How to Pump Breast Milk

When you’re nursing a baby, pumping less milk will make your life easier. You can add as little or as much milk as you want to fit your baby’s feeding schedule when you’re not around or when you need a break. Once you get used to the process, pumping is not difficult at all! The following article will show you how to choose the right breast pump, how to pump effectively and how to store milk for the best results.

Table of Contents

Choose a Breast Pump and Install a Pump

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Decide which vacuum cleaner is right for you. Each type of breast pump has its advantages and disadvantages. Depending on your lifestyle, your baby’s needs, and personal preferences, decide which vacuum is best for you. Breast pumps range in price from only 660,000 VND to 22,000,000 VND and range from simple manual to high-tech machines. Here are some options:

Manual vacuum cleaner . These simple vacuums are the least expensive option. The machine will have a shield placed over the nipple and a breast pump into the bottle. Women love manual breast pumps because they are cheap and are within easy reach when they want to pump some milk out. This option, on the other hand, is impractical for women who plan to bottle-feed, as each pump takes at least 45 minutes and requires both hands.
Electric vacuum cleaner . These pumps are easy to use and pump more milk than manual pumps. You just turn on the switch and let the machine work on its own, and in about 15-20 minutes when it is on, you can type, read a book or make a phone call because your hands are free. However, this is the most expensive option, you will have to pay several million or up to 22,000,000 VND depending on the brand.
Battery operated vacuum cleaner . Consider using this type of vacuum as it is average, both in terms of cost and effort. A battery-powered pump doesn’t pump as much milk as an electric pump, but you don’t have to use both hands like a manual pump. A disadvantage is that the machine often runs out of battery when you are not pumping milk.

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Choose the right time to pump milk. Every mother has different needs and preferences when it comes to choosing when to pump and bottle feed her baby. Newborns can be bottle fed from day one, so you need to start pumping right away. In most cases, the recommendation is to wait at least until 3 weeks before starting to bottle-feed, to avoid “nipple confusion”. Ultimately, though, the choice is still in your hands as a mother. ^{[1] X Research Source}

If you start pumping when you get back to work, practice doing it a few weeks before to get used to it.
If you want to start pumping before you bottle-feed your baby, you can freeze the milk for later use.

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Make a feeding plan according to your instructions. On the days you pump, the easiest way to get more milk is to pump at the same time as your baby. This way you can take advantage of your body’s natural cycle rather than trying to get milk out at any given time.

Remember that the more you pump, the more milk you will produce. ^{[2] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}
You can suck on one breast while your baby suckles on the other. You can pump more milk if you use this method.
You can wait an hour after giving your baby and then suck on both breasts.
If you’re at work or aren’t around, pump at the times you normally feed your baby.

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Relax. The process of pumping will be easiest and most comfortable when you feel relaxed and calm. If you’re pumping on one breast and your baby is nursing on the other, or you’re in the middle of the workday, it’s most important that you find a space that makes you feel calm and gives you plenty of time. Too much haste will make it more difficult.

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Stimulates milk flow. This means that you let the milk flow freely from your breasts into the pump. Massaging your breasts, applying a warm washcloth, and letting your breasts naturally can help the milk flow on its own. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

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Make sure your equipment is clean and your hands need to be washed before you start pumping. This way the milk will not be contaminated during pumping. The pump, bottle, and other equipment should be cleaned with each pump.

Using a Manual Vacuum

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Place the breast shield over the nipple. Make sure you have a shield that fits your chest. Choosing the wrong size shield may not be able to pump milk, causing pain and discomfort for you.

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Start pumping out milk by applying the squeezing and sucking mechanism. Hold the shield with one hand, pressing the chest with the other hand. The milk will begin to flow into the bottle.

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Reposition the vacuum cleaner if necessary. Changing the position of the machine can affect the ability to pump milk, so move until you find a suitable position to make the process go smoothly.

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Try to lean forward to make the milk flow more easily. Use gravity to stimulate milk flow into the bottle.

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Continue until the milk flow slows down. When pumping with a manual pump, it usually takes about 45 minutes.

Using a Battery Powered Breast Pump

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Place the breast shield over the nipple properly. If you have two pumps, you can place two nipple shields at the same time. Pumping both breasts at the same time can save a lot of time for moms, as you have to produce milk quickly because your babies need a lot of milk.

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Turn on the machine and let it work on its own. The milk will automatically be sucked into the bottle.

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Adjust the automatic suction hose if necessary. If the milk flows slowly or feels painful when pumping, readjust. Try to reposition the breasts and the whole body. Pumping shouldn’t be painful, although it may feel a little weird at first.

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Stay calm during pumping. If you stay calm, the suction will go more smoothly. Some mothers may feel uncomfortable with vacuums that are too loud. However, if you are relaxed, you will produce more milk than when you are stressed.

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Continue pumping until the milk flows slowly. When using an electric or battery-powered breast pump, you can finish in 15 to 20 minutes.

Store Breast Milk

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Milk stored in the refrigerator can last up to three days. You can leave the pumped bottle intact or place it in another container designed to hold breast milk. Be sure to properly label all milk containers and use the earliest expressed milk first. ^{[4] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

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Freeze milk for up to several months. If you have a lot of extra milk, you can freeze it in a plastic container designed to store breast milk. Fill to about ¾ of the capacity so the milk can expand. Put a label on the milk container to be sure you will use it within 3 or 4 months.

Do not freeze milk in bags not specifically designed for storage. Some plastics can leach chemicals into the milk. Biodegradable bottle bags are too thin.
When you are ready to use the milk, defrost it in the refrigerator first. Do not defrost at room temperature.
Do not add raw milk to the container of frozen milk.

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Store milk in bottles that are convenient to feed your baby. Do not put in large milk bags, just put them in bottles with a capacity of 59ml to 118ml, depending on the baby’s daily intake. ^{[5] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Advice

A breast pump can be used to express milk to relieve engorged and painful breasts.
You may notice during the first pumping sessions that there won’t be much milk coming out. Maybe because you need more practice using the breast pump. It takes a few weeks for a mother who has never pumped before to feel comfortable with this. Another reason you’re getting less milk is because you’re producing less milk. Pumping stimulates milk production, so the more you pump, the more you produce.
You can buy bras specifically designed to be used with a breast pump. These bras will allow you to keep your hands free while pumping.
Your insurance may cover the cost of a breast pump if the baby is born prematurely or if the baby is unable to breastfeed.
An electric vacuum can often get you through the process faster than a manual vacuum. Since the electric pump can do the work for you, you’ll feel less tired once you’ve finished pumping.
Since electric breast pumps that resemble quality hospital pumps can retail for tens of millions of dong, some companies may allow you to rent a breast pump for a few tens of thousands of dollars a day. .

Warning

Always clean the pump and removable parts after each pumping to avoid contamination.

Steps