How to Use Breast Pump – Caring Tips & Guide For New Mothers!!

New mothers face several challenges.The women who give birth for the first time need guidance and tips in many aspects. One of the important aspect to cover is breastfeeding. If breastfeeding is a being a tough task for you then we direct you to use breast pump.

Babies may need the extra support as they don’t learn the trick of breastfeeding.The busy and working mothers go for bottled milk to feed their babies.This way the experiences and the needs vary for the mothers for breastfeeding. But if you want to feed your breast milk in convenient ways and times for your baby then breast pumping is a reliable solution.

If you are new to breast pump then you may feel hesitant to make an effort. A guide of using breast pump can be a good push to start it. But once you experience the advantage of breast pump, you prefer it every time.You would want to know the way to use it, cleaning process, storing the milk, care and cost. We made all the tips and information available for you to know about breast feeding before you start using it.

What is a Breast Pump? Is it safe??

Breast pump is a device that is used to extract milk from breast and collect in bottle through the connected way. It is a safe alternate option for the mothers who are facing problems to breastfeed their babies. You can avoid feeding your baby the bottled milk and prefer your breast milk with this kit.

How to Use a Breast Pump? When should I start pumping?

The beginner mothers may find these easy tips helpful to pump milk for the first time. You will learn it after few times but know how it effectively without any barriers.

1. Read and understand the manual instructions

Before using the breast pump, you must read the instruction manual. Understand the instructions and follow it accordingly.

2. Clean the pump

The pump is accompanied with a line to pass the milk from your breast, a bottle, nipple pacifier. You need to clean all the parts of the pump before using it on your breast.

3. Place it on the nipple

You need to place the pump on the nipple and then start pumping milk. Make sure you lean slightly forward while pumping to make it easy.

4. Set it on low speed

You must always keep the pump at low speed for suction. Low suction with low speed is comfortable for mother than high speed. Anyways high speed don’t give you most of the milk.

5. Imitate the rhythm of babies

While collecting milk in the bottle, you must imitate the way baby drinks the milk. The babies suction is low and slow.

6. Wait for the milk to flow

You may not see the milk coming out at first few pumps and its normal. You need to pump it for a while for the milk to flow.

7. Give a break of one minute

After pumping it for a while, you must give a break for your breast to reset. Don’t do it continuously without a break for healthy breast pumping.

#5 Benefits of Using Breast Pump

Mothers generally have complains about breastfeeding experiences. Breast pump is a boon five ways for lactating mothers. They don’t have to strain themselves or make their babies to feed on time.

1.Increased breast milk supply

Breast pumping post breastfeeding together helps your baby get sufficient amount of milk supply. You can store the milk through pump followed by normal breastfeeding.

2.Time convenience

You can set the routine feeding times for your baby. You can preserve the milk for later use when baby is hungry. It allows you and your baby get good sleep and everything falls in place with as scheduled.

 3.An alternate for busy working moms

Working moms can fill the bottles of milk using the pump before leaving to work. The caretaker, your family member can feed the milk even in your absence. This is the best alternate option that ensure baby’s health.

 4.Support during medical conditions

In some cases, doctor advises not breastfeed your baby due to any medical conditions. During such times, mothers can supply breast milk through bottles for their babies.

5. Help for other mothers

You can help the mothers who have low milk production. Use your own breast pump and fill the produced milk in a bottle to feed the baby. This can be a great for the mother and child.

What are the precautions to Follow while using Breast pump?

Knowing about breast pump is different from using it. You must follow the instructions and be conscious about the way you use it. These precautions of using breast pump can make it a more favorable device. It can make your pumping experience better and comfortable.

1. Talk to your doctor

Take the doctor’s advice before start using breast pump. Let your doctor guide you to use the breast in efficient way. Follow the instructions to benefit you and your baby.

2. Start with normal breastfeeding

Normal breastfeeding is an ultimate healthy milk supply for newborns. So, try to breast your baby normally for at least 5-6 months. Direct breastfeeding help increase the milk production naturally. Then later you can use the breast pump as a replacement.

3. Don’t use the old pump, replace them

Its said that breast pumps must be changed for every 8-9 months. The replacement of old pumps is to prevent contamination of milk. Though you wash and clean the pumps, it is important to replace the old pumps. Don’t use old pumps at any cost as it affects your baby health.

4. Choose an automatic pump

If you are opting breast pump then go for an automatic one. Manual pump can be strain your hands. And most importantly manual pump decreases the milk production. Choosing an automatic or electric breast pump make your task easier.

5. Sit comfortably

When you are using breast pump, see that you are maintaining a proper sitting posture. Keep your spine straight. If needed add a cushion for a firm back support. This will prevent your back from straining while you are using the pump for longer time.

6. Wash the pump before and after use

It is important to wash and sterilize the pump before and after the use. Moisture in the pump and container can contaminate the milk and result in germs, bacteria. So, it is important to clean the whole device and sterilize it. Clean all the parts of the pump with soapy water using a brush. Ensure that it is clean for milk to pass through.

Exclusive Pumping VS Pumping and Breastfeeding?

If your baby need more milk supply then you can pump milk after breastfeeding. Start with breastfeeding so that it helps producing more milk. Exclusive pumping is only using the pump to feed your baby and not breastfeed. Either of these ways work to feed your baby. And that is the mere difference between exclusive pumping and pumping & breastfeeding.

How often should I pump and for how long?

You can continuously pump for 7 minutes and take a break. If you are using a double breast pump then take a break of 30 minutes. Meanwhile massage your breast for your muscles to relax and breast to reset for the second batch of pumping.

What’s the best pumping and breastfeeding schedule? How to store Breast Milk?

Once you extract the milk store it milk for next 4 hours at room temperature. Most of the mother prefer freezing the breast milk. But know that freezing the milk can reduce the nutrient levels. It also kills the antibodies which are healthy for babies.

Seal the bottle cap properly when you are storing the milk. Always feed your baby the milk that you stored at once. Don’t mix the milk that pumped in different times.

How to clean your breast pump?

You get an instruction manual to clean the breast pump. You must check which parts can be removed and wash. Following the manual is the best way to clean the breast pump as it differs from device to device. Also keep these common steps in mind when cleaning the breast pump-

1. Wash each part of the breast pump under cool running water.
2. Then wash and clean each part with dish washing soap.
3. Wash out the soap thoroughly with warm water.
4. Now leave all the parts of device in hot water for 10-15 seconds.
5. Place the cleaned parts on a neat cloth.
6. Let them air dry to use again.
7. After the parts are dry, rest the pump and store it in a clean place.

Best Tips You Need To Follow When Using A Breast pump

Above all the precautions and steps, we still want to share a few tips when using the breast pump. You can be all prepared with these tips before breast pumping.

1. Wear a comfortable dress

Choose a dress that make it easy for you to use breast pump. You have the specially designed breastfeeding dresses which come with zippers and easy openings. These dresses are suitable for pumping and normal breastfeeding.

2. Massage your breast after pumping

After using the breast pump, you must massage your breast. This clears the milk ducts and help in stimulating better milk production. Furthermore, it boosts the levels of oxytocin which is responsible for relaxing the duct muscles.

3. Follow your baby’s schedule

If you are baby has a routine feeding time then pump the milk accordingly. Keep the milk ready in the contain to feed your baby when she needs. So that you can feed the baby on time and do it easily.

4. Don’t share your pump with other mothers

Maintaining hygiene is the most important thing when you are using a breast pump. Sharing it with other mother or even using their pump is not hygienic.

5. Switch the sides

If you are using a single breast pump then you can switch the sides.You can store sufficient amount of milk and feed your baby when needed.

Mothers have experiences of milk overflowing after breastfeeding. Few mothers couldn’t breastfeed their babies due to certain medical conditions. These are barriers that stopped mothers from lactating and nourishing their babies with pure milk. Now breast pump is the best solution for these breastfeeding complications. But knowing all about breast pumping as it is completely different from the normal breastfeeding. This article serves as a guide for the mothers who are opting breast pump.