Breast pump system with pressure sensor

1. An automated system for controlling pumping cycles to pump milk from a human breast, the automated system comprising:

a breast pump shaped to fit within a bra, the breast pump including:

a housing;

a vacuum pumping mechanism contained within the housing and configured to pump the milk from the human breast;

a wireless transmitter;

a skin contact member configured to contact and form a seal with the breast, the skin contact member attached to the housing and including a nipple receiving portion;

a milk collection container having a rigid exterior surface configured to contact the bra; and

a non-contact pressure sensor that measures vacuum levels within the automated system, the non-contact pressure sensor adjacent the nipple receiving portion.

2. The automated system of claim 1 , further comprising a mechanism to monitor volumes pumped by the breast pump.

3. The automated system of claim 1 , wherein the breast pump includes a let down mode and an extraction mode.

4. The automated system of claim 3 , further comprising a controller, the controller configured to change a vacuum level in the automated system to the extraction mode after the milk has entered the automated system.

5. The automated system of claim 3 , further comprising a controller, the controller configured to change a pumping magnitude upon a predetermined time.

6. The automated system of claim 1 , wherein the non-contact pressure sensor is used for controlling vacuum levels of pumping cycles of the breast pump.

7. The automated system of claim 1 , wherein the breast pump defines a generally breast shape.

8. The automated system of claim 7 , wherein the collection container forms part of the generally breast shaped breast pump.

9. The automated system of claim 8 , wherein the collection container has a valve.