Breast Pumps

Using a breast pump is a lot like breastfeeding: it is a learned skill that takes practice.

Many women find they can breastfeed without a need or desire to pump. Others swear by the convenience of their breast pump and list a good pump as a necessity. Others are turned off by the bovine nature of pumping, preferring to not treat their breasts as udders. But, if you want to continue to breastfeed once you return to work, you will need to rent or purchase, and learn to use, a good breast pump.

There are many styles and models of breast pumps available. The two main categories of pumps are manual breast pumps or electric breast pumps. Manual breast pumps are operated by hand. Electric breast pumps run automatically either by the push of a button or the turn of a switch. Most breast pumps attach to only one breast at a time. High-end models may attach to both breasts, letting you empty both breasts at once.

You can purchase a breast pump or rent a breast pump from your local hospital or pharmacy. Rented pumps typically have a rapid cycling time of 48 to 60 sucks a minute and pump both breasts simultaneously. If your baby was born prematurely or if you have twins, a hospital-grade pump may be a good choice for you. Rented breast pumps do tend to be quite heavy and bulky machines. They may be quite expensive to rent. You may also need to purchase an accessory kit, which includes breast flanges, tubing, and collection bottles.

When choosing a breast pump, you want a pump that is adjustable, efficient, and easy to use. You want to be able to adjust the level of suction or cycling time. A firm suction at a rate of one suck per second may be tolerable for one woman, but bordering on torture for another. Keep in mind, babies typically suck 50 times a minute using a short, quick suck. Breast pumps work by creating a vacuum and sucking cycle, quite different from babies. If the vacuum is too strong and the cycle time is too high, it can be painful. Your breast is not going to let down any milk if your breast pump pinches, pulls, or is otherwise painful.

If you don’t want to sit for more than 30 minutes pumping your breast milk, you may want to invest in a pump with a higher cycling time that pumps both breasts at once. Double-pumping breast pumps may make you feel horribly bovine, but they cut pumping time in half. Pumping one breast and then the other can take about 30 minutes; pumping both breasts simultaneously takes an average of 12 minutes. Simultaneous pumping also boosts milk production by completely emptying both breasts.

You want a pump that is easy to assemble, easy to use, and easy to clean. If your breast pump is difficult to assemble and use, you will end up frustrated and it may reduce your desire to continue breastfeeding. If you travel frequently, you may want a compact, light weight pump that requires little space in your suitcase.

You may need to try a few different breast pumps before you find one that works well for you. All breast pumps do not work equally well on all women and it can take a while to find a breast pump that pumps efficiently for you. If you find one that you like, but it just doesn’t seem to be working, you may need a larger or softer breast flange.

Most are equipped with standard size breast flanges which may not work for all women. Some include soft flange inserts that help you to adjust the size of the flange. If the standard breast flange is still not working, call the manufacturer to order a replacement flange in a larger size. If a pump is causing you pain, make sure you are using it correctly. Do not continue to use a breast pump that causes you pain; you could damage your breast tissue.

If you’re uncomfortable with a breast pump, you could become efficient at hand expressing your breast milk. Hand expressing is easy once you get going – and it’s portable and free. Women who master hand expressing can express just as much milk as a pump. If you can hand express, you can do it in a pinch when a last minute bottle is needed or when engorgement kicks in.

If you know anyone who has been injured by a faulty or poorly-made breast pump, encourage them to file a report to MedWatch at 800-FDA-1088 or via their web site www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/