The right breast pump can make the pumping process faster, easier, and more comfortable, making those early morning and mid-workday sessions less frustrating and disruptive.
However, picking the right size can be super intimidating, especially when you have small breasts.
One of my friends — who’s a B-cup on a good day — was complaining last year that her breasts weren’t big enough to balance out the pair of breast pumps she had. She had TSRETE S12 that she described was so top-heavy that she basically had to hold them on her breasts the whole time (kind of defeating the point of having them).
While she later settled for an ideal option, I decided to research the breast pump world to identify standout options that suit small breast sizes, offer different pumping styles, and fit various needs.
Here is what I found out.
After years of following conversations in online parent groups, I concluded that a clear majority of moms who have used double electric pumps from several brands prefer Spectra’s pump over competitors. Those with small breasts noted that Spectra S1 Plus comes in five sizes — 16mm, 20mm, 24mm, 28mm, and 32mm — offering a comfortable fit even for moms with smaller chests.
The soft silicone flanges provide a gentle feel, reducing discomfort during longer pumping sessions. Besides, Spectra S1 Plus is a closed system, which means there is a physical barrier between the milk and the pump tubing and motor to enhance hygiene and motor performance.
This pump also features fully adjustable suction and speed settings, allowing you to customize the pumping experience. Despite its gentle feel, the Spectra S1 Plus is powerful and efficient. Its hospital-grade motor ensures strong suction, which is key for effective milk extraction, especially when you need a more controlled and efficient pumping session.
Pros
- Quiet and discreet operation
- Hospital-grade motor for efficient pumping
- Built-in rechargeable battery for portability
- Wide range of flange sizes, including smaller options
- Customizable suction and speed settings for personalized comfort
Cons
- Slightly bulkier compared to wearable pumps like Elvie or Willow
- The price may be higher than other options, but the performance justifies the cost
The powerful and effective suction of the Medela Pump in Style with MaxFlow has earned it a devoted following among the best breast pumps for women with small breasts. Like the Spectra SI Plus, you get different flange sizes, including 21mm and 24mm, which can be ideal for people with small breasts.
However, the huge selling point of this breast pump is its powerful suction tech that mimics a baby’s natural feeding pattern on a budget. Starting at $220, you can easily control the suction with the pump’s intuitive controls, get a closed-system pump, and have BPA-approved parts that touch milk.
Unlike Spectra SI Plus, you won’t have as much flexibility in adjusting suction strength and speed independently. Plus, it isn’t as quiet as some other pumps.
Pros
- Easy to use with intuitive controls
- Portable with a battery pack option
- Comes with 21mm flanges for small breasts
- Efficient MaxFlow technology for quick milk extraction
- Compatible with Medela’s extensive range of accessories, making it easy to find additional parts or upgrade for a more personalized pumping experience
Cons
- Less customization in suction and speed adjustments
- Limited range of flange sizes compared to other pumps
What most moms love about the Lansinoh SmartPump 2.0 is its technology and packaging. First, this breast pump comes with a mini cooler. The cooler has little ice packs that you can freeze every night before bed and plop in the cooler to store your breastmilk for the day. You can store the breast milk for up to 24 hours.
Like all the other pumps on the list, it comes with a variety of flanges. Typically, it comes with a pair of 25mm and 30.5mm. If you need a smaller size, you can request the 21mm flange, which might be ideal forsmall breasts. You also get a cute black tote to fit all your pump parts. There is no need to worry about losing pieces or forgetting a part at home.Â
You’ll also get a closed system that ensures milk doesn’t flow back into the tube, maintaining hygiene and preventing contamination. While you don’t get the hospital-grade power of other pumps like Spectra S1 Plus, many parents report it’s comfortable.
Pros
- Quiet operation for discreet pumping
- Lightweight and portable for easy use on the go
- Integrated app for tracking pumping sessions and milk production
- Customizable suction settings with three pumping styles and eight levels
- Includes smaller flange sizes of 21mm and 25mm for a secure and comfortable fit
Cons
- Does not have a built-in rechargeable battery
- Suction may not be as powerful as hospital-grade pumps like the Spectra S1 Plus
The Elvie pump is a small, lightweight, and convenient wearable breast pump that most pumping moms praise for allowing them to pump discreetly and quietly on the go. It comes with a plastic shield that sits on the breast in three different sizes—21mm, 24mm, and 28mm. Such a wide size range ensures even a mom with a small breast gets a pump that fits snuggly.
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However, some moms are disappointed online about howElvie Pump achieves the ideal sizing. One says the box indicates three plastic shields, but only to find two unlabeled flanges. To make these flanges fit your breast size, you have to go to the app and learn building instructions to get the three sizes. A circle will give you 21mm, a triangle 24, and a square 28mm.
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The best part is that it can track how much milk you have pumped via the app. The base pump also comes with built-in bottles, and it is impressively quiet, making it ideal for discreet use.
Pros
- Extremely quiet for discreet pumping
- Lightweight and portable for use anywhere
- Hands-free, wearable design allows for multitasking
- Offers a 21mm flange for small breasts (sold separately)
- Controlled via an app for easy tracking and customization
Cons:
- More expensive compared to other electric pumps
- Suction may not be as strong as traditional, non-wearable pumps
The biggest upside about the Willow Go for moms with small breasts compared to other wearable breast pumps is you don’t need to know your exact flange size in advance. Instead, you get a sizer and guide on how to use the two flanges and inserts to get the perfect fit, regardless of your breast size. The app will guide you through fitting the parts together, properly placing them within your pumping bra, and starting a pump session.
You can customize the Willow Go’s suction setting to stimulation or expression. The settings allow you to set six suction levels, which is beneficial when balancing comfort and milk expression. You’ll appreciate that the pump suction is strong but gentle enough to prevent discomfort.
It’s also excellent for those on the move because it’s compact, completely wireless, and rechargeable. This allows you to pump anywhere without being tethered to an outlet. However, compared to other wearable pumps, it might still be noticeable under clothes.
Pros
- Customizable flange to fit any breast size
- Hands-free, wearable design for ultimate portability
- Closed system for hygiene and efficient milk collection
- Adjustable suction with six levels for personalized comfort
- Connects to a smartphone app for session tracking and monitoring
Cons:
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- Slightly bulkier than other wearable pumps like the Elvie Pump
- Higher price point compared to traditional pumps
How We Picked Best Breast Pumps for Small Breasts
Based on my research, for a breast pump to be worth recommending, it had to meet the following attributes and features:
Flange Size Options
Women with small breasts often have smaller nipples. All of the pumps we included at least offer flange sizes starting at 21mm (some smaller). If not, the pump offers custom flange sizes for a snug fit.
Operation Efficiency
The primary function of a breast pump is to pull milk out of the breast. We focused on models most effective at this task within a 15-minute pumping session. We also chose units that are reasonably comfortable to use.
Reasonable Price
We only consider pumps to offer the best value for money. The highest-priced option on the list offers more, though we favored the best-performing pumps available for less.
