Patient education: Pumping breast milk (The Basics)

What is a breast pump? — A breast pump is a device that can pump milk out of the breasts. If you are going to be away from her baby when it is time to breastfeed, you can instead remove milk from your breasts using a pump. The breast milk can be collected, stored, and fed to the baby later.

Pumping also helps the breasts make more milk. You can use a breast pump if you want to breastfeed but can't because:

●Your baby needs to stay in the hospital after birth because they were born too early or are sick

●You need to be away from your baby sometimes because of work, school, travel, or other reasons

Other reasons you might choose to pump include:

●You are having trouble breastfeeding, or prefer to bottle feed, but still want your baby to get the benefits of breast milk

●Your milk supply is low and you want to help your body make more milk

●You want your partner, or another caregiver, to be able to feed the baby sometimes

Are there different types of breast pumps? — Yes. The right breast pump for you will depend on why you need it and how often you plan to use it.

The different types of breast pumps include:

●Electric pumps that are used in hospitals – These breast pumps are powerful and work the best to collect breast milk. They are often used by people whose babies need to stay in the hospital after birth. You can also rent these types of pumps to use at home.

●Personal electric pumps – These breast pumps are smaller than hospital electric pumps. They can collect breast milk fast, but usually not as fast as hospital pumps. Some personal pumps come in a carrying case. They can be good for people who breastfeed sometimes but also need to pump at work or school.

●Single-sided pumps – These breast pumps collect milk slower than hospital and personal electric pumps. They can be powered by hand, batteries, or electricity. They can be good for people who need to pump breast milk only once in a while.

How do I use a breast pump? — Each breast pump will have its own directions. But for all breast pumps, it's important to:

●Wash your hands with soap and water before pumping. If you are not near a sink, you can use hand gel with at least 60 percent alcohol. You do not have to wash your breasts or nipples.

●Make sure the pump pieces and the containers for storing breast milk are clean.

●Make sure the cone-shaped pieces that fit over the breasts are the right size. These pieces are called "flanges." Your nipple should not rub against the tunnel part of the flange (figure 1).

Some people buy a special bra with holes that hold the flanges in place. This lets you have your hands free while you pump.

Before a breast pump can collect your breast milk, your breasts need to "let down" the milk. Let-down is when the milk flows from the milk glands into the milk ducts (figure 2). Usually, let-down happens soon after you start pumping. But if it doesn't, you can try the following things:

●Massage your breasts gently before you pump

●Put a warm wet cloth on your breasts before you pump

●Pump in a dark and quiet room

●Look at a picture of your baby when you start pumping

How should I store pumped breast milk? — You can store pumped breast milk in different places and for different amounts of time. Breast milk can be stored:

●At room temperature for up to 4 hours

●In the refrigerator for up to 3 days

●In the freezer for up to 9 months

You can store breast milk in clean glass or plastic bottles, or in plastic bags. It can be helpful to store breast milk in small amounts. You should also write the date that the milk was pumped on the container. That way, you can use the oldest milk first. Some hospitals have different rules for storing breast milk. If your baby is in the hospital, check with the doctor or nurse.

How do I warm up stored breast milk? — Make sure to warm up breast milk from the freezer or refrigerator slowly. Do not thaw or warm up breast milk by putting it in the microwave. Instead, fill a small pot or container with warm water and put the bottle in it. Do not let the whole bottle go under water.

Be sure to test the temperature of the milk before you feed it to your baby. The milk should be a little bit warm or at room temperature.

How do I pump at work? — If possible, start pumping 2 to 4 weeks before going back to work or school. This will allow you to get used to using the pump.

Talk with the people you work with about when and where you can pump. By law, your work needs to give you breaks so that you can pump. Your work also needs to give you a private place where you can pump.

Pumping at work can be time consuming and sometimes stressful. It might help to talk to friends or coworkers who have done this before. It can also help to remember that you are giving your baby all the health benefits of breast milk, even when you can't breastfeed.

What if I have questions? — If you have any questions about breast pumps, ask your doctor or nurse. Some people also find it helpful to work with a breastfeeding expert called a "lactation consultant."

More on this topic

Patient education: Breastfeeding (The Basics)
Patient education: Common breastfeeding problems (The Basics)
Patient education: Health and nutrition during breastfeeding (The Basics)
Patient education: Deciding to breastfeed (The Basics)
Patient education: Weaning from breastfeeding (The Basics)

Patient education: Breastfeeding guide (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Deciding to breastfeed (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Pumping breast milk (Beyond the Basics)