The breast pump you can use on the go

Any mum who's had to pump breast milk knows how annoying it can be. The fiddling. The tubes. The noise.

Then there's the need to just sit still and be milked, when there's a billion other things that need to be done.

Now there's a new product on the scene that may revolutionise pumping altogether.

Called the Willow Pump, it's gained lots of hype since being launched at a technology conference early this year. And when you hear all it claims to do, you'll understand why.

Firstly, the Willow Pump contains everything you need, all wrapped up in one.

In fact, the entire device can be slipped inside your bra. That means you can get up and do whatever you like - while pumping. No hands needed!

So here's how it works: There are two devices, one for each breast. Each device contains a pump, along with a collection bag for breast milk.

That bag wraps around the pump in a U-shape and can hold 118mL of milk. Each bag is designed for one-time usage only.

The pump itself is dishwasher safe and BPA free. It also has FDA approval.

While that all seems pretty awesome, you're probably worried about one thing: the noise. After all, no one wants to attract odd looks when their pump starts making whooshing noises when they're on a train or in a meeting.

But, according to the Willow pump's website, there's no need to stress as the device is really quiet. (Yes, really.)

The founder of Willow, John Chang, told CNNMoney that his wife and three kids inspired him to come up with the pump. He hopes it will help more women breastfeed because it's so discreet and quiet.

The pump also has some impressive technological features: not only can you track how much milk you've made and compare it to past sessions (through the connected Willow app), you don't even need to decide when to pump.

"Willow is so smart, it senses your let-down and automatically transitions to expression phase based on your body's own unique milk production and timing," states the Willow website.         

If you're currently staring at your own pump and wondering why it can't do any of these fancy things, don't get your hopes up about the Willow pump just yet. That's because it's not currently available.

According to CNN Money, it will be ready for sale around March this year.

Then, when it is available, it will set you back a hefty US$430.

But, if you have that kind of cash to fork out on a pumping machine, it may be money well spent, says clinical psychologist Dr Nicole Highet, Executive Director of the Centre of Perinatal Excellence, (COPE).

She likes the fact that it allows mums to express wherever they are, discreetly, and says this will help many mums overcome the issue of needing to find somewhere private to pump when at work, or out and about.

However, Dr Highet says it would be a "great shame" if using this pump replaces breastfeeding altogether.

"Breastfeeding offers a precious opportunity to sit, have skin-to-skin contact with your baby and connect with them."

By allowing you to express on the go, Dr Highet is also worried that mums may not give themselves the downtime they need to rest, which so often goes hand in hand with needing to pump. 

She says the importance of "taking time out" and getting sufficient rest when breastfeeding can't be overstated.

Despite these concerns, Dr Highet says that - if the product does everything it claims to - it has "great potential".

Essential Baby