Breast Pump

15 Reasons to Use A Breast Pump

2008-08-06T04:25:00.000-07:00

Wondering if you’ll need a breast pump when your baby arrives? A pump can be a very useful tool for a new mother to have even if she intends to exclusively breastfeed her child. We’ve compiled a list of the 15 most common reasons why mothers use breast pumps.

1. Avoid supplementing feedings with infant formula. By expressing her own breastmilk, a mother can continue to feed her child only breastmilk even when they must be apart during baby’s meal times.

2. Need to return to work. For many new mothers, returning to work shortly after giving birth is a reality, but by pumping and storing milk while at work a mother can continue to provide her baby with breastmilk as long as she would like.

3. Allow dad or other family members to feed baby. When mom expresses breastmilk for later feedings, dad and older siblings can give feedings to help mom and bond with the new baby.

4. Give mom a chance to relax. Breastfeeding on demand can easily wear any mother out occasionally. Having a bottle of expressed milk available allows mom to take some much needed time for herself while someone else takes care of baby.

5. Premature or sick infant is unable to nurse properly. In order to provide breastmilk for a premature baby that is too weak to breastfeed a mother can use a hospital grade pump to express milk for feedings. A pump will also provide breast stimulation to increase and maintain a sufficient supply of milk.

6. Induce lactation for an adopted baby. A breast pump can be used to stimulate a mother’s breast to induce milk production to breastfeed an adopted baby. Breastfeeding a great way for a mother and her adopted child to bond.

7. Create an emergency supply. A mom can pump and store an emergency supply of breastmilk in her freezer to use for feedings in case she becomes sick or needs to take medication

8. Relieve pain from engorgement. When a mother’s breasts are overly full and engorged with breastmilk, she can use a breast pump to express enough milk to provide relief from pain.

9. Draw out flat or inverted nipples. Mothers with flat or inverted nipples can have trouble when trying to get baby to latch on properly. By pumping a few minutes before breastfeeding, a mother can draw out her nipple so that baby can nurse more easily.

10. Provide milk for children of a multiple birth. Breastfeeding one child can be very demanding on a mother and feeding twins or other multiples only increases the demand and challenge for a mother. By pumping milk, a mother of multiples can provide her children with breastmilk without having to nurse around the clock.

11. Maintain your milk supply. By using a breast pump to stimulate milk production a mother can keep her supply up so that she can breastfeed her baby when they are together.

12. Baby has difficulty latching-on. If a mother’s breasts are very full, pumping some milk out can make it easier for her baby to latch-on and nurse properly. For other infants who are unable to latch-on because of a birth defect like a clip lip or palate, expressing milk is the only way for them to receive breastmilk for feedings.

13. Donate extra milk to a milk bank. While some mothers may have difficulties producing a sufficient amount of milk for their babies, other mothers seem to produce an abundance of milk and choose to donate this surplus to infants that may not have access to breastmilk.

14. Mom prefers to feed baby from bottle. Some mothers feel that breastfeeding just isn’t for them and choose to exclusively pump breastmilk for all of their baby’s feedings.

15. Supplement first foods with breastmilk while weaning baby from the breast. Although a mother may want to wean her baby from the breast, she can continue to supplement her infant’s diet with breastmilk if she expresses and stores her milk.

Establishing and Maintaining Milk Supply When Baby is Not Nursing

2008-08-02T06:08:00.000-07:00

By Kelly Bonyata, BS, IBCLC

It is important to express your milk to establish and maintain milk supply if your baby is not nursing at all or not nursing well. By expressing, you will also have your milk available to feed baby - every bit of moms' milk that baby gets (even the tiniest amount) is like liquid gold.

When should mom start pumping?

· If baby does not nurse immediately postpartum, mom should begin pumping within 6 hours of baby's birth -- starting early makes a difference for future milk production.

What pump is best?

· If baby is not nursing, seriously consider renting a hospital-grade pump (such as those made by Ameda or Medela) that will allow you to pump both breasts at the same time. A hospital-grade pump is the best choice for maintaining or increasing milk supply.
· If you are not able to rent a hospital-grade pump, consider buying a pump (preferably a quality double pump) and/or hand expression.

How much milk should mom be pumping if baby is not nursing?

· Aim for pumping 750-800 mL (25-27 oz) per day by 7-10 days postpartum. If you have twins or higher order multiples, aim for pumping 800-950 mL (27-32 oz) by 14 days postpartum.
· It's useful to evaluate mom's 24 hour pumping output at 10 days. If supply is borderline (350-500 ml / 11-17 oz) or low (less than 350 ml / 11 oz), then galactagogues (prescription meds or herbs to increase supply) or other interventions should be considered.
· The research tells us that milk production at 2 weeks is an indicator of breastfeeding outcome, so it is important to get a good start. Even if milk production doesn't start out well, however, don't get discouraged--many moms will see an increase (even as late as 9-15 weeks after birth) if they continue with regular pumping.

How often should mom pump?

· 8-10 times per day: Until supply is well established, it is important to get at least eight good nursing and/or pumping sessions per 24 hours. Ten sessions per day is better, particularly if you have twins or higher order multiples.
· These sessions don't need to be evenly spaced, but you should be nursing/pumping at least once during the night in the first few months or anytime you notice a decrease in supply. Avoid going longer than 5-6 hours without pumping during the first few months.
· When pumping during the night, milk yield tends to be better if you pump when you naturally wake (to go to the bathroom or because your breasts are uncomfortably full) than if you set an alarm to wake for pumping.
· If you are having a hard time getting in enough pumping sessions, adding even a short pumping session (increasing frequency even if milk is not removed thoroughly) is helpful.

How long should mom pump at each pumping session?

· If baby does not nurse at all:
- The first few days, before mom's milk comes in, hand expression is often the most effective way to express colostrum. Double pump for 10-15 minutes per session for additional stimulation.
- Once mom's milk is in, pump for 30 minutes per session, or for 2-5 minutes after the last drops of milk.
· If baby nurses but does not soften the breast well
- Double pump for 10-15 minutes after nursing.
· Empty the breast as thoroughly as possible at each session. To ensure that the pump removes an optimum amount of milk from the breast, keep pumping for 2-5 minutes after the last drops of milk. Use breast massage prior to pumping, and massage and compressions during pumping to better empty the breasts and increase pumping output.

Additional tips

· Rest & relax as much as possible.
· Skin-to-skin (Kangaroo care) can make a significant difference in pumping output.
· If double pumping is difficult to coordinate in the beginning, then single pump, alternating sides. Move to double pumping as soon as you can.
· Avoid any medications that might interfere with milk supply (hormonal birth control, pseudoephedrine, ethanol/alcoholic beverages, bromocriptine, ergotamine, cabergoline)
· If supply is not increasing as expected by 7-10 days after birth, consider the use of galactagogues. Fenugreek, metoclopramide (Reglan) or domperidone (Motilium) can be helpful for increasing milk supply.

Electric Versus Manual Breast Pumps

2008-05-28T04:39:00.000-07:00

Electric Versus Manual Breast Pumps
By Kennedy Brown

All new mothers have the same questions about breast pumps, "which is better, manual or electric?" Many people will tell you that it is your personal preference and get the one you like. If you aren't sure and do not know what way to turn, then here is some information on the age old question.

If you are a new mother and have just started breastfeeding, you should hold off on an electric pump. Sometimes breastfeeding does not work out. You have every intention of breastfeeding your child for at least six months, but you may not be able to do it. The child may not latch on correctly and never get the hang of it. You may find that it is uncomfortable and you do not want to continue. Breast pumps can be expensive and buying a manual one will save you money in case you decide against it.

The manual breast pump is also great for those on a budget. They are small and can fit into a diaper bag very easily. They are lightweight and will not bog you down when gathering everything up for a day out with your newborn. It is also best to get the manual pump if you are just not sure how long you are going to breastfeed. If you are thinking about breastfeeding for only a few months, then you may not want to make the investment in something so expensive. The manual breast pump also lets you control the speed and the suction that you are pumping.

However, with all that being said, you may be a pro at breastfeeding. If this is your second child and you know that you are going to be breastfeeding for quite some time, you may want to invest in the electric pump. You may already know that there will be a third child eventually and the pump will be put to good use. If you plan on returning to work and need to pump daily and quickly, then the electric pump is a great investment. The electric pump also helps mothers increase their milk supply. When deciding between the two, think about your own situation and what will be best for you.

Kennedy is a mother of five. She is a regular contributor to Baby Gear Review. Visit Baby Gear Review and its sister sites Crib Review and Breast Pump Review for all your baby information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kennedy_Brown

Find the Perfect Breast Pump

2008-05-27T07:19:00.000-07:00

Breastfeeding 101: Find The Perfect Breast Pump For You
By Nathan T. Lynch

Breast feeding is said to be the best nutritional choice for feeding your new newborn baby, but it also has proven health benefits for moms as well. You can lose that pregnancy weight quicker by breastfeeding because it burns extra calories and lowers your body fat content – without exercise! Breastfeeding also releases a hormone called oxytocin which will cause your uterus to contract and return to its normal size more rapidly. It reduces the amount of postpartum bleeding and also improves the storage of minerals in your bones which lowers the risk of osteoporosis. Breast feeding can also help in preventing ovarian and breast cancers. And of course, it’s a wonderful way to bond with your new baby.

So if you are a new mom, or mom-to-be who has chosen breast feeding instead of the prepared formula method, you are probably interested in using a breast pump. Breast pumps are especially great for moms who work outside the home or who can’t be available at every feeding time for their newborn. They come in several designs and the two options for usage are either manual or electric.

As in most situations, there are pros and cons each method. Following are some details on these two types of breast pumps to help you make an informed decision and prepare before you buy – or rent.

Manual pumps are preferred by lots of new moms who say that they appreciate the convenient size. They are simple to use because you control the suction manually. Hand pumps are also more affordable, lighter and quieter than electric pumps, and many new mothers say it is a more natural feeling – closer to how it feels when the baby is feeding directly from your breast.
For busier and working moms, an electric pump might be a better choice than the manual kind because they are much faster at pumping and some models even have the option to pump both breasts at the same time.

Breast pumps are widely available for purchase and you might also like to know that many hospitals offer the option of renting a top-of-line model directly from them. You’ll have to estimate the cost per day in comparison to the price you would pay if you purchased your own though to make sure that it will work out for you financially.

Being a new mom can have its share of challenges, so be nice to yourself and look for a breast pump that best suits your lifestyle. By comparison shopping online or polling some moms who have been though the experience, you’ll save yourself both time and effort that you’ll be able to share instead with your new bundle of joy.

Electric breast pump Ease and efficiency are the strengths of these models. Moms who pump often — to provide breast milk exclusively after returning to work or to feed twins, for example — usually opt for the increase in production offered by an electric or battery-powered pump. Most offer the option of pumping both breasts at the same time.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nathan_T._Lynch