New Beginnings - Intro

The Basic Parts

All breast pumps consist of a few basic parts:

Breast Shield: a cone-shaped cup that fits over the nipple and the circular area surrounding the nipple (the areola).

Pump: creates the gentle vacuum that expresses milk. The pump may be attached to the breast-shield or have plastic tubing to connect the pump to the breast-shield.

Milk Container: a detachable container that fits below the breast-shield and collects milk as it is pumped. The container is typically a reusable bottle or disposable bag that can be used to store the milk or be attached to a nipple and used for feeding a baby.

Types of Breast Pumps

As an expecting parent and your New Beginnings-Intro, you have many choices and one of them is deciding on breast feeding. The world of breast pumps can sometimes be confusing. There are many different types and we are here to help simplify this process for you.

There are three main types of breast pumps:

Manual Breast Pumps

Battery-Operated Breast Pumps

Electric Breast Pumps

These are lightweight, portable and inexpensive. Manual breast pumps are cheaper than electric models, quiet and handy for occasional expressing. But they can be hard work if used frequently, as you have to keep pumping the handle to create the vacuum.

The advantage of a battery-operated pump is that they’re portable and helpful if you don’t have access to an electrical outlet. Battery operated pumps are usually small, portable and fairly easy to use. They do require batteries which can become costly to replace over time and you may want to keep a spare set on-hand. Some are also rechargeable battery powered.

Electric pumps are stronger and more powerful so they can be used to help establish, maintain and increase your milk supply. These pumps are the most efficient which can save you a lot of time, but they are also more expensive, larger, and require a power source.

There are two types of pumping:

Single Pumping

You’ll only be able to extract from one breast at a time. Most manual and battery-powered pumps are single pumps. These cost less than a double pump system.

Double Pumping

Let’s you pump both breasts at once. This is important if speed is a concern. A separate breast-shield can be attached to each breast to stimulate both nipples at the same time. Some electric pumps are double pumps.

Hospital Grade vs. Hospital Strength

Hospital Grade

A hospital grade breast pump is a multi-user device rented to one mom at a time and is designed with special customization options to maximize breast milk expression. Some features like strong suction and unique expression technology make it easier for moms and babies with certain medical conditions to feed with breast milk.

Hospital Strength

Hospital strength means that it has customizable and powerful suction settings, so moms can express breast milk efficiently. Breast pumps have a wide range of suction strengths, and many of the newest pumps come with state-of-the-art features designed to make breast pumping as easy as possible. Some hospital strength breast pumps are even made to be wearable so moms can pump hands-free without sacrificing suction performance.

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