The road to breastfeeding for mothers: breast pumping tips - how to use a breast pump correctly

Author: Jing Yalin Peking Union Medical College Hospital

Reviewer: Feng Shuju, deputy chief nurse of Peking Union Medical College Hospital

Breastfeeding mothers return to work and become mothers who pump milk from their backs. In order to maintain breastfeeding, a breast pump becomes an indispensable tool. There are various breast pumps on the market. How can you choose one that suits you? How can you use it correctly to maximize its effect and avoid the harm it causes as much as possible?

1. Choose a suitable breast pump

There are many types of breast pumps on the market, which can be roughly divided into three categories, namely manual breast pumps, electric single-sided breast pumps and electric double-sided breast pumps. Mothers can choose the appropriate breast pump according to their own situation and needs.

2. How to use a breast pump correctly?

1. Choosing the right breast cap starts with using the breast pump correctly

(1) Suitable horn cup: The diameter of the horn cup should be 2 to 4 mm larger than the diameter of the nipple, so that the nipple can move freely during milk sucking without sucking in too much areola tissue.

(2) The bell cup is too large: When pumping milk, more of the areola enters the bell cup, which can easily cause pain and damage to the areola, and it is difficult to maintain a negative pressure seal, which greatly reduces the efficiency of milk pumping.

(3) The bell cup is too small: When sucking milk, the nipple rubs against the bell cup, causing pain and damage to the nipple, reducing the amount of milk sucked and taking longer.

Figure 1 Copyright image, no permission to reprint

2. How to choose a suitable speaker cover?

Step 1: Before expressing milk, use a tape measure to measure the diameter of the base of your nipple.

Figure 2 Copyright image, no permission to reprint

Step 2: Choose the right speaker cover according to the nipple diameter

3. Ensuring cleanliness is an important step in ensuring that breast milk is not contaminated

(1) Wash your hands: Wash your hands with soap or hand sanitizer before expressing milk.

(2) Cleaning the breasts: It is recommended to wipe the breasts with a clean wet towel before expressing milk. Frequent cleaning, even washing with soap or disinfecting with alcohol, is not recommended to avoid aggravating adverse stimulation to the nipples.

(3) Disinfecting the breast pump: Before use, wash the breast pump and all parts that come into contact with the milk and sterilize them in boiling water for 5 minutes or use a special bottle sterilizer to sterilize them and then dry them for later use.

Babies have poor resistance. If breast milk is contaminated, it can easily cause infection in babies. Mothers must do a good job of cleaning.

4. Comfortable environment and posture

Find a comfortable environment and posture, usually sitting or semi-sitting, gently hold up your breast with one hand, and fit the breast pump to your breast with the other hand. You can choose to use a breast pump fixing belt, which can free your hands. At this time, pay attention to place the nipple in the center of the horn cover and align it with the middle of the tube. Do not press the breast pump hard towards the breast.

5. Start pumping

(1) Mode selection: When you first start to pump milk, choose a high-speed, low-intensity stimulation mode. When a little milk flows out or you feel the milk coming out, switch to a low-speed, high-intensity sucking mode. Mothers who use a manual breast pump need to manually control the speed and intensity of the milk pumping.

(2) Selection of maximum comfortable intensity: Maximum comfortable intensity is the most efficient in removing breast milk, and can ensure the comfort of the mother and reduce breast damage. The method is to gradually increase the intensity level from a low level during the breastfeeding process. Mothers should pay attention to their own feelings. If they feel uncomfortable at a certain level, they should promptly return to the previous level, which is the maximum comfortable level.

(3) Appropriate time: Generally, the time for sucking one breast is 15 to 20 minutes, and the time should not be too long.

Mothers can listen to music, watch TV series, look at baby photos, etc. and try to relax as much as possible while pumping milk.

Mothers should never endure any pain or discomfort and should carefully look for the cause. The correct way to pump milk is painless.

6. Finish the work

After pumping, you can apply a little lanolin or breast milk on the nipples to reduce nipple discomfort. Transfer the pumped milk into a disposable milk storage bag, drain the air from the bag and seal it, mark the date and time of pumping, and store it in the refrigerator or freezer. Clean, disinfect, and dry the breast pump in time after use.