Breast Pump: Features and Benefits

Avent Breast Pump

What is a Breast Pump?

Last week we talk about Breast feeding. Today we talk about breast pump.

According to Wikipedia, 

A breast pump is a mechanical device that extracts milk from the breasts of a lactating individual. Breast pumps may be manual devices powered by hand or foot movements or electrical devices powered by electricity or batteries.

The history of the breast pump

According to Ehow, the first patent of breast pump was in the year 1854

On June 20, 1854, the United States gave the first ever patent to O.H. Needham for a breast pump. A few years later, in 1863, L.O. Colbin invented and patented a breast pump, as credited in the Scientific American. These manual pumps laid the groundwork toward effective milk extraction. The first mechanical breast pump that simulated an infant suckling was made in the early 1920s by engineer Edward Lasker

Einar Egnell spent much dedicated research to learn the mechanics of a woman's breast during lactation and feeding. He published his findings in his article "Viewpoints on what happens mechanically in the female breast during various methods of milk collection" in 1956. This began the production of the Egnell SMB breast pump, based on his findings. Many of these pumps still operate today, according to the New York Statewide Breastfeeding Coalition. Read more here....

 How Breast Pump Works?

According to How Stuff Works, 

Breast pumps vary based on mechanics and manufacturers, but they all work on the same basic principles. A plastic or glass breastshield allows a vacuum to be applied to the breast. The cone- or funnel-shaped part of the breastshield, called the flange, sits over the nipple and areola to create a seal. With the creation of a vacuum around the nipple, air is pulled into the breastshield. The nipple is then drawn into the tunnel, and the areola is pressed against the flange [source: Knorr]. With a manual pump, the mother squeezes a lever or bulb to create and release suction -- a cycling effect that triggers let-down. Battery-powered and electric pumps use motors, which connect to the flanges with plastic tubing to create pull. 

The diaphragm, which isn't part of some manual pumps, helps create suction and release. In some pumps, like many of the hospital-grade ones, the diaphragm also creates a barrier separating mother from suction source, preventing contamination [source: Knorr]. A detachable, membranous valve joins with the pump body to help maintain proper suction.
As the pump imitates a baby's nursing rhythm (initial rapid pulls followed by a slower, deeper phase), milk eventually flows. Storage bags and ready-to-feed bottles directly attach to the pump to collect milk.

What are the types of Breast Pumps

1. Manual breast pumps
2. Electric breast pumps
3. Battery powered breast pumps

Manual Breast Pumps

The user creates suction by squeezing a lever or handle or pumping a cylinder-shaped tube within a larger cylinder (a piston) [source: FDA]. There are also foot-pedal pumps that rely on lower-body strength to create suction. Once let-down occurs, milk collects in attached containers. Manual pumps are small, discrete and relatively inexpensive; however, they work slower than other pumps and can cause strain because the user provides all the power.

Electric Breast Pumps

Out of the three types, electric pumps are the most efficient and the most expensive. A cord connects the motor to an electrical outlet, allowing enough power to drain breasts quickly and completely. Women can achieve total efficacy by double pumping both breasts at the same time, usually at a rate of about 40 to 60 cycles per minute. Users are also able to customize suction rhythm by adjusting the settings. A powerful hospital-grade pump, available for rent and for users in medical facilities, is a good option if your baby has a hard time latching on or you don't plan on pumping for more than three months [source: Consumer Reports]. 

If you plan on expressing your milk longer than that or will be returning to work, consider personal-use automatic pumps. Like their hospital-grade counterparts, personal-use pumps reduce pumping time and feature individualized settings. As the name implies, these lightweight pumps, which usually come in discrete backpacks and tote bags, and can't be shared as hospital pumps can. Some of these pumps come packaged with manual pumps as well.

 Battery powered breast pumps

This option relies on a small motor -- connected to the breastshield by plastic tubing -- usually powered by AA or C batteries. Because it can take 10 to 50 seconds to reach optimum vacuum, these pumps might cycle about 10 times per minute [source: Knorr]. That's not too fast if you remember that babies' nurse about 50 to 90 times per minute at the beginning of a feeding. These pumps can be uncomfortable (because of the constant vacuum) and take more time, but they're portable, affordable and work anywhere. With a hands-free pump, which fits inside a bra and comes with an AC adapter, the milk slowly travels from a flexible valve stem into a bag [source: Consumer Reports]. Click here to read the original article 

Where can you get these Breast Pumps?

You can visit us HERE to find out more about our various breast pumps and baby products.

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