This is the International Breastfeeding Icon. For
more information on it's history, please click here.
Copyright of this image has been signed over to
public domain and is available free of charge for
your use here.
more information on it's history, please click here.
Copyright of this image has been signed over to
public domain and is available free of charge for
your use here.
| Whole Mothering Center Southeast Texas Maternal Resources |
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| Breast Pump Information |
This page is dedicated to the myriad questions that breastfeeding mothers may have about breast pumps,
from 'do I need one" to 'which one is right for me'. If you have a question that is not answered on this page,
please contact us!
Do I need a breast pump?
The answer depends on your circumstances. For most women who will be with their babies, the answer is no.
For women who will be away from their babies for work, school or due to other circumstances (such as an ill
baby in the NICU), the answer is yes. There are, of course circumstances in which a 'stay at home' mother may
need or want a pump (such as a mother with milk supply issues or when Mom want to go out without the baby),
and a few mothers who have a lot of separation from their babies may not need a pump (such as an extremely
overabundant milk supply coupled with a baby who has adjusted his routines to only nurse when mother is
present). Individual mileage varies!
For the stay at home mother, having a manual or small battery operated pump on hand is nice and can be
useful to help with things like engorgement, helping to boost production or handling small trips away from
baby. Lately, there has been a marketing program to help convince breastfeeding mothers that they need a
pump. For the most part though, if you're going to be with your baby, a pump is not a 'must have'.
What kind of pump do I need?
The type of pump you need depends on how often and for how long you need to pump. A mother who is
usually at home with her baby will need a different pump than a mother who is working or going to school. If
time is important, think about selecting a double pumping breast pump instead of a single one. Pumping both
breasts at once can save you time. Below are a list of breast pumps from Medela and suggestions for when
they work best. Ameda/Egnell also makes quality pumps and has a similar pump style and function (however,
WMC recommends Medela products).
If you are planning to go to school or work part-time (for occasional or short term pumping): Mini Electric,
Double Mini Electric, Manual Spring Express, Manual Electric (this pump contains the parts needed to upgrade
to an electric pump).
If you are planning on working or going back to school full-time (pumping 2-3 times a day or more and for long
term pumping): Pump-N-Style (looks like a shoulder bag), Lactina Select (for rent only), Classic Medela Pump
(for rent only).
If you have a preterm baby who is unable to breastfeed yet and you need to keep up your milk supply, you will
need to pump every 3-4 hours daily: Lactina Select (for rent only), Classic Medela Pump (for rent only),
*Pump-N-Style (can be used if Lactina or Classic Pump is unavailable).
How often should I pump?
I'm planning a weekend away from my baby. What's the best type of pump for
me?
If your baby is still nursing regularly, you will need to pump as if you were nursing (at least every 4 hours) to
maintain your milk supply. It often take a woman a while to 'learn' to let down for a pump, so we recommend
pumping at least once per day for up to a week before you leave to help your body adjust. For a short trip, a
manual pump may be enough, though you may find that renting an electric pump is faster and more productive.
My doctor told me to pump and see how much milk I am making.
A breast pump will NEVER tell you 'how much' milk you're making.
A breast pump is only capable of telling you how much milk the pump is able to get out of your breast. Your
healthy, full-term baby is much more efficient at the breast than any pump on the market. Many women have
been discouraged - some to the point of needlessly supplementing or stopping breastfeeding altogether -
because of this directive. If you're in doubt about your milk supply or your body's ability to produce milk, we
encourage you to contact a lactation specialist or breastfeeding educator.
My baby is in the Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Do I need to pump?
YES! For all babies, colostrum and breast milk is the optimum mix of nutrients and antibodies at the right time.
For babies who are ill or in the NICU, providing your baby with your milk is even more important. Many
neonatal pediatricians or specialists will recommend augmenting your milk with a supplement designed to help
your baby gain weight, which is usually fine, however we do recommend that mothers of NICU babies be
adamant that their baby be fed their own pumped milk. Doing everything you can to help your baby, especially
breastfeeding (or feeding your baby your own milk) is something that only you can do for your baby.
I'm planning to/exclusively pumping and feeding my milk to my baby via bottle.
What should I know?
Kellymom - Pumping & Bottle Feeding
Kellymom - Exclusively Pumping
Exclusively Pumping
Exclusively Pumping Rules - A mother-to-mother blog support site by Jen, Amy & Christine
Additional Links:
Work & Pump
KellyMom - Milk Expression Tips & Pump Information
PumpingMoms.org including the PumpMoms Yahoo Group
from 'do I need one" to 'which one is right for me'. If you have a question that is not answered on this page,
please contact us!
Do I need a breast pump?
The answer depends on your circumstances. For most women who will be with their babies, the answer is no.
For women who will be away from their babies for work, school or due to other circumstances (such as an ill
baby in the NICU), the answer is yes. There are, of course circumstances in which a 'stay at home' mother may
need or want a pump (such as a mother with milk supply issues or when Mom want to go out without the baby),
and a few mothers who have a lot of separation from their babies may not need a pump (such as an extremely
overabundant milk supply coupled with a baby who has adjusted his routines to only nurse when mother is
present). Individual mileage varies!
For the stay at home mother, having a manual or small battery operated pump on hand is nice and can be
useful to help with things like engorgement, helping to boost production or handling small trips away from
baby. Lately, there has been a marketing program to help convince breastfeeding mothers that they need a
pump. For the most part though, if you're going to be with your baby, a pump is not a 'must have'.
What kind of pump do I need?
The type of pump you need depends on how often and for how long you need to pump. A mother who is
usually at home with her baby will need a different pump than a mother who is working or going to school. If
time is important, think about selecting a double pumping breast pump instead of a single one. Pumping both
breasts at once can save you time. Below are a list of breast pumps from Medela and suggestions for when
they work best. Ameda/Egnell also makes quality pumps and has a similar pump style and function (however,
WMC recommends Medela products).
If you are planning to go to school or work part-time (for occasional or short term pumping): Mini Electric,
Double Mini Electric, Manual Spring Express, Manual Electric (this pump contains the parts needed to upgrade
to an electric pump).
If you are planning on working or going back to school full-time (pumping 2-3 times a day or more and for long
term pumping): Pump-N-Style (looks like a shoulder bag), Lactina Select (for rent only), Classic Medela Pump
(for rent only).
If you have a preterm baby who is unable to breastfeed yet and you need to keep up your milk supply, you will
need to pump every 3-4 hours daily: Lactina Select (for rent only), Classic Medela Pump (for rent only),
*Pump-N-Style (can be used if Lactina or Classic Pump is unavailable).
How often should I pump?
I'm planning a weekend away from my baby. What's the best type of pump for
me?
If your baby is still nursing regularly, you will need to pump as if you were nursing (at least every 4 hours) to
maintain your milk supply. It often take a woman a while to 'learn' to let down for a pump, so we recommend
pumping at least once per day for up to a week before you leave to help your body adjust. For a short trip, a
manual pump may be enough, though you may find that renting an electric pump is faster and more productive.
My doctor told me to pump and see how much milk I am making.
A breast pump will NEVER tell you 'how much' milk you're making.
A breast pump is only capable of telling you how much milk the pump is able to get out of your breast. Your
healthy, full-term baby is much more efficient at the breast than any pump on the market. Many women have
been discouraged - some to the point of needlessly supplementing or stopping breastfeeding altogether -
because of this directive. If you're in doubt about your milk supply or your body's ability to produce milk, we
encourage you to contact a lactation specialist or breastfeeding educator.
My baby is in the Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Do I need to pump?
YES! For all babies, colostrum and breast milk is the optimum mix of nutrients and antibodies at the right time.
For babies who are ill or in the NICU, providing your baby with your milk is even more important. Many
neonatal pediatricians or specialists will recommend augmenting your milk with a supplement designed to help
your baby gain weight, which is usually fine, however we do recommend that mothers of NICU babies be
adamant that their baby be fed their own pumped milk. Doing everything you can to help your baby, especially
breastfeeding (or feeding your baby your own milk) is something that only you can do for your baby.
I'm planning to/exclusively pumping and feeding my milk to my baby via bottle.
What should I know?
Kellymom - Pumping & Bottle Feeding
Kellymom - Exclusively Pumping
Exclusively Pumping
Exclusively Pumping Rules - A mother-to-mother blog support site by Jen, Amy & Christine
Additional Links:
Work & Pump
KellyMom - Milk Expression Tips & Pump Information
PumpingMoms.org including the PumpMoms Yahoo Group
| Did you know? W.I.C. will provide a breast pump and nursing bras to qualifying mothers free of charge! In addition, breastfeeding mothers are allowed additional produce & other items not available to other clients. Talk to your WIC Breastfeeding Support Person now! WIC Offices in Jefferson Co. |
| Breast Pump Rentals & Sales in Beaumont Nature's Way Breast Pumps (Medela Products & Accessories) Debbie Maxwell 2655 N 9th St Beaumont, TX 77703 (409) 898-8417 Walson, Inc (Ameda Products & Rentals) 50 N 11th St Beaumont, TX 77702 (409) 835-3091 A note about breast pumps: Please do not buy a breast pump that is made by a company that also manufactures or promotes infant formula! There have been many reports of damaged breast tissue with their use. |
| For Breastfeeding help anytime, call: Whole Mothering Center Breastfeeding Warmline: 409.347.1245 Heather Thomas, BE Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital Breastfeeding Warmline: 409.899.8523 or toll free 1.800.810.2829 Lori Wenner, IBCLC Stacie Jones, IBCLC |
| Copyright 2007 Whole Mothering Center This page updated August 2, 2008 We SUPPORT the International Nestle Boycott! |
