Breastfeeding women sometimes need to spend time away from their baby. When this occurs, she can use a breast pump to remove milk from the breast for storage to be fed to the infant at a later time. Since the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that mothers breastfeed their infants exclusively for the first six months of life and continue breastfeeding up to a year or more, breast pumps are a way to help mothers accomplish this goal.
Types
The three basic types of breast pumps are manual, automatic and hospital-grade pumps. Manual pumps are hand-operated, inexpensive and simple to use but pump more slowly than other pumps. Automatic pumps are usually operated using electricity or battery and don't require any physical action to pump the milk, leaving the mother's hands free while she pumps. Hospital-grade pumps are the most powerful and fastest. These generally cannot be bought but are rented from a hospital after the birth of a baby. Breast pumps are available that pump a single breast or both breasts at the same time.
Uses
Working mothers frequently use a breast pump to prepare servings of milk in advance for their babies. This milk can be stored in a refrigerator or freezer and warmed later by caretakers, babysitters or day care workers and given to the baby when he is hungry. Breast pumps may also be used to remove milk from engorged breasts or to add pumping sessions that empty the breasts completely and stimulate an increase in milk supply.
Function
A breast pump works by creating suction when the woman presses the lever on a manual pump or turns on the electric pump while the breast shield end of the pump is pressed against her breast. This suction draws the nipple forward into the shield and pulls milk out from the milk sinuses. The milk travels through the pump and drips down into a collection device, generally a bottle or bag attached to the bottom of the pump.
Procedure
To use a breast pump, the woman fits the funnel end of the pump against the breast over the nipple and areola, creating an airtight seal. She then turns on the pump or presses the lever at for desired rate of speed. After pumping the desired amount of milk, the lactating mother removes the pump from her breast, removes the bottle or bag from the bottom and places the expressed milk in storage. She then cleans and sterilizes the pump and tubing to prevent bacterial contamination.
Considerations
A woman may choose a breast pump based on the frequency of pumping she will be doing and the comfort of the pump. Typically, working mothers or other moms who need to pump frequently choose electric or hospital-grade pumps, while those who will pump only occasionally may prefer a cheaper and simpler manual pump. Some hospitals have a variety of pumps to try so that new mothers can determine what best suits their needs. Others may borrow a pump from a friend or family member to try out or gather recommendations before buying.
