| The milk production in the breasts, much like so | | | | leg muscles or even an automatic model. |
| many other things, work on the shear principal of | | | | Battery operated pumps |
| supply and demand. The more breast milk your | | | | Pumps with battery operation are the best for |
| baby consumes, the more your body will need to | | | | women who have an established supply of milk |
| make. | | | | and want to pump once or even twice a day. |
| Breast pumps are generally used to insure | | | | These pumps use batteries to create suction, |
| continued production of breast milk when you | | | | minimizing any type of muscle fatigue. Most |
| cannot feed your baby - whether you are back | | | | battery type pumps are designed for pumping |
| to work, traveling, taking medication, or just out | | | | one breast at a time and are recommended for |
| of town. | | | | occasional usage. |
| Basic types of pumps | | | | Electric pumps |
| Breast pumps can either be battery operated, | | | | Even though electric pumps are more efficient |
| hand operated, semi automatic electric, or even | | | | than hand or even battery operated pumps, they |
| self cycling electric. | | | | also tend to be more expensive. You can |
| Hand pumps | | | | however, rent them if you need to. Electric |
| Manual hand pumps are designed to use the | | | | pumps can normally plug directly into an outlet and |
| strength of your hand or arm muscles for | | | | are designed for pumping both breasts at a time |
| pumping one breast at a time. You can also get | | | | and even frequent use. Hospital grade pumps are |
| pumps that will use the leg and foot muscles for | | | | the most efficient for initiating and maintaining milk |
| pumping both breasts at one time. Mothers that | | | | supply, and are available for rent or purchase. |
| with carpal tunnel syndrome may want to | | | | Information on breast cancer statistics can be |
| consider using a pump designed for the arm or | | | | found at the Breast Cancer Prognosis site. |