How to use the AVENT breast pump correctly

The most popular among young mothers are devices manufactured by Philips, which have proven themselves to be reliable and convenient. The set includes bottles that can be used to feed your baby. To do this, unscrew the breast pump body and place the supplied nipple on the bottle. There is no need to pour milk from one container to another, therefore, there will be less hassle with sterilizing dishes. You can store breast milk in a bottle or use it as a freezer container. Shelf life in the refrigerator is up to 2 days; in the freezer, milk can be stored for 3 months without losing its beneficial properties. If you need to transport a container of milk to another location, use gel packets after cooling them in the freezer.

Manual or electric - make a choice

Manual breast pumps are recommended for those mothers who do not need to pump regularly, but only from time to time. All mechanical devices are divided into:

• Manual ones with a pump or bulb are ineffective and therefore not expensive breast pumps
• Piston or syringe - more gentle, more efficient, more convenient to use, and therefore more expensive.

Electric breast pumps - recommended for women who need regular pumping (a child cannot suck on his own, a working mother, during a forced refusal of feeding in order to maintain lactation, etc.)

• Pros: time saving almost 2 times compared to manual pumps, no physical effort required, efficient pumping.
• Disadvantages: they produce a monotonous hum during operation, very high price, and it is impossible to completely sterilize the device.

Electronic breast pumps - what does it mean and is there a difference from electric ones? This is some kind of marketing ploy, both types are electrical devices, only the so-called “electronic” ones are more technologically advanced, have a display and microprocessor control, for example, have a built-in memory that remembers your pumping rhythm. These are expensive devices that are usually purchased by maternity hospitals (when high performance is required), but for a woman at home it is much more profitable to rent such a breast pump.

Kinds

Philips produces the following types of Avent breast pumps - manual (mechanical) and electronic, powered by mains or batteries. Devices of the first type operate on the principle of a syringe - to express, a woman needs to press the handle at the top of the device. The intensity of work is regulated independently. The Avent mechanical breast pump quite accurately imitates a baby's sucking, and its affordable price and ease of use make it one of the most popular.

The second type of device completely automates the pumping process. Mom only needs to correctly position the nozzle on her chest and turn on the device.

The Avent electronic breast pump is two-phase. This means that there are two stages in his work - first he makes short and frequent suction movements, and then longer and more rare ones. This is how a baby sucks milk.

There are also 3 power levels, allowing you to adjust the breast pump to your needs. An electronic device costs 3–4 times more than a mechanical one.

What should you pay attention to when choosing?

So, decide how often you need it, if rarely, then you can buy a manual one, if constantly, then preferably an electric one, which can be cheaper to buy secondhand or rent. In any case, after purchasing either a new or used device, it should be thoroughly washed and sterilized before use.

When choosing a hand-held device:

• Choose a piston pump rather than a pump breast pump (which is ineffective and contributes to the development of milk stagnation)
• It is best if the breast pad is anatomical, silicone, and not plastic; it is also desirable that there are protrusions in the form of petals, they make the pumping process more comfortable
• It is much more convenient if the hand-held device comes with a bottle and nipple that fit the nozzle and after pumping you do not need to pour the milk into another feeding bottle
• Ideally, the breast pump has a 2-phase pumping system

When choosing an electrical appliance:

• It is better to give preference to a silicone nozzle with petal convexities; you should also decide on the size of the nozzle; some models come in several sizes, in some you need to buy them additionally
• It is good if the device can run on batteries, since the electrical network is not always available. Almost all modern breast pumps can be powered by batteries, but they are not included in the sales package
• There are such universal devices that can work both manually and electrically; for this, a motor is purchased separately for the manual one.
• If pumping will often be done on the road, outside the home, give preference to mobile devices, that is, lighter and more compact ones (the motor is located next to the nozzle) with a bag or container.
• To save time, you can purchase a device that pumps from both breasts at once.
• It is important what material the device is made of, preferably high quality polypropylene, without Bisphenol A
• It is also better to choose a 2-phase pumping system, in the first phase the device massages and prepares for pumping (it’s good to have several modes), the second phase quickly empties the prepared breast, and it is also desirable to have several pumping modes.

The need for a breast pump

Even women whose baby is breastfed may need this device. There may be several such situations.

• Illness of the mother in which she will not be able to breastfeed. Using a breast pump during treatment helps prevent milk stagnation and maintain lactation.
• Elimination and prevention of lactostasis. In the case when the baby cannot cope with the amount of milk, this device will effectively empty the breast.
• Lactation crisis. Every mother has a chance of developing a condition where milk production decreases. But if it is too early to finish feeding, then you can increase lactation by using a breast pump or by frequently putting the baby to the breast.

Rating of the best breast pumps

• Philips AVENT is the most popular manufacturer, which produces only 4 types of breast pumps, both pump and electric, but very high-quality models that last a very long time, so after use by mothers they are passed on and sold to each other.
• Medela is a Swiss brand in second place and produces a large selection of very high quality electric breast pumps.
• Chicco, Nuk, Canpol are also very high quality products, but not as convenient and popular as the first 2 brands.
• “World of Childhood” and “Kurnosiki” - at the lowest prices and only simple hand-made models are produced by these Russian manufacturers , with average quality and demand.

Manual breast pumps

If your choice falls on a manual breast pump, which one to choose depends on your financial capabilities and how often you will have to express. In general, all manual breast pumps are characterized by a low price, even if it is not useful, you will not regret the money spent.

Electric breast pumps

Which electric breast pump should you choose if you decide to buy just such a device? Again, it all depends on the material capabilities, operating conditions, and equipment of the device.

How to start pumping?

Before using the breast pump, you should massage your breasts a little, press lightly on the breast and twist the nipple, massage the areola. This simple action triggers the production of the hormone oxytocin and stimulates the process of milk separation. The breast pump funnel should fit tightly to the breast so that there is no access to air.

The rhythm of hand movements on the piston should coincide with the rhythm of the baby's sucking movements. Start expressing by making several movements (on average 10-15) with the piston, this is necessary so that a vacuum is formed inside. If the milk does not flow well in, check whether the valve is in place and adjust it if necessary.

After using the device, all parts that are not connected to the network must be washed and sterilized.

Review of manual breast pumps

In this section, we propose to familiarize yourself with the characteristics of currently popular models of breast pumps - seeing them in comparison, the choice will be much easier. All breast pumps are made of polypropylene, most have silicone nozzles, and pumping time is 20-30 minutes. The most convenient and high-quality manual device is considered to be from Avent with a convenient milk storage system - this is the most reliable and high-quality device.

Correct use of the device

A relatively inexpensive and easy-to-use model is a manual breast pump. It is no less effective than an electric one, it is convenient to use, easy to disassemble and wash. The device has its advantages and disadvantages.

The advantages of a manual breast pump are that:

1. It does not require an additional power source such as a battery or battery to operate.
2. It works silently.
3. The device must be controlled manually, this allows you to regulate the force of pumping and carry out the procedure absolutely painlessly.
4. Hand tools can be disassembled and washed. You can learn how to properly assemble and disassemble the device from the video instructions.

The disadvantages of a mechanical device are that:

1. The pumping process takes a long time. More detailed technology can be found in the video.
2. In work you need to use the energy of your own hands, so fatigue occurs in your hands and it becomes difficult to use for a long time.
3. The kit does not include spare parts, and the main ones may not be strong enough.

Expressing with a manual breast pump usually lasts about half an hour. This device is made of high-quality polypropylene, and the nozzles are made of soft silicone.

Expressing is comfortable thanks to the petal-shaped pad and soft funnel. The kit also includes a bottle, nipple container, lid and milk storage container. The device has a modern design.

The Avent breast pump is easy to use. If you watch a video about using different devices, you will notice that the Avent is the most convenient breast pump. To express milk, you don’t need to constantly lean forward, which is very inconvenient, especially when there were tears after childbirth and you can’t sit, you can take a comfortable position. With this device you can express milk even while reclining. When tilted, milk will not spill out of the bottle, since the device is equipped with a one-way valve-plug that allows milk to pour in, but does not allow it to pour out.

There is a soft pad on the body that stimulates milk production and makes the process of expressing easy and enjoyable. Having mastered the technology of pumping, you can understand that this process is not so difficult. For quick learning, you can watch the video.

Before use, all parts of the device must be sterilized, and each time after use, the breast pump must be disassembled and washed.

Before you start pumping, you need to wash your hands and nipples with soap and dry them. The manufacturer claims that the breast pump is comfortable to use with one hand, but some reviews say differently. Well, those who have enough strength use one hand, and those who do not, work with two.

So, the process of expressing with a manual breast pump consists of the following stages:

1. It is necessary to take a comfortable position, preferably such that the body is vertical.
2. Before applying the device, you need to slightly stretch the nipple with your fingers.
3. You need to carefully insert the breast into the middle of the funnel, so as not to pinch the skin or rub the breast.
4. All actions must be performed slowly, otherwise the nipple may be injured. You need to press the breast pump handle lightly and slowly at first and gradually increase the force, choosing the most comfortable level. If you immediately press hard, the skin on the nipple may crack and further manipulation will be very painful.
5. At first, the milk will flow very slowly, a few drops at a time, and will gradually splatter.
6. To successfully express milk, you need to imitate the rhythm of sucking by rhythmically pressing the handle, holding for a few seconds and pressing again.
7. If milk stops coming out of your breasts, it means pumping was successful. Usually the procedure takes no more than half an hour.

After expressing, the device must be sterilized and dried again. The container with milk must be closed, indicate the time of pumping and place it in the refrigerator. You can make the process easier by combining it with feeding. You can learn more about the pumping technique using the video.

https://youtu.be/lu1OLnBFGZ4

Electric breast pumps

Before using, cleaning or sterilizing any breast pump, please read the instructions carefully as the specifications given may be subject to change by the manufacturer. All breast pumps are made of polypropylene, silicone nozzles, expressing time with an electric breast pump is 10-20 minutes.

How to use a manual breast pump?

They are the most popular because they are affordable. To use a breast pump correctly and not injure your breasts again, you should follow some rules:

• Before the first use after purchase, all parts should be washed, sterilized, and dried.
• Immediately before pumping, wash your hands with soap and your breasts with just water.
• If you have time, you can make a warm compress for the breasts, which will warm them up and relax them, which will facilitate the process of milk secretion.
• The funnel of any device is applied so that the nipple is in its center; if possible in this model, then the pressure of the manual device should be adjusted in order to avoid painful sensations.
• Prepare a container for milk if your breast pump does not contain a baby bottle. Prepare a clean device.
• For faster pumping and breast development, you can first try expressing a little by hand (see how to properly express milk by hand).
• Sit in a comfortable position, preferably with your elbows on a pillow or the back of a chair, install the breast pump as shown in the instructions, placing the silicone nozzle on the center of your chest.
• In the first minutes, milk will be released in drops, then in streams. The lever or pear should be squeezed rhythmically until the end.
• If painful sensations appear, you need to take a break and rub your chest with your hands. However, if you pump correctly, there should be no pain, which means the breast shield is not installed successfully and its position should be changed.
• Alternate breasts, pump on one breast for a few minutes, then move on to the other.
• After completing the procedure, wipe your breasts with a damp towel, wash all parts of the breast pump, sterilize, and dry.

How to sterilize a breast pump?

The expediency of sterilization is clear to everyone - everything that comes into contact with sterile breast milk must also be sterile. It is recommended to wash and sterilize the breast pump immediately after use. This way, you will be fully prepared for your next pumping session. If you postpone this important event until later, there is a chance to completely forget about sterilization. If you treat your device immediately before pumping, you will waste valuable time.

So, before sterilization, all parts must be washed. The instructions for the breast pump should indicate which parts can be sterilized and which cannot. For sterilization, you can use a standard sterilizer, a double boiler or a pan of boiling water. Sterilization time (or boiling) is 5-10 minutes. After sterilization, the breast pump and all components are dried and folded for storage.

Author:

Sabuk Tatyana Leonidovna hygienist, epidemiologist