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Manual and electric breast pumps: how to choose and how to use it?

At the stage of pregnancy, any expectant mother with questions: do I need a breast pump, how to choose and how to use them correctly? Of course, the pump is needed, because it is a boon for nursing mothers, especially if this is her first baby, and the experience of expressing breast milk there. The embarrassment and even the fear of such devices is a normal reaction, however, trust the experience of millions of mothers: it is much easier, faster, and easier to Express milk with a special device, than to suffer manually.

To reflect on what kind of pump to select, in advance, because even if you believe in bad luck, and nothing to gain before birth, to go shopping after the baby is born you just will not have the time nor the desire. So sit back and start watching our review: here you will find detailed information about what are breast pumps, how they differ from each other, what are the advantages and drawbacks of popular models.

General classification of pumps:

  • On the basis of unit breast pumps are divided into manual and electric;
  • Modes of operation they are divided into a modeless, step (1-4) and with variable speed control;
  • On picking breast pumps are very simple, and there are equipped with Cup holders, nipples, bottles and containers for milk, pads and liners for the chest, convenient bags for storing and transporting and even spare parts.

The content of the article:


What kind of pump it is better to choose: manual or electric?

This is probably the main issue of concern to expectant mothers when buying a breast pump. Practice shows that the hand-held device is more suitable for the women who have small or average amount of breast milk in breast not formed stagnation, and the baby eats well. Even though my mom has quite a lot of milk, but it adheres to the principles of breastfeeding on demand, and is not separated from the child duringday more than a couple of hours, it is fine quality hand-pump.

Manual breast pumps are of two types:

  • Pump or pear – very simple devices driven with rhythmic taps on the rubber bulb, are inexpensive, and exhibit low efficiency;
  • The piston or syringe – more sophisticated devices, equipped with a piston, are more expensive, but decant the milk are much gentler and faster.

Advantages of manual breast pumps:

  • Are completely silent;
  • Do not need batteries or accumulators;
  • Highly mobile because they do not have bulky dimensions and do not require connection to the mains;
  • Allow to constantly control the force of pumping and avoid pain, because they operate from their own physical efforts;
  • Easily are exposed to sanitary processing.

Cons of manual breast pumps:

  • The process of pumping is very time consuming tired hands;
  • To fully Express milk, it will take much more time than with an electric device.

Now let's discuss electric breast pumps: who should choose them? Of course, such technology would require a young mother, which is so much milk that the baby, even with frequent and hunter of breastfeeding, just not able to eat as much. If the chest does not release fully, the inevitable stagnation, which can go into mastitis, so without a good electric breast pump can not do. Another strong argument "for": women, nedostizhimaya milk, three times higher risk of sudden premature cessation of breast feeding!

Choosing an electric breast pump better and business moms who have a long time to be away from baby because of work, and those who had some reason to stop breast-feeding at the time. For example, the woman developed complications after delivery, and she is being treated with antibiotics that penetrate into breast milk and may harm the baby. Completely lose lactation, I would not want after a few weeks treatment will be complete and we will be able to provide the baby a complete diet. In such a situation, the electric breast pump will be the best choice.

Finally, think about buying an effective and convenient instrument is the mothers whose babies are put to breast the reluctant, lazy suck, or have health problems that prevent adequate feeding. For example, the weak and premature babies, or those who have the oral cavitythe affected with thrush or stomatitis. While the infection will not heal, she will deliver the baby pain and discomfort, and interfere to suck. So you'll have some time to feed him from a bottle.

The advantages of electric breast pumps:

  • Decant the milk much faster than the manual counterparts;
  • Require physical effort during pumping;
  • Free breast milk completely, till the last drop.

The cons of electric breast pumps:

  • During operation, emit a loud enough (different models), the low, monotonous sound;
  • Are several times more expensive than manual models.
  • Have a more bulky design, which in addition cannot be completely disassembled and sterilized.

What is "electronic breast pump"?

Going through ads, you've probably encountered the term "electronic breast pump" and wondered what such a device is different from the electric? Answer: functionally nearly the same, it's just a very powerful breast pump with several adjustable modes of operation, having a built-in CPU, a monitor for displaying information and a memory for storing data on the amount of expressed milk and time spent on the procedure.

The cost of electronic breast pumps in the tens of thousands of rubles, so not every young family can afford such an acquisition. Such equipment can often be found in modern maternity hospitals and perinatal centers fair. By the way, some commercial clinics providing electronic breast pumps rent for a small amount. This service can be useful to a woman experiencing temporary serious difficulties with pumping breast milk.


What to look for when buying a manual and an electric breast pump?

Let's say you have decided on the type of instrument, you only have to find the right model to purchase or rent. You can save some money, prosherstiv ads on the sale of children's goods: if a breast pump of good quality, of course, he does not have time to break or wear out in the hands of the first mistress, so hundreds of women trying to sell unneeded, but working pump. Of course, the first thing you need to do with purchased second-hand instrument is thoroughly sterilized.

When you select manualbreast pump:

  • Stop at a model with a piston device – such devices decant the milk faster and neater than pump;
  • Trim the Breasts will fit better and deliver less discomfort if it is made of silicone and not of plastic, and is equipped with protuberances in the form of petals;
  • Give preference to the breast pump, which comes with its own bottle with a nipple, because then you can Express the milk right there and don't transfer it to another, optionally sterilizable packaging;
  • It is desirable that a hand-pump had at least two modes of pumping.

When choosing an electric breast pump:

  • Better to buy a device with several silicone pads of different diameter to be able to choose the perfect option for yourself. Some electric breast pumps can be purchased with pads on the chest separately;
  • Almost all modern models can operate from electric network, and from standard batteries which are not included in the kit. Just in case, make sure that the device has a battery compartment, and stock up on them for future use. There are electric breastpump with rechargeable batteries, but batteries can be bought anywhere, but to stick a charger on and wait it is possible not always;
  • If you still doubt what kind of pump to choose: manual or electric, try to buy a hand model that can then be separately purchased motor sales have and such;
  • The mothers who often sarovitsa on the road, at work or on a walk, you should choose compact models with the motor located right next to the nozzle, and also to give preference to breast pumps have included a convenient bag for transportation and storage;
  • If you want to Express milk as quickly as possible, choose electric breast pump with two nozzles, which is designed for both Breasts;
  • Ask what brand of polypropylene used in the manufacture of electric breast pump: not whether it contains harmful impurity bisphenol a;
  • The most technologically advanced devices have two pumping phases: preparatory (massage) and directly working, which also may take place in two-four modes of intensity.

The best brands of breast pumps:

  • PhilipsAVENT — these manufacturers are producing 4 types of instruments of both types, both manual and electric breast pumps are of the highest quality andeasy to use. For reviews of thousands of mothers these brands are considered the best, and the devices work perfectly, last a long time and passed from hand to hand many times;
  • Medela is a Swiss electric breast pumps are very high quality, which are second in popularity solely because of the high prices;
  • Chicco, Nuk, Canpol devices more affordable price range, excellent quality, but many women to them there are complaints regarding facilities, so aware of those trademarks, you can say "on taste and color...";
  • The world of childhood and Play— simple manual breastpump average quality, but at an affordable price, which makes them very popular among women needing to Express milk only from time to time.

Navigate the brands and prices on the best manual and electric breast pumps will help you this table:

Manual breast pumps

For those moms who was determined to buy a manual breast pump how to choose a long time to think makes no sense, as all the models are functionally very similar, and are relatively inexpensive. Even if you make a mistake with the choice – that is not a problem, you can try to resell not coming up you device and look for another. And if you attach a good buying does not work, yet you will not lose a large sum, as in the case of an electric breast pump.

To determine the type of hand held device will help you this table:

Electric breast pumps

If you decide to spend money, but to buy quality, efficient and comfortable electric breast pump, which one to choose is a serious question.

Try to find the perfect balance between the cost of the device, configuration, pros and cons:

Overview of manual breast pumps

Quality manual breast pumps are manufactured from medical grade polypropylene, is equipped with silicone nozzles, bottles, nipples and bags for storage. Expressing milk from one breast with the help of a good manual breast pump takes on average 20-30 minutes. These tables will help you to choose a manual breast pump, fullysuit you in terms of price and functionality:

Overview of electric breast pumps

Electrical appliances are of good quality are also made of polypropylene and are equipped with silicone nozzles, and the rest of the models are very different from each other in terms of the device, and on completion. Average time spent nursing by a woman empties one breast electric breast pump – 10-20 minutes. Before using the device must be correctly sterilized, as indicated in the instructions.

Looking at these tables, you can compare the most popular models and look for a suitable option:


How to use a manual breast pump?

With electrical equipment such questions do not usually occur - just need to connect the pump according to the instructions and press the button. But with the manual model, especially with the habit, to address not so simple.

To learn how to cleverly be controlled with a manual breast pump, comply with all hygienic requirements and do not damage the Breasts, follow a few simple rules:

  • Taking a new device from its packaging, the first thing sterilize and dry all its parts;
  • Before pumping, wash your hands with soap and chest, rinse with clean water;
  • If milk is decanted is very difficult, first make a hot compress on the Breasts and gently massage it;
  • Apply breast so that the nipple was located exactly in the center of the pads, and if you allow the model to adjust the degree of fit.

The procedure of breast pump manual breast pump is:

  • In advance, prepare everything you need: the device itself, a bowl for milk, if not the complete bottle, clean towel or napkin;
  • Lightly pound the Breasts in a circular motion, then smooth out with the fingers of each fraction and Express a little milk manually.
  • Find a comfortable position: sit down, leaning on the back of a chair or sofa cushion, correctly attach to the breast;
  • Press the lever or pump sure, rhythmic movements. Initially, the milk will stand outdrops, and then begin to spray streams;
  • If the appliance is installed correctly, the pumping should not cause unpleasant sensations, especially pain. Feeling discomfort, take a break, squeeze the chest and try to re-attach the nozzle;
  • To achieve uniform and complete emptying of both Breasts, alternate them: Express milk five minutes of one, then five minutes of another;
  • Upon completion of pumping, wipe the chest clean with a towel and wear a cotton bra that doesn't sit with a bare chest, especially in cool and/or with the Windows open;
  • Breast pump clean and sterilize immediately after use, do not let it remain milk and breed bacteria.

How and why to sterilize a breast pump?

Feeding baby from a bottle requires a very careful approach to hygiene, because the bottle is not the mother's breast from which the milk directly goes directly into the mouth and does not have time to become a breeding ground for pathogenic bacteria and fungi. The pump, as the bottle and nipple need to be sterilized immediately after use, not before it. Here is the same principle as when washing dishes: leaving dirty dishes in the sink until the next meal, we, first, complicate the task of washing, and secondly, simplifying the task of the microbes to reproduce.

Before sterilization please read carefully the instruction manual for the breast pump and find out which parts should be sterilized and which should not. This is especially true when hygienic care of electrical appliances because of their working part, for obvious reasons, should not be immersed in water, and, especially, to cook. Those parts which cannot be sterilized, just wipe, and those that can, first wash thoroughly, then put in a container for sterilization. The procedure itself takes 5-10 minutes, after which the components should have been spread on a clean cloth for drying, and when dry, clean up storage.

We hope our article helped you to choose a breast pump. Good health for you and your baby!