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9. How to use the manual breast pump
1) Wash your hands thoroughly and make sure your breasts are clean.
Gently squeeze a little milk from each nipple to ensure milk ducts are not
blocked.
2) Make sure you have sterilised and carefully assembled your pump exactly
as shown in sections 3 and 6.
3) Consult the ‘Hints to help you succeed’ section.
4) Relax in a comfortable chair, leaning slightly forward (use cushions to
support your back). Make sure you have a glass of water nearby.
5) Press the funnel and Let-down Massage Cushion of the pump firmly
against your breast, making sure that no air can escape – otherwise there
will be no suction.
6) As you gently push down on the pump handle, you will feel the suction
on your breast. You don’t need to depress the handle fully to create
a vacuum – only as much as is comfortable. Your milk will soon start
flowing, even though you may not use all the suction the pump can
generate.
7) Begin by pumping 5-6 times rapidly to initiate let-down. Then, hold the
handle down for 2-3 seconds, and allow it to return to its resting place.
These 2-3 second cycles imitate your baby’s natural suckling pattern and
allow the milk to flow between strokes.
8) Milk should begin to flow after the first few strokes. Don’t worry if your
milk does not flow immediately. Relax and continue pumping.
Please remember that, should the process become very painful or
uncomfortable, you should stop using the pump and consult your health
professional or breastfeeding advisor.
9) On average you will need to pump for 10 minutes to express 60-125ml or
2-4oz. However, this is just a guide and varies from woman to woman. If you
find that you regularly express more than 125ml per session, please use a
260ml/9oz Philips AVENT bottle or 240ml/8oz VIA cup.
Do not continue pumping for more than 5 minutes at a time if
NO result is achieved. Try expressing at another time during the day.
Do not overfill Philips AVENT feeding bottles or VIA cups and keep
upright, otherwise milk may leak from below the pump body.