For new mothers, a manual breast pump with a bulb can be a helpful tool as it offers a simple and practical way to express milk. Knowing how to operate the pump correctly is essential to a positive experience, whether you intend to store milk for later use or are just trying to ease some discomfort.
Using a manual breast pump can be a bit intimidating at first, but it can become second nature after you get the hang of it. You can express milk comfortably and effectively with a little practice as it only takes a few easy steps.
This post will demonstrate how to use a manual breast pump with a bulb and provide advice on how to make the procedure more efficient and comfortable for you. These instructions will help you operate the pump more competently and with confidence.
| Step | Instructions |
| 1 | Clean the pump and your hands thoroughly. |
| 2 | Position the pump over your breast, ensuring a tight seal. |
| 3 | Squeeze the bulb gently to create suction and start the milk flow. |
| 4 | Continue squeezing the bulb rhythmically until the desired amount is expressed. |
| 5 | Transfer the milk to a clean container and store it safely. |
Design
- Breast attachment.
- Valve. Located inside the breast pump, it helps control the pressure that is created during pumping.
- Bullet. When a woman pumps breast milk, she must squeeze the bulb, thus creating a vacuum. Thanks to this, milk will be released from the mammary glands and flow into the pumping container.
- Container for pumping milk (may be absent).
Because manual breast pumps with a bulb have several benefits, women frequently use them:
- they have a simple design and are quick to assemble;
- they are easy to use without special knowledge and skills;
- no power source is required to start working with them;
- they do not create noise (as is the case with electric models) – this is very relevant when the mother carries out the pumping process while being close to the baby;
- all parts can be easily washed and sterilized;
- you can choose a comfortable pace and rhythm of pumping.
A manual breast pump with a bulb is a useful tool for nursing moms who want to quickly express milk. To use it properly, cover your nipple with the pump’s shield, squeeze the bulb to create suction, and then draw milk into the bottle. Repeat the process until you have enough milk, releasing the bulb to maintain suction. Both comfort and efficiency depend on using the right technique and having a clean pump.
Preparatory stage
It’s crucial to get everything ready before beginning the manual breast pump with bulb stage in order to ensure that it goes quickly and, most importantly, painlessly.
- Before pumping milk, carefully study the instructions, which must be included with the breast pump. Often such instructions describe in detail and in pictures how to properly use this or that variation of this device.
- All components must be washed, it is better not to use ordinary detergents in this case, since they contain aggressive chemicals that can get into the fragile child"s body and cause harm to it. It is recommended to use baby soap or baby detergent to wash the breast pump elements.
- It is also recommended to sterilize the parts. The sterilization procedure must be carried out without fail if you plan to give expressed milk to a baby. You can sterilize the device either in a steam bath or using special devices – sterilizers.
You can let the breast pump’s parts air dry for a few minutes after sterilizing them instead of wiping them down.
- You also need to prepare a container into which the milk will be expressed (often it comes with a pear breast pump) and is a bottle. If you put a nipple on this bottle, then it can be used to feed the baby.
- Pay attention to the material from which the container is made, it is very important that there is no harmful component bisphenol. You can also use glass bottles.
- A woman needs to wash her hands thoroughly with soap and rinse her breasts to get rid of sweat droplets and dirt. Ideally, it is better to use warm water, it stimulates the flow of milk to the mammary glands.
- It is necessary to perform a light massage of the mammary gland. To do this, you need to slowly pull the nipple and press your fingers on the areola. Such actions stimulate the production of the hormone oxytocin, which is responsible for the production of breast milk.
Thirty minutes before pumping, a cup of warm tea is advised by many lactation consultants. This beverage also helps to initiate the milk flow, which will make the pumping process easier.
When you need a quick fix, using a manual breast pump with a bulb can be an easy and efficient way to express milk. You will eventually find a rhythm that suits you with a little practice.
To maintain hygiene and make sure the pump is always ready when you need it, don’t forget to give it a thorough cleaning after every use. To prevent pain, take your time and be gentle during the procedure.
By keeping these pointers in mind, you’ll be able to confidently use your manual breast pump and ease both of your babies’ feeding experiences.
