What hospital-grade means in a breast pump
By The Zomee Team · Updated September 30, 2026 · 3 min read
Hospital-grade has no consistent definition. The FDA does not recognize the term, and it notes that companies can mean different things when they call a breast pump hospital-grade.
The number you can compare is suction strength, measured in mmHg. All four Zomee pumps have hospital-grade suction: 300 mmHg on the Zomee Z2 and the Mother's Nature™ H1 and W1, and 280 mmHg on the Zomee Fit.
Is a hospital-grade pump the same as the one at the hospital?
Not necessarily. Many hospitals, lactation consultants, and medical supply stores rent out pumps that are safe for multiple users, and the FDA says these are sometimes called hospital-grade. If you rent one, you buy a new accessories kit that includes breast shields and tubing.
The FDA considers all other breast pumps single-user devices, meant for one mom, because there is no way to guarantee they can be cleaned and disinfected between users. The H1 is a single-user pump.
Does more suction mean more milk?
Not on its own. Kristen Hunter, IBCLC, calls flange fit "likely the single biggest factor in both comfort and output, more than suction level."
A pump's mmHg figure is the strongest suction it can reach. As she puts it, "Suction should feel like a firm tug, never pain." Turn it up slowly and stop at the level that feels comfortable.
If a new pump feels weak, check your flange size before you turn up the suction. An incorrect size is one of the most common reasons a new pump seems weak.
Measure the widest part of your nipple tip, not the base, and match it to the closest size on our flange sizing guide. If you land exactly between two sizes, start with the smaller one. While you pump, the tip of your nipple should feel comfortable and move freely, without rubbing, pinching, or pulling.
The H1 includes two sizes: 19 and 21 mm Mother's Nature breast shields. Additional sizes available for free with Perfect Fit Promise™.
What makes the H1 different?
The H1 controls each side separately. It's the first breast pump with suction, speed, and cycle control on each side.
The H1 also has these features:
- 12 suction levels
- Three modes: Stimulation, Expression, and 2-Phase, which switches on its own from quick stimulation to deeper expression
- Four settings: Single Left, Single Right, Synchronous, and Alternate, so you can pump one side or both
- Mother's Nature breast shields that move in a gentle, undulating motion, designed to mirror a nursing baby's rhythm and encourage let-down
- Smart Memory, which remembers your last-used settings
- A closed system that keeps milk out of the motor
Who needs the H1?
Moms who pump many times a day, for months. The H1 suits you if you pump exclusively, have twins, or have a baby in the NICU.
The H1 is rated for 3,000 pumping hours and has a 4-year pump warranty. Parts are covered for 90 days.
If you nurse most feeds and pump a few times a day, you may not need the H1. The W1 and the Z2 reach the same 300 mmHg. The Z2 is a compact, lightweight double electric pump, and the W1 and the Zomee Fit are wearables that sit inside your bra.
To see the specs side by side, compare all four Zomee pumps in one chart. The pump quiz asks you three questions and suggests a pump for your routine.
Where to get help
If you need help choosing a pump, or have a sizing, parts, or support question, call The Mom Line™ at 1-888-662-7159. Real moms and certified lactation consultants answer it.
For feeding or supply concerns, talk to a lactation consultant (IBCLC). If pumping still hurts after a size change, call your provider.
Questions moms ask
Can I use a secondhand hospital-grade pump?
Only if it's a multiple-user pump, used with a new accessories kit of your own. The FDA says a single-user pump reused by different moms can carry infectious particles that can make you or your baby sick.
Is the H1 louder than the W1 or the Zomee Fit?
No. The H1 runs at 46 dB, the same as the W1, the Zomee Fit, and the Z2.
Does the H1 have to be plugged in?
No. Its built-in battery runs 2 hours per charge, and the H1 includes an AC adapter. It also has a carry handle.
What if neither H1 size fits me?
We'll send you a pair in the size you need, free, with our Perfect Fit Promise™. Call The Mom Line at 1-888-662-7159 for help measuring and requesting your size.
Will insurance cover the H1?
It may. The H1 is available through insurance, and most plans cover a breast pump, but coverage varies by plan. For questions about your coverage, call your plan's member services number.
