Avent Breast Pumps: Varieties and Tips for Using

If you will soon become parents or are already accepting congratulations on a joyful event, there are many pleasant troubles ahead of you, which can be handled with simple modern technical means. Today, the Philips Avent breast pump is the undisputed market leader in baby care products.

Philips has been known in the world for over a hundred years as a manufacturer of high-quality and reliable equipment and electronics. In 2006, the company merged with the Avent brand, which produces a variety of baby care products.

More than thirty years ago, Edward Atkin launched a line of products for newborns and their mothers. The birth of the brand began with the development of a conventional feeding bottle, which was as easy to use as possible and was close to the anatomical shape of the female breast. So she gradually became the perfect model of a bottle for feeding babies. The range of the company is constantly expanding. Nipples, pacifiers, steam sterilizers, dishes, teethers and other products for newborns made Avent products the leader in their field.

By that time, Philips already had a line of goods for children, so the merger of the two firms was quite predictable. Avent brand products are consistent with the principle of Philips: "reasonable and simple." The combined brand does not lose its position today, without lowering the quality bar and offering its latest developments to save the time and health of mothers and their children.

Philips Avent breast pumps are one of the latest developments of the company. They are used by women around the world and greatly facilitate the everyday lives of young mothers. Today, Philips Avent products include thermo bags and warming devices, soothers and nipples, breast pads and mother care cosmetics, dishes and drinking cups, and a number of newborn care products.

Expectant mothers often doubt whether they need a breast pump. With the natural process of feeding in the mammary glands of a woman should be produced as much milk as necessary for a particular baby. However, not all so simple. The vagaries of nature and modern living conditions dictate their own rules.

If you are going to breastfeed, then a breast pump is necessary. And it is better to take it with you already to the hospital. There are several reasons for this. In addition, in the process of breastfeeding, force majeure circumstances may occur more than once, under which a properly selected machine will not only save lactation, but also your health and female attractiveness.

Already in the maternity hospital, you will encounter the fact that milk will come unstable, decanting it at first, especially with your hands (as doctors teach) is quite difficult, this requires experience. In addition, in modern maternity hospitals it is rarely possible to meet competent nutritional counselors. The device will help to establish a stable arrival of milk in the first days.

Although the sucking reflex is laid in the child by nature, it will be difficult for the baby in the first weeks of life to even correctly capture the nipple. Not all mothers also immediately learn to put the baby to the breast correctly. As a result, the child eats little, is undernourished, weakens. And you get extremely tired of feeding your baby several times an hour.

Most children do not drink milk completely. It can stagnate in the chest, which leads to a dangerous disease - lactostasis.It manifests itself with chills in the body, fever up to 38-40 degrees, strong painful sensations in the chest and swelling of the mammary glands.

Avoiding the dangerous effects will help regular decanting after each feeding with the convenient Philips Avent breast pump.

The device will also help if you do not have the opportunity to sit on maternity leave for a long time and are forced to go to work. Strained milk perfectly retains its properties in the refrigerator. You can express yourself in a special room at work. The device is compact enough and folded fit in almost any women's bag. And with the feeding of the baby in your absence, any adult will cope, since the bottle for babies has a special anatomical shape.

The breast pump will also provide you with a great service during the lactation crisis. He comes most often when the child is the fourth month. Milk may be less, and in some cases it disappears altogether. At the same time, in order to preserve natural feeding, it is recommended to apply the infant to the breast as often as possible. If this is not possible, expressing milk will help overcome the crisis.

Philips produces two types of breast pumps: manual and automatic. Fundamentally, they differ in the way they work.

Mechanical (manual) device operates from the effects of hand strength. To express the milk, you need to press on the handle at the top of the breast pump. The intensity of the process is chosen independently. The device device quite realistic allows you to simulate the baby's sucking. The main advantages are ease of use, compact carrying and affordable price. In addition, the manual model is completely silent. This can be very important if your baby is asleep and you need to pump in the same room.

The automatic breast pump is battery operated or networked and fully controls the entire work process. For proper use, you only need to put a nozzle on the chest in accordance with the instructions and turn on the device. It has two phases of work. At first, the squeezing movements will be frequent and more powerful, and then more rare and prolonged. This type is even more close to feeding the child in a natural way, so pumping will not bring unpleasant sensations. Three different powers allow you to individually adjust the device under the pumping process that is comfortable for you. The price of such a breast pump will be significantly higher than the manual one.

Standard equipment for Avent Natural breast pumps includes:

• instrument case with charger (depending on model) or control knob (mechanical version);

• silicone breast massage nozzle for decanting;

• silicone diaphragm with a rod;

• valve and pump housing;

• transportation lid and standard packaging;

• milk collection bottle with lid and silicone anatomic teat against colic;

• ring with a bottle cap;

• stand;

• 4 inserts in a bra;

• user's manual.

An additional set of accessories for storing and transporting milk can be assembled to the breast pump: a sterilizer, bottles, containers, and packages for deep freezing.

Avent breast pumps have some nice features to use compared to models from other manufacturers. Regardless of the model chosen, they will help preserve the shape of the breast, create an atmosphere of comfort when pumping and make milk storage safe for the health of the child.

The most important part of the device is a soft massage nozzle with five bulging petals, conveniently covering the halo. It is made at a certain angle, allowing you to express milk, not leaning forward and down, which greatly simplifies the process.You can sit in a comfortable position (even if you have undergone a cesarean section), which contributes to a good flow of milk.

Compact size and light weight will take the device with you wherever you go. Now you will be even more mobile with your baby.

All parts of the breast pump are assembled and disassembled on an intuitive level and are easy to wash, even in a dishwasher (except for the electric power supply). At assembly it is not necessary to put additional efforts.

Soft stimulation of the nipples allows you to make the procedure painless, the process does not cause any discomfort. It is provided with a soft silicone nozzle of an anatomic form.

For several years now, Philips has stood guard over your health and the environment. Therefore, all plastic and silicone parts are made of the latest environmentally friendly material. It does not emit carcinogens and other harmful substances into the filled liquid.

Some women refuse to feed because of the fear of losing a beautiful breast shape. Philips Avent products help to preserve the natural shape of the breasts due to the mild effect of the device and the ability to control the strength of the pumping of milk.

The baby will not give up the bottle after the breast, as the shape of the nipple will be comfortable. It is specially made as close as possible to the anatomical form of the mammary gland. The anti-colic valve in the nipple will relieve the child from unpleasant sensations due to the swallowing of air, and you - from children's tears and long rocking of the baby in your arms.

Before using any type of device, all its parts in contact with milk (breast attachment, collection bottle) must be well sterilized. They do this by placing parts in boiling water for 3-5 minutes, or use a special sterilizer, which can also be found among the products of the Philips Avent line. Then with clean hands according to the instructions collect the device. Sterilizing it after each use is not necessary. With proper assembly will not need to apply force to connect parts.

There are some differences in the operation of the mechanical and automatic models. When using a manual breast pump, the nipple and breast must first be treated or washed with soap. The nipple pressing and then squeezing movement check on the permeability of breast milk in the ducts. When milk drops appear, you can express it.

You can take any comfortable position and firmly press the nozzle on the chest to the nipple so that air does not penetrate into it. A few quick clicks on the handle of the device will create a vacuum, and the milk will begin to flow into the nozzle.

The following presses are made at a slow pace: one or two presses with a delay of two seconds.

When pumping, there should be no discomfort. If you press the piston element too hard, there may be some discomfort. You can reduce the intensity of exposure to the nipple. To do this, the handle does not press down when pressed. In the case when there is pain, you need to ease the pressure on the handle of the breast pump. While maintaining pain, the device is carefully disconnected from the chest and the process is interrupted. In this case, you should consult with your doctor.

When pumping it is important to ensure that milk does not overfill the bottle for collection.In the event that the standard packaging of 125 ml in the kit is not enough, you can buy a larger container.

After decanting, the device is disassembled and parts are washed in warm water and soap.

Using an electric model at home is just as easy. After sterilizing and assembling the breast pump, treat the breasts and wash your hands.

You need to sit down comfortably and place the nozzle on the chest, pressing tightly against the nipple so that it is located above the center of the massage "flower".

The device is turned on by pressing the "Start" button. You will feel a suction, and the breast stimulation mode will begin, similar to the baby’s sucking the breast. In this case, a feeling of pleasant warmth may occur in the chest.

When milk enters the tank, you can choose the most convenient mode of the intensity of the three possible. They are marked on the device with drops: the weakest is one drop, the strongest is three drops. You can change the mode at any time while pumping. Constantly change modes for one decanting is not necessary. The most correct will be to choose some one.

When the milk flow is over, turn off the start button, and then gently remove the nozzle from the chest.

Parts of the device in contact with milk are washed in warm water and soap without the use of aggressive chemicals. All parts of the breast pump are made of non-toxic materials, so you can safely store milk in a bottle for decanting, having covered it with a lid.

After decanting, if there is no need for immediate consumption of milk, the bottle is placed in the refrigerator. There it can be stored for up to a day. For a longer shelf life, milk is frozen in special bags.

Before any pumping, you can use some simple tips to simplify the process and enhance lactation. A good effect is obtained if fifteen minutes before decanting drink hot tea or juice. Warm drinking will expand the milk ducts and milk will go faster. You can also warm your breasts with a hot towel or take a warm shower. After that, with light circular motions, the mammary gland can be stimulated in the direction from the nipple to the base.

Philips Avent milk pumps in most cases receive positive feedback in their address. To give preference to a mechanical or electronic device is the personal choice of a nursing mother.

Without exception, women celebrate the durability of the device. If you buy the device once, it can serve both your second and third children. Some parts may wear out, but do not rush to throw out the breast pump and buy a new one. Spare parts can be purchased at the store and just fix the device.

A comfortable body position during pumping is also a decisive factor when choosing a Philips Avent. During the day, the procedure is carried out several times, and it takes a lot of time. From the first days without a sufficient skill and habit, back and arms begin to hurt. Avent Breast Pump helps solve this problem. After all, you can use it, taking any comfortable position, even lying in bed.

All Philips Avent breast pump models have rounded parts without sharp corners. High-quality plastic is also a big advantage of the product.

Innovative attachment with petal-shaped stimulants gently affects the breast without traumatizing it. Now you can forget about the pain and relax, which contributes to a greater production of milk. The operation of the device resembles the natural process of sucking a baby. Breast shape will not deteriorate, since you yourself can control the intensity and power of the breast pump, choosing its mode of operation.

The compactness of the breast pump is also noted by many mothers. In disassembled form in the package, you can take it with you anywhere. The assembly process will not cause inconvenience. All parts are made in such a way that after a couple of assemblies you will do it without looking at the instructions anymore.

Low weight and ergonomic device with proper skill will allow you not to spend much time on pumping at all. After all, you can feed the baby with one hand, and at the same time collect milk from the other breast. When using the electric model, the process is further simplified. The device in this case does not need to be held, it is enough just to put it in front of you and turn it on, freeing your hands.

All products Philips Avent for children does not contain harmful impurities, so you can store in containers for collecting milk for a considerable time and not be afraid for its quality.

It remains the most important step - to choose a practical assistant, who together with you will provide a useful mother's milk for the baby. If when buying clothes or accessories you can be guided mainly by external attractiveness, then when choosing a breast pump there are more weighty criteria.

The main one is the reason that prompts the expression of milk. Nursing mothers do this because of different moments. Someone seeks to avoid lactostasis, and someone, on the contrary, to increase the secretion of milk. Another device will help to avoid lactation crisis. Some need a breast pump to provide nutrition for the baby when the mother cannot be around for various reasons. Based on these needs, they choose for themselves one of the three main types of devices: manual, electric or even double electric.

Some mothers choose a hand model for its small size and weight, so that you can use it anywhere. Such devices make you more mobile, especially if you work or just lead a fairly active lifestyle. Others prefer double-decant breast pumps because of their speed. In such mothers, the body produces a lot of milk, and in a short time the device copes with its expression.

In other words, there is no wrong or perfect model suitable for everyone. You should choose a breast pump based on your life rhythm and the needs of the child.

Reduce the search parameters will help clear identification of needs. It doesn't matter if it will be difficult for the first time. Each nursing mother once started to do it from scratch. In addition, there is always the opportunity to seek the advice of a specialist.

The following parameters will help in the selection:

• how often you will be decanting daily or as needed;
• whether pumping speed is important for you to save time;
• Do you need a device to carry with you or will it be used primarily at home?

Knowing what nuances you need to pay attention to, you are most likely to avoid mistakes. Not bad to understand the main differences between the three types of devices.

Automatic double-decant breast pump is by far the fastest of all types. The most expensive model will allow to express a larger amount of milk in the shortest time and is suitable for multi-tasking and always hurrying moms.

Classic automatic breast pump will satisfy the greatest number of your needs. It is quite simple to use, can work from the outlet and the battery. It has a fairly high speed and quite portable. Ideal for universal use every day.

Manual breast pumps are valued for their mobility and low price. Squeezing due to the small size and ergonomic shape of the device can be done with one free hand. Well suited to those mothers who plan to express milk from time to time.

Even if with all the variety of choice there are doubts, you can choose another interesting option. This is an automatic device that can be converted into a mechanical device. Whatever model you choose, do not doubt the usefulness of the device.

For information on how to use Avent breast pumps, and why it should be done, see the following video.