Breast Pump & Its Uses: 19 Most Common Questions Answered


Breastfeeding is an only way to feed an infant. Babies need special care & they need to feed on a regular basis. Every baby has different capacity & time interval. Mothers need to manage their babies feeding timing & intervals.

However, it’s not always possible to be around the baby. Being around the baby is possible for moms who are not working. But for working moms the task becomes difficult. They cannot skip their baby’s meal. So what can they do? Well, Breast pumps can be an ideal solution for every mother. Using a breast pump you can extract enough amount of milk for your baby.

Pumping milk is not an easy task as compared to Breastfeeding. But practicing this will make you comfortable. Breast pumps aren’t painful until it is placed incorrectly. You can store breast milk after pumping it for future use or as reserves. But how long can you store it? Is it safe? What is the actual use of the breast pump? Can pump increase milk supply? Here answer  19 most common questions about Breast pumps uses. These tips will surely get a full stop on your queries. So without wasting much time, let’s get started! STAY TUNED!

 

1 – What is the use of Breast Pump?

 

Breast Pump is a machine which can extract milk for your baby/infant. The equipment is used by many women for several reasons. Usually, mothers use Breast Pump to collect/store their milk for their infants while they are not around them. This ensures that their new one has got nutrition on time. Few of the most common reasons why mothers use Breast Pump as follows:

  • You can feed your baby easily anytime, anywhere
  • Your partner or babysitter can ensure mother milk supplement when you are not around
  • Family members can feed the baby, meanwhile, the mother can relax
  • Feed premature or sick baby who is not able to breastfeed
  • Stored breast milk can be fed to the baby if the mother falls sick
  • Mothers with twin babies can feed both easily
  • Enhance bonding with father: Father needs to feed the baby with stored milk & this enhances bonding between them.

2- How to use Manual and Electric Breast Pump ?

There are 2 types of breast pump available, Manual & Electric. A manual Breast pump is less popular as compared to electric. However, for finding the best one for you, you need to know how to to use it. Manual Pumps are small & available at quite a reasonable price. Meanwhile, there’s another option “Electric pump”. Electric pumps are specially designed for mothers who pump milk daily. However Electric ones are costlier than manual. Comparing the speed rate, an Electric pump is faster than manual. Manual pumps are lighter in weight & electric ones are a bit heavier in wait. But new technology has created electric ones lighter & less noisy. Using a manual pump you need to place it properly & control the rate of suction too. Meanwhile, using an electric pump you need to place the shield properly, set the speed & turn on the machine. Electric is comfortable but quite costlier too.

 

3- How to Use a Manual Breast Pump?

Manual Pumps are reasonable & light weighted. This equipment can store milk but takes more time as compared to electric. This pump is completely safe & there’s no risk of damage if shield placement is off.

Manual Pump:

A manual pump is breast pumps which are small but gives the mother entire control. You can control the rate of suction & collect enough milk. However few mothers face trouble using it.

  • Firstly read the instruction manual
  • Wash your hands to ensure sanity
  • Go to a personal or private room & be relaxed
  • Place the breast shield on your breast & ensure that the shield is placed over the nipple (center)
  • Start Pumping, once the milk starts releasing adjust rate of pumping
  • Keep on switching breast after 5 minutes, pump for 15 minutes for each one
  • Once you have collected milk, remove the pump
  • In case a part of the pump touches the breast or milk, wash it with lukewarm soapy water, piece out & dry it
  • Store the milk

 

4 – How to Use an Electric Breast Pump?

The electric breast pump is a well-designed milk suction device. The pump can be used on daily basis. Also, mothers who want to increase milk secretion can use this pump. An electric pump can really be an effective factor that can increase milk production. There are 2 types of electric pumps available, single pumping & double pumping. Double pumping has two shields and can collect milk from both breasts.

Using steps:

  • Read the instruction manual
  • Wash your hands to ensure clean & safe milk
  • Go to a private place & relax yourself
  • Get your electric pump & place its shield on your breast. The shield should be placed in the center of nipple because wrong placement might cause damage.
  • Turn on the machine
  • Suction will start within a few minutes. Few pumps might adjust their speed. Don’t worry if the pump doesn’t adjust itself because inconsistent suction might feel like your baby’s motion.
  • Set the speed & remember, suction should never be painful
  • Turn off the machine when you feel milk flow has decreased
  • Remove the breast shield & unscrew the equipment
  • Wash any piece that might have touched your body or milk, use warm soapy water & dry it
  • Store the milk

5- When to Pump While Breastfeeding Newborn?

Breastfeeding is recommended & the baby should be fed as much as possible. But not every mother can provide her baby with milk every now & then because of different reasons. However, if you wish to feed your baby when you are not around, Breast pumps can be an ideal solution. Well if you have made your mind when to pump? Following are few tips regarding when to pump:

  • If you have a healthy baby who consumes milk regularly, wait for a week, let your body store milk & then go for pumps
  • If your baby is ill or preterm, breastfeeding might not be possible. While such situation, pump milk as soon as possible. Recommended time is 1-6 hrs after delivery
  • Pumping while the morning is best because milk quantity is maximum while that time
  • Pump for 30-50 minutes between breastfeeding after nursing or minimum 1 hour before/prior breastfeeding. This might ensure the maximum amount of milk for the infant
  • On the off chance if your baby wants to breastfeed just after pumping, let them.

 

Breast Pumping Timetable:

An average mother can produce 25-35 oz (750-1035 ml) per 24 hours. You can pump milk 8-10 times per 24 hour time period. Maintain a schedule where you need to consider your full milk production rate. Each & every mother has different production rate so different session plans should be made based on the individual. More milk while morning & a bit less while evening.

 

6- How Much Milk Should I Be Producing When Exclusively Pumping?

 

Exclusive pumping can be an ideal way to provide your baby with breast milk without placing breast to the baby. Pumping exclusively can result in more milk production because emptying full breast can increase production. While exclusively breast pumping full milk production might range between 25 to 35 oz per 24 hours or a day.

Meanwhile, an average baby consumes 19-30 oz per day. While beginning you may pump for 10-15 minutes after every 2.5 to 3 hours. You may increase the session after a few days. Also achieving this full milk production range isn’t easy but not impossible. Babies tend to drink more milk from a bottle than breastfeeding. Remember, slow-flow bottles can prevent overfeeding.

 

7- How to Start Pumping While Still Breastfeeding?

 

There are many women’s who think to pump while breastfeeding their baby. Well for this you will need 5 major things which are as follows:

  • Materials Needed: You will need a pump & electric one might be the best.
  • Schedule: Women can produce a certain amount of milk per day, so a schedule should be maintained
  • Storing Breastmilk: You can store breastmilk for 6 hours at room temperature & up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
  • Imagination power equals to milk flow: Imagining your baby can trigger your body to increase milk flow. This is a very useful trick!
  • Relax while pumping: You should be relaxed while pumping because uneasiness might affect the result. Relax & think of your baby. Don’t be in hurry – relax – be calm – collect milk – finish pumping!

 

8- Can I do Breastfeeding and Pumping at the Same Time?

Breastfeeding & Pumping at the same time can have positive results. This activity can increase the milk supply. Feeding your baby & pumping it for making reserves can save your time. Getting both works done at the same time produces balanced fattier milk for the baby. However, there are few things to consider before doing this. Always ensure to get a good latch & comfortable position. Because placement & relaxation are a really important factor. Also never forget medication factors. Before consuming a medicine, consult a doctor because few medicines might be harmful while breastfeeding. Secondly, if you are a new mother then pumping & breastfeeding at the same time might not piece of cake. The task is difficult & needs some practice to master it. But it’s not an impossible task. Hope you master it!

 

9- Will a Breast Pump Help My Milk Come In?

Use of breast pump on a regular & frequent basis might increase milk flow & supply. There’s one keystroke that emptying breast can increase production. Increased production can lead to milk come in faster. Pumping can empty your breast & this action can stimulate your breast to produce more milk. As a result breast pump can help your milk comes in. And, pumps create suction at a certain rate that is appropriate.

 

10- How Much Milk Should I Be Pumping at 3 Months?

While the second month, babies usually consume around 3-4 ounces of milk each feeding. However, till the end of 3 months, they need add-ons. Eating capacity depends on a baby to baby, few babies consume more, few don’t. The most important factor is a number of sessions. Usually, parents feed their babies 5 ounces of milk while each feeding when they turn 3 months old. And mostly babies consume 4-5 ounces of milk about 6 to 8 times a day. As a result, you might have to pump around 30 ounces of milk for your infant when she turns 3 months old. Or you may decide it according to the infant’s capacity & appetite. Go for slow-flow bottles to avoid overfeeding.

 

11- Can Breast Pump Increase Milk Supply?

The answer is partial Yes. Breast pumps can increase supply because using a pump makes your body think you need milk. Yes, unless & until our body gets that need it won’t react much. Pumps can extract milk & this stimulates or encourages our body to increase the supply. Meanwhile, if you wait too long or delay pumping, less amount of milk might produce. Because overfilled breast sends signals that there’s no need to produce milk. And slowly & gradually milk supply might decrease. Pumping can release milk & train your body to produce it. That’s the reason why “Emptying breast” is considered as the key factor for milk supply.

 

12- Pumping to Increase Milk Supply How Long Does It Take?

Pumping can increase milk supply but it requires time. Everything needs consistency & the same applies here. Usually, it’s recommended to pump for at least 15 minutes. Pumping for 15 minutes can ensure that the average amount of milk has been removed. Secondly, adding 5 minutes to your regular pumping can also have a better result. You may also increase frequency.  Diet also plays a major role in milk supply. It is recommended to consume a few food items like Oatmeal, Fenugreek or other lactation herbs.

 

13- How to Breast Pump and Store Milk?

The basic steps of breast pumping are as follows:

  • Wash your hands
  • Start with a low suction rate
  • Massage your breast where you feel full
  • Store it
  • Pump regularly & pumping should never be painful

Pumping is quite direct, just place & set suction rate. Let’s discuss storing milk. Before storing the milk we need to consider a few factors which are discussed below.

Container:

  • Glass material container with a leak-proof lid
  • Hard, BPA- free plastic
  • Breast milk freezer bags

Quantity to store:

  • For babies 1-2 weeks old, 2-3 oz. (60-90 mL) per feeding
  • For babies 1-6 months, 3-5 oz. (90-150 mL) per feeding

 

 

14- How To Take Out Milk From Breast Without Pregnancy?

Yes producing milk from the breast without pregnancy is possible. Lactation is the process of production of breast milk. Hormones are responsible for milk production. A woman who wishes to produce milk might have to take hormone medication on daily basis. These medications can stimulate hormones that can encourage mammary glands to produce milk. However, it’s not recommended to do so & physician advice would be preferable.

 

15- Are There Any Breastfeeding Pump Side Effects?

Every coin has its 2 sides; similarly, everything has got its goods & bads as well. Breast pump also has a disadvantageous side. There are few side effects of this equipment & few are listed as follows:

  • Storing depletes nutrients of Breast milk: When a baby feeds from the breast nutrient content is higher as compared to stored milk. Freezing milk might deplete nutrients.
  • Nipple & Breast Tissue Damage: Wrong placement of pump can cause mild injury or damage, especially Electric ones.
  • Feeding with bottle & breast confuses the baby: Switching between bottle & breastfeeding confuses the baby. Bottle requires a harder suck & breastfeeding doesn’t. However, babies get confused & suck harder while breastfeeding. This can lead to sore nipples in the mother.
  • Close bonding between mother & baby
  • Washing & Storing
  • Risk of Contamination
  • Bottle feeding might cause baby’s teeth to decay (rarely but the possibility remains)
  • Affects Mother’s recovery after childbirth: While breastfeeding there’s a hormone “Oxytocin”. This hormone can cause a contraction in uterus & reduce bleeding. So breastfeeding can help the mother to recover & get uterus healed.

 

16- Which Breast Pump is Best?

Selecting a breast pump might be a difficult task because there are many in the market. However, there are few top-rated breast pumps. Few of them are electric ones & few are manual. Following is a list of the best breast pump:

  • Spectra S1 & S2: Best Electric Breast Pump – Expensive
  • Medela Pump in Style: Best for large breasts
  • Medela Sonata Smart Double Electric Breast Pump: Best efficient pump
  • BelleMa Double Electric: Best Double Shield Breast Pump
  • Medela Harmony: Best Manual Pump
  • Medela Freestyle: Best Hand Free Pump
  • Philips AVENT SE: Best Single Electric Pump
  • Lansinoh Signature Pro: Best Reasonable Electric Pump
  • BellaBaby Electric Pump: Best Pain-Free Pump

17- What Breast Pump Accessories Do I Need?

People tend to buy extra breast shield pumps as a one-time investment. Usually, mothers don’t have the time or get bored when it comes to clean the pump. Because it’s difficult to find time immediately after feeding. Not feeling well or having a lazy day, having an extra accessory can help you out. A breast pump bag can manage every part including spare ones. Secondly, you will need storage bottles too to keep milk safe & durable. You may also buy a breast milk storage bag or mini cooler bag if you are planning to pump while working. Few more not so important accessories are Bottle drying rack & nursing cover.

18- How to Clean Breast Pump at Work?

Breast pump needs to be cleaned after every use to avoid any infection. The basic cleaning process of breast pump requires warm soapy water. But getting this thing while work hours might not be possible. There are many ways of cleaning breast pump while working. Few women use Medela quick clean wipes but that might not really clean it. So the things you can do is “Simply rinse the pump with water under running water”. Do not put the pump in the sink, clean it under running water. Clean up every part & dry them using a clean paper towel. Once you reach home, clean it again using warm soapy water.

 

19- How Long to Pump Breast Milk

The time span of pumping doesn’t change even if you opt for occasional or exclusively pumping. Only the number of times you pump might vary. Let it be occasional or exclusively pumping, double pumping is better because both breasts are pumped at the same time. While the start you may only pump for 10-15 minutes per session. This will stimulate your breast while you are waiting for milk to come in. However, the time span of pumping might be different & depends on person to person. Normally, a mother should pump for 30 minutes per session & 2-5 minutes after the last milk. Pumping for the last drop ensures emptying of breast & emptying can increase milk supply.

 

Conclusion:

The breast pump is really a helping hand for mothers. A mother can keep breastmilk as reserves for her baby using this 1 tool. There are basically 4 types of breast pumps but people usually use 2 primary ones. Manual & Electric pumps are the most famous & widely used pumps. Manual is better when it comes to safety because electric might cause damage if the placement is off or wrong. Similarly, electric consumes less amount of time as compared to Manual. However new mothers may go for manual ones.

Few more things that need to be considered are Sanitation. Breast pump needs to be cleaned after every use so that there’s no chance of infection. Use of warm soapy water is recommended. There are advantages as well as disadvantages of using Breast pumps. Breast pumps can also increase milk supply. There were people asking whether women can produce milk without pregnancy. This is possible but not recommended without consulting a doctor. Few of the best breast pumps listed might be costlier but they are worthy. However, we have also listed a few affordable ones too. And, maintain sanitation & clean surrounding. So these were 19 things you should know about the Breast pump. Hope you liked it!

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