Being a mother is a blissful experience, but new mom challenges like finding the right kind of breast pump can be daunting. Before choosing any type of breast pump, you should consider whether your milk supply is well established, how rarely or often you are away from the baby and how many hours in a day.
If you are a new inexperienced mother unsure if you need an electric breast pump, a lightweight pump or a double pump, don’t fret. We have you covered. In this blog, we look at how to use breast pumps, various kinds of breast pumps and their benefits to help you decide which type of breast pump is best for you.
Breast pumps allow mothers to stimulate breast milk production and store it in a container by pumping their breasts with a manual or electric pumping device. A typical pumping session lasts 10 to 15 minutes a breast.
All breast pumps come with breast shields – cone-shaped cups that fit over your breasts and nipples. Larger or replacement shields are often available with manufacturers if the standard breast shield is too small. Maintenance parts of a breast pump like tubing and duck valves also need timely replacement.
All breast pumps come with breast shields – cone-shaped cups that fit over your breasts and nipples. Larger or replacement shields are often available with manufacturers if the standard breast shield is too small. Maintenance parts of a breast pump like tubing and duck valves also need timely replacement.
It is important to store breast milk appropriately after expression. Freshly expressed or pumped milk can be stored: At room temperature (77°F or colder) for up to 4 hours. In the refrigerator for up to 4 days. In the freezer for about 6 months is best; up to 12 months is acceptable.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
Breastfeeding mothers love using breast pumps for their ease of use and accessibility, efficiency, ease of cleaning and affordability. But breast pumps are a motherhood necessity for several other reasons, such as:
Also Read: Foods to Avoid While Breastfeeding: A Comprehensive Mother’s Guide
Depending on which type of breast pump and how many rounds you make to express breast milk, pumping can take 10 to 20 minutes. Milk supply peaks between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., but you can use a breast pump at any time of the day. Here’s how you can use a battery-based or electric breast pump.
1. Wash your hands and clean the pump before using
2. Center the nipple in the cone-like part of the pump
3. Lean forward slightly and turn the pump on
4. Keep the pump at low suction slow speed
5. Pump for at least 7 minutes even if no milk is flowing
6. Stop the pump for 1 minute and massage the breast all around
7. Pump again for another 7 minutes
Never store breast milk in disposable bottle liners or plastic bags that are not intended for storing breast milk, instead always prefer to use breast milk storage bags or clean, food-grade containers to store expressed breast milk.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.
Although the process is similar to using an electric/ battery pump, a hand pump requires more work as you have to squeeze the lever repeatedly to create suction on the breast and express milk. The only difference is that the battery or electric pump requires electricity and lets you control the degree of suction and cycling speed. In contrast, with a manual, you control the suction and speed.
While searching for the best breast pumps for new mothers, you might come across terms like closed-system pump, open-system pump or overflow protection. To help you understand, here’s what these terms stand for:
1. A closed-system pump comes with a barrier that prevents milk from getting into the machine, aka, the overflow protection feature. These hospital-grade breast pumps are most hygienic, but their tubes and small pieces can be difficult to sterilize.
2. Open-system pumps don’t have any barriers and let you transfer milk flows through the tubes and other parts into the bottle. Since the milk can come in contact with the pumping mechanism, it can be less hygienic.
When shopping for a breast pump, you should consider certain factors, including your pumping frequency, whether you use the pump outdoors or indoors, the noise level, weight and replacement parts of the pump and if your health insurance covers breast pumps or not.
You can find any of these breast pumps at the nearest drugstore, department store, maternity store and online retailers selling maternity products.
Freshly expressed or pumped milk can be stored: At room temperature (77°F or colder) for up to 4 hours, in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, in the freezer for about 6 months is best; up to 12 months is acceptable.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.
A single-breast manual pump will suffice if you are away from your baby only occasionally and for a few hours. But if you’re joining work full time and might not be available for breastfeeding throughout the day, an electric double-breast pump is quick and efficient. If you choose to pump both breasts simultaneously, make sure the breast pump comes with two breast shields.
You can also try a hands-free breast pump that fits inside your bra, allowing you to pump discreetly or at work. It is best to buy the pump until after your baby is born, as you’ll know better about your milk production and pumping needs. Lastly, it is important to store the expressed milk safely in a refrigerator in an airtight hygienic container.
Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.
Pregnancy is a special time full of delight and expectations. But being pregnant can also be stressful. Understandably, you may be worried about the impact of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on your as well as your baby’s health.
Research is currently being undertaken to evaluate the impacts of COVID-19 infection on pregnant women. Data are limited, as per the ICMR (Indian Council for Medical Research) at present, there is no evidence of scientific literature to suggest that pregnant women are at higher risk of developing a serious illness as compared to the general population.
However, pregnancy itself alters the body’s immune system. Pregnant women can be badly affected by certain respiratory infections, including COVID-19. Hence, pregnant women must take precautions to protect themselves and inform their doctor if they develop any symptoms such as fever, cough or difficulty in breathing.
If you have or think you have COVID-19, you must isolate yourself at home. Mothers can still hold baby skin-to-skin and stay in the same room as them but should wash hands and wear a mask, especially when bonding and breastfeeding.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
If you are pregnant, you should take the same precautions to avoid COVID-19 infection as other people. You can help protect yourself with these steps:
Pregnant and postpartum women have a higher risk for more severe illness from COVID-19 than non pregnant women.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.
Emerging evidence now suggests that passage of COVID-19 from mother to baby is probable, although the proportion of pregnancies affected and the significance to the neonate has yet to be determined. At present, there are no recorded cases of breastmilk or secretions from the vagina that have been tested positive for COVID-19. There is currently no scientific evidence suggesting an increased risk of miscarriage or early pregnancy loss concerning COVID-19. (ICMR, Guidance document, dated 12 April 2020).
Stay healthy by getting a COVID-19 vaccine, following guidelines from your doctor, and keeping your prenatal and postpartum care visits, as there is an increased risk of pre-term birth.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.
Prenatal visits are important to ensure maternal and fetal health. However, given the current global pandemic, we are facing, many obstetricians are either increasing the interval between visits or encouraging telehealth visits.
As per ICMR guidance, pregnant women are advised to attend routine prenatal checkups at 12, 20, 28 and 36 weeks of gestation, unless they meet current self-isolation criteria. For women who have had symptoms of COVID-19, appointments can be postponed until 7 days after the start of symptoms, unless they become severe.
For women who are self-quarantined because someone in their household has possible symptoms of COVID-19, appointments should be deferred for 14 days.
If you are concerned about attending your appointment due to COVID-19, talk to your doctor. Establish a trusting relationship with your doctor and freely ask them any doubts or concerns you may have regarding your pregnancy and delivery.
An important thing to do once your baby is born is to discourage visitors. Also, ensure that all those who are caring for the baby (you and your family) frequently wash hands and wear face masks.
You can safely touch, hold and breastfeed your baby since transmission of the virus through breast milk has not been reported to date (limited scientific data available suggest this is not likely to be a source of transmission). Wear a medical mask when you are in any contact with the baby, even while feeding. Mothers should also follow other measures of preventing infections, such as washing hands, sneezing or coughing in a tissue, wiping down surfaces, etc.
In case of temporary separation of the newborn from a mother with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 (to reduce the risk of spreading the virus to the newborn) following precautions should be taken.
Pandemics can be stressful for everyone. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming for both adults and children. Depression during and after pregnancy is common and can be treated. Postpartum depression is the depression that can happen after having a baby. If you think you may be experiencing depression, seek treatment from your doctor as soon as possible.
As the saying goes, it helps to be prepared, not scared. Simple steps like regular hand washing and avoiding crowds can go a long way in protecting you and your baby. Do not stress if your due date is coming close. Hospitals have systems in place to ensure safe deliveries and reduce the risk of infection to newborns. Stay healthy and stay protected.
Also Read: Foods That Fight Nausea During Pregnancy: Guide For Expecting Mothers
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
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