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All About Breast Pumps

When considering a breast pump, it's important to choose a pump that will come as close to mimicking what your baby does at the breast as possible. This is the difference in what makes a pump effective and comfortable versus one that is ineffective and may even cause discomfort or trauma to nipple or breast tissue. There are certain criteria to consider when comparing breast pumps. New mothers typically find battery or electric breast pumps most satisfying. But we will briefly review the manual breast pumps available on the market today as well.

Effectiveness. By pumping effectiveness, we mean how well or how often the breast pump cycles, or creates suction and releases it. The healthy nursing baby will suckle 45-55 times a minute. Pumps which cycle closer to this range tend to be more effective at yielding the most milk as well as maintaining the milk supply more effectively. Look for pumps which cycle at least 25 times per minute. Pumps with cycling rates below 25 are often not capable of prodcuing milk. In addition, their cycles tend to be longer (as well as less) and therefore may cause pain as the breast and nipple tissue is suctioned for too long a period. Breast pumps that cycle automatically also tend to be more effective than those which require the user to regulate the cycles, often by covering a hole, or pressing a button or bar. Cycles which must be user-controlled leave much to user-error.

The breast pump's suction strength is also important to know. Breastfeeding pump suction pressures range from 20-650 mm Hg negative pressure. Pressures above the high 200s often cause pain. Pressures below 150 are reported to be ineffective at extracting milk. A breast pump that is similar to a nursing baby creates 200-230 mm Hg negative pressure and cycles about once every second.

Comfort and Ease. Breast pumps with the autocycling feature tend to be more comfortable to use. Too many times, those that require the mother to break the suction result in the suction lasting too long. Some breast pumps also are limited to only one size breastshield. Mothers with larger nipples and/or breasts may find these "one size fits all" pumps uncomfortable. They may also find that the pump yields little milk for their efforts as not enough of the breast tissue behind the nipple is taken up into the shield; therefore the breast is not "milked" well. Alternately, some moms require a smaller breastshield due to smaller breasts or nipples. Look for pumps that come with a choice of breastshields or those that have a larger or smaller breastshield available as a separate purchase in case you should require a different size for optimal pumping comfort and success. Additionally, manual pumps that require a repetitive action may not be a good idea for those with hand or wrist problems, depending upon the type of hand action required.

Type of pumping action. Single pumps, whether manual or battery/electric, only pump one breast at a time. This does not provide as good of stimulation as double pumping and the pumping time required is also longer (twice as long in some cases) This is still acceptable if you will only need to use a breast pump occasionally. Single pumps are most always a good choice for the stay-at-home mom or the mom only working part-time and needing to use a breast pump on average once a day.

Pumps that provide alternating double suction, where the suction is created on one side as it is released on the other, provide more stimulation and a faster pumping time than single pumps, but not as much stimulation or as fast a pumping time as a simultaneous double pump in which the suction occurs on both breasts at the same time. These alternating pumps, like the single pumps, are still good choices for moms who don't work outside the home or who only work part time.

Simultaneous double pumps, often referred to as hospital or professional grade pumps, offer premium pump performance. They pump both breasts at the same time, thus cutting pumping time in half over single pumping. Additionally, there is research to suggest that simultaneous double pumping increases the hormone responsible for milk production and therefore better maintains milk supply over a longer period of time.

Breast Pump durability. When choosing a breast pump, it's important to have an idea of how often and how long you'll need to use the pump. Some pumps are designed to be used infrequently and therefore have smaller and less durable motors. Others are designed to be used frequently and for longer periods of time and therefore have larger and more durable motors. Don't make the mistake of choosing a pump that's purpose and lifespan fall below your pumping frequency needs. This will only result in premature motor wear and tear and perhaps a compromised milk supply once the motor begins to wear out. Manual pumps, of course, do not depend upon a motor for operation, and therefore do not pose the problem of motor wear and tear.

Other Breast Pump Criteria Other breastfeeding pump critera that you may want to consider:

  • Noise and Quiet: one feature that you may be concerned about is the quietness of the pump. The larger the pump, the more likely that the motor will be quieter. The smaller the pump, the more likely that the motor will be louder and thus less discreet. Manual pumps, by their very nature, are very quiet.
  • Power Options: What power options the pump provides is also of importance. If you will need to pump in a place without an electrical outlet, then you'll want to consider a pump that comes ready to run on batteries or that works manually as well as on electricity or one which has a battery as an option for purchase or rental.
  • Portability: How portable is the breast pump? Depending upon where you will be breast pumping and how often you will need to travel with the breast pump will be something to consider.
  • Discretion: Discretion is important to some breastpumping mothers. Your pump's size and case may be something to consider. Also, the smaller the pump, the more likely that the motor will be louder and thus less discreet.
  • Breastpumping Time: How much time you will have to pump also may factor in. If you routinely have only a few minutes to pump, investing in or renting a simultaneous double pump will save you time. On the other hand, if your pumping schedule is more flexible, you may be able to get by with a single or alternating double pump.
  • Special Requirements: If breast pumping for a preemie or exclusively pumping, the best choice for stimulating and maintaining a healthy milk supply is a hospital-grade breast pump. Once breastfeeding is going well, you may be able to purchase a pump. Until that time, you need every bit of help in maintaining your supply since you don't have the benefit of your baby's help.

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