By creating suction, manual and electric breast pumps stimulate lactation.

A breast pump is indicated for a mother who wants to maintain milk production while she and her infant are separated or while illness temporarily incapacitates one or the other, or both. A breast pump can also relieve engorgement or collect milk for a premature infant with a weak sucking reflex.

The mother can also use a pump to reduce pressure on sore or cracked nipples or to reestablish her milk supply if a weaned infant becomes allergic to formula. She can also use it to collect milk from inverted nipples or to express milk mechanically when she can’t express milk by hand or with a manual pump. Electric pumps are more effective and efficient than manual pumps.

Manual cylinder or electric breast pump

Sterile collection bag or bottle (to store milk if desired)

Electric breast pump (should come with a sterile, single-use accessory kit, which many pump manufacturers supply; kit contains shields, milk cups, an overflow bottle, and tubing, which can be washed with soap and water and then sterilized for repeated use)

Explain the procedure.

Give the mother time to attend to personal needs first so she won’t have to interrupt the procedure for this purpose. Also, advise her to wash her hands.

Instruct the mother to drink a beverage before and after breast pumping. This ensures sufficient fluid intake to maintain adequate milk production.

Help the mother to assume a comfortable position and to relax. Offer pillows for support. Provide privacy, and instruct her to uncover her breast completely to prevent lint and dirt from entering the milk-collection container.