What is a Breast Pump?

A breast pump is a machine that takes breast milk out of your breasts. You might choose to use a breast pump if you're breastfeeding and want to:

Be away from your baby for several hours or more without having your milk dry up.
Save milk that you've pumped (expressed milk) for another person to feed your baby.
Keep milk from building up and becoming uncomfortable.
Tear out flat or inverted nipples to enable your baby to latch on for breastfeeding.
Keep your milk supply during a time when your baby cannot breastfeed.
Boost your milk supply.

Expressions of milk might be something you do on a regular basis. But it doesn't have to be easy and doesn't necessarily mean learning how to use a breast pump will come naturally. Take your time and be gentle with yourself. It may take a bit of time. Selecting the correct pump for you can make it easier.

What are the types of breast pumps?

Many different types of breast pumps function slightly differently.

Manual breast pump

With this kind of pump, you press a lever to generate suction that facilitates the release of milk. A manual pump requires some extra effort on your part, and each session takes a long time. But it lets you have control over the rate and rhythm of pumping, and it's inexpensive. It also doesn't need electricity or batteries to function and can be transported easily.

Most hand pumps are single pumps. That is, you drain one breast at a time.

Powered breast pump

Powered pumps, unlike hand pumps, have a motor to generate suction and empty the milk. There are two kinds of powered pumps: electric breast pumps and battery-powered breast pumps.

You have to plug an electric pump into a wall outlet when you use it. With a battery pump, you don't have to be close to an outlet and can pump while mobile. It simply needs a battery that you replace or recharge.

There are powered double pumps that allow you to remove milk from two breasts at the same time. This convenience is a huge benefit for most parents.

Wearable breast pump

This is one kind of powered pump you hide inside your bra. Some wearables are less conspicuous than others. But essentially, the concept is that you can pump in public or on the go without others being able to see easily. A wearable pump allows your hands to be free to do something else (you don't have to hold the parts of the pump to position them). So, you might prefer this type if you have to do other things while pumping.

Hands-free breast pump

This is sometimes used to describe wearable pumps. But a hands-free pump is also something you attach to the front of your chest and leave on while you carry out other activities. They do not necessarily go inside your bra.

You can opt for a hands-free pumping bra. This garment holds the pump and keeps you more comfortable while you perform your daily activities.

Milk Collection devices

They are silicone items that gather milk from one breast while your baby is nursing on the other. Some suck milk out with suction similar to a pump. Some passively collect milk that would have dropped onto your bra/nursing pad from letdown. If you have too much milk, discuss it with your provider prior to using it.

What's the best breast pump?

You may be thinking, what's the best breast pump I can buy? The answer is easy: there isn't one pump that's ideal for everyone. That's because everyone has unique needs and wants. And there's an enormous selection of pumps available.

If you're overwhelmed by all the choices and have no idea where to begin, consult a lactation consultant. They'll guide you through the considerations of various pumps and determine which pump is most suitable for you. Some questions you may want to consider are:

How frequently will I be pumping?
Where will I have to use the pump?
Do I need a boost in my milk supply?
Do I have a limited amount of time for each pumping session?
What is my budget?
Does my health insurance cover which pump or pumps?

Your responses can assist you and your lactation consultant in determining the best fit for you. For instance, a powered pump might be better if you:

Plan to pump often (more than just a few times per week). Powered pumps are efficient and get the job done quickly, especially if you use a double pump.
Need to pump away from home or while doing other tasks.
They have a low milk supply and need stronger suction.

On the other hand, a manual pump is a good option for some people and situations. Here are some points to consider:

Manual pumps cost less than powered pumps. So, they're low budget.
Using a manual pump, you have control over the rate and rhythm of pumping. That could feel more comfortable for you than having a powered pump with a motor that runs up and does its thing for you.
A manual pump does the job when you pump infrequently, such as a couple of times a week or less.
You are likely to want a backup manual pump, even if you have a powered pump for most situations. A manual pump might be useful if you are away from an electricity supply or the power is out. In case you lose your usual pump, you might also maintain a manual pump at someone's home where you occasionally go, particularly a friend or relative.

Your lactation consultant will go over all of these considerations with you and assist you in making the best choice for your needs.

What are the various components of a breast pump?

The components of a breast pump are:

Breast shield: You may hear others refer to this as a breast pump flange. It is a cone-shaped cup that resembles a small megaphone. It covers your nipple and areola. One of the challenges you may encounter is sizing the flange. Flanges are in various sizes, and most pumps will have a standard "medium" size. If this doesn't suit you, consult with your lactation consultant. They can assist you in determining the correct size of flange for your body. Your nipple should be able to glide in and out of the tunnel of the flange with a little bit of room around the nipple. If pumping is uncomfortable, it may be because flanges do not fit well.
Pump: The pump suctions and removes milk. Depending on the type you select, the pump will either fit onto the flange directly or have tubes that go from the pump to the flange.
Milk container: This disposable bag or reusable bottle holds milk as it exits. You store the milk using the milk container so that you may give it to your baby later.
Control panel: Powered pumps have a control panel that you operate with. You press buttons to start or stop the pump or to switch between modes. For instance, you can regulate the suction level of the pump so it's just like your baby's.
Lever: Manual pumps lack a control panel. They contain a lever that you push to initiate the suction and begin expressing milk.

These components may appear or feel slightly different depending on the kind of pump you use. It's a good idea to compare various pumps to get a sense of what's available and what each one appears to be. Your lactation consultant can also assist you with this.

Breast pumps usually include a storage container for milk and a breast shield that you place on your breast.

How do I use a breast pump?

You're likely wondering how to pump breast milk if you have never used a pump before. The instructions vary depending on the pump you are using. In general, you will take the following steps:

Read the pump's instruction manual. Don't skip it to save time. Reading exactly how your pump functions can save you time in the long run.
Wash your hands: Dry them with a clean paper towel. Wash your chest if you used a cream or ointment that needs to be removed. The label on the product should inform you if you need to wash it off before breastfeeding or pumping.
Put together your pump: Follow the instruction manual’s steps.
Find a comfortable place. If possible, it should be somewhere relaxing and free of distractions. If you're using an electric pump, make sure you’re close to an outlet.
Place the breast shield (flange) on your breast: Your nipple should be centered in the flange opening. The flange should not pinch, pull or feel like it is irritating your breast. If it's uncomfortable, you might need a different flange size.
Begin pumping: Your instruction booklet will inform you how. You can press a button on a powered pump or begin squeezing a lever on a manual pump. Begin in letdown/stimulation mode.
Keep pumping: After milk begins to flow, change to expression mode. The session may last as long as you are comfortable and milk is flowing. This is usually 10 to 15 minutes per breast.
Shatter the vacuum seal: The flange closes tightly against your breast so that it can vacuum out the milk. You must shatter this seal once you are finished pumping. Do this by carefully inserting your finger between your breast and the flange.
Take away the milk container (bag or bottle) from the pump: It is best to use expressed milk when it is fresh. Therefore, date and time stamp the container before you place it in the fridge or freezer. Include the name of your baby if you are going to be sending the milk with your baby to daycare or other group setting.

Explicit milk can be safely stored in the fridge for four days and in the freezer for twelve months (but it is best used within six months).

Just like any new gadget, it may take you some time to adjust to your breast pump. But your lactation consultant, family, and friends can assist. Online breastfeeding or pumping mothers groups may also provide practical and emotional support.

How to clean a breast pump?

It is imperative that you wash your breast pump after every use to prevent infection for both you and your baby. Your pump manual will tell you specifically how to wash your pump.

General hand washing steps are:

Rinse all parts that come into contact with milk with cool, running water as soon as possible after pumping.
Wash each piece using dish liquid and warm water.
Rinse each piece with hot water for approximately 10 to 15 seconds.
Dry out each part using a clean paper towel or set the parts on a clean drying rack to air dry. It's not a good idea to dry using a dish towel since the towel might inadvertently spread germs.

Your user guide will indicate whether you can wash pump components in the dishwasher.

Sanitizing your breast pump

Besides washing the pump every time you use it, you should sanitize it daily. Sanitizing provides an additional layer of germ protection, above soap and water washing. Sanitizing is most important if your baby:

Is younger than 2 months.
Was premature.
Has a weakened immune system.

To sanitize the pump parts, refer to the instructions in the instruction manual. The manual can instruct you to steam the parts in a microwave or boil them in water. Ensure that you clean the pump parts beforehand, as instructed above (never proceed to sanitizing immediately after pumping).

You might be able to forego daily sanitizing as your baby matures if they do not have underlying health problems. When unsure, consult your pediatrician for guidelines.

Further tips for your pump's cleanliness

Here are a few other points to bear in mind:

If your pump parts become mouldy, discard them and replace them with new ones.
If you wash the pump parts in a dishpan or a bowl, do not use it to wash anything else (such as dirty dishes). Reserve it for the pump parts alone.
Your sink bottom can be full of germs (even when it appears so). So, do not place the pump parts directly on the sink. Instead, place them in a clean dishpan.

When is it too early to pump breast milk?

You can begin pumping shortly after your child is born. But hold off on giving expressed milk to your baby in a bottle until they've learned how to breastfeed. For most babies, this is around four to six weeks.

Feeding your baby a bottle too early can disrupt their ability to nurse. Healthcare professionals refer to this as "nipple confusion." They can have difficulty latching or may refuse to feed at your breast. Your lactation consultant can advise you when to begin pumping and when to introduce bottle feeds.

Your breasts will fill up again with milk each time they are emptied, so pumping will encourage more milk production. Discuss with your provider if you experience an oversupply of milk.

Is sharing breast pumps safe?

It depends. There are two types of breast pumps:

Single-use, intended for only one person.
Single-use, for one person only.

Most pumps you'll purchase at the store are single-use. That means they're for you and only you, and sharing may cause infections. Never share a single-use pump, not even with family or friends. And while you may be able to purchase all sorts of treasures at garage sales, don't get a single-use breast pump second-hand. This isn't safe for you or your baby.

You may safely rent or borrow a shared pump from an official supplier, such as a hospital or lactation consultant. These pumps are quite literally just that pumps. They do not arrive with the other pieces that come in contact with breast milk (such as flanges and milk containers). Your healthcare provider or lactation consultant can inform you of which pieces you'll need to buy to use with a shared pump.