

You can also choose between manual and electric breast pumps, which comes down to preference. If you decide to get a pump, most lactation experts agree that a double expression breast pump is ideal, though a single expression pump can be beneficial in certain scenarios, such as when nursing and pumping at the same time. Most breastfeeding mothers do not need a pump at all. How do I know which breast pump will work for me? This is true for both shared pumps and if you own your pump. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends cleaning any breast pump parts that come into contact with breast milk after each use and ensure they dry thoroughly.

If you’re using a shared pump such as a rented medical-grade breast pump, clean it before each use. However, low birth weight, separation from your baby, and other factors may mean your doctor recommends you start sooner (but never during pregnancy). When your baby is gaining weight and keeping a healthy weight, experts recommend waiting six weeks to use a breast pump to first establish a breastfeeding routine. mothers who breastfeed also pump.) While it can be tempting to go after a great bargain, there are some parts of a breast pump that can’t be well cleaned once they’ve been exposed to another woman’s breast milk.īecause of the higher risk of someone else’s milk having reached the pump in an open system, many people avoid buying these types of pumps secondhand.įrequently asked questions about breast pumps When should I start using my breast pump? (After all, according to research, most U.S. It’s possible that you’ll encounter used breast pumps on the market. But a true closed system will come as close as possible.Īn open system breast pump lacks this barrier. No system can be completely closed, as some air is needed to flow in and out for the vacuuming action of the pump. This helps to keep the whole system hygienic. It’s important to make sure you know what a particular brand means by the term if you see it in a product description.Ī closed system breast pump is one that includes a barrier to prevent overflow milk from leaking into the pump system. “Closed system” and “open system” aren’t formal medical terms, so brands may use them in different ways. open system breast pumpsĪs you shop for a breast pump, you’ll first want to consider whether you want a closed or open system. They can also be deemed closed or open system. They can be manual or electric, and they can be single expression (pumping one breast at a time) or double expression (pumping both breasts at the same time). A breast pump is considered a medical device, and the FDA defines it as a device that helps women maintain or increase their milk supply.
