The lowdown on breast pumps
Whether you're getting ready to go back to work or you just want to get some rest or go out, using a breast pump means that your baby can benefit from your milk even when you're not available.
There are several different types of breast pumps to choose from. Selecting just the right one will help you keep your milk flowing and prevent plugged ducts or an infection. Whichever pump you pick, it's a good idea to have it ready to go well before you return to work or leave your baby with a sitter.
It's best to start pumping and introduce a bottle as soon as breastfeeding is established, when your baby's 3 or 4 weeks old. Many babies will refuse a bottle if it's introduced later on. To keep your baby willing to take the bottle, offer it with an ounce or two of breast milk inside at least every three or four days.
What kind of breast pump should I use?
Choosing the breast pump that's right for you depends on how often you plan to use it and how much time you can devote to pumping. If you work full time and have to find time to pump during a busy workday, you'll want to use a fully automatic pump so you can pump both breasts quickly at the same time. But if you only need to pump a few ounces occasionally, an inexpensive manual pump may do just fine.
Types of breast pumps
There are many styles and models of breast pumps, but they fall into two main categories: Electric/battery-powered and manual (which you operate by hand). While some women use both – one for the bulk of their pumping, the other for short trips – most moms strongly prefer one or the other.
To figure out which one suits you best, here's a look at your options:
1. For moms having trouble breastfeeding: Hospital-grade electric breast pumps
If you're having trouble nursing during those first few weeks after you give birth, or your baby isn't able to nurse enough to build up your milk supply, your caregiver may recommend using this kind of pump. This pump will probably be what you'll use if your baby's a preemie or in the NICU, or if you're a mom with a medical condition that affects how much milk you produce.
A heavy-duty hospital-grade model with a double collection kit has a rapid suck-and-release cycle (referred to as the cycling time) that draws milk from your breasts at about the same rate as a nursing baby.
A double collection kit means you can pump both breasts at once, which can cut pumping time in half and drain both breasts more effectively.
2. For moms who need to pump more than once a day: Top-end electric personal-use pumps
Combining the efficiency of hospital-grade pumps and the convenience of more portable models, top-end electric pumps are a popular choice for moms who return to work full-time or are frequently away from their baby and can't nurse regularly.
These pumps are fully automatic, with quick cycling times, adjustable suction levels (to help you avoid nipple discomfort), and double-pumping capability. They're generally intended for women who have a well-established milk supply.
Some models are designed to mimic a baby's sucking patterns: They start with short, quick sucks to elicit the letdown response and then move into a slower, deeper sucking pattern. This feature can make pumping more comfortable, but it doesn't necessarily mean you'll produce more milk.
Generally weighing in at 5 pounds or less, these pumps come in attractive carrying cases and often include accessories like storage bags, labels, clips, bottles, and nipple ointment.
Most top-end pumps can run on a car's cigarette lighter with an adapter that's sold separately. Many come with a built-in battery pack – both handy options if you're pumping on the go or in a room lacking an electrical outlet.
3. For moms pumping once a day or less: Inexpensive manual and mid-range electric or battery-operated pumps
These pumps are best for short-term separations – for instance, a mom who wants to leave her baby with a sitter every now and then and doesn't want to supplement with formula.
These pumps are more portable (most weigh less than 2 pounds) and more affordable than the high-end models. On the downside, they generally take a little longer to use and require a little more effort than the top-end electric pumps.
3a. Mid-range electric or battery-operated pumps
generally allow you to pump only one breast at a time and take twice as long to pump. While there are some double electric pumps in this category, the motors may not last as long as those in the more expensive models. If the pump is battery-operated, the batteries may need to be replaced (unless you get a rechargeable unit).
Semiautomatic models tend toward long cycling times. (Some produce only about 12 sucks per minute, compared to 50 to 60 per minute for top-end and hospital-grade pumps.) The suction can often be too strong or too weak, although some have adjustable suction.
3b. Inexpensive manual pumps
require you to pump a piston or squeeze a lever to create the suction to empty your breast. These pumps empty only one breast at a time and may require two hands to operate, although a few are designed for one-handed use.
While most moms who need to pump regularly opt for a more efficient electric model, some women rave about manual pumps' simplicity and convenient size. Many also say that some manual pumps feel more natural and more closely mimic a baby's sucking and that they like being able to control the suction by hand.
Hand pumps are generally more affordable, smaller, lighter, and quieter than electric pumps. And if you like to pump on one side while your baby is nursing on the other, he'll probably prefer the quiet of a manual pump over the noise of an electric one.
While some moms get the knack of effective manual pumping, others find these pumps maddeningly slow. (It depends to some degree on how quickly you can squeeze the pump handle – and this can get tiring.)
Some moms have trouble getting any milk at all with hand pumps. Others say that hand pumps don't completely empty their breasts, which can lead to a lowered milk supply.
A note of caution: Stay away from the older models that look like bicycle horns. The rubber balls can harbor harmful bacteria.
I would like to express milk by hand but how do I do it?
If you only need to express milk every once in a while – say, for a rare bottle-feeding – you may be able to get by with expressing by hand, although it might take a bit of practice to get it down.
Hand expressing a little breast milk can help soothe engorgement and plugged ducts. And if you have sore, cracked nipples, you might want to express a bit of breast milk by hand after each nursing session to rub over them and soothe them.
Many women find that expressing milk by hand is time-consuming, though, so it isn't usually feasible if you need to express a larger amount of milk regularly.
It helps to have someone demonstrate this for you, but here's a step-by-step:
Wash your hands before you start. You may find it helpful to massage your breasts a bit or apply a warm towel before expressing. Sit up and lean forward – gravity helps! Place your thumb and index finger on each side of the breast, about an inch or so behind the areola, forming a C with your hand. Press your fingers back toward your chest wall and then gently together. (You want to compress the area under the areola, not the nipple itself.) Use a rolling motion rather than pulling or yanking. You may need to experiment a bit to find the right spot – when you do, you'll squirt milk. Rotate your fingers around the areola (starting on top and bottom and moving to the sides, for example) as you continue to milk each breast. At first you may only get a few drops. That's okay – you'll get more with practice.
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