The benefits of using a breast pump and top tips from Elvie
To pump or not to pump, that is the question. We asked the experts at Elvie their thoughts and to also help explain the benefits, things to consider and useful tips to make your breast pumping journey an enjoyable one.
The benefits of using a breast pump
How to properly pump breast milk
Hands on breast pumping techniques
The positives of using a breast pump
Share the feeding responsibility
One of the biggest positives of using a breast pump is it will allow you to share some of the feeding responsibilities with your support network. If you’ve built up a store of pumped breastmilk, and your baby is happy to take the bottle, then you might get a few blissful extra hours in bed or have a few hours to do the things you love. This can be an absolute lifeline and help you get some of your independence back.
Avoid engorgement
Breast pumping is also very helpful to avoid engorgement as this can be really painful. For example, if you’re back at work or out without your baby, you may need to pump to avoid your breasts becoming too full.
Boost breast milk supply
Breast milk is a game of supply and demand. The faster milk is demanded from the breast by either a nursing baby or a breast pump, the more quickly breast milk will be produced.
If your baby is breastfeeding but needs more milk because of low milk supply, low weight gain, or difficulties breastfeeding—pumping can help to maximise your milk production. If you have concerns that you may have low milk supply and need advice, speak to a qualified professional.
Pump wherever, whenever
Because of the outdated technology associated with breast pumps, lots of mothers still see it as a real drag and restrictive. But that’s no longer the case. Fast forward to now and with Elvie’s hands-free breast pump range including the Elvie Pump and Elvie Stride, you can pump and seamlessly carry on with your day.
How do breast pumps work?
Manual breast pumps are operated by hand, whereas an electric breast pump (such as the Elvie Pump) is powered by a motor. In either case, the pump works by creating a vacuum that mimics the sucking motion of a baby breastfeeding. This stimulates the release of oxytocin and prolactin, which are the hormones responsible for milk production and the milk ejection reflex.
How to properly pump breast milk
Regardless of the type of pump you choose, there are some universal tips that you can use to get the most out of your pumping time.
Many electric pumps have two settings: slow and fast. Try using the fast setting as soon as you start pumping (on a lower power) to help stimulate the breast into producing milk. Once you notice the first drops of breast milk begin to flow, feel free to switch to a slower setting. This gentler rhythm can be set to a stronger breast pump suction setting once you’re comfortable. When the milk flow begins to slow down, you can then speed things up a little — usually, this will trigger your breast into producing more milk.
Always check your shield size and make sure it is optimal for your nipple size. Check out Elvie’s handy nipple sizing guide.
Pump from both breasts at the same time, or pump from one breast while nursing from the other (this is easier with a hands-free pump). Studies show that overall yield increases with double pumping versus single pumping (1).
Use the hands-on pumping technique. This technique has been shown to increase daily output by 48% in exclusively pumping mothers of preterm infants (2).
The hands-on breast pumping technique
Whether you use an electric or manual breast pump, practising the hands-on technique can help you provide breast milk in much larger volumes.
Double pump if possible.
Use your hands to gently massage and compress the breast while pumping.
Move back and forth between breasts as you continue to pump.
Once the milk starts coming out as a trickle, remove the pump and massage again.
Then put the pump back on to get another let-down. Hand expressing at the end will increase the fat content of your milk.
The whole routine should take around 25-30 minutes. With practice, you will get a better understanding of what works best for you and your body.
How often to use a breast pump
Deciding when to pump really depends on your circumstances — every person will respond differently to the same pump, and not every pumping schedule will suit everyone. Some users may need to pump more frequently to produce the same volume of breast milk as others.
As a rule of thumb, if you’re using your breast pump to fill multiple bottles, or to build a milk supply, you’ll likely get a greater output if you pump in the morning.
For frequent pumping, it’s best to maintain a consistent routine. By using your breast pump at the same time each day, your body will slowly become attuned to your pumping sessions and produce more milk in anticipation of them.
For women and people who rely exclusively on breast pumping to feed their babies, it’s recommended to pump at least 8 times in 24 hours (3) for 30 minutes at a time while establishing and building a supply. This frequency can then be adjusted based on the volumes of milk needed once your baby is over 3 months old. It’s always beneficial to pump slightly more than your baby typically drinks, too.
Which breast pump is right for you?
Our friends at Elvie are the home of smart tech for smart bodies (AKA all you amazing Mums) so we asked them to take us through their pumps to help you decide which one is right for you. Take Elvie’s handy “Which pump is right for me” quiz.
Elvie Pump
Elvie Pump is the smallest, quietest and smartest electric breast pump!
It’s also the world's first and only breast pump to be awarded with the Quiet Mark seal of approval.
Hands-free fully in-bra design with no external tubes or cords.
Control via app: Control your Elvie Pump via our dedicated app, monitor milk volumes in real time, track your pumping history, plus, SmartRhythm™ personalisation, you can adjust your pump to accommodate all your needs, from nipple sensitivity to heavier let-down.
Elvie Pump is best for: Ultimate discretion. The most wearable, quietest electric pump Elvie has ever made.
Elvie Stride
Elvie Stride has hospital-grade performance: Up to -300 mmHG*, with two modes and ten intensity settings per mode. Elvie’s strongest pump.
Hands-free: Elvie Stride slots straight into your bra.
Comfortable cups that don't weigh you down weighing less than 150 grams per cup.
Control via app: Control your Elvie Stride via our dedicated app, monitor milk volumes in real time, track your pumping history, and choose from 2 modes and 7 intensity settings.
Powerful, yet quiet with top-spec noise reduction technology.
Elvie Stride is best for: Anyone seeking hospital-grade performance in a hands-free device.
Remember every journey is different
It’s important to remember that many mum’s won’t have the opportunity to breastfeed, let alone pump, for many various different reasons. No journey is the same, and every mum is different, and there is no right or perfect journey!
Prime, D.K., Garbin, C.P., Hartmann, P.E. and Kent, J.C. (2012). Simultaneous Breast Expression in Breastfeeding Women Is More Efficacious Than Sequential Breast Expression. Breastfeeding Medicine, 7(6), pp.442–447. doi:10.1089/bfm.2011.0139.
Morton J, Hall JY, Wong RJ, Thairu L, Benitz WE, Rhine WD . Combining hand techniques with electric pumping increases milk production in mothers of preterm infants. J Perinatol 2009; 29: 757–764.
Sample Hospital Breastfeeding Policy for Newborns, American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Breastfeeding.
