What is a breast pump? How to choose the right breast pump for mom and baby

Breast pump is an essential device for mothers, possessing convenient features to help mothers store milk, protect breasts and save time taking care of the baby. Learn about the uses and how to choose the most suitable breast pump with Tnhelearning.edu.vn!

What is a breast pump?

A breast pump or milking machine is a specialized device used to remove milk from the breasts , in order to support the breastfeeding process of mothers to become simpler and easier. For busy moms, a breast pump is an indispensable product to effectively pump and store milk for their baby.

There are two common types of breast pumps today: manual breast pumps and electric breast pumps:

• Manual breast pump: Using hand-squeezing force, helps mothers control the pressure and frequency of milking. Compact design, easy to use. However, having to squeeze hands constantly will make the mother tired and may contain bacteria in the rubber suction cup.
• Electric breast pump: Powered by a motor that uses suction through a plastic tube leading to the lumen of the suction cup. The pump has a stronger suction that makes pumping faster and allows the mother to pump both breasts at the same time.

Uses of a breast pump

Breast pump is an extremely useful device for mothers with the following uses:

• Prevent clogged milk ducts

After giving birth, mothers are often prone to blocked milk ducts, especially when giving birth to their first child. One of the main causes of this condition is excess milk due to the baby not taking all the milk. Mothers can use a breast pump to pump excess milk, avoid stagnation, clumps blocking milk ducts.

• Stimulate lactation

For cases where the mother cannot be close to the baby when she has just given birth, the mother does not have enough milk for the baby or the baby refuses to breastfeed, the use of a breast pump helps in stimulating milk secretion.

When the mother’s milk is empty, the mother’s body will form a habit that the baby needs more milk, so she will produce more milk .

• Protect your breasts

Some types of breast pumps have the function of massaging the breast area , using long-term forces to help partially remove breast fat.

In addition, that process also stimulates blood vessel circulation under the skin, better blood circulation, stimulates the amount of estrogen hormone to help firm breasts, anti-sagging.

• Help mothers make use of colostrum

Colostrum is very good for the baby’s digestive system and is usually only for about 48 hours after birth . In case the milk has not come or the baby has not yet sucked, the mother can use a breast pump to get this colostrum and store it for the baby to use later.

• Being an effective assistant to help mothers both work and have enough milk for their babies to drink :

Using a breast pump is the best way to help moms both work at work and have enough milk for babies to drink at home.

• Help your baby to breastfeed easily

In case after birth, the mother’s nipple is indented in the baby will not be able to find the nipple or the baby’s mouth can’t suck directly, which will make it difficult for the baby to suckle.

At this time, the breast pump will help the mother take the milk out to feed the baby through the bottle and the suction force of the machine will help the mother’s nipples return to the way it was before birth, improving the situation of inverted nipples.

• Store breast milk

For many mothers who have too much milk but the baby does not finish, using a breast pump can store up to 3-6 months , meeting the baby’s demand for sucking at all times.

How to choose the right breast pump for moms

Suction force of the machine

This is the first important factor that mothers need to pay attention to, because the suction power is good or not will directly affect the amount of milk expressed more or less. Mothers should choose a breast pump with many different suction levels so that they can easily adjust the suction power to suit them.

Each mother’s body is different, with long nipples, the suction power is moderate, but there are also mothers with short nipples, the suction must be stronger to create motivation to stimulate milk secretion.

Amount prolactin hormone More or less, shallow or deep mammary glands will also need to use different suction power . If you buy a breast pump with few levels of suction but the suction power is not suitable, it will both lose money and lose effort. Therefore, when buying a device, you need to consult carefully before choosing.

Choose the type of breast pump that suits your needs

There are two types of breast pumps: manual breast pumps and electric breast pumps . Depending on the needs of use and economic conditions, mothers choose the appropriate type of breast pump.

• Manual breast pump :

There is a cheap price, ranging from 50,000 VND for the basic type to 4,000,000 VND for the high-end type (price updated on August 14, 2022 and may change from time to time). Compact design easy to carry, adjust the suction force by hand feel.

However, the disadvantage of this product is that it takes a long time to express, causes hand fatigue and is not effective if the mother has little or clogged milk.

• Electric breast pump:

Using fast power suction, there are 2 types of single electric breast pumps and double electric breast pumps to help moms suck on both breasts at the same time. The mother can adjust the suction to help pump milk quickly, without causing pain in the nipple and can be used in cases where the mother has little milk or inflammation of the milk ducts.

However, the machine usually has a rather high average cost of 1,000,000 – 4,000,000 VND (price updated on August 14, 2022 and may change from time to time). The device is quite inconvenient when going out, so you should choose a product that combines using both batteries and electricity for the most flexibility.

Design of the machine

Mothers should choose machines with simple design, easy to use, convenient with non-slip rubber handles for easy grip. in moving and cleaning the machine.

In addition, for an electric breast pump, mothers should also give preference to a machine with a vacuum head arranged higher than the mouth of the funnel and an anti-overflow system. That will separate breast milk and air sucked into the motor, ensuring hygiene and safety.

Material

Material is also a very important criterion because if the quality is not up to the standard, it will affect the health of both mother and baby. The advice is that mothers should choose a machine with safe materials such as PP , PES or glass and do not contain toxic BPA.

Soft and painless for mother’s breasts

Mothers should use a machine with a rhythmic pumping mechanism like a nursing baby, which can adjust the suction and massage speed to suit the body. At the same time, mothers should also choose a machine with a suitable, soft breast pump that does not hurt or upset the mother when pumping.

Convenient

Mothers can choose a breast pump that plugs in / recharges with a USB plug directly to a computer or smartphone without a power adapter, which is extremely convenient for moms when they need to pump anywhere.

Trademark

Before buying, mothers should also carefully research information from relatives, friends or the internet to make sure the product they buy has a clear brand and origin.

For more peace of mind, mothers should choose a vacuum cleaner that is a product of manufacturers of mother and baby care equipment with famous and reputable brands.

Currently, Tnhelearning.edu.vn is trading a number of breast pumps that are chosen by many mothers such as Philips Avent, BioHealth, Medela, … mothers can go directly to stores or order online at attractive prices here.

Product price

On the market, there are many different types of breast pumps with prices ranging from a few hundred thousand (for a hand pump) to several million depending on the brand and many modern conveniences and features.

If you do not have the conditions to buy expensive breast pumps, you only need from 1 to 3 million VND (updated on August 14, 2022 and may change from time to time) that you can Buy a good machine from reputable brands on the market today.

Above is useful information about breast pumps and appropriate buying criteria, if you have any questions, please leave your questions in the comment section below!