Breastfeeding is a natural process and milk is constantly produced in the breast. However, there are times when a mother has to stop breastfeeding for a while - separation from the baby, illness, forced to go to work, taking medication, and so on … Breast pumps - manual and electronic - have become an integral part of the life of a woman who has given birth, and they are recommended to take with you already in the hospital.
Milk in the breast is produced on the principle of "supply - demand", and therefore in these cases, women are advised to express milk at the usual feeding time to maintain constant lactation. Also, pumping is necessary in the formation of stagnation of milk in the breast, which often happens at first, until lactation becomes "mature". In addition, you can freeze the expressed milk and use it later. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days, and in the freezer for up to three months! At your service now there are also specialfreezer containers and bags. Leave a bottle of milk for your grandmother or husband, and in your absence, the baby will receive a full meal. But do not forget to remind them that defrosting and heating should only take place in a water bath, and not in the usual microwave oven - its waves destroy the vitamins contained in milk, and also form "hot spots" in the liquid that can burn the baby's mucous membranes.
In the days of our grandmothers and mothers, pumping was carried out by hand, often for inexperienced mothers this leads to chest injuries. Today, this problem has been solved - there are breast pumps on sale: manual and electric, expensive and cheap. Every woman can choose the right one for herself.
Electric models, although very convenient, but not all mothers can afford. One of the most popular electronic breast pumps is the Medela Swing, which is virtually silent and compact. It has gained popularity with mothers who suffer from hypergalactia - they need to express large amounts of milk. It costs about 7 thousand rubles.
If you do not need to express large volumes of liquid, it is wiser to choose a manual breast pump as your assistant. It is more compact and affordable. Manual breast pumps cost from 80 to 2500 rubles.
There are several types of them: pump-action, or vacuum, syringe, piston, with a pear. The latter are the cheapest, their price is from 80 rubles, but they often injure the nipples, and their use requires considerable skill.
Manual piston-type breast pumps are now the most popular, they are equipped with silicone inserts on the nozzle and a reservoir for collecting milk. Sterilize all parts of the device and assemble it according to the instructions. Remember that silicone parts can be boiled for no more than 3 minutes, plastic - no more than 5. Attach the funnel to the chest, reaching its maximum grip. Choose your comfortable pumping pace by pressing the piston lever. Place the collected milk in a clean storage container and refrigerate. Rinse the breast pump by taking it apart. Those that come into contact with milk, wash in hot water and soap separately from the rest. Next, the parts are washed with running water and left to air dry without wiping with a towel. The rest of the parts just rinse in warm water.
