Breast Pumps ~ Breastpump Accessories ~ Breast Care Products
Choosing a breast pump
Breast pumps come in so many varieties it's hard to know what pump works to fit your lifestyle. Here are the basics of breast pumps to help you make the right decision.
Some brest pumps are hand-operated, while others operate on batteries or electricity. Electric breast pumps are powered by electricity with use of an AC adapter or by plugging directly into an outlet. Handheld Battery-Operated breast pumps use batteries for creating suction minimizing muscle fatigue. Most handheld pumps are designed for single pumping and are suggested for occasional use. Manual breast pumps are designed to use the strength of the hand or arm muscles for single pumping.
The designs vary as well. Some models attach to only one breast, and others let you empty both breasts at once. When deciding which pump is right for you, ask yourself the following questions:
How long do you plan to use it? If you're planning to be away from your baby for less than one week, you'll probably be OK with buying a hand pump. However if you are returning to work full time or are planning to be away from your baby for longer than a week, you may want to consider investing in an electric or battery-operated pump. These types of pumps more closely imitate a baby's natural sucking cycle of one suck per second.
How much time does it take to pump? Electric breast pumps take less time than battery-operated or manual pumps. Double-breast electric pumps take the least time of all - 15 minutes total instead of 15 minutes per breast - and provide better results. Mothers returning to work should plan on pumping at least two to three times in the course of a workday.
Breast pumps come in so many varieties it's hard to know what pump works to fit your lifestyle. Here are the basics of breast pumps to help you make the right decision.
Some brest pumps are hand-operated, while others operate on batteries or electricity. Electric breast pumps are powered by electricity with use of an AC adapter or by plugging directly into an outlet. Handheld Battery-Operated breast pumps use batteries for creating suction minimizing muscle fatigue. Most handheld pumps are designed for single pumping and are suggested for occasional use. Manual breast pumps are designed to use the strength of the hand or arm muscles for single pumping.
The designs vary as well. Some models attach to only one breast, and others let you empty both breasts at once. When deciding which pump is right for you, ask yourself the following questions:
How long do you plan to use it? If you're planning to be away from your baby for less than one week, you'll probably be OK with buying a hand pump. However if you are returning to work full time or are planning to be away from your baby for longer than a week, you may want to consider investing in an electric or battery-operated pump. These types of pumps more closely imitate a baby's natural sucking cycle of one suck per second.
How much time does it take to pump? Electric breast pumps take less time than battery-operated or manual pumps. Double-breast electric pumps take the least time of all - 15 minutes total instead of 15 minutes per breast - and provide better results. Mothers returning to work should plan on pumping at least two to three times in the course of a workday.
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