Medical Transformation and First-Generation Breakthroughs (19th Century)
The Industrial Revolution brought the first major leap for breast pumps. In 1854, American inventor O.H. Needham received the first U.S. patent for a breast pump, featuring a double-chamber pump design creating suction manually. A key advancement of this era was the transformation of the breast pump from a folk tool into a medical device.
The concept of "milk banks" promoted by French obstetrician Dr. Pierre Budin further propelled technological development. In the 1870s, German instrument maker L. E. Bangs introduced an improved model with a flexible-edged cup, significantly enhancing comfort. These devices were born primarily to solve medical problems: helping mothers with inverted nipples, maintaining milk supply for sick infants, or collecting nutrition for premature babies.
By the late 18th century, breast pumps operated similarly to suction syringes, creating negative pressure manually. This design evolved throughout the 19th century, with examples like the breast pump from 1830 and the 1854 patent, optimizing ease of use and forming the earliest prototypes of modern manual breast pumps.
Electrification Revolution and Household Penetration (Early to Mid-20th Century)
The application of electricity in the early 20th century utterly transformed the breast pump. In 1921, engineer Edward Lasker invented the first electric breast pump, initially for dairy farming and later adapted for human use. Following WWII, amid the wave of household appliance popularization in America, electric breast pumps began entering ordinary homes.
In 1956, the Swedish company Medela was founded, focusing on breastfeeding solutions. In the 1960s, the system developed by Einar Egnell achieved the first simulation of an infant's suckling rhythm—a breakthrough in bionics that became the core technical foundation for modern breast pumps. Concurrently, the widespread use of plastic materials made pumps lighter, easier to sterilize, and gradually more affordable.
The Breastfeeding Movement and Technological Refinement (1970s – 1990s)
The international breastfeeding movement of the 1970s propelled breast pumps to new heights. The World Health Organization's promotion of breastfeeding, coupled with a rising proportion of working mothers, jointly fueled demand for efficient pumping equipment. In 1983, Medela launched the first double-electric breast pump, halving pumping time.Major innovations of this period included:
Adjustable suction strength and cycle settings
More ergonomically designed flanges
The emergence of portable, battery-operated models
A clearer distinction between hospital-grade and personal-use pumps
Behind this technological refinement was a deeper scientific understanding of breast milk composition and lactation mechanics. The breast pump was no longer just a milk extraction tool but a precision instrument aimed at preserving the nutritional quality and supply of breast milk.However, pumps of this era were still largely characterized by long tubing, multiple parts, and relatively bulky machines.
The Smart Era and Personalized Experience (21st Century – Present)
Entering the 21st century, Internet of Things (IoT) and big data technologies have given breast pumps entirely new forms.
By operation mode, they are divided into: Manual and Electric breast pumps.
By complexity, electric pumps are divided into: Wired/Tubed Electric Pumps and Wireless/Cordless Electric Pumps. Wireless electric pumps are particularly popular among young mothers and working mothers.
