After giving birth, many women wonder how to choose a breast pump. After all, one way or another, mothers were faced with such a situation when it is necessary to filter their own milk while breastfeeding. In this position, a device such as a breast pump will be downright salvation for a woman. It is designed in such a way as to take milk from the mother in sufficient quantities, and for a fairly short period of time.
This is easy and, most importantly, completely painless. However, it is rather difficult to determine to begin with which breast pump to choose, as well as how not to be mistaken with the model, so that later this device will last long enough. For this reason, it is necessary to immediately determine how much you are counting on, as well as how much milk you have, since there are cases when the mother has a small amount of it, or it may be absent for some time.
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How to choose the right breast pump manufacturer
Before the question of which one is better to choose a breast pump, you need to decide which company you prefer when buying. It is best to give preference to a company that has already become famous for its quality products in such a delicate matter, since there is no reason to turn to goods of dubious origin.
It can also be dangerous because an illiterately shaped and constructed breast pump can hurt you and also upset your body. So you should not take risks, so it is important to choose a really high-quality thing for yourself.
Among the manufacturers that definitely deserve your attention, it is worth highlighting the following:
- Medela;
- Canpol Babies;
- Tommee Tippee.
Such companies have a fairly wide range of various models that will definitely suit your taste. They are made of quality materials and function flawlessly. For this reason, one of the above companies should be preferred. Such companies have proven their reliability, as they have been on the market for quite some time.
Therefore, such firms often conduct independent research, try to modernize their product as much as possible, and also constantly listen to comments and reviews regarding their products. Periodically, such companies introduce some kind of innovation, since time requires that inventions constantly simplify the process of what they were created for, as well as increase the safety of use.
How does a breast pump work and what does it consist of?
The breast pump itself is a device that is designed to express the mother's breast milk. Such a device not only sucks out breast milk, but also prevents it from stagnating in the breast, which may not have a very good effect not only on the mother, but also on the quality of milk in general. Such a device works quite simply. You have to place the special vacuum pumps against your chest and turn on the device. A special air retainer creates pressure with which milk is released from the breast.In fact, the principle of operation depends directly on the model that you purchase.
However, expressed milk may not always be required. There are some cases when it is simply necessary for the mother. These include the following:
- Breast milk in expressed form may be required by the mother if, for some reason, they are not together now. Sometimes this happens for the reason that the woman was placed in inpatient treatment, and also during the treatment she takes strong medications that are not recommended for taking while breastfeeding.
- It so happens that the child himself, for some reason, is not able to suck milk from the mother's breast on his own. At the same time, the mother cannot do without special expressing, therefore such a device as a breast pump is very important in such a situation. A little later, the child will be able to figure out what's what on his own, but at first it is still better to use a breast pump.
- Sometimes it happens that cracks are found on a woman's nipples, which are accompanied by unpleasant sensations and a painful condition. In the process of treating such an unpleasant disease, it is best to stop breastfeeding altogether, as this will give the woman a lot of unpleasant sensations.
- When a mother has an excess of breast milk, this leads to a disease such as lactostasis, which is one of the causes of a disease such as mastitis. In the course of its treatment, breastfeeding is also not recommended, and in this position, you simply cannot do without a breast pump. A young mother cannot help but express milk in order to feed her own baby. In addition, in such a situation, her breasts are gradually released from the next portion of milk, which can greatly alleviate the condition of the mother herself.
In addition to its basic functions, a breast pump is able to significantly increase lactation, especially with regular use. Therefore, milk begins to be produced at a higher speed and in large volumes, and this can have a positive effect on the state of the mother's health.
What are the types of breast pumps
There are many types of breast pumps, however, they can still be composed of several types according to certain principles. In addition, different models may function differently from each other, so you can simply focus on similar characteristics.
Mechanical pump breast pumps
This type of breast pump is the most budgetary of all. Such a device is a special funnel, with the help of which the milk suction process will be carried out, as well as a pear, which contributes to the filtering process itself. Often, many of these devices have an additional special attachment for the bottle so that milk is immediately expressed inside such a container.
However, in order to express milk, you need to make a certain amount of effort. The principle of operation of such a device is as follows. You will need to press the bulb firmly, then attach the funnel to the nipple and then release the bulb. It is necessary to make such movements until milk appears, so sometimes you have to wait for a while to get some milk. It will take some time to express the amount of milk you need, as the procedure itself is quite lengthy. It can last from 10 minutes to half an hour, depending on when exactly your milk comes out.
Regarding the sterilization of such a device, it should be said that if you rinse such a device with hot water after each use, which, by the way, is highly recommended by doctors, then under the influence of high temperatures the pear may leak over time, so you will need to buy a new device.Although it is quite cheap, you still need to use it with extreme care. By the way, many doctors do not recommend using this type of breast pump constantly, as it contributes to the formation of cracks on the woman's chest. A manual breast pump should be used when there is no other alternative.
Pros:
- it is quite convenient to use, in addition, such a device has an elementary design, so that you can figure out what's what without instructions;
- it is used quite easily, but before that you will need to get a little tricky;
- works in such a way that it does not create extraneous sounds, so the device will not annoy you in any way;
- small size, so that it will fit anywhere, it is even convenient to take it with you;
- budget version, so any mother can afford such a breast pump.
Minuses:
- due to the fact that the device does not imitate the principle of breast sucking, cracks may appear on the nipples over time;
- such a device is not capable of collecting a lot of milk at one time, so you can only get a small amount of it with such a device;
- some physical effort is necessary, which can lead to the fact that the productivity of pumping gradually decreases.
Electrical
Electric models are almost every mother's dream, since such a device works quite easily and does not require physical effort. In addition, such a device will help the mother collect the required amount of milk within a short period of time. This type of breast pump works as follows. You simply place the funnel on the nipple and press a button on the device. After that, the device starts expressing milk on its own, while you can go about your business, for example, read or watch TV. An electric breast pump can do all the work for you, and you can adjust the intensity of milk suction during operation of the device.
In addition, some models have two devices that can express milk from two breasts at once. In addition to the basic configuration, special bottles can be supplied to such devices, into which milk will gradually drain. You can connect such a device either to the mains, or use rechargeable batteries or batteries to enable it to function. It is these devices that are best purchased for those women who need to express their own milk daily or on a regular basis.
Pros:
- such a device not only saves you time, but also energy;
- such devices are productive enough, so that within a short period of time you can express the amount of milk you need;
- models of this type have several modes that you can switch to adjust the intensity of the device;
- such a device is suitable in order to use it daily or on a regular basis;
- Due to the fact that you use the device regularly, your breasts will not be affected in any way.
Minuses:
- quite expensive compared to other models;
- you will not be able to completely sterilize such a device, since there are elements inside it that should not be dripped with water;
- a large enough device so that it is out of the question to take it with you on trips;
- during operation, such a device makes noise, so it is not recommended to use it next to a child who is sleeping.
Mechanical piston breast pumps
Such a device consists of a special funnel that is attached to the breast, a lever and a container where the expressed milk will drain. It will be easy for any woman to just attach the funnel to her chest and then press the lever. In addition to the fact that this principle is more convenient than using a pear, milk immediately enters a special bottle, so you do not need to pour it into another container, you can use it right away.By the way, some models are produced with certain bulges that help to express breast milk better. Within ten minutes, you will be able to express about 200 ml of breast milk, which is considered a fairly high rate.
Despite the fact that you make some effort to get milk, you can use such a device on a regular basis, as it does not harm the breast.
Pros:
- such a device simulates that the baby sucks the mother's breast;
- the device stimulates lactation, since it has a kind of massage effect;
- such a device is quite practical, so that you can disassemble it yourself quickly and effortlessly;
- can express a lot of milk in a short time;
- it's easy to use.
Minuses:
- during operation, your hands may get a little tired;
- you have to periodically change the nozzle, since not all devices of this class are strong enough.
Electronic
Such devices are recommended for use in hospitals for daily use. It is such a device that is the latest technology and is able to work as efficiently as possible and at the same time completely painless. The electronic breast pump has been carefully developed.
Pros:
- reliable and functional;
- does not require physical effort;
- can be expressed from both one and two breasts;
- modes are regulated;
- do not injure the chest.
Minuses:
- there are a lot of different parts, because of which it is difficult to sterilize the device;
- high price.
The choice of a breast pump is a responsible business, so it must be approached with all seriousness, pay special attention to ensuring that the device does not affect you negatively.