A method of monitoring an operation of an electric breast pump (100) using an external smart device (200) is provided. The external smart device (200) comprises a vibration detection unit (210) for detecting vibrations emitted from the breast pump (100). The detected vibrations are analyzed to extract information regarding the operation of the electric breast pump (100). The information comprises at least one of mode of operation and settings of the modes of operation of the breast pump (100). The extracted information can be outputted.