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What is “multi-phase” pumping?

 

During a breastfeeding, mothers average about four milk ejections.1  To trigger multiple milk ejections during breastfeeding, babies change sucking speed not just once but several times.2

During pumping, triggering more milk ejections drains the breast more fully.  Better breast drainage stimulates faster milk production and higher milk yields. (See the table below for average milk volumes expressed during each milk ejection.)

Average Volume of Milk Expressed during Each Milk Ejection

Milk ejection

Average  % of available milk expressed

Average volume of milk expressed

1st

45%

54 mL (1.8 oz.)

2nd

76%

37 mL (1.3 oz.)

3rd

88%

16 mL (0.5 oz.)

4th

99%

13 mL (0.4 oz.)

5th

104%

7 mL (0.2 oz.)

6th

109%

7 mL (0.2 oz.)

7th

111%

2 mL (0.1 oz.)


From Mohrbacher, N. Breastfeeding Answers Made Simple Amarillo, TX: Hale Publishing, 2010, p. 450. Originally adapted from Kent, 20081  “Percentage of available milk” refers to the peak volume consumed by the breastfeeding baby at the largest feeding of the day.

Like breastfeeding, with independent suction and speed controls (CustomControl™), mothers can make pumping a multi-phase experience. Changing speeds not just once but several times is how the breastfeeding baby drains the breast more fully. Dual pump controls allow each mother to keep her suction at her maximum comfortable setting while changing the pump speed to stimulate the next milk ejection. Research has found that pumping at maximum comfortable suction during milk ejection significantly improves milk yields.1, 2 (Click here for details.)

Changing pump speed several times during pumping—or multi-phase pumping—provides extra stimulation (like the breastfeeding baby) without unproductive changes in suction that can decrease milk output.  

This is not the case with single-dial, 2-phase pumps. In their "expression phase," if mothers adjust their dial, both speed and suction change (as suction increases, speed decreases). If mothers return to the very fast “let-down” speed of 120 cycles per minute (cpm), their milk yield suffers. Research has found that in 86% of women any time spent at 120 cpm yields no milk at all.1,2

We know from both studies and clinical experience that mothers respond differently to the same pumping patterns.3 The greater adjustability of CustomControl makes it is easier for each mother to follow her flow by finding her own best suction-and-speed combinations. Just like breastfeeding, CustomControl makes it possible for mothers to achieve a multi-phase experience. (Click here for details.) Better results begin with improved control.

References
1Kent, J. et al.  Importance of vacuum for breastmilk expression.  Breastfeed Med 2008; 3(1):11-19.

2Bowen-Jones, A., et al.  Milk flow and sucking rates during breast-feeding.  Develop Med Child Neurol 1982; 24:626-33.

3Kent, J. et al.  Responses of breasts to different stimulation patterns of an electric breast pump.  J Hum Lact 2003; 19(2):179-86.