|
|
There are many reasons why you may want or need to express your breast milk. While you can do this manually, it is not always an ideal method, especially if you will be doing it on a regular basis. In such cases, you will want to use a breast pump to express your milk.
Breast Pumps
There are two types of breast pumps currently available, electric models and hand operated models.
The hand-held, manual models can be cumbersome and time consuming to use. Most women find the electric models more comfortable to use. Combined with the convenience and ease of use, most would agree that the electric models are well worth the extra price.
Electric models can be fully automatic or semiautomatic. The semiautomatic versions require that you continually create and release a vacuum by placing your finger over a small hole in the machine. The semiautomatic versions have a slower cycling time than the automatic versions, but they also tend to be smaller and lighter.
What Type of Pump is Right for You?
Choosing a pump is a matter of personal preference. Try to talk to other mothers to find out what their experiences were using a pump and what pumps they recommend.
Getting a Breast Pump
You can buy a breast pump outright, rent one, or you can borrow one from a friend. If you have a special needs baby, check with your insurance company to see if they will cover the cost of a breast pump.
Breast pumps come in all sizes. High quality hospital models are available for rent, but they are large, bulky, and therefore suitable only for home use. At the other end of the scale are small, lightweight models that are designed for ease and portability.
Some points to consider when buying or renting a pump:
Purchasing a pump can run from $15 dollars for a manual model to several thousand dollars for a top of the line electric model.
The Working Mother
If you will be working full-time, or if you will away from your baby for more than three hours at a stretch, you will need a portable unit to express your milk. This is needed in order to prevent a reduction in your milk flow.
Always consult your doctor for medical advice.
|
