Why would we need to pump our breast milk?
--> The most common reason to pump is to collect our milk so our baby can have it when we are not around.
--> Pumping also means we can have Daddy feed our baby; creating 'their' bond.
--> Using a breast pump can stimulate our milk production and increase our supply.
--> We can also collect milk to feed a premature baby or one who have difficulty latching-on to our breast, or to relieve the pain and pressure of engorged breasts.
How do we use a breast pump?
For Electric Pump: put a breast cup or shield over our breast, turn the machine on, and let it do the work of suctioning your milk into an attached container.
For Manual Pump: extract the milk into a breast cup or shield by operating a squeeze mechanism or pulling a plunger with our hand - I heard it could take about 30~45 minutes.
*Remember to clean the pump parts carefully after each session to prevent bacteria from getting into them.*
What kind of pump should we use?
--> It all depends on individual preferences; having an fully automatic pump is ideal for full-time working mothers.
How do we store breast milk?
--> Best to put breast milk in plastic or glass feeding bottles with secure caps to seal in freshness.
--> Remember to write the date on the bottle or bag before putting it in the refrigerator or freezer so you'll know when you pumped it.
--> Use fresh, refrigerated milk within 72 hours.
--> Warm the refrigerated milk in a bowl of warm water.
* Breast milk is different from formula milk. The fat is separated and float to the top, and sometimes the milk has a bluish hue - it is NORMAL.
What can we do if we have trouble pumping?
Here are some reasons we may be having trouble getting much milk out and some tips for what to do about it:
• We may be pumping too soon after the last session of nursing or pumping. We won't get much milk out of our breasts if we or our baby has just recently done a good job of draining them.
• We may need to change the settings on your pump. It can be hard to get enough milk if the suction pressure is too low or the cycling speed is too fast.
• We may not be using a very good breast pump; best results can be derived from a high-quality, fully automatic pump.
• The shields may be too small for our nipples. This is a common problem because most pumps come with shields that are designed for women with small nipples. If this is the case, our nipples may swell up once we start to pump, and that can reduce the amount of milk we will be able to get out of our breasts. Many breast pump companies now make breast shields in larger sizes. Make sure we are using the size that's right for us.
• We may just not be producing very much milk. There are many reasons for this, including not nursing often enough.
**Happy Pumping** =)
--> The most common reason to pump is to collect our milk so our baby can have it when we are not around.
--> Pumping also means we can have Daddy feed our baby; creating 'their' bond.
--> Using a breast pump can stimulate our milk production and increase our supply.
--> We can also collect milk to feed a premature baby or one who have difficulty latching-on to our breast, or to relieve the pain and pressure of engorged breasts.
How do we use a breast pump?
For Electric Pump: put a breast cup or shield over our breast, turn the machine on, and let it do the work of suctioning your milk into an attached container.
For Manual Pump: extract the milk into a breast cup or shield by operating a squeeze mechanism or pulling a plunger with our hand - I heard it could take about 30~45 minutes.
*Remember to clean the pump parts carefully after each session to prevent bacteria from getting into them.*
What kind of pump should we use?
--> It all depends on individual preferences; having an fully automatic pump is ideal for full-time working mothers.
How do we store breast milk?
--> Best to put breast milk in plastic or glass feeding bottles with secure caps to seal in freshness.
--> Remember to write the date on the bottle or bag before putting it in the refrigerator or freezer so you'll know when you pumped it.
--> Use fresh, refrigerated milk within 72 hours.
--> Warm the refrigerated milk in a bowl of warm water.
* Breast milk is different from formula milk. The fat is separated and float to the top, and sometimes the milk has a bluish hue - it is NORMAL.
What can we do if we have trouble pumping?
Here are some reasons we may be having trouble getting much milk out and some tips for what to do about it:
• We may be pumping too soon after the last session of nursing or pumping. We won't get much milk out of our breasts if we or our baby has just recently done a good job of draining them.
• We may need to change the settings on your pump. It can be hard to get enough milk if the suction pressure is too low or the cycling speed is too fast.
• We may not be using a very good breast pump; best results can be derived from a high-quality, fully automatic pump.
• The shields may be too small for our nipples. This is a common problem because most pumps come with shields that are designed for women with small nipples. If this is the case, our nipples may swell up once we start to pump, and that can reduce the amount of milk we will be able to get out of our breasts. Many breast pump companies now make breast shields in larger sizes. Make sure we are using the size that's right for us.
• We may just not be producing very much milk. There are many reasons for this, including not nursing often enough.
**Happy Pumping** =)
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