Breastfeeding your child, especially during the first few months after pregnancy, is a long but important process for the baby's health development. The use of a breast pump allows mothers to facilitate breastfeeding, increase milk production, and pump their breast milk even when they are far away from their baby.
When and how to pump breast milk
In the first few days after birth, mothers can only express small amounts of milk. As they get used to it, they can express about 30-90 ml at a time after a week.
There are different ways to express breast milk:
- Manual expression is useful during the first few days. It’s a simple, economical, and effective method that you can occasionally use, but it quickly becomes exhausting.
- Expressing with a manual breast pump is an affordable method that can be used a few times without overdoing it.
- Expression with a single electric breast pump allows you to express milk regularly.
- Expression with a double electric pump allows you to express milk from both breasts at the same time. It can be used several times a day for several weeks.
In all cases, it is important to follow the instructions of the product used. Remember to set the suction right to recreate your baby's natural suction and avoid hurting yourself.
When you're away from your baby or your baby can't latch on, you can express milk at your baby's average sucking rate, which is about 8 to 12 times a day. However, pumping for a long time will decrease milk production, so if you can breastfeed directly, do so.
You can also express milk when you have to go to work or when you have an outing planned. It's best to choose the same time of day to express breast milk on a daily basis as it will get your body used to producing milk at that time (morning is usually when women produce the most milk).
You can store milk for about 4 hours at room temperature, 8 days in the refrigerator, or 6 months in the freezer.
The different types of breast pumps
There are 4 different types of breast pumps:
- Double electric breast pumps that allow the expression of both breasts at the same time.
- Single breast pumps can pump one breast at a time and are often less expensive.
- Battery-powered breast pumps are useful when traveling or going out.
- Manual breast pumps are inexpensive but less effective.
There is also a distinction between a closed system breast pump, which is more hygienic because it has a barrier that prevents milk from passing through the machine, and an open system breast pump, which has no barrier so the milk comes into contact with the tubes. As you can imagine, open system breast pumps are less expensive.
Electric or manual breast pump?
Manual breast pumps are ideal for expressing milk occasionally, as too frequent use requires a lot of effort. Their use is more discreet, and they can be dismantled and stored as you wish, in addition to being transportable.
It takes about 15 to 45 minutes to extract a sufficient quantity of milk. Therefore, you must maintain a certain amount of pressure on the trigger to reproduce your child's sucking rhythm to obtain optimal efficiency.
Electric breast pumps are easier to use because they have motors that drive the pump. They are, however, more expensive. These breast pumps mimic a baby's natural suckling and are best for regular use. Be sure to check that the setting is set at 40 - 60 cycles per minute.
The electric breast pump is faster at extracting milk and more convenient. It allows you to store several bottles at a time. Some products can adjust the sucking force and offer handbags or backpacks for carrying milk. These breast pumps usually require an electrical connection, and some models are battery operated.
What is the best electric breast pump?
The Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump allows milk to be drawn from both breasts simultaneously. The model is designed to mimic the baby's natural sucking by following the physiological stages of breastfeeding which are stimulation, which is rapid and causes milk to come out and then expression, which reproduces the normal feeding of the baby.
The pump in style advanced is easy to carry around because it's lightweight and contains a portable battery pack so you can use it anywhere. However, it is an open system breast pump, so it is quite challenging to sterilize.
What is the best manual breast pump?
The Philips Avent Breast Pump is perfect for occasional use, as its setup and cleaning parameters are simple. This pump can be cleaned with a conventional bottle brush, unlike other breast pumps.
It is also renowned for its original design, which ensures optimal comfort by preventing leakage when sitting. It also has a comfortable handle that makes pumping easy in various positions and an ultra-soft cushion that stimulates milk flow by massaging the breast.
The Philips Avent Breast Pump is easy to carry and use wherever you are and costs less than electric breast pumps.
How to choose the right breast pump?
There are many factors to consider when choosing the breast pump that best suits your needs:
- The weight
- The sound
- Hands-free models
- The cost
The choice also depends on the frequency of use and breastfeeding history. The first five days after pregnancy are used to initiate the breastfeeding process, then gradually, the doses increase until about the 30th day and must be maintained from that date.
Thus, the choice differs according to your needs:
- For babies who cannot be breastfed or mothers separated from their child who need a regular breast pump, closed system double electric breast pumps are recommended.
- For mothers who have difficulty initiating breastfeeding immediately after pregnancy, a hospital-grade breast pump is also recommended. It reproduces the child's natural suckling and can help you increase your milk production. You may consider renting one instead of buying it.
- For mothers who exclusively breastfeed and wish to use a breast pump occasionally, a simple electric or manual model is ideal.
- For mothers who are breastfeeding and need to return to work or be away from their child for a large part of the day, a lightweight and easily portable model is best.
The best breast pumps on the market
1. Medela Freestyle Flex Double Electric Breast Pump
This breast pump has the advantage of being lightweight and easy to transport. It is equipped with a rechargeable battery that allows it to provide 8 sessions of double expression. The Freestyle Flex is also paired with an application that guides you through the stages of expression and allows you to time the sessions and quantify the milk expressed.
The settings are easily adjustable, and you can make various changes when using this breast pump. It also allows for double expression so you can extract your milk in less time while collecting more milk. The Freestyle Flex Breast Pump comes with all the necessary amenities: USB port, carrying bag, cooler bag, breast shields, etc.
2. Medela Single Swing Electric Breast Pump
This breast pump model is known for its lightness and discretion, which makes it easy and practical to use. The Swing Breast Pump is perfect for occasional use and can be used with batteries while on the go.
Its technology also makes it possible to express more milk in less time while reproducing the baby's natural sucking behaviour. It comes with 2 x 150 ml bottles, 2 breast shields, 2 lids, 1 bottle holder, and 1 drawstring bag for storage.
3. Medela Pump In Style MaxFlow
This double electric breast pump has a new engine that generates suction with micro-vibrations to ensure optimal efficiency of milk expression. It is a good quality model that is easy to use while providing a greater quantity of milk.
It is practical and can be easily transported as it has everything you need to express milk wherever you are. It mimics a baby's natural sucking rhythm, and its settings are programmed to meet mothers’ needs based on extensive research on both breastfeeding and expression.
It is also a closed system breast pump that is safe for both mother and baby because all parts are manufactured BPA-free.
4. Medela Harmony Simple Manual Breast Pump
This model is simple and manual; it’s perfect for occasional use to replace the double breast pump. It is equipped with a PersonalFit Flex nipple that reduces pressure on the breast while improving milk flow.
Harmony is a lightweight and easy to carry a product with a swivel handle and ergonomic design for optimal comfort. The Expression phase at maximum comfort level allows you to express the desired amount of milk in less time.
Good practices to adopt when you pump milk
The first few days after giving birth are difficult.
The first four weeks after giving birth require close cooperation between mother and baby, so be patient, as you will gradually learn to listen to your baby and understand its needs.
It is best to get your baby used to breastfeeding during this time to stimulate your milk production and get your baby used to sucking. These moments of sharing with your baby will create an intense connection between the two of you.
If your child is unable to latch on, rent a double electric breast pump and start using it as soon as possible because your milk production during the first few days is vital, and your baby will benefit from exclusive breastfeeding.
Good habits are learned slowly
The first expression session should last at least a quarter of an hour to get your body used to this process. The amount of milk is low at the beginning, so don't worry if you collect a small amount. It is regular stimulation that will gradually encourage you to produce more milk.
Learn to listen to your body by expressing milk several times during the day until you find the perfect balance and the right time to express the desired amount. In any case, milk must be expressed several times a day because a single expression is not enough to drain all the milk.
Hygiene is essential
Each expression session must be preceded and followed by a rigorous hand washing. Also, remember to clean the different parts of the breast pump after each use. You can put them in the dishwasher. Allow them to dry completely before storing them.
You should also disinfect the products daily to protect you and your child. Each time you store the breast pump, put all the parts in a bag to keep them safe until the next use.
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