Using a Breast Pump

Using a Breast Pump

Using a Breast Pump

0-4 months
Article
Nov 5, 2016
4 mins

There are many reasons for wanting to express breastmilk. The most important decision is choosing a pump which suits your needs and situation, and then storing your breastmilk appropriately.

Breastfeeding bras and pads

  • A breastfeeding bra, gives your baby easy access—one with flaps that open easily for breastfeeding. Although you will want to buy a few before you give birth, your breasts will grow once your milk has come in, so you might want to wait until after the birth to buy a few more. The band size should fit snugly on the loosest hook. Ask for assistance in the shop with someone experienced with fitting breastfeeding bras.
  • A breastfeeding bra should provide good support. Avoid those with under wires, these place too much pressure on the breasts and may lead to blocked milk ducts or mastitis (infected milk ducts).
  • Use breastfeeding pads that are absorbent and ventilate well. As needed, replace wet pads with dry ones to prevent chafing and bacterial growth.


Breastfeeding clothes

The idea behind breastfeeding clothes is to allow easy and potentially discreet access to your breast. There are specially designed breastfeeding blouses and sleepwear that have side slits to help you breastfeed discreetly and comfortably. Or simply invest in some inexpensive stretchy t-shirts that can easily be pulled down on one side or shirts with buttons down the front.

A comfortable breastfeeding chair

Select a chair that provides good back support and has armrests to help you comfortably sit up straight and your feet reach the floor comfortably. Over time, your body (especially your back and neck) will suffer if you’re posture is not well supported while you feed.

A good breastfeeding pillow

A good breastfeeding pillow adds comfort to both you and baby while breastfeeding. There are plenty of pillows out there specifically tailored to breastfeeding, but any firm pillow will do. A breastfeeding pillow assists by positioning baby at breast level, supporting their weight and helping maintain your proper posture as you won’t have to lean over or strain your back while breastfeeding. You may find a pillow is only necessary for the first few months while your baby is smaller and feeds are longer.

Breast Pump

In many instances, breast milk direct from mum will be more convenient and provides many added benefits such as skin-to-skin bonding. While early use of bottles, especially before the first breastfeed, can interfere with the natural processes of breastfeeding by reducing the infant’s sucking capacity and the stimulation of the mother’s breasts, there are many situations in which expressing breastmilk and feeding from a bottle may be required. Some of the most common reasons you may want to use a breast pump include:

  • To stimulate your milk production when you are unable to breast feed your baby directly after birth, such as when your baby is premature or your baby is unable to suck adequately.
  • You or your baby are in hospital and unable to feed them directly.
  • To maintain your milk supply when you are away from your baby (eg. after returning to work).
  • You are leaving your baby with a baby sitter while you are out.
  • Many mothers like to store breast milk for emergencies, as exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first 4-6 months.


Choosing a pump

There are a large range of breast pumps on the market. You can choose from electric or hand held pumps and your choice may depend on how much you require or intend to use it.

Additional items

If you choose to use a breast pump, there are additional equipment you will need to attain, including:

  • Breast milk storage satchels (available at chemists and supermarkets and baby specialist stores);
  • Baby bottles and teats – there are a large variety of bottles and teats available and many mothers find they need to try a range of teats to find which one your baby will accept;
  • Steriliser for cleaning all equipment.


Sterilisers

Breast pumps and bottles need to be dissembled and sterilised before each use. There is generally two methods of sterilisation: Either using cold water and adding a non-toxic sterilisation solution, available through pharmacies; or by using heat via a microwave or electric steam steriliser. If you are not using the equipment again straight away, you can simply wash the equipment and then sterilise before the next use.

Related articles

View details What Support is Available If I've Decided to Formula Feed
Article
What Support is Available If I've Decided to Formula Feed

What Support is Available If I've Decided to Formula Feed

There are many parents out there just like you, who have for whatever reason, decided not to breastfeed, and given this is to be an unlikely easy decision, it’s important to know what support is th

2 mins to read

View details Breast Milk Helps Protect Babies During Infancy
Article
Breast milk helps protect babies during infancy

Breast Milk Helps Protect Babies During Infancy

And even later in life. Breastmilk is the ideal food for babies in the first six months and sets the best possible foundation for a healthy life.

1 min to read

View details Transitioning Between Different Milk Feeding Options
Article
Transitioning Between Different Milk Feeding Options

Transitioning Between Different Milk Feeding Options

Whether you’re moving from breastfeeding to formula feeding, or changing from one formula to another, it’s important to keep your eye out for signs of intolerance.

2 mins to read

View details Breastfeeding Tips
Article
Woman holding small baby whilst breastfeeding

Breastfeeding Tips

In Australia, almost all mums intend to breastfeed. While breastfeeding is a natural way of feeding, it isn’t always easy.

4 mins to read

View details Sterilising Baby Bottles
Article
Sterilising Baby Bottles

Sterilising Baby Bottles

The purpose of sterilisation is to kill off any harmful bacteria that may grow in equipment that has had milk in it, and there are many sterilisation methods available today.

4 mins to read

View details Is Your Baby Getting Enough?
Article
Nursing quiz

Is Your Baby Getting Enough?

While new babies need to feed every 2-3 hours, there really is no such thing as a set baby feeding schedule.

1 min to read

View details My Breast Milk: Top of the Class Nutrition
Article
My Breast Milk: Top of the class nutrition

My Breast Milk: Top of the Class Nutrition

Breast milk has everything going for it: it meets your newborn baby's nutritional needs perfectly and changes its composition as the months go by and your baby's needs change.

4 mins to read

View details Baby Formula Ingredients
Article
What's in Baby Formula

Baby Formula Ingredients

Baby formulas will never be equal to breast milk, however they have been formulated to provide the necessary nutrients to support normal growth and development when breast milk is not available.&nb

4 mins to read

View details Storage and Handling of Baby Formula
Article
Woman putting something in the cupboard

Storage and Handling of Baby Formula

It is extremely important to follow the storage and handling instructions provided on the tin of the baby formula you are using.

1 min to read

View details Breastfeeding Hunger & Fullness Cues
Article
Breastfeeding hunger & fullness cues

Breastfeeding Hunger & Fullness Cues

Depending on her level of hunger, your baby’s cues may become very obvious to you.

3 mins to read

View details Breastfeeding for Beginners PART 1: Get Started
Article
Breastfeeding for beginners PART 1: Get started

Breastfeeding for Beginners PART 1: Get Started

Like any new skill, breastfeeding can take practice and perseverance to master.

4 mins to read

View details Warming Baby Formula
Article
Smiling parents and son

Warming Baby Formula

There may not be many situations where you will need to warm up a formula feed, but on the odd occasion when you do it’s important to know how to do it safely.

2 mins to read

View details Breast Milk Is The Best Start For Babies
Article
Breast milk is the best start for babies

Breast Milk Is The Best Start For Babies

Amazingly, the nutrients in breastmilk continuously change to match the growth and development of a baby throughout its infancy.

1 min to read

View details Breastfeeding for Beginners PART 2: Get a Good Latch
Article
Breastfeeding for beginners PART 2: Get a good latch

Breastfeeding for Beginners PART 2: Get a Good Latch

How to make sure your baby is feeding well and you’re both comfortable during feedings.

3 mins to read

View details Breastfeeding Diet & Food to Avoid When Breastfeeding
Article
Mother breastfeeding baby on a chair

Breastfeeding Diet & Food to Avoid When Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding requires approximately 2000-2100 kilojoules extra each day compared with if you were not breastfeeding. This is a lot of extra food (and fluid) to fit in!

11 mins to read

View details Breastfeeding Positions
Article
Breastfeeding-Positions-2

Breastfeeding Positions

Although breastfeeding is a natural way to nourish your baby, it’s a way of feeding that both you and your baby must learn together. It takes time, patience and practice.

3 mins to read

View details Benefits of Breastfeeding
Article
Benefits of Breastfeeding

Benefits of Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is nature’s intended way to feed a baby and has a number of health benefits for both mum and baby.

3 mins to read

View details Breastfeeding 101
Article
Breastfeeding 101

Breastfeeding 101

Having a basic understanding about breastmilk, breastfeeding and your breastfed baby will help you enjoy every moment that you’re nourishing and nurturing your baby.

4 mins to read

View details Breastfeeding for Beginners PART 4: Get Confident
Article
Breastfeeding for beginners PART 4: Get confident

Breastfeeding for Beginners PART 4: Get Confident

Now you’ve mastered breastfeeding in the comfort of your own home, it’s time to get out and about! 

2 mins to read

Join

  Join

Supporting both you and your baby’s wellbeing and nutrition

eNewsletter Icon

Personalised content

Weekly + monthly e-newsletters based on baby's development straight to your inbox, plus a personalised browsing experience.

Help Icon

Tips & advice

Chat with our Nutrition Experts or browse our FAQs, anytime, anywhere.

Updated Recipe Book SVG

Free e-recipe books

Enjoy over 50 delicious recipes for the whole family. Download our pregnancy, baby and toddler recipe books, or print at home.

Dashboard Icon

Handy tools

Interactive tools to help you keep track of complex things - like fertility, ovulation and growth