Pumping Milk

Is a unique experience for every person that pumps. The effectiveness of pumping is multifaceted and includes the quality of the pump, fit of the flanges, technique, psychological state, and any physiological or medical history that can impact milk production.

How We Test Pumps at The Lactation Place

We have one of our providers or interns use the pump for at least one month and for some pumps it has been for up to six months. We also lend closed system pumps out to our clients and ask them to use them for at least a month, if they work well for them, and get their feedback on their user experience.

Important Basic Pumping Recommendations

Starting out with a properly fitting flange is crucial to the effectiveness of any pumping effort. Lubrication of the flanges ensures a more comfortable fit and anything that improves the fit of the flanges optimizes pumping output. Think about it, when a baby nurses their saliva lubricates the nipple and areola while the baby engages in suckling and prompting the milk ejection reflex to expel milk from the breast/chest.

We recommend a hands-free pumping bra for all wired pumps since this allows you to use your hands to apply positive pressure by massaging the breast/chest while pumping, much as babies are designed to do while they nurse. This is why babies always want to reach out for the target and hold for massage the breast/chest.

Unimom Opera Hospital-Grade Double Electric Milk Pump

Is a compact hospital-grade pump with a dual motor. This dual motor allows you to personalize suction levels for each side during each pumping session for more effective milk removal. There are four modes, synchronous (both sides), alternate (one and then the other), single L (Left) and single R (Right). An added bonus for the Opera pump is that the Massage/Let Down Mode has various cycle levels that help you tailor your sessions to what works best for you, not many other pumps offer this option.

Portability

It is light and compact in size compared to other current models and the handle makes it more portable than many other wired pumps on the market. It is quiet when in use and has a rechargeable battery. Its smaller size allows you to fit it into smaller bags or medium size purses. It is a closed system which makes is multi-user friendly. It has a nightlight with three different modes.

Functionality

The Opera pump has no App but its display screen makes it easy to know your setting and length of pumping session. It can be used for every and any type of pumping session regardless of location. The ability to customize suction for each side and the various cycle/suction levels on Massage/Let Down Mode and Express Mode help the user achieve a more individualized experience which can be more effective for many.

Opera Pump Accesories

The pump comes with the standard accessories most pumps include. It provides two sets of two flanges in sizes 24 and 27. Sadly, most manufacturers have still not caught on to the fact that most individuals that pump are between a size 15 and 19 and can as small as a 10. This is why is it essential, as previously mentioned, to be properly fitted for the correct flange size. It also has two black-flow protectors with two diaphragms, two tubes and two duckbill valves. The pump includes two bottles with disks and caps. Lastly, the Opera pump is compatible with Motif and Spectra parts without the need of an adapter.

Bottom Line

Our resident pumping Queen, Ashley, found the pumping experience to be comfortable for her, of course she used expertly sized flanges and lubricated with organic coconut oil. This is one of our most popular lending pumps in our practice and have had clients with single and twin babies borrow it from one month to 8 months. While each person had a unique experience with the Opera pump, all agree that the suction was more comfortable while still being effective than the other pumps they use. Every also agreed on the portability and how much lighter it is making it easier to move from room to room in their homes while pumping.

The Unimom Opera Hospital-Grade Double Electric Pump is not going to the best option for every single person that pumps milk. No pump ever will be. It is definitely an excellent option for many. Some pump providers are now offering it with no cost to you and others with a premium or co-pay for which you can use your health savings account.

We believe the Opera pump is a great option whether you need to increase or establish your production, are going back to work, or you are exclusively pumping. Pumping is a great commitment and not easy to do so we salute all of you out there putting in the hard work.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breast or chest feeding for the first 6 months of life after which time babies should be given complimentary foods and continue to be breast or chest fed for up to two years or BEYOND! In the United States, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) mirrors the recommendation of six months of exclusive breast or chest feeding but only recommends duration of up to one year or beyond. As a result of the latter, many birth parents in the United States opt for breast or chest feeding for only six months and those that make it to a year quickly wean upon the first birthday anniversary because they read the AAP's language as stating "up to a year" and do not read the full context of the recommendation: up to a year or BEYOND!

Human Milk

Human milk is not just for newborns and babies. Human milk has been proven to evolve over the period of time that the child continues to consume it. In the second year, between 13-24 months, 448 mLs (slightly more than 15 ounces) of breastmilk has been shown to provide: 29% of energy requirements, 43% of protein requirements, 36% of calcium requirements, 75% of vitamin A requirements, 76% of folate requirements, 94% of vitamin B12 requirements, 60% of vitamin C requirements. (Dewey 2001). We have also found that the fat and energy content of human milk from lactating parents who have been lactating for over one year is greater than that of milk from parents who have been lactating for shorter periods of time (Mandel 2005). It is, therefore, egregious that healthcare professionals, specifically pediatricians in the US, routinely tell parents that human milk after a year has "no nutritional value."

Human milk continues to confer significant nutritional and immunological protections beyond the first year of life. We need to do a much better job of providing accurate, evidence-based information to parents in order to empower them to make informed decisions that best suit their developmental and health goals for their children. Immunity benefits of human milk improve with duration! It takes between two and six years for a child's immune system to fully mature. A number of studies have shown that children that breast or chest feed maintain better health outcomes during the duration of breast or chest feeding. Some studies have also shown that these health benefits may last beyond the duration of breast or chest feeding and may pose greater health benefits long into the individual's life span. (Goldman 1983, Saarenin, U. 1982)

We need to advocate for improved parental support in our society by electing politicians that truly support family values and who will ensure that we have federal protections allowing for significant PAID family leave and lactation services coverage, like other developed nations have. The United States is among just nine countries in the world who do NOT provide any nationwide PAID family leave. There are currently some states that, over the last several years, have legislated paid family leave but we still have no federal protection for paid leave for families.

Breast or Chest Feeding Is MUCH MORE Than Drinking Milk

Breast or chest feeding provides so much more than just human milk consumption and lower morbidity and mortality rates. Feeding at the breast or chest of a parent provides comfort, protection, connection and trust through the unique hormonal imprinting that happens when child and parent connect at the breast or chest. We owe it to our children to provide families with optimal support to ensure that parents are making informed choices about infant and child feeding and that parents receive the appropriate resources to help them reach their goals.

In the United States, there is intense societal pressure on lactating parents to stop breast or chest feeding at a year of age. I experienced this first hand and after a year and a half of relentless scrutiny I weaned my daughter at almost 2.5 years of age. Neither of us were ready and we would have likely naturally weaned a year after my precipitous push to wean her due to the constant intrusions and disapproval. Eleven and a half years later and I still feel pained about the experience and the constant pressure I experienced. Why is it anyone's business when a parent and child end the nursing relationship? What burden does a nursing toddler or child pose on anyone outside of the child parent relationship? The issue, at least partly, stems from the sexualization of breasts in our society. There is NO age or location when breast or chest feeding is inappropriate. Satiating, hydrating and nurturing our children can NEVER be inappropriate. We need to pay closer attention to the language we use because it perpetuates ideas about what is normal and what is not. Calling human milk feeding of a child over the age of one or any age "extended" breast or chest feeding necessitates the assumption that there is an age when nursing stops being appropriate. Normal term breast or chest feeding is what human children do when allowed to naturally evolve in their nursing experience. On average, human children naturally wean, in societies where there is no pressure or intervention to wean, between the ages of 2.5 and 4 years of age, though of course there are some children who will naturally wean earlier and some that when allowed to nurse without constraints or pressure to wean will breast or chest feed for as long as 7 years of age.

Support For Breast Or Chest Feeding Beyond A Year

If you have breast or chest fed your child for ANY duration, I CONGRATULATE you! If you are nursing beyond the first year, I want you to know that only you and your child should determine when it is appropriate to end your nursing relationship. For more support with your normal term nursing experience you can visit kellymom, find a La Leche League meeting for nursing toddlers in the US or else where in the world, visit the Natural Child Project for accurate information on the benefits of normal term breast or chest feeding, or visit kveller or Parenting for encouragement and tips on how to handle the unwarranted societal pressure to wean on someone else's timeline.

For the wonderful mamas in my life that have completed normal term breastfeeding (these parents identify as moms and as breastfeeders): Rachel E., Logan, Kimberleigh, Rachel C., Lexy, Jennifer, Elena, Marah, Tara, Shontay, Ann, Michele L., Mary W. E., Amy, Lisa V., Cynthia, and Lisa S. A.: CONGRATS on your beautiful accomplishment!! For the lovely mamas in my life, and every where, currently nursing your babes past the first year: Karin, Lauren, Jessica, Beth, Jill and Maria: you have my endless love and support any time you need refuge from our often-times punishing world.

“When you hold a child to your breast to nurse, the curve of the little head echoes exactly the curve of the breast it suckles, as though this new person truly mirrors the flesh from which it sprang.” -Diana Gabaldon, Dragonfly in Amber