4 - As you gently push down on the pump handle you will feel the suction on your breast.
You do not need to depress the handle fully to create a vacuum; only as much as is
comfortable. Initially squeeze the handle with short quick compressions until let-down
is achieved. Your milk will soon start flowing even though you may not use all the
suction the pump can generate.
5 - Begin by pumping 6-7 times quickly 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 nursing pattern and allow the milk to flow into the bottles
between strokes.
6 - Milk should begin to flow after the first few strokes. Do not worry if your milk does
not flow immediately. Relax and continue pumping.
Warning: Do not continue pumping for more than five minutes at a time if no result is
achieved. Try expressing at another time during the day.
Please remember that, should pumping become very painful or uncomfortable, you
should stop using the pump and consult your doctor or breastfeeding advisor.
7
– How to Store Your Expressed Breast Milk:
Breast milk should be stored in a clean, sealed container. If kept at room temperature (66º
to 72ºF) it should be used within ten (10) hours. Use refrigerated (32º to 39ºF) breast milk
within eight (8) days; then freeze or discard. A refrigerator style freezer (temperatures
vary), such as a side-by-side or top/bottom, can keep milk safely store for three to four (3
to 4) months. In commercial deep freezers (0ºF or -20ºC), milk can be safely stored for six
(6) months or longer.
DO NOT
store your breast milk in freezer door.
The door tends to be the warmest part of
the freezer. Date all milk and use the oldest milk first.
Thawing
Thaw frozen milk in the refrigerator or place the container under cool running water, grad-
ually warming the water until the milk is thawed. Thawed milk can be kept in a refrigera-
tor for up to 24 hours.
DO NOT
refreeze milk once it is thawed.
Gently swirl the container of thawed milk before feeding to baby to mix the layers that
have separated. Breast milk is not homogenized and the “cream” will rise to the top of the
bottle. Breast milk can vary in color and consistency depending upon the time of the day
that the milk was expressed, what you have eaten, and the age of the baby at the time of
pumping.
DO NOT
shake the bottle
v
igorously to mix the layers as doing so can damage
the li
v
e components of your milk.
6
E N G L I S H
6
– How to Use Your Lansinoh Manual Breast Pump:
If possible, wait until your milk supply and breastfeeding schedule are well established.
This is normally at least 3-4 weeks after birth, unless told otherwise by your doctor or
breastfeeding advisor.
1 - Wash your hands thoroughly and make sure your breasts are clean.
2 - Make sure you have sterilized and carefully assembled your pump exactly as described
in the sections “How to Clean and Sterilize Your Lansinoh Manual Breast Pump” and
“How to Assemble Your Lansinoh Manual Breast Pump”.
3 - Press the breast flange and ComfortSeal
TM
cushion of the pump firmly against your
breast; making sure the seal is secure so that no air can escape.
5
– Tips About Pumping:
• Familiarize yourself with the pump and parts prior to use.
• The most important part of successful pumping is the let-down reflex. This is when your
milk begins to flow freely. Warm wet compresses applied to the breast and light,
circular massaging of the breast prior to and/or during a pumping session can help this
natural reflex occur.
• Try to choose a time to pump when you are not rushed and will not be interrupted.
Trying to relax while you are thinking of your baby or looking at a photo of your baby
can also be helpful when pumping your milk.
• Overall a pumping session can last about 20 – 30 minutes. Remember, successful
pumping is a learned art. Early practice sessions may be shorter or longer than stated
here and may result in only a small amount of milk collected. Milk is produced on a
supply and demand basis and pumping your breasts regularly in addition to nursing your
baby stimulates and maintains the milk supply.
• If breastfeeding problems occur, call your physician, an International Board Certified
Lactation Consultant, or a La Leche League Leader.
• You may pump one breast while nursing the baby on the other. This allows you to
maximize pumping effectiveness using the let down reflex stimulated by your baby’s
suckling.
• Make sure the tunnel of the breast flange is tilted slightly downward to allow the milk
to flow naturally toward the bottle.
• You may pump into any standard sized screw-top baby bottle.
5
E N G L I S H
