A manual breast pump is a fantastic device for expressing milk and is especially helpful when you are at home or on the move. Here is a step-by-step guide detailing how to use manual breast pumps safely and comfortably so that you may easily adapt to the process in its entirety.
What is a Manual breast Pump?
A manual breast pump is a device specifically for helping mothers of nursing babies "express," or extract, the milk from their breasts. It creates suction as you squeeze the handle or lever, which aids in pulling the milk out of the breast and off of your person. A manual breast pump is not an electric pump and, therefore, does not need to be powered by batteries; instead, it is a convenient device that a mother can keep with her wherever she goes.
Since you can control the suction and speed by how often you squeeze the handle, many moms find manual pumps helpful to adjust to their comfort level. They are usually quieter than electric pumps, easier to clean, and also more economical. A manual breast pump really is very suitable for occasional use when you want a quick pumping session,but very time-consuming if you pump regularly or frequently.
How to Use a Manual Breast Pump?
Using a manual breast pump is a bit tricky in the beginning but then easy and comfortable if proper steps are followed. This section will guide you through how to express milk using a manual breast pump.
Step 1: Wash your hands and clean the pump. First, wash your hands well and ensure that the pump,bottles, and all parts are clean and sterile to avoid contamination.
Step 2: Find a comfortable, private space. Get comfortable in a quiet, warm space where you can relax.being comfortable helps cause your milk letdown. You can even look at a picture or video of your baby.
Step 3: Massage your breasts. Massage your breasts gently for a few minutes so you can stimulate the letdown reflex, thus making it easy for milk to flow through.
Step 4: Put on a breast shield. Put the breast shield over your nipple so that it fits snugly and is right in the middle to ensure good suction.
Step 5: Begin pumping. You can begin to pump slowly. It might take you a few minutes before the milk begins to flow, so just be patient.
Step 6: Change the pumping rhythm. After milk begins to flow, mimic the natural rhythm of a baby feeding by pumping with some short tugs and then releasing and repeating.
Step 7: Switch breasts. After 5 minutes or so, switch to the other breast. Continue switching and trying to spend around 15 minutes total stimulating each breast.
Step 8: Finish and clean up. After pumping, remove the pump from the bottle, close the cap of the bottle then refrigerate or safely keep the milk. Then, you wash and sterilize all parts of the pump that came into contact with milk or your breast.
Step 9: Store Milk Correctly
The milk can be kept at room temperature for 4 hours or in the fridge for 4 days. In the case of freezing, it can be stored in a deep freezer for up to 6 to 12 months.
How to Clean a Manual breast Pump
A manual breast pump needs to be cleaned regularly to keep it hygienic and your baby's milk free from contaminants. Cleaning would prevent bacterial growth and also keep your pump at its best condition. Here’s how to clean manual breast pump:
Step 1: Remove all exposed parts from the pump
Remove all parts to be removed of the breast shield, valve, diaphragm, and bottle; therefore, every single part is cleaned in detail.
Step 2: Rinse parts under running water
Rinse each piece using warm water to remove milk residues before washing.
Step 3: Clean with soap and water
Clean all parts with warm, soapy water using a sponge or bottle brush. Remember to pay special attention to small areas, such as the valve and breast shield.
Step 4: Clean in basin Reserve
Clean the parts in a basin that has been set aside for cleaning baby things. Never attempt to clean in the kitchen sink, as this will soon become contaminated.
Step 5: Rinse Thoroughly
Rinse every part thoroughly after cleaning under running clean water to remove soap residue.
Step 6: Sanitize if needed
Boil the parts for about 5 minutes or use a steam sterilizer. Microwaving sterilization bags also work if recommended by the manufacturer.
Step 7: Air dry thoroughly
Dry the cleaned parts on a clean paper towel or drying rack. Let them air dry completely so as not to have bacterial growth.
Step 8: Assemble when dry
Once all the parts are completely dry, then reassemble the pump and store it in a clean, dry place until the next use.
Benefits of Using a Breast Pump
Breastfeeding is lovely,but you cannot always nurse your baby anytime he or she wants to feed. You need that flexibility, especially when returning to work, assisting with feeding sessions, or wanting an increase in your milk supply. Here’s the benefits of using a breast pump:
- A manual pump has its use when catching milk that is prone to leaking out from the non-nursing breast during feeding. This saves valuable milk from being wasted and can create a supply with minimal action.
- This helps the nipple prepare for the letdown reflex, making it easier for babies to latch on for feeding if they have trouble or mothers struggling to express their milk.
- Manual pumps are light in weight, quiet, and hand-powered, which makes them portable with the pump or discreetly pump anywhere.
- It allows easy expression of a small volume of milk for bottle feeding, allowing mothers to have occasional periods away from the baby.
- It helps to relieve plugged ducts gently without the risk of mastitis using high suction that may increase discomfort.
- It provides gentle relief from engorgement by reducing the pressure on the breasts, which in turn fails to pain or to latch the baby to the breasts.
Weighing the Pros and Cons: Will a Manual Breast Pump be Enough?
Most mothers wonder if a manual pump will do the job. A manual pump is a simple, affordable, and portable device,but it may not be suitable for everyone. So, let's take a closer look at all the pros and cons of a manual breast pump in simple terms to help you decide.
Pros of a Manual Breast Pump
- A manual breast pump is economical as it costs less than an electric one. Therefore, for those with a tight budget, this can be the option.
- A manual pump is manageable to carry due to its small size and lightweight. It will fit perfectly in your purse or diaper bag so that you can pump at home or in public,basically anywhere. A manual breast pump won't also cause any other inconvenience, such as noise from creating vibrations,because an electric pump will surely make some sounds whenever it is used.
- Manual pumps are very easy to assemble, operate, and clean. As compared to an electric pump, a manual breast pump has fewer parts. Therefore, it is easy to maintain.
- The best part of a manual breast pump is that you can use suction according to the speed you want with your hands. You can pump very conveniently at whatever speed you feel comfortable. Flexibility regarding control of the suction force would be ideal.
Cons of a Manual Breast Pump:
- Manual expression of milk, as compared to electricity, takes much more time, especially if you need to express a lot of milk.
- A manual pump implies squeezing a handle repeatedly, which can make your hand tire as you pump frequently.
- Hand pumps could not be as effective as an electric pump in extracting the full milk volume, which would impact your milk supply if you rely on pumping often.
- Most hand pumps will only pump one breast at a time, making it sort of a time-consuming process to pump both sides.
A manual pump maybe suitable for occasional use or as an extra pump but when you are going to pump frequently or you do require producing plenty of milk, then an electric pump would be far more efficient. Knowing its pros and cons will help you make a good decision depending on your lifestyle and needs.
Need a More Convenient Pumping Method?
Time and effort are consumed while using a manual breast pump, so you are probably due for some more efficient options, the most common of which would be an electric breast pump.
The advantage of electric breast pumps is that they are very convenient and efficient, particularly among busy mothers who have to pump at intervals. Going with electric pumps- such as the Momcozy S12 Pro and the Momcozy M9, which have been streamlined with modern features to make pumping easier.
Momcozy S12 Pro
The Momcozy S12 Pro is a wearable electric breast pump, you can pump hands-free while moving around, making it much more convenient than the traditional manual pumps. Its features include:
- Wearable Design - Slip it into your bra and pump silently while not being plugged in by any cords.
- Quiet Pumping - This gives you quiet and private pumping, whether it's at work or at home.
- Customizable Suction Levels - This vacuum has nine levels of adjustable suction, and one can choose his desired comfortable setting.
- The leak-proof design provides prevention from leakage and strong suction to express milk effectively.
More convenient than manual pumps? The Momcozy S12 Pro saves time, gives you portability, and no intervention by your hands-all. These give you the chance to do other things while pumping.
Momcozy M9
The Momcozy M9 is an app-controlled, designed product; it means it provides more control and flexibility over manual pumps. It includes the following characteristics:
- App Control - Use the Momcozy app to adjust settings, monitor your pumping sessions, and set reminders for your next session.
- Portable and compact - small and lightweight, this is very portable wherever you go.
- b Suction - Offers powerful suction with customizable settings to maximize milk output.
- Comfort Fit - Its soft silicone paddles feel comfortable to use and do not waste efficiency.
The app of the Momcozy M9 makes pumping more convenient as it can be used in a personalized manner, thus making the activity easier and trouble-free while maximizing milk production.both Momcozy S12 Pro and M9 raise the pumping game to new heights, which makes them great options for moms looking for ease and efficiency.
Conclusion
In summary, using a manual breast pump is almost worth it. You have a choice to enhance both comfort and efficiency during your pumping sessions.by knowing how to use the manual breast pump, you can achieve your desired milk expression. With time and experience, the manual pump can become a very empowering tool in managing your breastfeeding journey while protecting your comfort and, thus, your baby's needs.
