Breast Pumping - AmedaBaby.com

One of the most important elements in breast pumping is the pump itself. It must be effective and comfortable and keep pace with your milk supply. It's also important that the pump mimics your baby's suckling at the breast. Pumps vary in many ways including the number of suctions and releases per minute (30-60 per minute mimics baby's suckling), power sources (electric or batteries,) and whether the pump permits you to single and double pump without reconfiguring the system. A manual pump allows you to control suction and cycling yourself but takes a little practice to develop the right rhythm to trigger milk let-down. There are many types of pumps, and an inferior pump can make milk expression painful and problematic.

To select the right pump, ask yourself these questions:

• Are you returning to work?

• Will you be away from your baby for long periods?

• Is time a factor?

• Do you have access to an electric outlet?

• Do you have access to a refrigeration source?

• Will a battery-operated pump be more convenient?

• How long do you plan to breastfeed?

• Is cost a concern?

WHICH AMEDA BREAST PUMP IS RIGHT FOR YOUR SITUATION?

	Personal Electric	Manual	Hospital Grade	Rental Pumps
Situation	Purely Yours	One-Hand	Elite	Lact-e or SMB
Full-Term Twins
Premature or Sick Baby
Work Full-Time
Work Part-Time
Night Out
Mom at Home
Hospitalized Mom
Traveling Mom
No Electricity
Sore Nipples
Engorgement

Once you begin pumping, continue feeding on cue rather than on a schedule during the first six weeks.