It is universally known that mothers should feed their infants breast milk because it provides their infants with a wide range of health benefits. However, we shouldn’t overlook the fact that breastfeeding their infants may not always be feasible for all mothers. Having a breast pump at their disposal when mothers have to be away from their infants for an extended period is not at all less than a blessing.
What is a breast pump?
Breast pumps work by stimulating the breast to produce milk, then extracting it through the nipple. The milk is collected by placing a funnel around the nipple. Both manual and electric breast pumps are available. However, electric ones are generally better. Although manual pumps can be used, they are generally less effective.
New mothers, are you searching for the best electric breast pump? Are you unsure whether you should buy an electric breast pump? Don’t hesitate, go for it. But before that, here are a few things you should know.
Here are some tips on pumping breast milk
While breastfeeding, the majority of mothers use a breast pump at some point. In the case of working women, once a mother returns to work, she may use a breast pump as well. While others may use it occasionally, some may express themselves frequently. When you are new to expressing milk, it can be overwhelming, particularly for new mothers who are new to everything. It’s okay, you will learn things gradually. Take it easy.
Here are some of the tips you can follow before you start using a breast pumping machine.
1. Make sure you do a little research before purchasing. Before using, review the breast pump instructions carefully and follow them.
2. Wash your hands properly with handwash and water. Choose a quiet spot where you can sit comfortably and relax.
3. Bring along something to munch.
4. Plugin the pump. (Make sure the batteries are working.) Put the pump kit together and assemble it.
5. First time can be quite nervousing. Take a deep breath. Center the flanges over your breast. Making an air seal, center the nipple in the flange opening.
6. If double pumping, place your fingers below the ribs and your thumbs on top of each flange.
7. Use one arm to cover both breasts while adjusting the dials, maintaining an airtight seal.
Now, turn on the pump.
8. As your infant nurses at the breast, begin with a low and rapid pull until you can see the milk stream.
9. Once you can see the milk flowing down, you can gradually increase the speed. You can increase it according to your comfort level.
10. When milk flow decreases, increase the speed to high for a few seconds until the next letdown, then decrease to medium.
Here are some tips for storing extra milk
Studies have shown that breast milk can be preserved in the freezer for up to a year and in the refrigerator for up to eight days. Keep these tips in mind as you store extra milk:
1. Freeze in less quantity. The advantage of this is that you have greater control over how much you want to thaw thaws and this minimizes the waste also.
2. Write the date and quantity of the expressed milk. It is best to use the oldest milk first. To ensure the oldest milk is consumed first, place the freshest milk at the back of the holder.
3. You can store your breast milk in storage packs by laying them flat in the freezer and storing the solidified bags up standing in a holder to save space.
4. Keeping milk at the back(rear) of the freezer is a good idea. The door of the fridge is the warmest place to store breast milk, so it should not be stored there.
5. Let the milk thaw in the refrigerator. If you need it immediately, place the firmly sealed solidified pack in a warm container of water. Make sure the breast milk does not blend in with water.
6. Never microwave your breast milk.
Whenever a breastfeeding setback occurs, it is better than the mother does not let it affect the infant. Therefore, using a breast pump, storing and feeding the infant breast milk is highly beneficial. Also, you can set aside some time for yourself if you have a container of expressed milk on hand.