Breast Pump Glossary and Breastfeeding Terms

2-phase expressionhospital rental pumps) be single user, even though
A feature on some breast pumps by Medelathe Hygienikit IS the individual user kit for rental
(Symphony, Pump In Style Advanced, not Original,pumps.
and the Swing), that starts the cycling fast withlactation consultant
less suction then after two minutes switches toA highly specialized healthcare professional with
slower cycling with more vacuum strength toadvanced training in breastfeeding management.
imitate the sucking patterns of infants. A specialBecause of the nature of their training, their
let-down button can be pressed once to goadvice on breastfeeding may be more specific
instantly to the second mode. The manual breastand useful than what a mother will receive from
pump Harmony is also said to have 2-phase. Theher obstetrician or baby's pediatrician.
first phase is initiated by squeezing the short partlactation aid
of the handle, with the longer, stronger strokes ofA device that consists of a container of usually
the second phase coming from switching the handinfant formula or banked breast milk and a long
around to squeeze the long part of the handle.but narrow-diameter tube. The tube is inserted
areolainto an infant's mouth along with the breast while
The dark circular area around the nipple. It isnursing and provides extra nutrition to the infant
important during breast feeding for the baby towhile the breast simultaneously receives
latch on with as much areola in his or her mouthstimulation to encourage lactation. This also
as possible.prevents a baby from becoming attached to
baby scaleartificial nipples while enabling a mother time to
For mothers concerned about low milk supply aundertake strategies to shore up a lagging milk
baby scale is a tool to verify baby's weight gainsupply. Should be used under the advice of a
and also the amount of breast milk received inlactation consultant as improper use could diminish
any given nursing. By weighing the baby beforemilk supply.
and after nursing and doing a little subtraction, onelet-down
can determine the number of ounces the babyAlso known as the milk ejection response, it
nursed from the breast. Since a nursing baby isoccurs when hormones cause muscles within the
usually more efficient than any breast pump, thisbreast to squeeze and the ducts to widen,
method is preferred to breast pumping forpushing the milk from all parts of the breast
determining how much milk the baby may betoward the nipple. Some mothers feel a tingling
getting. For these purposes a baby scale accuratesensation; others feel nothing. Let-down is partly a
to 15 grams or less may be rented from manyconditioned response and can be encouraged while
breast pump rental stations.nursing or breast pumping by engaging in routines
battery pack, batteries(i.e. sitting in the same place, drinking from a
In a breast pump, batteries give cordlesscertain cup), looking at a picture of the baby,
convenience but vacuum strength and cycles perthinking of the milk flowing, or taking the mind off
minute may be less than the user will find whenof everything about it.
using the AC adapter. Also pump cycling mayLet-Down Massage Cushions
slow as the batteries wear down. Slower cyclesThe Avent breast pump shields or flanges are
may cause some discomfort because thesoft silicone and have 5 petal-shaped bumps that
vacuum will be held longer on the breast. If thismove in and out to massage the areola and aid
happens, reduce the vacuum and replace thelet-down. Available in only one size.
batteries with fresh ones as soon as possible.milk collection bags
breast pumpMarketed under different trade names, these
A device that expresses milk from the breast. Aplastic bags are intended for the collection and
misconception is that the breast pump suctionsstorage of breast milk. They bear a resemblance
milk out of the breast. A breast pump's job is toto disposable bottle liners but have the notable
trigger the milk-ejection response or let-down.difference of being thicker and stronger. For this
Most pumps achieve this goal by using suction toreason milk collection bags are more suited for
pull the nipple into the tunnel of the breast shieldfreezing breast milk and for using with breast
or flange then release, which counts as one cycle.pumps that permit attaching bags in place of
Thirty to sixty cycles per minute can bebottles. Attaching disposable bottle liners to a
expected with better quality electric breastbreast pump will not permit a sufficient suction to
pumps. It is important to note that in most casesbe created for the pump to function properly.
the breast pump is not as efficient at removingmmHg
milk from the breast as the nursing baby. ManyAbbreviation for millimeters of mercury and as it
mothers find their milk supply dwindling when theyrelates to breast pumps it means strength of
substitute too many pumpings for actual nursingvacuum or suction. Sufficient pressure is needed
sessions with their baby.to stimulate let-down, not to suction the milk
breast pump reviewsfrom the breasts as is sometimes erroneously
Opinions by actual users of the breast pumps.believed. Hospital grade breast pumps have the
Two good places to find some reviews on thehighest mmHg numbers and are the best for
internet are Amazon and Epinionsestablishing a milk supply in mothers who need
breast shields, flanges, funnelshelp in that area because of low supply issues or
The part of the breast pump that actuallya hospitalized newborn. After a supply is
touches the breast, covering the nipple and areolawell-established some users have found that "less
area. Medela breast shields fit almost all theiris more" and adjusting the suction lower has
pumps and come in sizes 21 mm, 23 mm, 27enabled better let-down. Fortunately most electric
mm, 30 mm, 36 mm, and 40 mm. Ameda usespumps have adjustable vacuum strengths.
different combinations of flanges and inserts toopen system
accommodate nipples in sizes 21 mm, 23 mm, 25A breast pump designed to be used by a single
mm, 28.5 mm, 30.5 mm to fit all of their pumpsuser. See also closed system, multiple user.
but the Nurture III. See also SoftFit, Flexishield andparts to assemble
Let-Down Massage Cushions.As defined on the Breast Pump Comparison web
closed systempages, such as all the breast pump parts that
Breast pumps designed for multiple users, suchmust be assembled or disassembled at each
as hospital grade rental pumps. There is nopumping session not including motor, AC adaptor
possibility of breast milk entering the pump motor.or battery pack, milk containers, lids, stands,
See this article on used breast pumps for moreextra breast shields or inserts, totes.
information: Although the Avent Isis IQ breastparts to wash
pumps are said to be closed system, Avent stillAs defined on the above referenced web pages,
recommends their pumps to be single user.all the breast pump parts that come in contact
colostrumwith the breast or milk, and therefore must be
The substance produced in the breasts duringwashed every time the user pumps, not counting
the final weeks of pregnancy. This "first milk" isthe receptacle(s) for the milk and the lid(s).
highly concentrated in nutrition ideal for themilk ejection response (MER)
newborn. It has been likened to an "antibodiessee let-down.
cocktail." Colostrum has a laxative effect on themultiple user
baby, helping him pass his early stools, which aidsHospital grade rental pumps are designed to be
in the excretion of excess bilirubin and helpsmultiple user, and rental stations will require the
prevent jaundice. With frequent nursings of 10 tonon-refundable and non-returnable purchase of an
12 times a day, a mother's regular breast milk willindividual accessory kit for the parts (shields,
begin to appear or "come in" around day 3 or 4connectors, tubing) that actually comes in contact
after birth.with the mother's breast or milk.
cyclingpiston-type manual breast pump
The suck and release pattern created by aThe pumping action is created with a sliding
breast pump to simulate what a nursing babypiston and cylinder and requires the use of two
does.hands.
cpmrental pumps
cycles per minute. See cycling.See multiple user
double pumpingsingle breast pumping
Pumping both breasts simultaneously. ResearchPumping only one breast at a time. Single
with pre-term infants has shown double pumpingpumping is useful for pumping one side while the
can increase a mother's milk supply, reducebaby nurses the other. For some mothers the
expression time (yes, even cutting times in half)ability to single pump enables them to soothe and
and produce higher levels of prolactin, thehold their baby on one side while pumping the
hormone that stimulates milk production afterother.
birth.single user
engorgementMost breast pumps are personal use items
Any time an insufficient amount of milk has beenintended to be used by one mother only to
removed from the lactating breast it may causeprevent the transmission of diseases like HIV and
this painful condition. The engorgement thathepatitis. See also closed, system, multiple user
occurs when a mother's milk first "comes in" is aSoftFit breast shield
little less understood, since swelling of the breastThe soft, flexible breast shield that massages the
tissues themselves can be a contributing factor.breast and areola when breast pumping,
There are many treatments, one of which is tomanufactured and trademarked by Medela. Can
use a breast pump briefly to soften the areolabe used with all Medela pumps but the Little
area so that the baby will be able to latch onHearts manual breast pump.
easier.stars
funnel coversAwarded to breast pumps by actual users on
The lid-like covers that snap over the funnel orAmazon and Epinions on a five-star scale with five
breast shield of an Avent breast pump. Themeaning the best. Reading these reviews may be
advantage of a cover is to keep the insides ofhelpful because they often explain specific
the funnel and milk container clean and indifficulties with certain breast pumps.
ready-to-use condition.trigger-type manual breast pump
Flexishield Areola MassagerThe pumping action is created with a squeeze
A breast shield accessory that can be purchasedhandle similar to what one finds on a spray bottle.
separately and used with Ameda breast pumps.A one-handed breast pump.
The Flexishield is designed to compress the areolaVIA
area, helping to stimulate a let-down reflex. It isAvent's sturdy disposable container system for
especially useful for smaller-breasted women whothe collection and storage of breast milk. It can be
may benefit from the added stimulation.used with all of Avent's breast pumps and some
hospital grade breast pumpsother brands also. The disposable cup bases can
This group of pumps have a stronger vacuumbe sterilized up to three times and are also
strength than any other breast pumps and aresuitable for freezing. Bottle nipples in a variety of
the most suited to establishing and maintaining aflows are available to fit the system.
milk supply in a mother who will not bewarranty
breastfeeding her infant for long periods, as in theThe warranty for breast pumps should be paid
situation of a premature or sick infant.attention to and sales receipts saved. Pumps that
HygieniKitget frequent use may wear out before their
Included with every Ameda breast pump exceptwarranties expire.
the Nurture III, a milk collection system thatDisclaimer: None of the content above should be
includes a special silicone diaphragm filter. This filterconstrued as medical advice and all breastfeeding
works two ways protecting the pump motormothers should strive to educate themselves as
from getting contaminants in it and protecting themuch as possible from multiple sources and
breast milk bottle from receiving contaminantsconsult with doctors and lactation specialists as
from the motor. This extra amount of protectionneeded.
is desired for premature or sick infants or anyNotice: This article may be copied "as is" as long
mother desiring extra caution in the cleanliness ofas this notice and links to the web pages at the
the collection of her milk. The use of the"Baby Loves Your Milk" website are preserved.
Hygienikit does not negate Ameda'sRequest permission first from before making
recommendation that all their pumps (except thechanges or additions.