Although breast feeding is a completely natural process, most new mothers face difficulties in breast feeding their baby in the early days after giving birth. Once you get used to breast feeding your baby, it may be time to get back to work. This is when mothers go for breast pumps to make it possible for them to continue feeding their new born baby. Like breast feeding, mothers can also face problems when starting on breast feeding. Here are some tips which can help mothers make breast pumping a comfortable experience:
Frequency of pumping – This is the first thing to identify as it will greatly affect your comfort level. Will you be pumping milk multiple times a day and for how long? Pumping frequency and duration will let you decide the kind of breast pump you should buy for yourself, i.e. a manual breast pump or an electric breast pump.
Part time working moms, who have to stay away from their baby for a shorter period of time can go for a manual breast pump for occasional pumping. Once or twice a day is alright with manual breast pumps, without getting tired. A small motorized pump also works well for mothers who do not want to go for a manual breast pump. However, if you are a full time mom who will be staying away from the baby for longer hours, then a battery operated breast electric pump will be a good choice to go for. Electric breast pumps are designed to provide ease and convenience and come with a carrying bag, making it easy for moms to discreetly carry the pump with them.
Full-size, automatic hospital grade electric breast pumps are also available in the market, which let mothers pump multiple times a day, with adjusting speed levels to provide comfort. These breast pumps also help moms maintain and increase their breast milk production supply and are also ideal for mothers who have to stay away for their baby for days. Pump Style Advanced by Medela is a good one to look for.
Check for cooler bags and carrying case – The second thing to check in a breast pump is whether it comes with a cooler bag and a carrying case. This is particularly essential for an electric breast pump so you can carry it around with you discreetly and also keep the milk cool before you have access to a refrigerator. Cooler bags allow you to store milk up to a full day. Cooler bags and carrying cases help give peace of mind to the mother, which is essential for a comfortable pumping session.
Check for the motor noise – Some electric breast pumps create a lot of noise which can be awkward for moms who have to pump at work. Read reviews or check with the manufacturer to see if the pump you are about to buy is quiet or loud.
Get insurance cover – If you are buying a pump for medical reasons, you can ask your insurance company to cover the purchase of a good quality hospital grade pump, or for a long term rental breast pump. An insurance cover also gives peace of mind and you will not have to worry if something went wrong with the pump.
Carry a vehicle charging adapter – For moms who move around a lot, buying a breast pump car adapter to provide power to the breast pump is essential. This way, you can always pull over while you’re driving to have a relaxing breast pumping session in your own car.
Buy a good quality breast pump – Never go for a used or poor quality breast pump. A used breast pump will most of the time be misused or not in good shape. Similarly, look for features such as adjustability, ease of use and durability, weight, comfort level provided and portability before you buy a breast pump. The right breast pump will give you all the comfort you ever wanted.
Buy pumping accessories – A lot of accessories can now be ordered online to make breast pumping an even more comfortable experience for mothers. These accessories include hands-free pumping bra or band, storage bags and containers to store pumped milk, labels to use with the storage containers, microwave bags to sterilize the breast pump after using and breast shields to massage breasts during pumping. These accessories will not only make pumping a comfortable experience, but they will also quicken the whole process.
Use these tips from Trusted Breast Pumps and make breast pumping a more enjoyable and comfortable experience.
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