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If you are preparing your return to work, if you need some rest or traveling, you should consider the possibility of using a breast pump. Its use allows your baby to continue to benefit from breast milk even when you are not available.
There are several types of breast pumps to choose from and the most correct selection for your case will help you keep the regular flow of milk and to prevent infections or plugged ducts.
Whatever the type of breast pump you choose is a good idea to familiarize yourself with it and have it ready before you return to work or to leave your baby in the care of another person.
You can start to extract milk and introduce the bottle when your baby is between 3 to 4 weeks of age. Some babies reject the bottle if it’s introduced later. So that your baby keep accepting the bottle you can give him a small amount of milk in the bottle every 3 or 4 days.
Moms struggling to breastfeed
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Mothers who need to use the pump more than once per day
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Mothers who need to use a breast pump once a day or less
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Electric breast pumps of hospitalar quality | Personal electric pumps | Manual pumps |
If in the first weeks after the birth of the child you are having difficulty in breastfeeding, if your baby is not being able to get enough milk and stimulate the production of more, it may be recommended the use of this type of pump.
If the baby is premature, if needs special medical care or if the mother has any medical condition that affects the quantity of milk produced, probably this is the type of pump used. A model of hospitalar quality breast pump with double collection set has rapid stimulation and extraction loop that removes the milk at approximately the same rate as the child. The set of double pumping allows you to extract both breasts at the same time, reduce the time of extraction and make a more effective extraction. |
Because they are more portable, personal electric pumps are popular among mothers who return to full-time work, or who need to be away from their babies for long periods.
Usually these pumps are automatic or semi-automatic, with rapid extraction-stimulation cycles and adjustable suction levels (to prevent the discomfort of the nipple). And are aimed at women with a well-established milk supply. Some models mimic the behavior of the baby, by varying the speed and suction force. This feature can make pumping more comfortable, but that doesn’t mean that you will produce more milk. |
These pumps are suitable for occasional use, for example if you want to leave your baby with the grandparents and you do not want to use formula.
These are more portable and more affordable than the models above. On the other hand is generally needed more time and more effort to use. Manual pumps often require hitting a piston or lever to create empty and so pumping. While most mothers who need to extract milk regularly choose an electric model more efficient, some women praise simplicity of manual pumps and convenient size. There are mothers who say that some hand pumps give a more natural and closer feel than does the baby and like to be able to control suction. The hand pumps are generally more affordable, smaller, lighter and quieter electric pumps. |
- Adjustable suction control: the suction level comfortable for a woman can be torture for another. Choose a pump that allows adjusting the suction to your comfort.
- Efficiency: If you have little time – and what mother hasn’t? – probably it is worth paying a little more for a pump with a higher capacity of suction or double pumping. A model that allows you to pump both breasts at the same time can reduce the pumping time: from about 30 minutes for both breasts to about 15 minutes. Double pumping increases milk production, because it empties both breasts more completely.
- Ease of use: browse an easy-to-use, clean and assemble pump
- A breastfeeding bra or band that holds a bottle on each nipple releasing your hands while extracts both breasts.
- Storage Bags or containers for collecting, storing and freezing the milk.
- Microwave cleaner bags allow you to sterilize the pump parts in the microwave.
- Protective disks for nipples.
The following products may also be useful:
- Gel packs for placement within the nursing bra. The gel packs can be used hot or cold to relieve sore and swollen breasts.
- Lanolin Ointment to relieve sore nipples.
- Disposable or washable nursing pads to absorb the leaky breasts milk and prevent stains on clothing.
How you intend to use the breast pump?
Will you use the pump to complement breastfeeding?
Do you want to pump and store multiple containers of milk?
Are you going back to work?
Will you be away from your baby for several days?
How long will it take to extract milk?