Why Purchase a Breastpump?

WHY PURCHASE FROM BREASTFEEDING ESSENTIALS?

As an expectant mom or a woman planning on conceiving you may wonder why you might even need a breastpump. It is true that not every breastfeeding mother requires a breastpump in order to nurse her baby. With a little practice most moms can become quite skilled at hand expression. Others learn through experience to nurse their babies in public with ease and confidence. Still others, find themselves seldomly separated from their babies for more than short periods of time; thus doing away with the need for bottles at all.

But for most mothers the need for a breastpump does arise at some point. We offer a variety of pumps because not every nursing mother's pumping needs are the same. Following are some circumstances you might find yourself in where a breastpump would be very helpful and even beneficial to your breastfeeding relationship with your baby.

To provide breastmilk and maintain lactation when baby is premature or hospitalized.
To pull out an inverted or flat nipple so that it is more easily grasped by the baby.
To aid in the resolution of a latch-on problem.
To aid in the healing process of sore nipples when you may be too sore to nurse.
To relieve engorgement in the early days of breastfeeding.
To provide breastmilk for your baby when you go out for the evening, run errands, do shopping, etc.
To relieve occasional periods of overfullness and maintain supply when baby does not nurse well such as when he is sick, teething, overtired, striking, etc.
To maintain lactation and provide breastmilk for your baby once you return to work or school.
To increase milk supply.
To ensure that the breast is emptied well to promote healing during a breast infection.

Written by Becky Flora, IBCLC

Last revision: January 2, 1999