Maternal and Breast Pump Factors Associated with Breast Pump Problems and Injuries

Abstract

Our results suggest that problems and injuries associated with breast pump use can happen to mothers of all socioeconomic characteristics. Breastfeeding mothers may reduce their risks of problems and injury by not using battery-operated pumps and may reduce breast pump problems by not using manual pumps and by learning breast pump skills from a person rather than following written or video instructions.

Breastmilk Expression and Breast Pump Technology

“…51 Among 1844 mothers followed in the Infant Feeding Practices Study II, 77% reported either a pump problem or an injury from a breast pump. 34 The most commonly reported injury was sore nipples. Women with weaker breastfeeding intentions and those using battery-operated pumps had a higher risk of pump problems and injury.…”

“…34 Between 1992 and 2003, the FDA received 37 reports for breast pump adverse events. 7 Eighty-one percent of the reports were for electric or battery-operated pumps, and the rest were for manual pumps.…”

“…In the United States Infant Feeding Practices II study, nearly 33% of mothers used a manual pump. 34 Although the vast majority (70% to 74%) of women buy a new pump, many (25% to 35%) will obtain secondhand models from friends, family, or through online/ print classifieds. 6,34 www.clinicalobgyn.com…”

ABM Clinical Protocol #26: Persistent Pain with Breastfeeding

“…In a survey in the United States, 14.6% of 1844 mothers reported injuries related to pump use. 17 (II-2) Injury may be either a direct result of pump misuse or failure or an exacerbation of pre-existing nipple damage or pathology. Observing the mother while using the breast pump may clarify the cause(s) of trauma (i.e., improper flange fit, excessive high-pressure suction, or prolonged duration).…”

Implementation of break time for employee nursing mothers at the University of Louisville : a case study.

“…(Qi, Zhang et al 2014) There is also some data that suggests that hands on pumping, the use of breast massage while using a pump, can also increase the amount of milk collected at a session. (Morton, Hall et al 2009) This study was done with the mothers of preterm infants, but there is no data or reason to believe that the process would be different for mothers of full term infants, but it has not yet been specifically studied in this population.…”