Breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition for a newborn baby, according to Michigan State University. For working mothers, the ability to breastfeed their infants can be hindered, which means that the working mother must either pump her breast milk or place her baby on a formula. There are different types of breast pumps to help nursing mothers pump their milk efficiently.
Manual Pumps
Manual breast pumps express breast milk by using a physical hand-pumping device. There are no batteries or motors, which makes manual pumps extremely quiet and discreet. Manual pumps are the perfect choice for car trips, vacations or situations that make it difficult to carry around an electrical pump. Manual pumps contain a cup that fits over the breast, which is attached to a pump and bottle. By squeezing the handle of the pump, a vacuum is created, which pulls the milk out of the breast. The cup and pump are designed in such a way as to stimulate a certain area of the areola, making the breast expel the milk easily. Manual pumps are inexpensive and convenient.
Electric Pumps
Electric pumps are designed for mothers who require a lot of pumping, or who do not wish to physically express their breast milk. Electric pumps either plug into the wall or contain batteries that allow a motor to create a fluctuating vacuum to express the breast milk. Electric pumps allow the mother to read or watch television, which will relax their bodies and help the milk let down into the breast more easily. According to the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, small-scale electric breast milk pumps are the pumps of choice for working mothers who need to pump out a larger supply of milk for the entire day.
Hospital-Grade Pumps
Some mothers need to pump out milk quickly, effectively and in great quantities. Mothers undergoing surgery, mothers who work full time and mothers who have multiple babies can benefit from a hospital-grade breast pump. These pumps are typically the top of the line, and they express milk from the breasts with little effort. Hospital-grade breast pumps usually contain 2 cups, allowing the mother to express milk from both of her breasts at the same time. This not only saves time but also increases the overall output of milk, helping women who are not producing enough milk to increase their supply. Hospital-grade milk pumps can be rented from a lactation consultant.
