However, in situations where a new parent is unable to chest or breastfeed directly, breast pumps play a critical role in ensuring that infants receive adequate nutrition. Breast pumps have undergone significant innovations over the years, with the first pumps dating back to ancient civilizations.

Breast pumps have been in use since ancient times, with the first recorded use dating back to Egyptian civilization. The first breast pumps were made from clay or animal bladders, and they were used to relieve breast engorgement, a condition where the breasts become swollen and painful due to the accumulation of human milk. These early pumps were crude and provided little in terms of efficiency.

The first hand-operated breast pump patent was in 1854 by O.H. Needham. It was made of a rubber ball that fit into a glass pipe, a video can be found below. This was later improved by Edward Lasker in 1923 with the first mechanical pump. The design was inspired by Lasker’s work with dairy cows. The pump stirred up controversy at the time with some pediatricians wanting the pumps only for hospitals and not for parents to use at home. 

Some modern breast pumps are now designed by women, for women. With many models designed to mimic the natural sucking pattern of an infant. This stimulates milk production and makes the pumping process more comfortable for mothers and pumping parents. Some have mobile applications that allow users to track output, pumping sessions, adjust suction levels, and capture data. 

Another innovation in modern breast pumps is the development of wearable pumps without wires or tubes. These pumps are designed to be discreet and allow mothers to continue with their daily activities while expressing milk, like working on the computer or even doing yoga! Some wearable pumps are designed to be used while sleeping, which can be particularly helpful for mothers who need to pump frequently throughout the day.