User manual
Using the breast pump
When to express milk
If breastfeeding goes well, it is advisable (unless advised otherwise by your healthcare professional/
breastfeeding advisor) to wait until your milk supply and breastfeeding schedule are established
(normally at least 2 to 4 weeks after giving birth) before you start expressing.
Exceptions:
- If breastfeeding does not go well immediately, expressing regularly can help to establish and
maintain your milk supply.
- If you are expressing milk for your baby to be given in hospital.
- If your breasts are engorged (painful or swollen), you can express a small amount of milk before or
between feeds to ease the pain and to help your baby latch on more easily.
- If you have sore or cracked nipples, you may wish to express your milk until they are healed.
- If you are separated from your baby and wish to continue to breastfeed when you are reunited,
you should express your milk regularly to stimulate your milk supply.
You need to nd the optimum times of the day to express your milk, for example just before or after
your baby’s rst feed in the morning when your breasts are full, or after a feed if your baby has not
emptied both breasts. If you have returned to work, you may need to express during a break. Using
a breast pump requires practice and it may take several attempts before you succeed. Fortunately,
the Philips Avent electric breast pump is easy to assemble and use so you will soon get used to
expressing with it.
Tips
- Familiarize yourself with the breast pump and how to operate it before you use it for the rst time.
- Choose a time when you are not in a rush and will not be interrupted.
- A photograph of your baby can help encourage the ‘let-down’ reex.
- Warmth can also help: try to express after a bath or shower, or place a warm cloth or Philips Avent
Thermopad on the breast for a few minutes before you start expressing.
- You may nd it easier to express while your baby is feeding from the other breast, or immediately
after a feed.
- If expressing becomes painful, stop and consult your breastfeeding advisor or healthcare
professional.
Operating the breast pump
1 Wash your hands thoroughly and make sure your breasts are clean.
2 Relax in a comfortable chair (you may wish to use cushions to support your back). Make sure you
have a glass of water nearby.
3 Press the assembled pump body against your breast. Make sure that your nipple is centered,
so that the massage cushion creates an airtight seal (Fig. 18).
For twin electric breast pump users: The twin electric breast pump enables you to express milk
from both breasts at the same time. However, you can also use the appliance to express from
one breast in just the same way. Attach both assembled pump bodies to the silicone tube and cap.
We recommend to place the cover over the other one.
4 Make sure that your nipple ts correctly in the cushion. See for correct size of cushion, section
„Find the best cushion for you“.
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