Type
The type determines the general principle of operation of the breast pump and its key features.
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Electric. Breast pumps equipped with built-in motors powered by mains or batteries (see "Power"). The main advantage of such devices over mechanical ones is simplicity and ease of use. There is no need to manually pump the lever, pull the piston or squeeze the pear: mom just needs to attach the nozzle to her chest and press the power button. Among the electric models, there are very advanced devices - for example, with attachments for both breasts, two-phase intensity, and even
a remote control(see "Advanced"). Yes, and the impact of such breast pumps are more delicate. The main disadvantage of electric models is the high price. It is also worth considering that the motor is quite noisy, and you need to turn it on with caution so as not to disturb the baby.
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Mechanical. Breast pumps operated by hand. There are several varieties of such devices, they are described in detail below, in the "Type" section. Here we note that the main advantages of mechanical models over electric ones are simplicity, low cost, minimum noise and independence from sockets / batteries. On the other hand, the use of a mechanical breast pump can be quite tedious, in such models it is difficult to provide additional functions such as two-phase pumping (see "Additional"), and some typ
...es of "mechanics" quite intensely affect the breast, which leads to discomfort and even cracks nipples. So it is worth paying attention to this variety first of all if the breast pump should be inexpensive and quiet. In turn, mechanical is divided into categories:
- Piston. A breast pump equipped with a piston and working on the principle of a syringe: to suck milk, you need to pull the piston, creating a vacuum inside. The main advantages of piston models are compactness, simplicity, low cost and ease of cleaning and sterilization. At the same time, the use of such a device is not very convenient: you need to hold the nozzle at the chest and at the same time pull the piston with force. The mother may simply “not have enough hands” for this, and effective pumping often requires the help of another person. On the other hand, by changing the speed of the piston, it is possible to change the suction intensity.
- With a pear. The breast pump having in a design an elastic pear. Also, such models are called "pump-action". During operation, the pear must often be squeezed by hand, creating the necessary vacuum inside the device. Such devices are somewhat more convenient than piston ones; a mother can easily handle such a breast pump on her own; and they are inexpensive. At the same time, such models can hardly be called comfortable: inflating a pear can be quite a tedious task, and the efficiency and speed of pumping often leave much to be desired. In addition, pump-action breast pumps are not distinguished by delicacy; frequent use of such a device is fraught with discomfort and even nipple cracks.
- Lever. The most advanced type of mechanical breast pumps. A distinctive feature of such devices is the lever, which, when used, must be pumped, pressing the nozzle to the chest. Some devices allow you to do all this with one hand. In addition, the articulated model can be made two-phase (see "Advanced"). In general, such breast pumps are quite comfortable, and less tiring than pump pumps. Due to all this, this variety is the most popular today.
And electric (sometimes mechanical) have a different number of phases for better pumping:
- Biphasic. Two-phase breast pump: first, the device stimulates the nipple to produce milk, then pumps out the secreted milk. This way of working is considered the most natural, closest to how a baby sucks milk. Most devices with this function are electrical, but there are also mechanical models. Also note that switching between modes usually needs to be done manually.
Number of phases
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Two-phase. Two-phase models imitate the baby’s natural behavior when sucking the breast: first, the device “pulls” often and lightly, stimulating lactation, then with less frequency, but more strongly, when the milk has already started flowing. Modes are switched manually - so mom can independently change the settings at the most appropriate moment.
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Three-phase. Such breast pumps are essentially similar to two-phase ones (see the corresponding paragraph), however, the stages of stimulation and expression in them are supplemented by a third phase - the so-called hardening. It turns on during the final stages of breastfeeding to help clean the nipple and increase lactation.
Features
- Intensity adjustment. The ability to adjust the intensity of exposure provided by the breast pump; roughly speaking - to change the force with which the device acts on the nipple. Such an adjustment will allow you to adjust the mode of operation to your personal characteristics: for example, if the nipples are very sensitive, the intensity can be reduced for the first time until the breast gets used to the effect.
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Display. The presence of its own display in the design of the breast pump. Only electric models have this function (see "View"). The display provides additional convenience in use, various information can be displayed on it: the exposure intensity set, the elapsed time, the fullness of the jar, the battery charge level, etc. However, these features are important mainly for advanced models with an abundance of functions; therefore, the presence of a display, as a rule, indicates a high class of the device.
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On two breasts. A breast pump with two nozzles that allows you to express milk from both breasts at once. This allows you to noticeably speed up the process: in fact, such a device takes half the time than a similar device for one breast. However, keep in mind that the nozzles, most likely, will have to be pressed with both hands, while many models for one breast allow you to leave one hand free. Note that this feature is indicated only if both nozzles are initially in
...cluded in the delivery set. Models are available that allow use on both breasts, but are equipped with only one pad - they are not included in this category.
- Remote control. Remote control that allows you to control the breast pump from a distance. This function is found only in electric models (see "View"). Most often, such a "remote" is a separate unit, which contains both the control panel and the motor to create a vacuum; this block is connected by a hose to the working nozzle. Thanks to this design, when expressing milk, you do not have to hold the entire device in your hands, but only a working nozzle with a jar - this is much easier. Yes, and changing the settings on the external remote control is more convenient than on the working nozzle itself.Pumping levels
The number of levels of the rhythm of pumping milk from the breast with varying intensities. Fine-tuning pumping allows nursing mothers to choose the optimal breast pump settings according to their comfort and needs.
Country of origin
The country of origin of the brand under which the product is marketed. Often indicated by the nationality of the company or the location of its headquarters. At the same time, the actual production capacity of the brand often differs from the country of origin.
It should be noted that the quality of products depends not so much on geography, but on the peculiarities of the organization of processes and quality control at all stages of production. Therefore, national prejudices regarding brands from certain regions, as a rule, are not supported by anything. It is necessary to pay attention to the country of origin of the brand only if the task is to fundamentally support or bypass the manufacturer from a particular state.