Breast pumps are medical devices and, as such, are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Some women use them because they need to go back to work. Other women use them because breast pumps can increase their milk supply, relieve their engorged breasts or unplug their milk ducts. No matter what you need them for, there are so many types of breast pumps on the market that you are sure to find one that will meet your specific need.
Breast pumps extract (express) breast milk by applying and releasing suction; this combination is called a cycle. Each cycle creates a vacuum that expresses the milk. There are three types of breast pumps: Manual, battery and electric. However, there are some electric pumps that also run on batteries. The basic parts include the cone-shaped cup called the breast shield (it’s also called a flange). In the manual and battery pumps, the breast shield is directly attached to the milk’s container. In the electric models, plastic tubing connects the breast shield to the pump and the detachable milk container(s). You can hold the pump with your hand, the aid of nursing or pumping bras, or a special band made specifically to aid you in your pumping.
A manual breast pump is designed for infrequent use and/or as a backup system in case of emergencies. They are also used to pull out flat or inverted nipples. One type of manual pump looks like an ordinary spray bottle. A handle is located between the breast shield and the containment bottle. Simply squeeze the handle with short, quick squeezes that mimic your baby’s sucking. This vacuum extracts your breast milk into the bottle-shaped container. Once your milk is flowing (also called let-down), you can switch to a more comfortable squeezing motion. When your milk slows down in that breast, repeat the process on your other breast. When you’re finished, screw off the breast shield and screw on the nipple – you’re ready to feed baby! Another type of manual breast pump is called the bicycle horn pump. As the name implies, it is a round, horn-shaped hollow piece of plastic (similar to the round, hollow plastic bulb at the end of a turkey baster) is located between the breast shield and the bottle container. Each time you squeeze the bicycle horn, milk is expressed into the container. But some experts discourage the use of these particular pumps because its design hampers cleaning and drying in between usages.
Motorized breast pumps are ideal for the mom who needs a breast pump every day and/or for frequent pumpings. Of the motorized breast pumps, you can choose from a single, a double or a double alternating breast pump. There are even heavy-duty, hospital-grade pumps you can choose from. The containment bottle(s) sits on the motor, so there’s less weight to manipulate than with a manual pump. Each manufacturer of breast pumps offers different models to choose from, all with varying speeds and cycles. Asking yourself the questions of how long, where, when and why you need a breast pump will guide you to purchasing the one that’s right for you and your situation. If you’re new to using an electric pump, start at the slowest settings and work yourself up to a comfortable speed and suction. And if you’re using a double electric pump for the first time, start pumping just one breast until you adjust to it. Moms can adjust the electric breast pumps to create varying patterns of suction that will mimic how their baby suckles. Don’t forget to consider the portability of the breast pump, especially if you’re an on-the-go type of woman.
After you’ve pumped your milk, you need to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning and sterilizing. And once you’ve contained your milk, there are several ways to store it. Although refrigeration is the best method, your milk won’t last longer than 8 days in the fridge. So, if you need to freeze your milk, the best way to thaw it is in a bowl of warm water or in the refrigerator overnight. Don’t let your milk thaw at room temperature, because it’s not sanitary. Do not heat on the stove, because the milk could get too hot and scald your baby. Also do not heat breast milk in the microwave, because the heating could be too uneven. Once thawed, milk can remain at room temperature for up to four hours, or in the fridge for up to 24 hours. With these guidelines, there’s no limits to how much breast milk you pump!
This is Michelle - I'm a mother of 3 kids, all under 4 years old, and I've electric breast pumps them all. It wasn't easy, but I learned as I went and I realized how so many other moms either get discouraged and give up breastfeeding or nev ... |
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