collect your breast milk.
- Flexible timeframes: A Mother’s Haven offers 14, 30, 90, or 180 days. That flexibility makes it easy to match your rental to your needs.
- Test run before you buy: Renting lets you see how you like a hospital-grade model before you spend the money to buy your own.
- Sanitized and tested: A Mother’s Haven fully sanitizes and tests each pump before it is rented out, ensuring that you receive an optimally performing pump. In the rare case that your pump should malfunction for some reason, we will supply you with a new one.
How Breast Pump Rentals Work
Here’s how the rental policy goes if you rent from A Mother’s Haven.
You pick your rental period: two weeks, one month, three months, or six months. Prices start at $63 and go up to $450 depending on the length. You’ll pay for your rental period up front, and you can conveniently extend your rental period at any time via phone or email. We’ll keep a credit card on file for extensions (as well for any incidentals should the pump be damaged).
The pump comes ready to use, but you’ll need your own personal kit. Those kits come with flanges, bottles, tubing, and anything that actually touches milk. Kits are sold separately because they have to be sterile and specific to you. They come in both single and double-pumping versions. If you’re planning to pump often, double pumping is the smarter choice since it cuts your time in half and helps maintain milk production.
Buying vs. Renting: Which Option is Best?
There isn’t one right answer here. If you know you’ll be pumping every single day for the long haul, buying your own pump probably makes sense.
But a lot of parents don’t need that; some just want the extra strength of a hospital-grade pump in the first couple months to get milk supply going, then they’re fine switching to a smaller personal pump. Others never bother buying at all and stick with renting because they like the quality and don’t want the upfront cost.
Safety and Hygiene Considerations
The one question that parents often ask is, "Is hiring a pump really safe?" Yes, if you are using the right one. Unlike home pumps, hospital-grade pumps like the Medela Symphony have a closed system, and the breastmilk never comes in contact with the motor or shared tubing.
The only part that really counts is your own personal kit that's sold separately. If you're renting, you'll purchase a new kit so you know the pieces that touch your milk are brand new. After that, it’s just about cleaning and sterilizing as you would with bottles. If you ever wonder about safety, the FDA has one simple guideline: only rent pumps meant for multiple users.
Pump With Confidence at A Mother’s Haven
Feeding a baby isn’t always predictable, and no two families have the same routine. Having the right pump can take some of that pressure off. Renting a hospital-grade pump means you get the power and comfort you need without dropping a small fortune on equipment you might only use for a season.
At A Mother’s Haven, the process is easy. You pick your rental period, grab a personal kit, and you’re set. If leaving the house feels impossible, there’s even a breast pump rental delivery to your door. Whether you’re interested in a Medela Symphony rental, need gear for single and double pumping, or just want guidance from people who know their stuff, this boutique baby store has you covered. Stop by or order online and take one thing off your long to-do list.
