Buying a breast pump can be overwhelming. There are so many different types and ranges
of prices. Buying a breast pump before your baby arrives isn't necessarily essential. It is however a good idea to do some research and know where to get one if the need arises. Do keep in mind they are medical devices so buying from a reputable brand is important. There are a number of cheaper versions on the market but they may not be as effective and could potentially cause injury to the breast.
Situations where you may need a breast pump
Your baby isn't feeding well or not at all.
You need to increase your milk supply.
You are returning to work.
You will be separated from your baby for more than a number of hours.
You prefer to give expressed milk.
It is important to note some women find hand expression works perfectly well for them so the need for a pump isn't there.
What does a pump do?
It mimics the sucking action of your baby, milk release is stimulated and milk can be collected in a container.
Types
Hand operated.
Single electric/ double electric/hands free electric.
Silicone hand pumps.
Hospital grade pump.
Hand operated pumps/ manual pumps.
Suction is created when you squeeze the handle of the pump. They allow you to manually control pressure and flow, you are able to slowly build up momentum as your flow increases. Some brands can flip between a manual or electric. This can be a good option if you are only expressing on occasion.
Electric pumps.
These can be battery operated/plugged in or may have a rechargeable battery. An electric pump will do the work for you. They will usually have a stimulation mode to elicit a letdown and then an expression mode. Suction strength can be adjusted for your comfort. Hands free electric pumps are becoming more popular. They are silent, all in 1, have no tubing and come with a rechargeable battery. They are also a closed system. They can be worn discreetly inside a nursing bra. These can also come as single or double. Double pumping speeds up the process. Women can also yield greater volumes if they use a double pump. In fact 18% more milk than pumping each breast separately. For women who make the decision to exclusively pump investing in a double electric pump would be best.
Silicone hand pumps.
These are one piece devices that you attach onto the breast. They use powerful suction to draw milk from the breast. These are designed to be used while you are breastfeeding. So as your baby latches on one side the silicone device is attached to the other breast and collects milk. There seems to be conflicting information on these devices, in terms of milk supply. It is thought use should not lead to over stimulating as it is essentially a collection device and is not stimulating like a manual or electric breast pump is. However, there seems to be more anecdotal evidence that they can lead to oversupply and fast let down. So this is something to keep in mind.
Hospital grade pumps.
These pumps are very useful if your baby is unwell/ premature and is unable to breastfeed. They are very efficient. Some hospitals can provide these for you or they can be hired for use at home. O’Flynn medical based in Cork do pump hire, orders placed before 11.00 will be shipped by courier on the same day see www.oflynnmedical.com
You may be able to get money back for any pumps you had to buy or rent for your premature baby. You can use Med1 form on www.revenue.ie .
Open or closed system.
When choosing a pump it is important to know if it is open or closed system. A closed system has a barrier between the milk collection kit and the pump mechanism to prevent contamination by mould/bacteria. An open system has no such barrier. This is important to note if you are borrowing a pump from someone or purchasing one second hand.
Correct flange size
The flange is the plastic piece that fits directly over the nipple to form a seal on the breast. The correct size is hugely important. A poor fit can lead to nipple damage and ineffective milk removal. The nipple should be centred in the flange and move freely. There should be no pain. Most breast pumps come with a standard size 24mm, manufacturers usually have flanges in other sizes but you may need to purchase these separately.
Replacement of pump parts
Pump parts- valves/tubing will need replacing overtime. Below is a link to a guide on replacing parts and how often you should do so.
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