The production of milk for your newborn mainly depends on the demand, which will either increase or decrease the supply. When your baby is regularly draining each breast at each feeding, the demand will make the availability of milk increase. If you're having difficulty with the supply improving, you might have to turn to a hospital grade breast pump to increase the availability of milk available for your infant.
In a normal newborn baby feeding scenario, the more your infant consumes the more milk your breasts will produce. But if your newborn has difficulties breast feeding or you have sore or cracked nipples, you may stop breast feeding for a short period of time to bottle feed your baby. However if you begin to bottle feed more than you breast feed, you run the potential risk of having your milk supply run dry.
If you are having troubles with breast feeding, the easiest method to keep milk production up while taking a break from breast feeding is by pumping. Pumping is the next best thing to having a newborn keeping your supply of milk up. Pumping is also how mothers that go back to work, keep their milk supply going. There are numerous kinds of breast pumps that you ought to know about as not all breast pumps are the same.
Your basic types of breast pumps are usually electric powered in nature, but there are battery powered models for those times when a power outlet is not accessible. There are also hand pumps for individuals who either can't afford an electric or battery powered breast pump, and those who need a quick simple pump for situations that warrant a non-electrical pump.
Hand pumps are basically just that, a pump that you use with the power of your hand and are not electrical at all in nature. There are pumps that are made to use your foot to power them, but usually the hand pump is used. Typically smaller compared to other pumps and is great for situations where carrying space is crucial. One problem with hand pumps is that if you've got troubles with carpal tunnel syndrome or any other motor skill or tendonitis, you may want to get a foot powered pump or an electrical one.
Battery powered breast pumps are good for traveling and the office when there is no electrical outlet available on a regular basis. Best for mothers whose breast milk supply is already established and no extra pumping is needed to increase supply, but only to keep supply going. If you are planning on traveling or going to an appointment where your time is taken up, you may want a battery operated pump in the event you need to pump when you are out, and are recommended as emergency or occasional use only.
Electric breast pumps are available in two grades: Hospital Grade Breast pump and Personal Grade Breast Pump. The personal grade breast pumps are usually the one people purchase for office and home use, as is also less expensive than the usual hospital grade breast pump. They're designed for use by one individual and one individual only, unless they are sold after breast feeding is over. At this point they should be sterilized before usage.
Hospital grade breast pumps are a lot stronger than a personal grade breast pump, and are recommended for moms who are either having problems getting their milk supply to come in, or are experiencing trouble getting their milk supply to improve for the baby's intake. Hospital grade pumps are usually also rented rather than being bought.
Hospital grade pumps tend to be more expensive than a personal grade pump, and may be rented from the majority of hospitals or lactation experts. They're also made to be used by more than one person as the design allows for the pumps to not even touch the milk. Therefore sterilization is not so crucial as with personal pumps.
These types of pumps are also designed to have the ability to pump both breasts at the same time. These types of pumps will be used for moms to help initiate milk flow, or to help increase production for your developing infant. These pumps will also be bigger in size and bulk and usually set up and left in one location for the convenience of the mom at home.
These pumps are typically over $1,000 unless you purchase a used one. Personal grade pumps are usually under $500, and are more affordable than the more powerful hospital grade pump.
Stan has been writing articles for a few years and enjoys writing on a variety of topics. One such topic is
Hospital Grade Breast Pumps. He is a father of one and one on the way. His wife is an advocate of using a
Hospital Grade Breast Pump to help ensure optimal breast health.
See his website here:
http://www.hospitalgradebreastpump.net
Loading...