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BREAST PUMPING BASICS
Decisions
Why Pump?
Choosing the Right Breast Pump — The Reasons
Choosing the Right Ameda Pump — Quick Chart
Making the Most of Your Pump
Assembly & Care
Moms Who Exclusively Pump
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BREAST PUMPING TIPS
Babies often take more milk from the bottle than you pump in one pumping session. This does NOT mean your milk supply is low. The faster, steadier flow of the bottle may cause many babies to overfeed.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT BREAST PUMP — THE REASONS
WHICH BREAST PUMP IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
You have a choice of many good pumps on the market today. But before investing in a pump, it pays to know what to look for and what to avoid.
RENTAL PUMPS
A hospital-grade rental pump is the most effective pump, especially when used with a double pump kit, which allows you to pump both breasts at once.
For a mother whose baby is not breastfeeding, this type of pump is recommended to establish milk supply. However, a hospital-grade rental pump may be more than a mother needs if she just wants to pump an occasional bottle.
AUTOMATIC PUMPS
These pumps for sale vary widely in quality. The most important thing to consider is how many cycles per minute (cpm) the pump provides.
For example:
  • A pump that offers one speed of 30-35 cpm may not keep up milk supply for women pumping more than once a day, so it is recommended only for occasional use.
  • A pump with a range of 40-60 cpm, like the Ameda Purely Yours® pump, works well for moms working full-time or for those who pump more than once a day.
Double pumps are a plus because pumping both breasts at once cuts pumping time in half. And a pump with two controls (suction and speed) is ideal because it gives you more choices. This helps you find the settings that work best for you.
SEMI-AUTOMATIC PUMPS
These pumps are motorized but require the mother to manually regulate every suction and release by covering and uncovering a hole or by pressing a button or bar.
MANUAL PUMPS
This can be a good choice for a mother who pumps occasionally, but it takes practice to find the pumping rhythm that triggers the let-down or milk release. Because it requires muscle power to operate, most moms who pump every day consider a manual pump too much work.
This is general information and does not replace the advice of your physician or healthcare provider. If you have a problem you cannot solve quickly, seek help right away.
Every baby is different, and your baby may not be average.
If in doubt, contact your physician or other healthcare provider.
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