USING A BREAST PUMP

Dear mother, in this section you will read about various types of breast pumps. Hand expression is the best but if for some reason you can not use this method and want to use a pump then you must have a working knowledge of various types of breast pumps. A pump could be hand operated, battery operated or electrical. Some battery operated pumps have the facility for electrical connection. Deciding which breast pump is right for you depends on how often you plan to use one and how much time you can spare for expressing. If you work full-time and long hours, you may need a fast working electric pump. But if you only need to pump a few ounces manual expression or a cheaper manual pump may be sufficient. Although pumps are faster and more efficient they are liable to contamination if not sterilized properly; so take care of hygiene and sterilization with any kind of pump you use.
Also remember-whether you use an electric or a hand vacuum pump you still have to stimulate your breasts as you would if expressing by hand. You must do this before you apply the pump to drain the milk sinuses. When using a pump, be careful not to exert too much suction on the nipple. Pumps can occasionally be a bit fierce and crack or split the nipple. 
To use an electric pump, you put a suction cup over your breast, turn the machine on, and let it do the work of extracting milk into an attached container. Manual pumps also use a suction cup, but you extract the milk by using a squeeze mechanism or operating some other device rather than relying on a motor powered by electricity. On an average it takes 15 to 45 minutes to pump both breasts. Good breast pumps mimic the sucking action of a baby and do not cause pain.
The old types of hand pumps with a rubber bulb are cheap but the bulbs do not produce sufficient suction. They are difficult to clean and sterilize and are not very effective. The milk which collects in them is often contaminated. Preferably do not use such a pump.
 

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Chapters of A-Z Bay Care

1. Prepration for Baby's Arrival
2. Common Problems of the New     Born
3. Danger Signs in the New Born
4. How Frequently Your Baby     Should Go for Check Up
5. Does Your Baby Need Vitamins     & Supplements
6. Where Should Your Baby Sleep
7. How to Ensure Baby's Safe Sleep
8. Burping Your Baby
9. Which Oil, Soap & Shampoo      Should I Use?
10. Baby Massage
11. Baby Bathing
12. Using Nappies
13. Your Baby's Vaccination
14. Growth of Your Baby
15. Introduction of Semi- Solid       Foods
16. Dental Care of YOur Baby
17. FAQ on Baby Care
18. Successful Breast Feeding
19. Expressed Breast Milk
20. Using A Breast Pump
21. When Giving Breast Milk is Not       Possible
22. How to Make YOur Home       Safe for Babies
23. Is Your Older Child Jealous of       Baby?