The milk production in our breasts, much like so many other things, work on the principal of supply and demand. The more breast milk your baby consumes, or the more you express, the more your body will make.
Breast pumps are used to ensure your baby has breast milk if you are away from them, and for continued production of breast milk when you are not with your baby - whether you are back to work, at an event, traveling, taking medication, or taking some time away for yourself.
Breast pumps are also widely used as the best tool to help increase breast milk supply in mother’s who are struggling to meet their baby’s feeding demands, or to share the feeding experience with the babies other parents or caregivers.
So how do you choose the best pump for your needs?
Breast pumps can either be battery operated, suction or hand operated, automatic electric, or even pre-set electric.
Our manual hand pump is designed to use the strength of your hand or arm muscles for pumping, generally one breast at a time. Mothers with carpal tunnel syndrome may want to consider using an automatic breast pump to prevent aggravating pain in the wrist.
Manual hand pumps are an economical option and very travel friendly. Some mother’s also love having the physical control over the strength and suction of a manual hand pump.
Milkbar silicone manual pumps are similar to that of a manual hand pump except they use the power of suction and gravity to express breast milk. The silicone manual pump is small and provides ease of transportation, no need for power and gentle use.
They are recommended for catching ‘let down’ milk, relieving engorgement, or for use alongside a single electric or manual hand pump to catch breast milk from the other breast simultaneously. On their own, they do not provide a lot of the stimulation that most mothers need in order to express milk. The Milkbar silicone pump comes with a leak proof lid for peace of mind and to prevent dust collection while in storage.
Milkbar Advanced Flow electric pumps are portable pumps with rechargeable li-ion battery operation. They are incredibly efficient for initiating and maintaining milk supply or for collecting breast milk for a ‘freezer stash’.
They are perfect for occasional to exclusive pumping use with their hospital grade motor. These pumps use the electric motor to create suction into the soft, silicone breast cushion which then massages and squeezes the nipple and areola to express milk mimicking a baby.
The electric motor provides an efficient expressing experience and without any type of muscle fatigue. Mothers expressing occasionally without a tight timeframe can opt for a single pump, and those pumping frequently or with limited time (ie; at work) may opt for a double pump to express faster.
Milkbar Premium Care electric pumps are also portable pumps with rechargeable li-ion battery operation. They too are incredibly efficient for initiating and maintaining milk supply or for collecting breast milk for a ‘freezer stash’.
They are perfect for occasional to exclusive pumping use with the same hospital grade motor as the Advanced Flow model but come with all the bells and whistles a pumping mum could dream of. The pumps are equipped with self cycling preset modes, pause and button mute buttons, screen lock and count up timer. They are a compact and quiet option with a gentle light face for the night pumper.
These pumps also use the electric motor to create suction into the soft, silicone breast cushion which then massages and squeezes the nipple and areola to express milk mimicking a baby.
The electric motor provides an efficient expressing experience and without any type of muscle fatigue. Mothers expressing occasionally without a tight timeframe can opt for a single pump, and those pumping frequently or with limited time (ie; at work) may opt for a double pump to express faster.
I hope this helps the understanding around our breast pumps, if you need any assistance at all - please get in touch! We are available by email and phone weekdays info@milkbarnewzealand.com or 07-9749347
Laura x
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When opting to breastfeed, a breast pump can be an invaluable tool for helping mothers express their milk. Breast pumps help ensure that your baby still gets the benefits of your milk even when breastfeeding isn't possible. Here are some tips to get the most out of expressing with a breast pump:
