Breastfeeding and Using a Breast Pump

A breast pump is a mechanical device lactating women use to extract and store milk for breastfeeding. It can be manual, powered by hand or foot movements, or electric and battery-operated. It has a container (usually a bottle or plastic bag) to collect the milk. There are different models, including single pumps that work on one breast at a time, and double pumps that operate on both. Hospital-grade pumps can be rented or purchased and some health insurance plans cover the cost of renting or purchasing one.

Before using the pump, you should sterilize it and prepare the container for storage. Pumping is a labor-intensive process, and it may take a while for your milk to flow once the machine is turned on and you’re in letdown (stimulation) mode. During the pumping session, try to relax and focus on your breath to stimulate milk letdown. To help with relaxation, try listening to soothing music or reading a book. Some mothers find that holding their baby or looking at a picture of the child helps encourage letdown as well.

The instructions for your specific pump will tell you how to start it up, but usually it’s just a matter of pressing a button or squeezing a lever. It’s a good idea to have a manual pump on hand as a backup in case you can’t get your electric pump working. The best pumps are hygienic and designed so that the parts that generate suction or touch breast milk are separate and easily removable for cleaning and sterilizing. They’re also made so that they can be used only by one person, preventing bacterial contamination. breast pump