How to Use Breast Pump?

A breast pump is an important tool for nursing mothers, it allows the milk to be extracted and emptied from the breast and stored for later use, helping mothers who need to be away from their babies for long periods or who find it difficult to breastfeed directly. To help new moms understand how to use a breast pump, this guide will explain the different parts of a breast pump, the basic steps to successful breast pumping, and more. Read on!

How Important Is Breast Pumping?

Pumping can help moms and babies in many ways during the breastfeeding process. Aside from the obvious convenience of storing breast milk, here are some reasons why breast pumping is important:

When there is enough milk, pumping prevents blockages and lumps in the breasts. It also relieves the swelling sensation associated with excess milk.

Breast pumps stimulate the mother's breasts and gradually increase the breast's ability to produce milk.

You can use it anytime and store the milk for later on. This is especially important for mothers who need to return to work.

Since the breast milk extracted from the breast pump is stored in a container, you can know exactly how much milk your baby is taking.

In short breast pumps can help moms keep breastfeeding in different environments as well as scenarios.

Understand Different Parts in A Breast Pump

Generally, breast pumps are categorized into manual breast pumps and electric breast pumps. Whether it's manual or electric, it will have several key components that are used to mimic a baby's sucking motion to help expel milk. The most prominent components are:

• Flange: It is the cup that attaches directly to the breast and usually comes in different sizes to ensure comfort during use.
• Breast milk bottle: The sucked-out breast milk will flow directly into the bottle for easy storage or to feed directly.
• Connector: The part that connects the breast shield to the valve.
• Valve: The valve controls the intake and release of milk.

Electric breast pumps will have extra accessories that are:

• Charging or battery accessories: Requires power to maintain use.
• Mode selection: From gentle to powerful, there are multiple suction modes to choose from.
• Massage cushion: Promoting the flow of breast milk.

The eufy wearable breast pump S1 Pro redefines comfort and discretion in breastfeeding. Crafted with soft silicone and angled at 105°, our flanges ensure optimal comfort during expression, prioritizing your well-being. The pump is designed to operate quietly and efficiently, allowing you to express milk discreetly wherever you are. Compact and leakproof, it seamlessly integrates into your daily routine without drawing unwanted attention. We understand the importance of different parts in a breast pump, and that's why eufy combines comfort, discretion, and functionality in one sleek package.

Basic Steps to Pump

Once we understand the parts of electric and manual breast pumps, next are some basic steps regarding how to use breast pump.

Cleanliness First

It is very important to keep it clean. It's not just your hands that need to be cleaned, but all the breast pump parts that come into contact with the breast milk and your baby's mouth. Wash your hands before and after breastfeeding, clean the breast pump, and wipe it dry.

Stay Comfortable and Relaxed

The breast-pumping process takes quite a bit of time, so prepare everything you need, such as your favorite snacks and drinks, and turn on the music if you like

Besides, staying relaxed and comfortable can help with breast production. You'll need to find a quiet, private setting and dim the lights. Stay comfortable by putting multiple cushions behind your back and under your armpits. Take deep breaths or prompt breaks to relieve discomfort and emotions.

Position the Flanges

Fit the flange to the nipple, making sure it is in the center of it. You should measure the diameter of the nipple, not including the areola, before making a purchase. Breast size changes during breastfeeding, so you can measure the flange size at intervals. The correct size flange should have no space between it and the breast and not be able to move easily.

Start with Gentle Suction

After aligning the breasts with the flange, you can begin to start suction:

• When using a manual breast pump, gently press the handle or bottle of the manual breast pump. Suck gently to stimulate the production of milk. At this point, you can use your other hand to hold the breast and massage it gently to promote milk flow.
• When using an electric breast pump, simply aim the flange of the breast pump at the nipple and make sure the pump is tightly attached to the breast. Wear a bra to prevent the breast pump from falling off, which frees up your hands. Then, choose the breast pumping mode. Again, it is recommended to start with the gentlest mode and then adjust the sucking mode to suit you.

Whether it's a manual or electric breast pump, it will expel milk after a few minutes of suctioning.

Time Your Session

During breast pumping, it is best to change one side of the breast every 5 minutes if you are single pumping.

The suggested breast pumping time for each side is 15 minutes, or longer if milk is still coming out. Don't worry about taking longer, the goal of breast pumping is to empty the breast milk.

After breast pumping, you can touch your breasts to check that they are soft and free of lumps.

If you feel pain during breast pumping, stop immediately.

Store Safely

Food-grade containers or specialized breast milk storage bags are required to store breast milk. If it will not be consumed immediately, cool the breast milk promptly to maintain quality. It's a good idea to label the container with the breast milk extrusion time to make the expiration date clear.

According to the CDC, breast milk should not be kept at room temperature for more than 4 hours. It should not be kept in the refrigerator for more than 4 days, while frozen time is 6-12 months. Never refreeze breast milk after thawing.

Clean After Use

Disassemble the breast pump after use and wash off any breast milk residue on the parts with water. Afterwards, wash them again with soap and water, leave them on a clean surface to air dry and finally make sure that all parts are sterilized.

Conclusion

Mastering how to use breast pump efficiently is key to simplifying the breastfeeding experience. Knowing these simple tips in the guide, such as proper cleaning, preparation, and breast pumping steps, with practice you will have an easy and efficient breast pumping process. If you experience discomfort or problems with the breast pumping process, listen to your body and seek help from a lactation specialist.

FAQs

How to breast pump effectively?

To be able to breast pump more efficiently, you can:

• Choose a breast pump with a double pump. This can save half the time compared to a single pump.
• Keep a happy mind, taking deep breaths, and massaging the breasts while pumping can also help to expel milk more easily.
• Switch breasts in time and adjusting the pumping mode will also be more efficient.

How do you properly put on a breast pump?

To properly use a breast pump, start by washing your hands. Attach the breast shield to the pump, ensuring a snug fit around your nipple without pinching. Turn the pump on at a low setting, gradually increasing suction until comfortable. Ensure a good seal for efficient milk expression.

H3-Can I pump into refrigerated breast milk?

According to the CDC, it is not recommended to mix freshly pumped breast milk with breast milk that has been cooled. However, you can wait until the fresh breast milk has cooled down and then mix it.