How do I decide which pump is best for me?
When is the best time to pump?
How frequently do I need to pump?
Can I use a pump to express so that my partner can feed baby at night?
I have inverted nipples. Is pumping an option for me?
I've heard about dual pumping but I'm not sure what it is.
There are a variety of pumps available - these are frequently categorized as hand, battery or electric pumps. The selection of electric pumps is wide - but generally broken down into mini electric and hospital grade. Hospital grade machines are available to hire for frequent users; these simulate the sucking reflex of a baby and will establish and manitain a milk supply.The mini electric is suitable for mothers with an established, good milk supply but who need to express up to 2-3 times a week.There are a variety of hand pumps available on the market (the single handed trigger action being the most current) but many mothers find hand pumps difficult to use - the regular cycling required is difficult to achieve and maintain; battery pumps are easier to use but the suction tends to be weak and it may take a long time to collect a small amount of milk. Hand and battery pumps are most suitable for mothers who have a good, well established milk supply (ie. have been solely breastfeeding baby in excess of 6 weeks) and wish to express the occasional bottle for when they are away from baby for a very short period of time.
battery pump |
mini electric |
hospital grade electric |
||
| very occasional use | yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
| 2-3 times a week | - |
- |
yes |
yes |
| frequent use | - |
- |
- |
yes |
| maintain a milk supply | - |
- |
- |
yes |
| to establish a milk supply | - |
- |
- |
yes |
| baby in special care | - |
- |
- |
yes |
| baby hospitalized | - |
- |
- |
yes |
| mother hospitalized | - |
- |
over night |
yes |
| returning to work | - |
- |
for older baby (6+m) |
yes |
You may begin pumping as soon you wish. Click here to see which pump is best for you. For mothers whose babies are in special care it is very important to begin immediately, even before the milk comes in, to establish a good milk supply.
Obviously this is a matter of personal choice. Milk supply peaks early morning; hence many mothers find that they collect most milk as soon as they get up.
A young baby feeds frequently, therefore if baby is not being offered the breast you need to pump as often as you would breastfeed, ie. every 2-3 hours.
Many mothers opt to pump for this very reason.
To continue feeding baby at a later stage you must maintain a good milk supply. For this reason you will need to pump frequently discarding the milk. When the infection has cleared and you can then return to breastfeeding.
Pumping will enable mothers with inverted nipples to still provide their baby with breastmilk.
Dual pumping means expressing milk from both breasts at the same time - you can rent a hospital grade machine with this facility.
Begin expressing and introducing baby to a bottle 3-4 weeks before returning to work. By pumping between baby's usual feeds you will be able to collect and freeze a quantity of milk to have available for when you return to work. Upon returning to work pump as often as you are able.