Breast Pumps & Blue Cross Blue Shield FAQ

The Breast Pump Store is Here to Help!

Find Your No-Cost Breast Pump

Since 2012, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has required major insurance providers such as Blue Cross Blue Shield to offer very affordable options for expecting or nursing mothers when it comes to breast pumps, often at little to no cost. You can qualify for a new breast pump and supplies with plans including BCBS.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Covers Breast Pump Supplies

If you’re wondering if BCBS covers Breast Pump Supplies, the answer is yes! You can coordinate your coverage with one of our professionals to ensure that you receive all of the parts needed to maintain a healthy supply for your little one, including:

Flanges
Breast pump tubing
Storage containers
Valves
Shields

FAQ — A Beginner’s Guide to Breast Pumping

As a new or expecting mother, you have enough to worry about besides how to use your new breast pumps. Breast pumps provide great value helping you maintain your milk supply for your baby and even produce a surplus as a safety net. Read on to get answers to common questions new or expectant mothers have about breast pumps!

Do I need breast pumps?

The all-natural way may have some appeals, but if you are spending time away from your baby (such as going back to work), breast pumps are an absolute necessity. Breast pumping can be beneficial in a number of different scenarios:

• When you want to ensure you have an adequate milk supply
• When your aim is to relieve engorgement and prevent mastitis
• When you want your partner or a caregiver to be able to feed the baby as well and enhance their bond
• When you want to be free to do other things for a few hours without your baby missing a feeding
• When you want to reap the benefits of on-the-go convenience.

How long should you breastfeed your baby?

What are the benefits of breastfeeding for the baby?

What are the benefits of breastfeeding for mothers?

Besides the obvious reasons, such as bonding with your baby and saving time and money on formula, breastfeeding also can help burn some extra calories, requiring around 500 calories a day as an activity. It also reduces oxytocin, a hormone that helps move milk into the breast while also playing a role in reducing uterine bleeding and returning the uterus to its normal size more quickly after giving birth.

How do breast pumps work?

Breast pumps imitate a nursing baby’s suckling pattern. Most electric breast pumps are built to have multiple different suckling patterns, which you can experiment with to see what is most comfortable and efficient for you.

The average baby sucks between 50 and 90 times per minute, slowing down after milk starts flowing. Electric breast pumps imitate this cycle of suction and release, collecting it in a storage container. Another key part of breast pumps are called “flanges”, which are funnel-shaped plastic with a tube in the middle that are placed on the nipples and areolas to create a seal and create pressure when sucking.

Does pumping breast milk hurt?

It shouldn’t hurt if you are doing it right. While the first few seconds may be a bit uncomfortable, as your nipples are stretched your milk starts to flow, once you get used to it, it should be a breeze. If you do happen to experience pain or soreness, consider doing the following:

• Reposition your nipple — make sure your nipple is in the middle of the flange.
• Don’t over-pump — A breast will be empty of milk in about 15 or 30 minutes. When it is empty, stop pumping. If you are having trouble getting milk to flow, a warm compress or breast massage before pumping can help.
• Change your flange size — A flange that is too big or too small can pinch the sides of your nipple and make the flow constrained.

How often should you pump?

There are a number of factors that come into play when determining how often you should pump. If you are going back to work right away, or might be away from your baby regularly for some other reason, pumping more will be necessary.

• If you intend to be home with your baby and available for breastfeeding all day, you may only need to pump with an electric breast pump every once in a while. However, early on pumping 8 to 10 times a day can help establish your milk supply more quickly.
• Use breast pumps to encourage your breasts to produce more milk, boosting your supply.

What breast pumps do you sell?

How can The Breast Pump Store help?

The Breast Pump Store is a fourth-generation, family-owned medical supply store selling breast pumps at great prices, while also providing:

• One-On-One Breast Pump & Breastfeeding Consultations
• Ongoing Support & Education
• Insurance Qualification Assistance
• Free Shipping
• Complete Customer Satisfaction
Getting your breast pumps through TheBreastPumpStore.com adds assurance that you are getting the best breast pump for your insurance or budget on top of proactive customer support. We can help you get qualified for free breast pumps through your insurance. Find out how!

Qualify Through Insurance

How can you narrow down your search for the perfect breast pump?

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Some Breast Pumping Tips

• A positive mindset is important, as stress can inhibit milk from flowing. Do what you can to relax as much as possible.
• Moist heat compresses 10 minutes or so before pumping, followed by a gentle breast massage for a minute or less, can help encourage milk flow.
• Always follow pumping with hand expression.
Don’t be discouraged if you are having problems. The Breast Pump Store is here to help you get the breast pumps you need through insurance, and if you have any issues, we are happy to help you along the way.

We’ll Ship You a New Breast Pump

The Breast Pump Store understands that you have enough to plan for, which is why our specialists will work on your behalf to reach out to your doctor and procure a prescription if needed. You can also qualify through your insurance by filling out our form and providing your prescription or doctor information. Within one business day, we’ll reach out to you and discuss your breast pump options and which will best fit your lifestyle.

Enjoy Your Time. We’re Here to Help.

Motherhood is a wondrous time, full of new changes and a lot of love. You have enough to focus on during this time, let The Breast Pump Store team lend a hand. We are dedicated to helping moms give their babies their best start, and have simplified our process to provide quality results without stress or uncertainty. You can shop for top brands including Medela, Spectra, and more.

BCBS Florida & New Jersey Members

If you are covered by Florida Blue or Horizon, it’s important to know that a prescription and prior authorization are required to qualify for coverage benefits. Speak with your healthcare provider or contact a breast pump specialist to ensure there are no hiccups during processing.

Ready to Begin?

You can browse our online store to learn about the electric breast pumps we have available. Keep in mind that your available breast pumps will vary based on your specific Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage. Be sure to contact us online if you have any questions, or fill out our form below with your information to get started. We look forward to taking part in this journey with you!

HAVE QUESTIONS?

You can contact us online anytime or fill out the form below, and a team member will reach out to you. As a new mother, you deserve all of the support you need to begin your journey, and The Breast Pump Store is here to help!

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