A breast pump is a device that helps a woman remove milk during the times an infant would normally feed, which helps sustain the milk-making process.http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/pumping-and-milk-storage/ There are manual breast pumps, which tend to be small, less expensive and less effective than much larger and more stimulating electric breast pumps. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/breast-feeding/PR00002

Breast pumps help mothers keep milk available for breastfeeding infants while they are at work or unavailable to nurse.http://www.babycenter.com/0_choosing-a-breast-pump_429.bc Before using a breast pump, women should wash hands with either a waterless hand sanitizer or with soap and water.http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/pumping-and-milk-storage/

Mothers can use a breast pump to collect and store milk for their infant during times when they will be away from their baby for a few hours.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/breast-feeding/PR00002 A breast pump enables bottle-feeding, which is convenient because anyone can feed the infant breast milk, not just the breastfeeding mother.http://www.americanpregnancy.org/firstyearoflife/breastfeedingandbottle.html

A manual breast pump may be all a woman needs who will only occasionally be away from the baby. http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/pumping-and-milk-storage/ Relying on a breast pump as a breastfeeding aid during a full-time work week may require the use of an automatic, electric breast pump which can run on batteries or be plugged into an outlet.http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/pumping-and-milk-storage/ Many breast pumps can be outfitted with an adapter that allows the pump to be powered by a car cigarette lighter, and others have an internal battery pack so users do not need to rely on an electrical outlet. http://www.babycenter.com/0_choosing-a-breast-pump_429.bc

Some women, due to a premature birth, health problems or other factors may rely on the breast pump exclusively as a means to provide breast milk to their baby.http://www.parenting.com/article/Mom/Health--Fitness/I-Breastfed----From-a-Bottle Hospital-grade electric breast pumps with the ability to collect from both breasts at the same time are recommended for women who will use a breast pump all day, every day.http://www.babycenter.com/0_choosing-a-breast-pump_429.bc Some breast pumps are inspired by the way a baby sucks, using shorter, faster sucks in the beginning to mimic a hungry baby triggering the let-down response moving to the slower sucking of a baby feeding. http://www.babycenter.com/0_choosing-a-breast-pump_429.bc

It is not recommended to buy a previously-used personal breast pump.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/breast-feeding/PR00002 A breast pump with a rechargeable battery pack or a manual pump can be used during times when there is no electricity available.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/breast-feeding/PR00002/NSECTIONGROUP=2