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Breast Milk Pump - Review and Pumping Storage Tips
If you’ve chosen to use a breast milk pump, odds are you have a few questions.
Breast feeding and pumping are both simple processes, but new mothers often need
a little guidance. It’s completely understandable, since it’s something brand
new. The following are common questions and answers about breast milk pumps:
How does a breast pump work? A breast milk pump suctions your breasts in a way
that mimics the manner in which a child suckles. This causes the milk to squeeze
out of the breasts and into a collection container. The milk can then be stored
in the refrigerator (short term) or freezer (long term) for a baby’s
consumption.
When can I start using a breast milk pump? It’s ok to start using a pump right
away. However, it’s wise to practice using it before you go back to work. This
practice achieves two things: 1) it ensures you are comfortable with the process
prior to returning to work and leaving your baby in the care of another person
and 2) it gives you time to create a store of milk in your freezer.
When should I use the pump? Every woman is comfortable pumping at different
times. For those who are both breast feeding and using the pump, it may be
easiest and most convenient to pump your breasts right after feeding the baby.
Others may pump at designated times during the day. It’s really up to you.
How long should I pump each time? For most mothers, a pumping session will last
as long as the average feeding session. Breast feeding a baby can take more than
fifteen minutes, and so can pumping. However, electric pumps can reduce this
time to as little as ten minutes, once you become accustomed to the pump’s use.
Make sure you collect a good amount of milk (i.e. enough to feed your child)
when you pump, if possible.
How much milk will I collect? When you first start using the breast milk pump,
you may not get too much. Keep at it. The more often you pump, the more milk
you’ll produce. Every mom learns that the way to keep their milk flowing is to
empty out her breasts, whether by breast feeding or pumping.
What if my baby needs more than I pump? There will probably come a time where
your child is really hungry and needs more milk than what’s in his or her
bottle. If this is the case, there are two simple solutions. You can either pump
more milk to feed your child (this may be necessary if your baby has a problem
breast feeding) or breast feed. You can breast feed and use the pump at the same
time.
How do I store milk? Storing your milk properly is very important. Milk can go
bad, and you don’t want to feed anything bad to your child. The best way to
store your milk is to put it in a sterile bag made specially for breast pump
collection or to put it in a bottle. It’s easiest if you store it in serving
sizes; for instance, if your baby drinks five ounces per feeding, place that
amount in each container. Milk should be refrigerated immediately after
collecting to make sure it stays sterile. If you won’t be using the milk right
away (i.e. that day or the next), then store it in a freezer. You can thaw the
milk later. |
