I hesitate to recommend any breast pump but the Medela ones — I had two of them when I was breastfeeding, and they were practically my best pals. I used them religiously every day after I went back to work (I kept one at work and one at home in case I needed to pump at night). They were reliable, portable, efficient (my time was valuable!) and stood the test of time.

But there’s a new breast pump on the market, the Philips Avent Comfort Breast Pump, and it just might become working moms’ must-have pump. Here are a few reasons why:

It’s not attached to a bag. I get why the breast pump companies attach their pumps to bags — to make them easily portable and to make the time it takes to set up super easy (just unzip and unfold, and you’re ready to pump). But when I wanted to pack a suitcase for a trip or carry a more stylish handbag, I wanted to be able to just throw in the pump itself. Bonus: This one is small and light.

It was made with mom’s comfort in mind. The flanges have “textured petals” that are soft and cushiony and move more like a baby sucking, so you’re less likely to experience discomfort. I’m also happy they put the necks of the flanges at an angle, so you don’t have to awkwardly lean forward to get the milk to flow into the bottles.

It works with “natural bottles.” I had a heck of a time getting my breastfed son to want to take a bottle, and ended up  buying ones shaped more like a breast, which he took to much more easily. Of course, this made one extra step for me when pumping, since my boob bottles didn’t fit my pump, so I pumped into other bottles and had to re-pour everything. This one fits Philips Avent’s new Natural bottles and nipples, which are a lot like the boob bottles I used. Just pump right into them. Easy!

The Philips Avent Comfort Breast Pump retails for $275 at Amazon.com. Register for it here.

What breast pump do you use? What do you like about it or wish was different about it?

Plus, more from The Bump:

How to Buy a Breast Pump

7 Best Breast Pumps

Best Buys for Breastfeeding Moms

Breast pumps and other breastfeeding supplies can get pricey, but (sigh of relief, nursing mama) know that now health insurance plans will cover the cost, due to The Affordable Care Act, the health insurance reform legislation passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama in 2010. It went into effect August 1, 2012.

The Act includes new rules that expand access to preventative care, and that includes helping pregnant women and new moms pay for  lactation support and counseling and breastfeeding equipment. The key to getting your breastfeeding supplies covered will be finding out which companies your insurance carrier consider an “in-network provider” and buying insurance-eligible products only through them.

For example, our friends at Yummy Mummy, a store in New York City and website, recently announced they’re now an Aetna breast pump provider, meaning the large majority of moms with Aetna can get a breast pump or supplies from Yummy Mummy at no out-of-pocket cost, with  no co-pay, coinsurance or deductible — and they offer free shipping! (See their list of eligible products here. Don’t you love all those zeros?) If you want to know what providers your insurance carrier works with and which supplies it covers, look on your carrier’s website or give them a call!

How much money would you say you’ve spent on breastfeeding supplies? Will you go through insurance to buy them?

Plus, more from The Bump:

How to Buy a Breast Pump

Best Buys for Breastfeeding Moms

7 Best Breast Pumps