subject: The Key Features To Look For When Buying A Manual Breastpump [print this page] A breastpump is among the most vital aids for nursing mothers. To begin with, a breastpump allows a nursing mother to feed the baby with the essential breast milk even when she is away from home. With a good breastpump a working mum can leave adequate breast milk with the babysitter to ensure optimal feeding just as if she was taking care of the baby herself. Using the pump will also help to prevent breast infections, plugged breast ducts, and other conditions that might otherwise develop due to prolonged retention of breast milk. Medical research has also established that a manual breastpump, for instance, helps to keep the milk flow regular even when the baby's feeding patterns are unpredictable.
Modern designers have introduced numerous models, styles and types of breastpumps. However, all these different versions can be categorized into two broad types namely the powered and manual breastpump. Powered breastpumps can either be operated by electricity or by batteries. The most common breastpump however is the manual pump and which is operated by hand when expressing breast milk. Not only is it cheaper, more reliable and ultimately safer, the manual pump is preferred by most moms because it gives them optimal control over the expressing process.
When choosing a manual breastpump there are several features that one should consider. First, one should consider the amount of milk needed and the frequency of use. The manual pump is ideal for infrequent non-bulk expression needs but not for moms who need to express milk severally every day. If however the manual pump is required for daily use, one should consider the ease of operating it and the amount of time required to express adequate milk. A good manual pump should allow the mother to express milk with a single hand and with minimal repeat effort.
Secondly, one should consider where and when the pump will be used. If the pump is to be used at home a nursing mother can settle for a durable hard-bodied manual Avent breast pump. However, if the pump is to be used outside the home such as when going outdoors, when working or travelling, or even when visiting family and friends, the most ideal pump should be portable (preferably weigh less than 4 pounds).
Another very important consideration is the safety of the breast. Some breastpumps can be harmful to the nipple and especially if used frequently and for long durations. A well designed manual pump should have a protective mechanism that allows the milk expression process to be safe, gentle and natural. An example of such a safe breast pump is the Philips Avent breast pump which features a patented massage cushion that naturally massages the let-down mechanism of the breast. The Avent breast pump connects to the breast via a soft silicone cushion that has 5 oval petals especially designed to massage the nipple region gently as you pump in a way that naturally stimulates the milk let-down reflex. Such a pump mimics the natural breastfeeding process just as if the mother were nursing the baby directly.
Finally, one should also consider the ease and effectiveness of cleaning and sterilizing the breastpump after use to avoid contamination of the baby's milk. A good manual breastpump does not allow milk to enter into its internal mechanisms. The Philips Avent breast pump only allows milk into areas that can be cleaned and sterilized easily after use. These are just some of the most important considerations to make when choosing a manual breastpump, an important step in ensuring that the purchased breastpump optimally serves the needs of a nursing mother.
by: Jim Walton
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