Breast Pump

1. Mechanism
   1. Suction pressure
      1. Infant suction pressure: 50 to 220 mm Hg
      2. Pump suction pressure: 150 to 220 mm Hg
   2. Suction frequency
      1. Infant suction frequency: 40 to 126 sucks/minute
   3. Higher Prolactin levels produce more milk
      1. Double pumping stimulates highest Prolactin level
      2. If single pumping, then switch sides q5 minutes
2. Types: Pump
   1. Less expensive pumps (less than $100)
      1. Indications
         1. Mothers not working outside the home
         2. Mothers occasionally separated from infant
         3. Working mother with infant >6 months
      2. Pumps
         1. Manual Breast Pump
         2. Battery-powered Breast Pump
   2. Moderately priced pumps (less than $160)
      1. Indications
         1. Working mother with infant >6 months
      2. Pumps
         1. Electric-diaphragm Breast Pump
   3. Expensive pumps ($170 to $800)
      1. Indications
         1. Working mother of infant at any age
         2. Decreased milk supply or nipple soreness
      2. Pumps
         1. Hospital-grade Electric Piston Breast Pump
            1. May be rented for $40 to $60 per month
         2. Electric-piston Breast Pump (Up to $300)
            1. Most commonly used pump for working mothers
3. Milk storage: Safe guidelines
   1. Memory aid: 4-4-4
      1. Use within 4 hours on counter, 4 days in refrigerator, 4 months in freezer
   2. Storage containers
      1. Clean plastic bags or bottles or
      2. Clean glass bottles
   3. Room temperature (up to 77 degrees F): 4-8 hours
   4. Portable ice chest: 24 hours
   5. Refrigerator: 3-8 days (store at back of unit)
      1. OSHA approves storage in employee refrigerators
   6. Freezer compartment in refrigerator-freezer: 3-6 months
      1. La Leche recommends only 2 weeks
   7. Freezer Chest (-4 degrees F): 12 months
4. Technique: Using stored milk
   1. Thawing milk
      1. Thaw in refrigerator or
      2. Thaw in bag or bottle immersed in warm water
      3. Do not thaw Breast Milk in the microwave
   2. Do not refreeze thawed milk
   3. Use thawed milk within 2 days
   4. Shake milk to re-emulsify fat before serving
5. Resources
   1. General
      1. See Lactation Resources
      2. Pumping Mom's Information Exchange
         1. http://www.pumpingmoms.org
   2. Pump Suppliers
      1. Medela
         1. http://www.medela.com
      2. Bailey Med
         1. http://www.baileymed.com
      3. Nursing Mother Supplies
         1. http://www.nursingmothersupplies.com
      4. Babies R US
         1. http://www.babiesrus.com
6. References
   1. Biagioli (2003) Am Fam Physician 68:2201-17
   2. Slusser (2001) Pediatr Clin North Am 48:505-16
   3. Tully (2000) J Hum Lact 16:149-51
   4. Williamson (1996) J Hum Lact 1:31-5