Important things to know about breast pumps

 

One of the greatest allies for the mother during lactation is the breast pump. Not only if you want to do mixed breastfeeding, it will also help you in the first months if you have discomfort from the congestion of the breasts, if you have to start working, if you have to undergo any medicalized intervention, etc. Here is an example of everything a breast pump can do for you:

Once we have clarified the points by which a breast pump can help us a lot, let's get down to work.

1.- What extraction methods are there? 

There are two kinds:

-Manual breast pumps (also called mechanical) EThe suction mechanism is operated by hand. The advantage is that you can fully control the speed, intensity, duration and pause time of the suction.  

-Electrical breast pumps The advantage of these breast pumps is that they are more practical when Mom has to return to work, since the extraction is much faster and more comfortable. There are two types: double extraction (both breasts at the same time) or simple (one chest at a time)

2.- What should you take into account when buying a breast pump?

• The use that you are going to give it: cHow to support breastfeeding (manual breast pump), sonly for a few days (manual breast pump), vback to work (electric breast pump), during a long time and many times a day (premature) (electric breast pump), andThe time you have to express milk.
• Is it easy to assemble and disassemble? Easy to wash? How is it sterilized?
• Do you need to transport it?
• Cups that fit well on your chest.Most breast pumps are sold with a standard size cup. If that cup is not what you need, you must buy your size separately.
• What is the possibility of buying parts in case they get damaged.

3.- How do you know if the breast pump funnel is correct or not?

• Before buying the breast pump it is important to know what the funnel is that fits your chest. It is very important to choose the one that adapts best since it must surround the nipple well, remaining centered and leaving enough space so that it does not rub against the wall and can move back and forth. By default the breast pumps have size M, which is the standard size (24 mm). You must measure the diameter of your nipple to know what your size is.
• Does the nipple move freely? If it does not fit fully into the funnel tunnel, the nipple is larger and you should use one size larger.
• Is tissue from the areola inserted into the funnel? If the answer is yes, the funnel is too large. You should select a smaller funnel.
• Do you notice the rhythmic and smooth movements with each suction? If not, it may be too large and sucking is not taking place.

4.- What guidelines must be followed for milk extraction?

• Before expressing milk it is important observe hygiene rules, such as washing hands and the utensils necessary for extraction, collection and storage.
• Sit in a comfortable, intimate place and they can't interrupt you
• To stimulate it works to have a photo on hand or something that belongs to the baby.
• Wet the extractor funnel to make it adhere better
• During the first few times you may not get all the milk you need, or nothing. You must not despair. The milk extraction technique is something to learn and little by little you will master it. Milk may not come out in the first few minutes. If it takes too long, stop trying. You should not feel pain. If it hurts, the intensity of the suction decreases.
• In the case of the manual, the stimulation and the suction speed are guided by the mother. On the other hand, in the electric there are several rhythms: slower (stimulation) and more intense (extraction). There are studies showing that babies suck faster at first so that milk starts to flow, and then they suck slower and deeper to get more milk as soon as possible. Thanks to these studies there are brands that have developed two stages:  Stimulation mode (to stimulate the milk ejection reflex) and the Extraction mode (for smooth and efficient extraction)
• It is useful to give a gentle massage to the chest, from the outside towards the nipple, before starting the extraction.
• When you notice the chest swells and a tickle begins, it's time when the first drops of milk will start to come out. Suction should now be slower and more sustained
• While sucking you can massage your chest, insisting on the hardest areas in a soft way, because it is where stored milk remains
• When milk stops coming out, switch to the other chest.
• Pour the expressed milk in a clean container (sterile)
• Write the date of extraction on the container. It is very important to have the date to always be sure that you can use it without problem.

5.- Once the milk has been expressed, what guidelines should be followed for the storage of breast milk ?:

• All bags or boats must have extraction date.
• Colostrum can be stored at room temperature 27 - 32 degrees, from 12 to 24 hours.
• Freshly expressed milk can be stored: at 15º (24 hours), at 19º-22º (10 hours), at 25º (from 4 to 8 hours) or in the refrigerator between 0º-4º (from 5 to 8 days)
• Freeze milk: in the freezer inside the fridge (2 weeks), in the freezer type combi (3 to 4 months) or in a separate commercial type freezer at -19º (6 months or more).If the milk has been frozen and thawed, it can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours for later use. But you shouldn't refreeze it.

6.- How should breast milk be heated?

The temperature of the milk when it comes out of the breast is 37º (Approx. Is body temperature). If you keep it in the fridge or freezer and you want it to reach the perfect baby and with all its vitamins and nutrients it is important to heat it to a controlled temperature. For this it is important to note that:

• Milk that is kept in the freezer is best removed one day before useThus, it will defrost in the fridge without breaking the cold chain.
• the best way to heating it is in a bain-marie, in this way it will not overheat. For this you can use a small pot or a bottle warmer.
• It should never boil 
• Don't use microwave because excess heat reduces nutrients.
• If it is not very cold you can put it under a jet of hot water for a few seconds to take a little temperature (do not abuse this option, it is not the most ecological)
• You always have to check the temperature before offering it to the baby.

 

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