Breastmilk Expression and Breast Pump Technology

Abstract

More than 80% of mothers express milk at some point during the first 4 months postpartum. Many women rely on breast pumps to establish and maintain lactation particularly when the infant is not able to breastfeed. Proper breast pump fit and use are important to optimize breastmilk supply and prevent injury. As breast pumps continues to evolve and the number of women using them remains a substantial majority, health care professionals need to maintain a thorough understanding of this tool and relevant techniques to help mothers succeed.

Breast Practices: Strategies to Support Lactating Emergency Physicians

“…Scenarios that complicate direct breastfeeding include infants with medical conditions that involve prolonged neonatal ICU admissions, inability for oral intake, difficulty latching or transferring milk, maternal comorbidities or postpartum complications, and physical separation of the lactating individual and infant, such as for work or travel. 48 In these scenarios, lactating individuals or other caretakers can feed an infant pumped breast milk through a bottle in place of direct breastfeeding. 48 Lactating mothers may thus express milk through direct breastfeeding, pumping, or some combination of the two.…”

“…48 In these scenarios, lactating individuals or other caretakers can feed an infant pumped breast milk through a bottle in place of direct breastfeeding. 48 Lactating mothers may thus express milk through direct breastfeeding, pumping, or some combination of the two. 49 The process of expressing all milk through pumping rather than direct breastfeeding is known as exclusive pumping.…”

“…Breast pumps are either manual or electric. 48 Manual pumps require repetitive squeezing of a lever to generate suction. 48 They are quieter, cost less, and are easier to transport but are typically limited to one-sided use and are generally slower.…”

“…48 Manual pumps require repetitive squeezing of a lever to generate suction. 48 They are quieter, cost less, and are easier to transport but are typically limited to one-sided use and are generally slower. 48 Although they can serve as an effective backup pump, most lactating emergency physicians will use an electric pump for power and efficiency to empty both breasts simultaneously.…”

Productive Pumping: A Pilot Study to Help Postpartum Residents Increase Clinical Time

“…11 Recent surveys confirm that lactation barriers remain across specialties. 6,[12][13][14] Studies have reported methods to improve lactation efficiency in mothers of neonatal intensive care unit (ICU) infants, [15][16][17] but none have examined lactation in resident physicians after return from maternity leave.…”