Breast pump
Breast pump
A Breast pump (/brɛst pʌmp/) is a mechanical device that lactating women use to extract milk from their breasts. They may be manual devices powered by hand or foot movements or electrical devices powered by batteries or electricity from the grid.
Etymology
The term "Breast pump" is derived from the English words "breast" (from Old English "breost" meaning 'the breast, the bosom,' in the singular and plural) and "pump" (from Middle Dutch "pompe" meaning 'water conduit, pipe').
Usage
Breast pumps are used when a woman is unable to breastfeed her baby directly. This could be due to various reasons such as the baby being premature and unable to suckle, the mother being away for work or other commitments, or health issues with the mother or the baby.
Types of Breast Pumps
There are three main types of breast pumps: manual pumps, battery-powered pumps, and electric pumps.
- Manual pumps are operated by squeezing or pulling a handle in a repetitive fashion, allowing the user to directly control the pressure and frequency of milk expression.
- Battery-powered pumps use batteries to power small internal motors, which create suction to extract milk.
- Electric pumps operate on the same principle as battery-powered pumps but use grid electricity instead of batteries. Some models allow for dual pumping, which can save time for the mother.
Related Terms
- Lactation: The process of producing breast milk.
- Breastfeeding: The process of feeding a baby with milk directly from the breast.
- Bottle feeding: The process of feeding a baby with a bottle. This can include expressed breast milk or formula milk.
- Infant formula: A manufactured food designed and marketed for feeding to babies and infants under 12 months of age.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Breast pump
- Wikipedia's article - Breast pump
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