Breast Pumps

These are designed to help you express milk from your breasts into a container or bottle. Some mums find they can only express a very little milk at a time, which can make it a rather drawn out process

They are useful:

• When you want to express enough milk to make up a feed, for example when you are going out for the evening, or are going back to work and want the carer to continue giving your baby breast milk from a bottle
• When you want to provide milk for a premature or ill baby who can’t be put to the breast
• When your breasts are uncomfortably engorged with milk and you are desperate to relieve the pressure, although the best method is to feed your baby, or even lie in a warm bath and gently use your hand

 There are three types of breast pump which come with everything needed, including bottles and teats:

Manual - you use your hand to pump the lever that creates suction. These can be hard work, so it’s worth ensuring you buy one that’s efficient.

Look for:

• Designs that pump the breast with each action of the handle; both as you squeeze and as you relax (rather than those which only pump as you squeeze). The double action is better at getting milk out of the breast
• A pump that is comfortable for you to operate - some have a wide gap between the handle and the bottle, making it difficult for small hands to reach across the gap; try before you buy
• Some of the latest designs have a soft inner lining to the piece that goes over your breast, which massages the breast and imitates a baby feeding more closely

Battery operated - a battery operated unit does the work for you so that you just hold onto the bottle. Some makes can also operate from the mains, and some come with a mains adaptor included in the price. You can also buy separate breast pump mains adaptors compatible with a variety of makes.

Electric - you can rent large electric pumps, which is useful if your baby is in special care or you need a pump for long-term use. Contact the National Childbirth Trust or Medela*

Whichever type of pump you buy, remember that the parts will need to be easy to clean and to sterilise.

Storage - expressed breast milk can be stored in the fridge for 24 hours or freezer for three months, depending on how quickly you intend to use it. There are a variety of products available to help make storage easier, including:

• Milk storage kits with bags, clips and freezer labels
• Milk storage bottles in small sizes, which are compatible with certain breast pumps