Most new mothers breastfeed their baby for about six months, because breast milk provides the perfect nutrition for the infant during the first six months. But what to do if the mother starts working again while still breastfeeding or simply wants a few hours to herself? To ensure that the baby can be supplied with breast milk during this time, a breast milk supply can be created with the help of a breast pump.
Rent breast pumps at the pharmacy
In general, breast pumps are distinguished between electric devices and hand pumps. However, hand pumps are only suitable for pumping out excess milk. Whole meals can be obtained much easier and faster with an electric breast pump. This is operated either by batteries or mains power. With most breast pumps, the container used to collect the milk can conveniently be closed with a teat afterwards and used directly as a bottle. If you want to use a breast pump, you don’t necessarily have to buy one; you can also borrow one from a pharmacy. Many pharmacies now offer this service. Have the breast pump explained to you in detail at the pharmacy or alternatively by your midwife before using it for the first time. In addition, you should carefully boil the breast pump before first use to kill any germs that may be present.
How the breast pump works
When using the breast pump, it is especially important to attach the pump correctly, otherwise the vacuum caused by the pump can cause cracks in the nipple. If the breast pump is attached properly, it will suck at about the same rate as a baby. With many electric pumps, the suction strength of the breast pump can be adjusted individually. At the beginning, it is quite normal that only a few milliliters of breast milk can be pumped out. However, this amount can usually be increased quickly. In total, milk should not be pumped out for longer than 20 minutes, as otherwise the breast will be under too much strain and milk production will be stimulated too much. With electric breast pumps, the pump should be switched off at a moment when the pump is not sucking. Otherwise, removing it from the breast can be extremely painful. After use, the breast pump must be cleaned carefully. The individual parts of the pump can be cleaned by hand or in the dishwasher. If washing is done by hand, the individual parts should not be dried with a dish towel, as this may result in contamination. It is even safer not to rinse the individual parts of the breast pump, but to sterilize them. This can be done either by boiling, using a vaporizer or a microwave sterilizer.
Tips for pumping
For many mothers, using a breast pump is not easy at first. With these tips, pumping milk will be easier:
- Bend your upper body slightly forward when pumping.
- Switch sides often while pumping milk. If it helps you, you can nurse your child at the same time at the other breast while pumping.
- Warm your breast slightly before using the breast pump.
- Massage your breast slowly and with circular movements while pumping
Advantages of a breast pump
Breastfeeding mothers can stock up on breast milk by using a breast pump. This allows them to do something on their own once in a while, without the baby having to do without the supply of breast milk. In addition, the use of a breast pump offers other benefits to mothers:
- By pumping the milk, the breast is relieved. Especially at the beginning of breastfeeding, when a lot of milk is produced, a breast pump can prevent milk engorgement.
- By pumping the milk can not only prevent a milk congestion, but also stimulate milk production. This is especially helpful when the mother produces too little milk.
- The expressed breast milk can be given to the baby in a bottle. So not only the mother, but also the father can feed the baby.
Disadvantages of pumped breast milk
The great advantage of breastfeeding is that there are usually no major complications: The breast milk is fresh, well tempered and the breast – unlike bottles and breast pumps – also does not need to be sterilized.Using a breast pump involves more effort than breastfeeding. In addition, if the breast milk is frozen, important components of the milk are lost. If you breastfeed your baby, but also occasionally feed him with expressed breast milk from a bottle, you should be aware that this can lead to suction confusion in the baby. This is caused by a different sucking motion of the baby at the bottle and at the breast. To prevent suction confusion, expressed breast milk should best be fed to the baby via a cup, spoon or pipette. In general, natural breastfeeding should be preferred to feeding with expressed breast milk. However, if breastfeeding the baby is not always possible, expressed breast milk can also be used with peace of mind. When storing breast milk, however, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Storing and freezing breast milk
In general, breast milk can be stored in the refrigerator for about three days, and in the freezer for up to half a year. If breast milk cannot be refrigerated, it should be fed no later than eight hours after pumping – much sooner in summer temperatures. If the milk is stored in the refrigerator, it should not be stored in the doorway because the temperature is higher there. Before freezing breast milk, the date, time and, if needed, the child’s name should be noted on the container. The name should be noted especially if the child is being cared for together with other children – for example, with a childminder. In the freezer, breast milk should ideally be stored in special breast milk containers. It should always be noted that the milk expands slightly during freezing – that is why the container should be filled to no more than about 80 percent. If you want to use the frozen breast milk, you should defrost it in the refrigerator or at room temperature – but never in the microwave. After thawing, you can feed the milk for 24 hours, after which the milk must be discarded. It is not possible to freeze it again. Before the baby gets the milk, it should be warmed carefully in a hot water bath. Be sure to test the temperature of the milk after warming to avoid burns.
