How To Use A Breast Pump (Electric And Manual)

If you are a new mom and have bought a breast pump (be it electrical or manual) after scouring through scores of reviews, you may still be at a loss about how to actually use it. And even though there are instruction manuals and the process is fairly easy once you get the hang of it, it can be a little tricky in the beginning, especially considering the multiple parts. Don’t worry, this article has you covered. This article explains how to use breast pumps, both electric and manual and also provides some essential tips you can keep in mind while using breast pumps.

What Is A Breast Pump?

A breast pump is probably one of the most helpful devices that a new parent can get their hands on. It is a mechanical device that can help you extract breast milk from your breasts if you are lactating. Breast pumps are typically of two kinds, either they are manual where you have to physically use the machine to extract breast milk, or automatic ones which do the extracting on your behalf. New mothers have the option to choose whichever is convenient for them.

Using breast pumps are particularly helpful if you wish to pump milk and store it for later use. This allows you the freedom to continue with your daily chores and activities without having to compromise your baby’s feeding schedule. Moreover, if you are returning to work and are still breastfeeding your baby, then breast pumping is one of the only ways to ensure that you’re able to continue.

Also read: How To Clean A Breast Pump

When And Why Should You Use A Breast Pump?

There can be myriad reasons why you need to use a breast pump, especially if you’re going to be away from your baby while breastfeeding. For instance, if you’re planning to get back to work within a few months of giving birth, a breast pump would be convenient because you get to pump and store the milk for when the baby needs it. If you know when you would have to be separated from your baby (for example, your date of returning to work or travel plans), you could start using breast pumps two weeks in advance. This would enable you to get used to the feeling. You can pump immediately after you feed your baby, and you could align your pumping times to your feeding times (approximately at intervals or 3-4 hours.)

Many mothers may also face difficulties while nursing or may choose not to; yet, they do not want their babies to miss out on breast milk. In that case, you can exclusively use the breast pump to feed your newborn. Breast pumps can also help maintain a continuous flow and supply of breast milk and can even increase milk supply. If you have low breast milk supply or want to ensure that the supply doesn’t stop anytime soon, regularly using a breast pump can help.

Overall, breast pumps allow new moms freedom and independence as well. Thanks to a breast pump, you wouldn’t have to worry about stepping out without your baby and this also allows you to share your feeding responsibilities with your baby’s caregivers and your partner.

Difference Between Electric And Manual Pumps: Which Is Better?

An electric breast pump, as the name suggests, is powered by batteries and is automatic. It mimics the sucking action of a baby while being breastfeed and that is how the breast milk is extracted. A manual breast pump is operated by hand, and does not need batteries or electricity for pumping. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages, let’s take a look:

• Since manual breast pumps are hand operated, they are smaller. They are also more portable and affordable than electric ones. On the other hand, electric breast pumps are larger and would require a power source. That means your mobility is restricted. 

• Manual breast pumps require some effort and the process is slower. That is why it is better to use manual breast pumps when you have ample time in hand. On the contrary, electric breast pumps are less labour intensive and require much less effort than their manual counterparts. They are also much quicker when it comes to extracting milk. This makes it more convenient to use electric breast pumps if you are in a rush.

• Electric breast pumps do produce a noise, and you might have to be careful about pumping in public. Manual ones, on the other hand, are silent and can be used in a discrete manner.

• Since electric breast pumps are quicker, they are more suitable for mothers who need to pump very frequently, or if you have more than one baby you need to feed. In such cases, time is a crucial factor. But for mothers who do not need to pump very frequently, a manual breast pump would be a more suitable option.

While both kinds of breast pumps have pros and cons, you need to decide which one is suitable for you based on factors like frequency of pumping, cost, portability and convenience and comfort.

Also read: 9 Tips to Increase Breast Milk Supply in Lactating Moms

How To Use A Manual Breast Pump?

Here’s a step-by-step guide that you can follow if you are wondering how to use breast pumps (manual):

1. Before you start using breast pumps, you need to put the device together by assembling the parts. While each brand selling breast pumps has their own set of guidelines, the structure is usually similar and there should be some instruction manuals to help you. All manual breast pumps will have a breast shield. The breast shield is what you need to place on your nipples.

2. The centre of the shield should be on your nipple. You need to adjust the placement till you feel that there is no space or gap between your skin and the shield through which air might get in. This will help with suction.

3. Once the pump is in place, you can start pumping. You may have to wait a couple of seconds before the milk starts to flow. At this point, your pumping should be frequent and quick and should be of short durations. Do not be scared if you don’t see your milk flowing as soon as you start pumping.

4. Once you see a steady flow of milk, try to mimic the sucking patterns of your baby. When you’re nursing your baby, the sucking is never regular or consistent. You can do the same - A few pumps, and then a pause and then you start again. This helps regulate the flow.

5. It is recommended that you switch breasts approximately every five minutes. This ensures that both your breasts are pumped equally. Also, it is perfectly okay to get more milk from one breast; it could be because your baby prefers one breast over the other resulting in the former producing more milk. You should be repeating this for about 15 minutes for each breast.

6. Once the process is done, you can remove the breast shield and disassemble the device. You need to wash your breast pump since it is in direct contact with your nipple and keep it clean and ready for the next time you pump. Before you clean, make sure you cover the container where milk has been contained in order to avoid spillage.

Also read: Which Medications Are Safe For Breastfeeding Mothers?

How To Use An Electric Breast Pump?

Here’s a step-by-step guide that you can follow while using breast pumps (electric):

1. In the case of the electric breast pump too, you will need to assemble the parts. These usually include the breast shield, the tube, a pump motor and a milk container. You will need to position your breast shield in such a manner that the conical ends are centred on your nipples. You will have to ensure that there is no gap through which air may enter and you can do that by pressing the tunnel.

2. Once the pump is positioned properly and you are comfortable, you can start pumping. If your breast pump has modes, you can start with the let-down mode. This is basically stimulating a flow of milk by mimicking a baby’s sucking pattern during breastfeeding. Otherwise, start with a low intensity mode. This will feel exactly the way you feel when your baby’s sucking on your nipples. It should not be painful.

3. As the flow of your milk increases and stabilises, you can increase the intensity. You can increase the intensity as long as you don’t feel any pain.

4. The timing of the pumping is the same as a manual breast pump. You should be doing it for about 15 minutes for each breast. If you’re using a hands-free breast pumping bra, then you will not have to hold the device continuously for 15 minutes; you can just go about your chores or use the time to cuddle with your baby.

5. Once you are done pumping, you can stop the pump motor and remove the device from your body. After ensuring that you cover the milk container to avoid leakage, you must clean the breast shield which was in contact with you. Following that, you can store your breast milk.

Tips For Using A Breast Pump

If you are wondering how to use breast pumps, you could keep the following tips in mind:

• You should not be in a rush to start using breast pumps, unless your baby is unable to breastfeed naturally or if you have to be separated from your baby either because of work or travel. You should take your time to get used to the idea of breastfeeding and gradually ease into it.

• Practice makes it perfect! Start practising using the pump before you have to use it on a regular basis. For instance, if you’re going back to work, try to start practising at least two weeks in advance.

• Try to align your pumping with your baby’s feeding schedule.

• Make sure you are comfortable when you’re pumping because it might feel a little odd initially. However, pumping is not supposed to be painful.

• Tenderness and soreness in breasts is normal if you’re breastfeeding. Try to relax before you start pumping. A gentle massage for your breasts or even a hot compress might help regulate the milk flow.

• You need to store breast milk as soon as it has been extracted. At room temperature, you can store it safely for a few hours. However, if you wish to store it for longer, you need to keep it in the freezer.

• Get your hands on a pumping bra, it’s going to make your life a lot easier. These bras are specially designed to accommodate the funnel of the breast pump and allow you to go for hands-free pumping.

Conclusion

It is perfectly normal for you to take a while to understand how a breast pump works and how to use a breast pump, especially if this is your first baby. It’s important to do your research and ensure that you follow all instructions provided to you by the brand you’ve bought from. As long as you are comfortable and not feeling pain, you should be able to enjoy your breastfeeding and pumping journey!

FAQs

1.     When should you start breast pumping?

You can start breast pumping almost as soon as you give birth. If your breastfeeding is going well naturally, you can wait till you feel comfortable to start pumping.

2.     Is using a breast pump painful?

No, a breast pump shouldn’t be causing you pain. You might feel a tingling sensation as the pump creates the sucking motion to extract milk.

3.     How can you clean your breast pump?

You should wash your hands before using the pump. After pumping, wash the parts under running water. You can also use warm water to ensure that you kill any bacteria present.

4.     How long should you pump?

It is recommended that you pump each breast for about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on your supply.

Sources: 

Breast Pump Types & What To Know

What to Know When Buying or Using a Breast Pump | FDA

How to Use a Breast Pump – Health Information Library | PeaceHealth

Eglash, A., & Malloy, M. L. (2015). Breastmilk expression and breast pump technology. Clinical obstetrics and gynecology, 58(4), 855-867.

Rasmussen, K. M., & Geraghty, S. R. (2011). The quiet revolution: breastfeeding transformed with the use of breast pumps. American journal of public health, 101(8), 1356-1359.