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Pay at the pump?: Problems with electric breast pumps

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  • Leiter, Valerie
  • Agiliga, Alexis
  • Kennedy, Evangeline
  • Mecham, Emma

Abstract

Breast pump marketing promises mothers that they will be able to follow cultural and scientific mandates to breastfeed their babies, but on their own schedules, including working outside of the home. Relatively little attention has been paid to the problems that women may experience with breast pumps. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates breast pumps as medical devices, and the agency collects data on adverse events experienced by consumers and recalls. Existing literature on breast pumps was reviewed in the contexts of medicalization and biomedicalization, and regulatory data were analyzed using mixed methods to examine the problems that women have experienced with breast pumps, which include electrical problems, suction problems, fluid leaks, injuries, and infections. While electric breast pumps promise women convenience and efficiency in pumping, women may incur personal costs, in the form of pain, injuries, and infections. These findings have implications regarding the risks of using these devices, the design of future pumps, and the future research into medical devices for reproductive and women's health.

Suggested Citation

  • Leiter, Valerie & Agiliga, Alexis & Kennedy, Evangeline & Mecham, Emma, 2022. "Pay at the pump?: Problems with electric breast pumps," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 292(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:292:y:2022:i:c:s0277953621009576
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114625
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gatrell, Caroline Jane, 2007. "Secrets and lies: Breastfeeding and professional paid work," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 65(2), pages 393-404, July.
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    5. Koh, Kanghyock, 2017. "Maternal breastfeeding and children's cognitive development," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 101-108.
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