Tips for Successful Pumping • Back to Breastfeeding When learning to express or pump, it can help to have your baby with you. If baby can't physically be with you, it can help to look at a picture of a baby, listen to a taped recording of the baby's cry, or touching and smelling a piece of the baby's clothing. Allow enough time so that you don't feel rushed. Express milk in a familiar and comfortable setting as this promotes relaxation which in turn enhances milk letdown. Minimize distractions whenever possible (e.g., take phone off the hook, etc.). Use warmth to relax and stimulate milk flow by applying heat to the breasts (warm compress, warm shower). Stimulate the breasts through massage before beginning. Remember, the amount of milk a mother is able to pump depends on many variables: length of time since she has nursed or pumped whether she has missed a nursing or is pumping between regular nursings her milk supply whether she is tensed or relaxed, comfortable or uncomfortable time of day (some women find they have more milk early in the day) effectiveness of pump and/or skill at hand expression *Key Point A healthy baby is far more effective at emptying the breast than any pump! Pumping To collect breastmilk for a hard to latch, sick or premature baby To maintain lactation if breastfeeding is temporarily interrupted To relieve engorgement To treat flat or inverted nipples To treat sore or cracked nipples To increase milk supply To relactate *Pumping is not meant to replace breastfeeding. Rather, it is intended to complement or enhance the breastfeeding experience. Different Methods for Expressing Milk By hand By manual pump By electric pump Choosing which method to use depends on a number of things such as: individual needs and preferences individual situation comfort issues convenience cost For example, a mother planning to breastfeed a premature infant will be more successful at establishing and maintaining her milk supply by using an automatic electric breast-pump with double pumping attachments. However, a mother who plans on pumping occasionally to supply her infant with breastmilk in her absence, may find the cost of a double electric pump too expensive for her needs. She may do better hand expressing breastmilk or using a manual pump for those occasions. Pump Type Advantages Disadvantages Automatic Electric  Pump (double attachments) More effective in establishing and maintaining milk supply. Achieves higher prolactin levels and more milk production Increased fat content Easiest to use Comfortable Efficient and fast No experience required Can be rented from pharmacies May be covered by insurance Cost to purchase (expensive) Single Pump (Battery operated) Portable Operate with one hand Some have electric adapter Not effective for long periods Decreased power compared to electric pumps Cost can increase due to number of batteries used Single Pump (Motorized) Easy to use Automatic More effective at stimulating letdown Cost Fewer cycles per minute Less breast stimulation Can cause sore nipples Manual (Hand operated)   Most popular Inexpensive Easy to operate, clean, carry around Can feed from collection container Requires two hands Requires ordinary hand strength and coordination Tiring Vacuum may be inadequate May take several practice sessions to express milk Not effective for long periods of pumping Cylinder type requires frequent emptying Hand Expression Can be used in all situations More natural Done anywhere, anytime Can learn to express while baby is on  other breast Skin-to-skin contact more effective at  stimulating letdown Free, no equipment needed With practice, highly effective May not be effective for long periods Requires time and practice to become proficient Must be comfortable in touching breasts Some women never get milk To the top