The breast pump is a mechanical device designed to extract milk from the breast for storage or medical purposes. While the technology has advanced significantly, the underlying concept of mechanically assisting milk expression has a surprisingly long and varied history. This journey spans from rudimentary tools used in ancient times to the sophisticated, portable electric devices common today.
Early Precursors and Concepts
Long before the development of modern mechanics, people devised simple tools to assist with milk expression. Historical records suggest the use of rudimentary devices in ancient civilizations, such as Egypt and Rome, to manage issues like breast engorgement. These early methods often involved simple vessels like ceramic guttae, which were placed over the breast and used a finger to open and close a spout, creating a gentle vacuum to draw out milk.
By the second century C.E., Romans adapted this concept by adding long straws to bulb-shaped glass devices, allowing for intermittent suction to collect the milk. This basic “breast pipe” design persisted for over a thousand years. In the 16th century, pumps were sometimes recommended to help draw out retracted nipples, highlighting the early medical application of these suction tools.
The Era of Manual Mechanisms
The mid-19th century marked a significant shift with the beginning of patent activity for engineered, hand-operated devices. The first known patent for a mechanical breast pump was filed in 1854 by Orwell H. Needham. This design was a major step forward, incorporating flexible rubber flanges to improve comfort compared to existing glass-only devices. Needham’s pump used a bellows mechanism to create suction and was designed to be portable.
Further refinements throughout the late 19th century focused on improving the collection system. In 1874, inventors introduced the concept of a removable milk collection bottle that could be unscrewed from the breast shield, a design still fundamental to modern pumps. Later models incorporated piston technology and springs, which focused on controlling the release of air to create a more gentle and manageable suction cycle. These devices were the precursors to the manual breast pumps still widely available today.
The Arrival of Electric Power
The most transformative change occurred in the early 20th century with the application of electricity to breast pump technology. The first successful electric breast pump emerged in the 1920s through the efforts of engineer Edward Lasker and pediatrician Isaac A. Abt, who needed a reliable method to feed premature infants in the hospital. Lasker filed a patent in 1923 for a mechanical pump that mimicked an infant’s sucking action.
A more robust and influential design was developed by Swedish engineer Einar Egnell, who introduced the first safe and effective hospital-grade electric pump in 1942. These early electric pumps were large, heavy, and primarily used in medical settings such as neonatal intensive care units and milk banks. The electric motor provided the consistent, regulated suction and cycling speeds required to effectively establish and maintain a milk supply, setting a new standard for milk expression efficiency.
From Hospital to Home: Modernization
The electric pump remained largely a hospital-based device until the late 20th century, when technology enabled its miniaturization and portability. The shift to personal, consumer-grade electric pumps began in the 1970s and accelerated rapidly in the 1990s. Companies adapted the powerful, clinical-grade motor technology into smaller, more user-friendly devices designed for home use.
The introduction of microprocessors allowed for precise control over suction strength and cycling patterns, enabling pumps to better mimic the two-phase suckling rhythm of a nursing baby. Battery technology and lighter materials further increased convenience, making double-electric pumping systems portable for working individuals. This modernization transformed the breast pump from a medical necessity into a standard, everyday tool. Today’s hands-free, wearable pumps are the latest result of this continuous progression toward efficiency.