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On Oct. 1, 2024, the FDA began implementing a reorganization impacting many parts of the agency. We are in the process of updating FDA.gov content to reflect these changes.

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  6. Breast Pumps
  1. Consumer Products

Breast pumps are medical devices regulated by the FDA. These devices are often used by breastfeeding women to extract (“express”) their breast milk. Breast pumps can also be used to maintain or increase a woman’s milk supply, relieve engorged breasts and plugged milk ducts, or pull out flat or inverted nipples so a nursing baby can latch-on to its mother’s breast more easily.

Many women find it convenient, or even necessary, to use a breast pump to express and store their breast milk once they have returned to work, are traveling, or are otherwise separated from their baby. A breast pump can be used as a supplement to breastfeeding and some pumps are designed to mimic the suckling of a nursing baby.

This website provides general information on breast pumps. While it provides information on choosing and using a breast pump, this website is not intended to provide medical advice. If you have questions about breast pumping or breastfeeding, the best source of information is a qualified health care professional (e.g. doctor, nurse practitioner, lactation consultant, or midwife).
 



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