The world of breast pumps can be a confusing one! There are a whole range of different products in the market and choosing one that best suits your needs can be a little overwhelming!
Let's take a look at the two primary categories; manual and electric breast pumps, their advantages, and how to choose one depending on your lifestyle and breastfeeding needs.
Manual breast pumps work without electricity. They are hand operated and can only be used for one breast at a time. The pump is placed over the breast and the other hand is used to ‘pump’ the lever in order to create suction.
These breast pumps are often:
Electric Breast Pumps are operated either through a power outlet or battery. They come in models that allow for single or double breast expressing. The cup is placed over the breast and the suction is created for you, freeing one hand for other tasks3 – or just a good excuse to relax. For moms who need to pump breast milk daily, an electric breast pump is usually preferable.
These pumps are often:
Choosing the right breast pump option can be daunting for some. While looking for the best pumping option, consider the following factors:
Both manual as well as an electric breast pump can be very effective in drawing out milk for storing and/or bottle feeding. Though it may take a while for you to find your best match, you’ll eventually figure it out!
Usually your lifestyle, pumping schedule and budget will determine your breast pump choice. However, if you’re having trouble pumping or using a breast pump, a consultation with your doctor can help.
Once you’ve ensured adequate milk supply, it is also important to make sure that your breast milk is packed with essential nutrients necessary for your baby’s growth.
Let’s take a moment to talk about one such essential component- Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid.
DHA has many health benefits for the baby. It is crucial for the growth and development of your baby’s brain and nervous system. It also supports healthy cardiac function 5. DHA represents about 15% of all fatty acids in the human frontal cortex, which is a region of the brain that is involved in attention, memory and judgment response. 6 In addition, optimal DHA intake is important for new moms as well, as it reduces the risk of postpartum depression. 7 Thus, it's very important for breastfeeding mothers to take DHA in adequate amounts.
To ensure that breastfeeding women do not lack DHA, they can monitor its levels from time to time. And, to help in this endeavor, LifeCell brings OmegaScore-N for lactating women! It is an easy-to-use, self-collection kit that measures and tracks the DHA levels in breast milk.
All you have to do is add a few drops of your breast milk on the collection card and schedule a sample pickup. Our executive will collect the kit box from your doorstep and deliver it safely to the lab for testing. Rest assured, you’ll soon receive a digital report with all the insights about your DHA level.
Based on the results, you can modify your diet by including foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. This is because breast milk’s nutritional value is mostly derived from the lactating mother’s diet. 8
So, why wait any longer? Book your OmegaScore-N Test Kit now!
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