How Do Breast Pumps Benefit Babies?
Breastfeeding is important for babies, and that is not only because it is their source of food and nutrients for the first six months after birth. Breastfeeding is a time when the mother and the baby form a unique bond with each other and this provides the baby with a sense of calm, comfort, and security. It is also an important way for the baby to build immunity since breast milk contains water, protein, carbohydrates, lipid fats, essential vitamins, and minerals including calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and sodium. Breastfeeding has also been linked to a lowering in the risk of obesity in babies. Unfortunately, it is not always possible for mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies due to health reasons or when they need to get back to work or stay away for extended periods of time. This is when breast pumps are useful.
When To Pump While Breastfeeding Newborn
In case the mother faced complications during pregnancy or delivery, or if the baby was born very premature or is ill at birth, it is advisable to express breast milk and feed the baby. The mother or the baby (or both) may not be in a position to nurse comfortably but by pumping the milk, even a caregiver will be able to provide the baby with breast milk.
When the baby is exclusively breastfeeding, it is a good idea for the mother to have a breast pump at hand. If the baby feeds only from one breast at a time or in smaller quantities (especially in the first few weeks after birth), the mother may need to use a good breast pump to express breast milk from the other breast. The mother not emptying her breasts completely after a feed could lead to painful conditions like mastitis.
When the mother’s breast milk supply is low, using a breast pump can help to stimulate the mammary glands and help to express breast milk better. The best breast pump for low milk supply is a hands-free breast pump that can pump more. Pumping more is one of the ways to help a mother to improve her supply of breast milk.
If the baby is not gaining weight with exclusive breastfeeding, expressing the breast milk with a breast pump and feeding the baby will help the mother to keep track of how much milk is being consumed by the baby.
Types Of Breast Pumps
There are two types of breast pumps - manual breast pumps and electric breast pumps. The choice between a breast pump manual vs electric is determined by the cost of the product, the convenience and ease of use, the frequency of pumping, and access to electricity.
Manual breast pumps are smaller in size and less expensive than electric breast pumps. It is important to look for pumps that do not cause hand fatigue while pumping and are easy to maintain. If the mother does not intend to use the breast pump more than once a day, it may make sense to go for a manual pump. It is also a good backup pump even if the mother owns an electric pump because a manual pump does not need electricity to run.
Electric breast pumps are very convenient to use multiple times a day as they do not need any manual effort. They are easy to carry around, especially if the mother is at work or traveling. Electric breast pumps can be plugged in or battery-operated and can help to draw the breast milk out faster than manual pumps.
PIGEON breast pumps are among the top breast pumps available in the market today. With a 2 Phase Technology that has two modes - Stimulation and Expression modes - and a comfortable ProperFit™ Soft Silicone Cushion that fits perfectly for efficient pumping, the breast pumps are convenient for breastfeeding mothers to use. Both the manual and electric breast pumps provide hygienic feeding as they have a no-backflow feature that stops the milk from flowing back into the funnel.
