Breast Pumps

A high-quality breast pump is an essential tool for a new mother no matter how much or how little she plans to use it. It can come in very handy in many circumstances.

In addition to the obvious reason for pumping, separation of mother and baby, here are a few other times when a breast pump can be most helpful:

	before the birth, one of the very best natural methods to strengthen contractions is sustained nipple stimulation;
	on the day the mature milk arrives, pumping can significantly relieve engorgement;
	for a baby who has a hard time latching on properly, using a pump can pre-shape the nipple;
	for the time when it becomes necessary to increase milk supply;
	during a nursing strike;
	during a temporary bout of breast milk jaundice;
	for a baby who cannot latch on and needs to be cup fed for the first few weeks or months of his life;
	if a mother needs medication for a non birth-related condition and temporarily has to pump and dump her milk for a day or two.

Not all mothers really need a fully electric double pump. Manual milk expression by hand or hand-held pump is sufficient to keep a bag or two of breast milk in the freezer for an occasional night out or an errand that cannot wait. For those women who are interested in this low-cost, low-tech solution to occasional pumping, we sell a well designed manual model, the Whittlestone® Soft Aire™ Breast Pump

For any regular separation from baby, hand expression of milk usually becomes simply too much work. This is where a little technological help can make a difference. However:

Not all electric breast pumps are well made. Some that are commonly sold in drug stores are so inferior that they can inflict damage to the breast and nipple tissue. Over the years women have given me many of these pumps they had bought or received as gifts, always with the comment that the pump was practically new or only used once, and a shame to throw away. I always reply that it would be a bigger shame if the pump were ever used again, risking pain or damage to a nursing mom.

Please contact a lactation professional for recommendations regarding electric breast pumps. We do not rent or sell any electric breast pumps any more.

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