When you’re away, to take turns with dad or when it’s time to get back to work, the breast pump comes into play. How to use it? When to express milk when breastfeeding? How to keep it then? Here is the Ba-ba to learn how to handle this device!
The breast pump is the essential accessory for breastfeeding mothers. Because although they are H24 with baby, it also happens that they want to be away for a while, to run an errand, take care of themselves. The breast pump also allows the dad to take over from the mom during the night, and you might as well get used to it from birth so that the transition when returning to work is easier. The breast pump also has the advantage of relieve engorged breasts and stimulate lactation in some cases. But how do you use an electric or manual breast pump? How much milk to express and how to store it afterwards? How to express milk at work? Here are all the answers to your questions to express your milk with complete peace of mind.
Expressing milk consists of making the milk flow from the breasts using a pump that sucks the nipple. The breast pump thus reproduces the suction exerted by your baby on your breasts. But while the baby suckles quickly at first and then slows down, the breast pump is clocked in an even rhythm.
Do you need an electric or manual breast pump?
- If you want a discreet breast pump to use everywhere with youchoose a manual breast pumpbut be aware that it requires pulling a trigger each time, which can quickly become tiring.
- If you want to be able to express your milk on both breasts at the same time or you are short on time, electric breast pump can be a solution, especially since it is more efficient in terms of lactation.
Which breast pump to choose?
Many brands such as Philips Avent, Meleda, Bébé Confort, or even Chicco offer manual breast pumps. Keep in mind that plastic breast pumps crack faster and some parts need to be changed regularly, so you should be able to find them easily on the market.
If you choose an electric breast pump, opt for a breast pump that offers different suction strengths. The double pumping is also ideal if you have little milk or if you are in a hurry! Also know that you can rent a model in a pharmacy if you have a prescription from your doctor. Other solution : miniature electric breast pumps, lighter and more compact, which can be taken anywhere with you. However, they are less powerful than the first.
Before you start expressing your milk, wash your hands and make yourself comfortable in a quiet place. Allow about twenty minutes ahead of you. Be careful not to be disturbed because there is nothing worse to dry up the source! To properly use a manual breast pump, read the instructions provided by the manufacturer carefully before getting started, as they are all their specifics. On your first try, exert very gentle pressure in order to get used to it and not attack your breasts, and increase this pressure gradually. Finally, only use the device for a few minutes per breast and don’t get discouraged if you don’t get a lot of milk. Expressing milk takes practice and patience. Small drops in milk production may also occur, but these do not affect your ability to breastfeed your baby.
- To properly express your milk and after washing your hands, make yourself comfortable and check that your breast is filling the breast pump nozzle.
- Start slowly at first, making sure the breast pump is placed in a position that feels comfortable to you.
- The milk should flow into the receptacle, but if not, try adjusting the device to your breast.
- You can express your milk until it stops flowing for a few minutes. Again, don’t worry if you only collect a little milk at first!
- If the quantity obtained seems insufficient to you, try to compress your breast at the same time, in order to favor a better ejection of the milk and to empty all the lactiferous ducts.
- After expressing your milk on one side, repeat the operation on the other breast.
When to express milk?
It’s morning, after a good night’s sleep, that you have the largest supply of milk. So you can breastfeed your baby when he wakes up and then use the breast pump. Try to do it at the same time every day to get your body used to it and promote lactation.
Your milk should be stored in a clean, sterilized container. Note that there are single-use, pre-sterilized and ready-to-use storage bags on the market. You can store milk at room temperature if you or someone else gives it to your baby before before about 5 a.m.. You can also put it in the refrigerator, but not more than 6 days. Breast milk can also be frozen within a maximum of 6 months. Finally, be aware that to warm up breast milk, it is better to opt for a bain-marie, to avoid getting hot bottles.
The Labor Code gives you the right touse a breast pump at your workplace. So he plans to free up one hour a day (30 minutes in the morning, 30 minutes in the afternoon) to express your milk or breastfeed your baby, until your child’s first birthday. If there is a room dedicated to breastfeeding, this duration is reduced to 40 minutes. On the other hand, you should know that these breaks to express the milk are not remunerated. To maintain good relations with your employer and facilitate the return to work, do not hesitate to speak to him beforehand.
Is the breast pump reimbursed?
If you have a medical prescription your general practitioner, your gynecologist or even a midwife, be aware that social security partially reimburses the rental of a breast pump. Please note: this reimbursement does not concern the purchase of a device, and only electrical equipment. Since March 25, 2019, the rental of a breast pump is supported if the device does not contain Bisphenol A.