Entering the world of breast pumps? Got some questions? You are not alone.

Sure, expressing can take a little getting used to and there’s definitely a knack to getting it right. But it’s really not so complicated that you need to worry about it. With anything in parenting, it takes a little patience and practice to get it right, but once you get the hang of things, it should be a comfortable and simple stage in your feeding journey with your little one.

So how exactly do they work?

Whether you’re using a manual, electric, single or double pump, they all work in pretty much the same way to pump milk from your breast. Breast pumps mimic the action of your little one by suckling around your nipple and areola to bring the milk out. Electric breast pumps will express your milk to a cycle of around 50-90 sucks per minute, just like your baby. If you opt for a manual pump, the motion of your expressing will be down to you.

As your milk is expressed, it is collected in the bottle part of your breast pump and can be transferred to bottles or storage bags to keep for later. And it’s that simple! Just like breastfeeding and getting that perfect latch, it can take time to get totally comfortable with the action of pumping. But just try to relax, think of your baby and take your time, you’ve got this!

How to start

There’s a few things you should get sorted before you begin pumping – not very exciting, just needs to be done to ensure safe, clean and proper pumping.

• Sterilise your breast pump

There’s a bunch of different sterilisers that get the job done depending on your preference. You just need to make sure you’re breast pump and all it’s bits and bobs are sterile and any potentially harmful germs are killed before you get started.

• Assemble your pump

Your chosen breast pump should come with directions on how to assemble it correctly. It’s often a super simple job of clicking them together and getting going.

• Find a comfy spot

It could take a while to get a good amount of breast milk from your pump – especially if you’re just starting out. Find a comfortable spot, grab a book or put the TV on and relax. Some mums also find it helpful to watch videos or think of their little one to get the milk going.

• Take it slow

If you’ve opted for an electric breast pump, you might see the highest setting a think that’s the best way to get a good amount of milk. But taking your time and getting into the correct position might be a better idea to express your milk effectively.

Types of breast pumps

When it comes to pumps, you’ve got a wide and varied selection to choose from. Here is our Made for Me range:

• Made for Me Silicone Breast Pump

Simple yet effective – this manual breast pump is super gentle on your skin and perfect for catching let-down milk when you’re feeding from the other boob.

• Made for Me Single Manual Breast Pump

Compact, discreet, easy to use – what more could you want? Pop this manual breast pump in your handbag and use it on the go.

• Made for Me Single Electric Breast Pump

  Electric breast pump that’s quiet and discreet? It can’t be! This clever breast pump is significantly quieter than any other pump you’ll try – use it with confidence anywhere you go! Plus, it has multiple massage and express levels to suit you at any stage of your expressing journey.

• Made for Me Double Electric Breast Pump

Two is better than one, right? This breast pump is perfect for busy mums who want to express quickly and quietly and then get on with their day. It has a massive 90 minutes of power, so you can use it wherever you need to.