8. Breast Pump
Whether you’re headed back to work, have social obligations, or just want to occasionally take a break from being 24/7 mom, a breast pump can be an invaluable tool in your arsenal. Pumps enable you to express the breast milk into a container for baby to drink while you’re away.
There are two broad categories of pumps – electric and manual, which is rather self-explanatory in technical difference. The big deciding factor is often cost. An electric pump usually starts at around $150 in cost, but fancy models can cost upwards of $500. Meanwhile, a manual pump costs around $30-$50.
There are some supplemental supplies you’ll need to budget in as well, including breastmilk storage bags at $10-$20 a box and bottles for $5-$10 each.
