Being at home 24 hours a day to nurse your baby is not an option for many new mothers. When you're away, your easiest feeding option is formula. Formula, however, lacks some of the vital nutrients your new baby needs. An easy way to make sure you have a steady supply of breast milk for your baby is to use an electric breast pump and store the additional milk for future use.
Step 1
Place the plastic breast phalange against your bare breast, centering the plastic shield over your nipple.
Step 2
Hold the phalange in place while you turn on the machine and allow it to suction to the breast. Start with the lowest setting, and increase suction as you become more use to the device. It may pull a little at first, but it is meant to imitate the sucking of a baby, so it should not be painful.
Step 3
Pump for seven to eight minutes per breast.
Step 4
Transfer the milk to a storage or feeding bag, securing the top. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, breast milk can be refrigerated for up to 5 days.
Tips and Warnings
- Consider a hands-free pump so you can work or read while you are pumping.
- Clean the pump thoroughly between uses to fend off bacteria.
