Should you buy a breast pump as a gift?

The time when the whole family is awaiting the arrival of a new baby is an exciting time. All of the mother's friends and relatives want to contribute, help, and celebrate. That's one reason a whole industry has grown up around baby gifts and holding baby showers. Even the department stores are in on it with gift registries for the mom-to-be. With each passing year, there are more and more great handy new gizmos and gadgets on the market for taking care of the little tyke, and at every shower there are exclamations of, "Wow, I didn't have that back in the day when my sonny was born 5 years ago."

Still, it's possible that in all the excitement, a gift or two won't exactly be to the mother's taste or liking. Particularly a personal one like a breast pump. It doesn't happen often, but once in a while a well meaning father, grandmother, or other relative will buy a breast pump for an expectant mom, without consulting the mom, even before the baby is born. While we appreciate the business, we'd like to strongly advise against this practice. A breast pump is a very personal item, and mothers' tastes vary widely - that's why there are so many different types of breast pumps on the market. If you are tempted to buy a breast pump as a shower gift without the mother's help in choosing it, (how to say this kindly) please don't.

If you strongly feel that your favorite new mother will be needing a breast pump, might we suggest instead simply giving her the money you have budgeted for it in a gift card, and helping her research the types of breast pumps available and which she'd be most comfortable using? While the modern advances, variety and availabilty in the breast pump field are wonderful, the truth about breast pumps is that sadly, they are not returnable - except for an even exchange due to a manufacturing defect.

So rather than risking your money on a breast pump that might not be the right one for her, please consider some of our above suggestions in supporting your favorite new mother in this one of many decisions she will be making on behalf of her new baby.

Thank you for listening, and All the Breast,

Mom.