Breast pumps are devices that are used to extract and collect milk from the breasts. After collecting the milk, you may either feed it to your baby right away or store it in breast milk storage bags and containers for later use.
Hand expression can be used to remove breast milk; however, depending on how frequently you need to express, you may find that using a pump is easier and more convenient.
Reasons for Choosing Breast Pump to Feed Your Child
Mothers might consider using a breast pump, if:
- If you have flat or inverted nipples, you'll need assistance pulling them out.
- You want to give your infant breast milk while you're gone for a few hours.
- Your baby is premature or is in the hospital, and you are unable to breastfeed him or her.
- You're going back to school or a job.
- You want to relieve the pain and pressure caused by engorgement on a occasionally.
- You've stopped breastfeeding and want to start relactation.
- You want to begin a milk supply for an adopted child.
- You want to increase your milk supply.
- You want to wean your child temporarily.
- Whatever the reason, most breastfeeding mothers find having a pump on hand useful.
Efficiency of Breast Pump
Although the breast pump is not as effective at extracting milk from the breast as most nursing babies or hand expression, it is more convenient.
In 2009, Stanford University researchers discovered a link between several parameters and the volume of milk produced by mothers of premature new-borns (born before the 31st week of gestation). Hand expression, in addition to a breast pump and other factors, were shown to be associated with increased milk production in the study.
Breast pumps are beneficial for both premature new-born mothers and women who return to work or pump for other reasons.
Breast Pump Types
Manual pumps. Manual pumps are breast pumps that are operated by hand. You may need to squeeze a trigger button or slide a cylinder back and forth to create the suction that will remove the milk from your breasts. These pumps are commonly small, inexpensive, and portable. They're great for occasional pumping or short-term use. Using a manual pump, on the other hand, may be time-consuming and exhausting if you will be pumping frequently or removing a considerable amount of breast milk. Battery operated pump. If you just need to pump once a day or less and don't want to use a manual pump, a battery-operated pump may be a viable solution. You'll still need to put your infant to the breast for most feedings because they're not strong enough to promote milk production or sustain a milk supply. Pumps that run on batteries are often tiny, portable, and simple to operate. They do, however, require batteries, which can be expensive to repair over time. Extra batteries should also be kept on hand in case you require them. Electric Breast Pumps. An electric pump will provide the finest results if you need to pump frequently. Electric pumps are more powerful and capable of establishing, maintaining, and increasing your milk supply. These pumps are the most efficient, saving you time, but they are also the most expensive, larger, and require a power supply. Bulb-Style Pumps. Breast pumps in the bulb style, also known as bicycle horn pumps because of their shape, are not recommended. They're unsanitary, ineffective, and potentially harmful to your breasts. Bulb-type breast pumps should be avoided. Closed System Pump. The most hygienic pump on the market is the closed-system pump. A barrier prevents milk from entering the pump in this type of system. Barriers prevent milk from entering the machine, which can help mothers to clean and sterilize it. Pumps with a closed system are likely to be more expensive than pumps with an open system. Open System Pump. Open-System Pumps do not have a barrier in place to control the flow of milk through the tubes to the collecting bottles. The likelihood of milk flowing to the pumping mechanism is increased, making it more difficult for mothers to completely clean and sterilise it after use. Single Breast Pump. It is a great convenience for mothers who express milk on a regular basis. The name implies that a single breast pump can only express milk from one breast at a time. To stimulate milk production in both breasts, switch to another breast every 5 minutes while expressing. Double Breast Pump. For mothers who pump on a regular basis, a double breast pump is the best option. It extracts milk from both breasts at the same time. The double breast pump expresses more milk than any other type of pump and saves mothers time. Hospital grade breast pump. The main difference between a 'hospital grade' pump and a 'personal' or ‘single user' pump is that the hospital grade pump is designed for multiple users; each user must have their own accessory kit. Hospital grade breast pumps have most powerful motors, and they are durable.
They are recommended if you need a pump to help establish your milk supply because you have a baby in the NICU, a premature baby, twins, or are having difficulty breastfeeding for any reason.
A hospital grade breast pump must be rented from a hospital or breastfeeding and lactation centre. They are not available for purchase on their own.
Summary of the characteristics of different types of Breast pumps
| Characteristic | Manual, Battery-Operated, Mini-Electric | Double Electric (Includes Personal Use Pumps) | Hospital Grade Electric |
| Usage | Single-User | Single-User | Multi-User |
| Availability | Purchase | Purchase | Rental (can be purchased) |
| Primary Advantage | Convenience | effectiveness, Convenience, Greater efficiency, and comfort than manual, battery-operated and mini-electric models | Maximum effectiveness, comfort and efficiency, However, Pumps in other categories are more portable. |
| Intended Use | Mothers who are partially or completely reliant on a breast pump at any stage of lactation | Return to full-time work outside the home.
Short term (1-2 days) separations in travel during established lactation | Mothers who are partially or completely reliant on a breast pump at any stage of lactation
Other mothers who prioritise effectiveness, efficiency, and comfort over portability |
| Not Intended For | Separation of the from breastfeeding | Mothers who are partially or completely dependent on a breast pump at any stage of lactation < b> | There are no restrictions; it can be used by any type of mother at any stage of lactation. |
The Standard Breast Pump Flange
The breast pump flange is the part of the pump that connects your breast to it. Milk will flow through the breast shield tunnel to a bottle or another collection device.
It's a good idea to check the fit of the pump flange on a regular basis. Every breast pump includes at least one average-sized breast pump flange. The average flange is between 24 and 27 millimetres (mm), which corresponds to the size of your nipple, but not everyone who breastfeeds will fit these measurements.
Depending on the material, you can get smaller or larger flanges.
Why Size Matters?
It is possible to have problems if you do not have the correct size breast pump flange. For example, you may not be obtaining the maximum amount of breast milk possible, which can result in blocked milk ducts. A poor fit can also result in nipple damage, such as rub marks and cuts.
Many people notice a difference almost immediately after finding the proper flange size. Using the breast pump is more comfortable, and the amount of breast milk they can pump gradually increases.
How to Begin Using Breast Pumps?
It is critical to set realistic goals in order to avoid becoming discouraged during the pumping process. Most mothers can only produce about one ounce of milk on the first day.As you pump more frequently after the first month, your body will learn to produce more milk.You can expect to start producing about 30 ounces per day if you pump exclusively, which is roughly the amount a baby consumes in a 24-hour period.
- The First Four Weeks:
Aim for 8 to 10 pumping sessions every 24 hours after birth, with each session lasting at least 15 minutes. As previously stated, you may not see significant results at first; however, the body will adjust to the suction of the pump. - After 4 to 6 Weeks:
Begin adapting your pumping sessions to the number of let downs. A mom who only has let downs early in a session only needs to pump for 8 to 10 minutes, whereas another who has many or late let downs will need to pump for 15 minutes or more.
Helpful suggestions
- Store breast milk safely at room temperature for 4-6 hours, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, and in the freezer for 6-12 months.
- Sanitize pump parts at least once per day.
- Because relaxation is required to release oxytocin, which stimulates your let-down reflex, keep everything you need nearby while pumping.
- When possible, take naps, message the breast during and after pumping the milk, and avoid stress.
- Drink plenty of water and eat nutritious foods.
- Pumping should not hurt. Reduce the suction level if you feel any discomfort or see any irritation. If the discomfort persists, stop pumping and consult a specialist.
Top 4 Breast feeding Pumps
Dr Odin Manual Breast Pump with Lid BPA Free- 150Ml
The manual breast pump is a lightweight device that assists lactating mothers in easily extracting milk from their breasts. During suction, there is no pain. Because of its light weight, the mother can use this device with ease and comfort. It also has a two-phase design that aids in quiet and discreet pumping. It is extremely simple to assemble, clean, and sterilize. It includes a unique milk storage system.
Key Features:
- Lightweight. Because of its light weight, the manual breast pump is a device that can be used with comfort and ease.
- Simple to use. The manual breast pump is simple to use and comes with a detailed manual that explains all of the steps involved in using the pump.
- Design. Many mothers do not want and do not feel comfortable in informing others about their use of a breast pump. This breast pump has a two-phase design that allows for quiet and discrete pumping.
- Easy to assemble, clean, and sterilise. The manual breast pump is simple and safe to use.
- Accelerate pumping. Many new mothers have difficulty pumping milk. Many newborn babies do not latch onto the breast to suck milk, resulting in inadequate feeding. In all of these cases, the manual breast pump speeds up the milk pumping process. It is simple to use for mothers who want to increase the amount of milk pumped.
Dr. Odin BPA Free Electric Breast Pump
The Electric Breast Pump is a lightweight mechanical device that assists lactating mothers in easily extracting milk from their breasts. It includes a very soft and comfortable silicon cushion with petal massage to ensure that there is no pain during suction. Because of its light weight, the mother can use this device with ease and comfort. It also has an LED touch panel with two pumping modes. It is BPA-free and extremely simple to clean and sterilise. It also has an increasing/decreasing button, which helps to control the intensity of the vacuum created by the suction. This product also includes a USB cable and a one-year warranty.
Key Features:
- Weight: Because of its lightweight, the Electric Breast Pump is a device that can be used with comfort and ease; it does not add to the user's burden.
- Cushion: The Electric Breast Pump includes a soft and silicon cushion with petal massage to increase the mother's comfort. It does not irritate or cause unnecessary itching to the user.
- BPA-free: This product is made without the use of the organic compound Bisphenol A.
- Intensity modulation: The Electric Breast Pump has a button that allows the user to increase or decrease the intensity of the vacuum created.
- Customized suction: This feature enables the device to mimic the baby's sucking patterns.
Beurer BY 15 Manual Breast Pump
The manual breast pump is ideal for occasional pumping. It is built with two pumping levels. It has a small size and is extremely easy to use. A bottle with an anti-colic system is included in the breast pump kit to help reduce colic and discomfort in infants.
Key Features
- For occasional pumping or when travelling
- Due to the two pumping levels, it is both comfortable and gentle.
- Simple and easy to use
- Compact design for portability
- Silicone cushion with a soft-touch surface for added comfort.
- Avent and NUK bottle adapter. The pump can also be used with those bottles.
- Disinfectable accessories
Beurer BY 40 Electric Breast Pump
Using vacuum technology, the electric breast pump simulates natural drinking. It has an in-built memory function to provide the best personalised mode. Its compact design and automated features make it simple to use.
Key Features
- Clear and illuminated display
- Display of usage time
- Easy assembling for the application
- Comes with a bottle and a matching screw cap.
- Avent and NUK bottle adapter: the pump can also be used with these bottles.
- Operation with mains part or batteries
- Medical device
- Includes 4 x 1.5V batteries AA
- Size: 168 x 100 x 53 mm
- Colour: white/yellow
