Physiology of Breastmilk Expression Using an Electric Breast Pump

Abstract

There has been a recent increase in both the use and variety of breast pumps. Although current breast pump designs are based on attempts to simulate infant sucking actions, formal evaluations of breast pumps are lacking with assessments of efficiency being limited to user responses and testimonials. We have developed a procedure for the objective determination of breast pump efficiency and have investigated milk removal from one breast over a 5-minute period in 30 women using an electric breast pump (vacuum pattern of the Medela Classic; Medela AG, Baar, Switzerland). These data were then compared to breastfeeding characteristics.