Breastfeeding Pumps

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for the first year of life, and breastfeeding pumps help mothers to fulfill this recommendation. Meanwhile, the United States Congress recently passed legislation to ensure the ability for working mothers to have the time they need to pump and store milk at the workplace. Discoveries show that breastfed babies are less sick and parents actually miss less work overall if the mom continues to nurse. Breastfeeding pumps are not only for the working mother; they help all mothers to express milk effectively.

Reasons to Use a Breastfeeding Pump

• When a mother is sick and will spend time in the hospital or require risky medication for a period of time, a pump ensures that breastfeeding can continue.

• Breast pumps help to keep the milk supply strong rather than substituting with formula, which will deplete the milk supply over time.

• Breast expressing stimulates a poor milk supply.

• Occasional uses of the breast pump will alleviate engorgement issues.

• A breast pump is an important tool for feeding a premature baby or one with health issues, making it difficult for them to nurse from the breast.

• When mom returns to work, she can continue to provide healthy breast milk with a pump.

• Pumping milk for the occasional separation provides mom needed time away.

• Breastfeeding pumps will bring out a problem nipple like inverted or flat.

• Pumps collect and store milk for later use.

Types of Breastfeeding Pumps

Hand or Foot Operated Pump: The most inexpensive type that is also portable and comfortable is the hand or foot operated pump. These pumps are perfect for the occasional pumping, but difficult for regular use. While they are not practical for a working mother, they are beneficial for the occasional bottle for a trip to the store or a date with Dad. The hand and foot models relieve the pressure from engorgement in the early months and help prep the breasts before feeding. The foot versions are especially known to be less laborious.

Electrical Breast Pumps: With power derived from a battery, outlet or both, electrical pumps do some of the work for mom. Two common versions are available, the semi-automatic and the fully automatic. With the semi version, the pump creates the pressure, and mom pushes a button to release it. The fully automatic does all the pumping without assistance. These two types of inexpensive electrical pumps, cycle slower and pump less effectively than the hospital grade types and should only be used for moms who are separated from their baby for less than twenty hours a week.

Hospital Grade Breastfeeding Pumps: For the Cadillac of breast pumps, the hospital grade is significantly superior and more effortless in use than any other type. They can be rented or bought and are designed for quick and natural pumping action. Many versions are heavy, and if renting, then a separate accessory kit will need to be purchased. If a woman plans to pump for longer than three months, it is more economical to buy her own.

How to Use a Breastfeeding Pump

The first step is to decide the kind of pump that best suits your needs. Ask yourself the following questions:

• How many hours will you be away from the baby?
• Do you need electrical, battery operated, or both?
• How will you store it and carry it?
• What is the speed and sucking action needed?
• What is your budget?

The more hours away from the baby, the stronger your pump should be. Keep in mind that you may need to add a hospital grade pump to your budget. Of course, a mom at home, with smaller budget, and less time away, might only need the hand version. Let the questions be the guide to the appropriate purchase. Keep in mind that over time pumping is not as effective as the suckling of a baby, and breast milk supply will diminish. The better the pump, the longer the milk supply will remain high.

Once the pump has been bought and taken home, the real challenge begins. All quality breastfeeding pumps will come with instructions and hotline numbers to facilitate the individual differences of the chosen pump. Breast pumps have various sized nipple shields, so be sure the one you have fits. Too big or too small will affect the comfort and sucking ability.

While actually pumping, either by hand or machine, the suck cycle can be adjusted. Ideally, the pump should pull and release the nipple fifty times a minute, slightly more than a second for each cycle. Too fast or too slow affects the milk supply for that feeding, and will continue to do so over time. Speeding up the pump actually lowers the milk supply at that feeding and over time.

Brands of Breastfeeding Pumps

The cost of breast pumps range from $20 to $300. Determined by the ease of use and functionality, the price reflects the ability of the pump to produce large quantities of milk easier and longer.

• Medula is well known as the leading source of breast pumps, with all types available from the hand/foot type to the hospital grade.

• Avent is growing fast with many new favorite pumps manufactured.

• Ameda has fifty years in the business of manufacturing breastfeeding supplies.

• Contact the local hospital for rental options or local breastfeeding groups for used options. Either way, be sure to buy an accessory kit with new shields and tubing to ensure adequate sanitation and effectiveness of the pump if you use a second-hand alternative.

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