It is ideal to stay with your baby and breastfeed them daily, but this is impossible always. Due to the mother's busy schedule, newborns miss out on this important process. Hence, mothers' resort to a breast pump. Here are the advantages of using a breast pump and how it functions.
What is a breast pump?
The electric breast pump extracts milk from a mother's breasts to supplement or replace breastfeeding. Some pumps even simulate the suckling motion of a newborn.
What is the purpose?
As a new mother, you may need a manual breast pump for various reasons:
- The baby is prematurely born or unable to latch on to the breast.
- The baby is unable to nurse directly due to medical difficulties.
- You cannot nurse your child numerous times during the day if you return to work or school.
- Breastfeeding takes a long time, and you cannot sit for long hours.
- Clogged milk ducts must be freed, or flat or inverted nipples gets pulled out.
- Get relief from the pain of engorged breasts.
What are manual breast pumps?
Manual breast pumps usually have a lever or handle that gets operated manually to produce breast milk. The milk then gets collected and placed in a container. These pumps are often small and portable, making them suitable for on-the-go use. The only downside is you cannot pump from both breasts.
How to use them?
Following are the steps to operate a manual breast pump. Alternatively, follow the product label's instructions:
- Remove any nipple cream or ointment before using the pump.
- Position your nipple against the breast shield. Move your breast nipple freely inside the breast shield.
- Secure the breast shield with one hand and the lever/handle with the other.
- Move the pump's handle around until the suction level is just right. Pumping makes it more comfortable.
- Stay calm and relaxed during the pumping session. Look at a photo or video of your youngster. Plan so that you need not rush through the process.
- Gently insert your finger between your breast and the shield to break the vacuum seal and remove the shield from your breast. Use nursing pads to wipe off any extra milk on the breast.
Shorter and more frequent pumping sessions are favourable than longer and less frequent ones. After every use, wash all breast pumps, including the milk container, valves, and breast shields.