How to use a Manual Breast Pump
(The Avent Manual Breast Pump)
Wash your hands thoroughly and make sure your breasts are clean. Make sure you have sterilised and carefully assembled your pump exactly
Gently squeeze a little milk from each nipple to ensure milk ducts are not blocked.
Relax in a comfortable chair, leaning slightly forward (use cushions
to support your back). Make sure you have a glass of water nearby.
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.
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.
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.
Milk should begin to flow after the first few strokes. Don’t worry if your
milk does not flow immediately. Relax and continue pumping.
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.
Please remember that, should the process become very painful or
uncomfortable, you should stop
On average you will need to pump for 10 minutes to express 60-125ml. However, this is just a guide and varies from woman to
woman.
