The Philippine Online Chronicles

Expressing milk even while you’re away from baby is a good way to ensure your breast milk supply stays stable. A breast pump can be of especially huge help when you’re back at work. There are different kinds of breast pumps to choose from. It’s best to secure a pump a few weeks before you go back to work. Pumping early on and introducing baby to the bottle can help her get used to it, as some babies can initially refuse to be bottle fed. Begin offering baby the bottle with about two ounces of breast milk twice a week to get her comfortable.

When it comes to breast pumps, there are two categories: electric and manual. Electric devices can be battery-operated or powered directly from the outlet. Manual devices are operated by hand. One isn’t necessarily better than the other, as the best breast pump is one that fully fits your needs.

Looking like a child’s horn: Sample of manual breast pump

A manual breast pump is a good choice if you will be away from baby for only short periods of time. To use, just squeeze a pump or a lever. This stimulates suction to express milk from your breast. Manual pumps can be used on one breast at a time. Some pumps can be operated by one hand, others require both. These pumps are small, handy and relatively inexpensive. They also are quieter to use since it doesn’t have a motor.  Some Moms prefer manual pumps so they can control the suction level, while other Moms find using manual pumps to be tiring. They may also feel that manual breast pumps don’t effectively express milk completely, which can threaten their breast milk supply.

Hook it up! Sample of an electric breast pump kit.

If you’re back at work the whole day, you may need to express milk every few hours. An electric breast pump may then be the better choice. While they’re pricier than manual pumps, electric breast empty your breasts more effectively, thus keeping your milk supply stable. They’re automatic and have adjustable suction intensities that can be set according to your comfort level. Newer models imitate how a baby would nurse – starting with quick pumps to begin the letdown reflex,  gradually moving into a slower sucking pattern. Some electric breast pumps come with a built-in battery pack if an electric outlet is unavailable (such as when you’re pumping on the go). Electric breast pumps come in single collection and double collection sets. They usually come with their own carrying bag, an insulated bag for carrying milk and even containers for storing breast milk. A double breast pump can cut pumping time in half since this allows both breasts to be emptied out at the same time. Double collection pumps, however, tend to be heavy and quite bulky.

Twice the milk in half the time: How to use a double collection breast pump

Should you consider borrowing a breast pump? While this practice is very pocket-friendly, it might not be hygienic because there’s a small risk of contamination. Breast milk can carry bacteria, thus increasing the risk of passing the infection on to baby. If you ultimately choose to borrow, consider getting your own collection cups, tube, and breast flange (the part of the pump that goes over the breast).

Whichever breast pump you end up choosing, it might help to choose one whose suction control can be adjusted. This allows you comfort while expressing milk. You can also choose according to how much time you need to breastfeed. Single electric breast pumps can pump milk faster than a manual pump, while a double pump can get the job done in half the time.

Ask fellow Moms who have tried a breast pump which ones worked best for them and learn from their experience. A lactation consultant can also help decide which may be best for you. A few of the known breastfeeding groups in the country that may provide support are:

• L.A.T.C.H.  (Lactation, Attachment, Training, Counselling, Help). This group is composed of trained peer counselors who give breastfeeding workshops and breastfeeding support. They also conduct hospital and in-home visits. The group’s home base is in the The Medical City, Pasig City. For more information, visit their website, email at info@theperfectlatch.com or access their hotline 0917-532-5643.
• La Leche League Philippines. This is an international non-profit organization dedicate to educate and encourage women who want to breastfeed. La Leche League can offer mother-to-mother support, monthly meetings, help via a phone call from accredited leaders and books that can be lent to paid members of the group among others. Monthly meetings in Manila are held every second Saturday at Baby & Company, Podium Mall in Ortigas, from 11am-12.30pm. Meetings are held as well in Cavite at AIIAS, Lalaan 1, Silang. An SMS should be sent to the Leaders to pre-register for the meetings. The Manila contacts are Cris Rosenthal (+63 917 894 1099) and  Abbie Yabot (+ 63 922 829 2268). Cavite contact is Trevlynn Oberholster (+63 46 414 4406). Visit their website for more information.
• For more, check out WikiPilipinas’ list of Top 10 Breastfeeding Advocates in the Philippines.

Photo: “Mamador” c/o Flickr. Some Rights Reserved. Photo: “_DSC5737” by Moshe Reuveni, c/o Flickr. Some Rights Reserved. Photo: “Double Pumping” by Adam, c/o Flickr. Some Rights Reserved

Toni Tiu used a single collection electric breast pump for almost two years. It was especially helpful when she still worked in the corporate world and was away from her baby. For stories on parenting, visit her site at Wifelysteps.com.