Breast pump question

My daughter is having a baby soon, and we want to get her the best breast pump we can get. She is worried about this being painful, and she also works a full-time job. What advice can you offer?


There have been major improvements in breast-pumping equipment in the past decade. Working mothers now have much more convenient and efficient means of providing the recommended nutrition — breastmilk — for their infants. There are even self-contained pump-and-storage devices that come in discrete briefcase-like containers.

Efficiency is very important. You can cut pumping time in half by pumping both breasts at once with a double-breast pump. Electric, automatically pulsating pumps are more efficient than the hand-operated kind. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes per session with an automatic double-breast pump. Double-pumping also is the most efficient way for mothers to maintain their milk supply.

Automatic pulsating double-breast pumps can be purchased or rented. Renting, rather than buying, is often a preferred option for the highest-quality, hospital-grade pumps. For information on rental options, check with your hospital or contact a lactation consultant. A lactation consultant also can advise you on how to use a breast pump properly and develop a good schedule of pumping and feedings.

As for the question of pain, a high-quality pump is not uncomfortable when used properly. If there is pain during use of a breast pump, call your health care provider or lactation consultant.

Labels: Bottle feeding, Breast pump, Breastfeeding