On the Neonatal Unit we use Medela Symphony Pumps. This breast pump is designed to be used from birth alongside hand expressing. Please ask your neonatal nurse or midwife if you need and help or support.The videos below can also support you in setting up and using the pump.
KEY POINTS
- Start expressing as soon as possible, Ideally within a couple of hours of birth. Or antenatally (before birth) if reccomended by your healthcare professional. You can use the Hand Expression video from UNICEF
- The amount of EBM that you get at first will be very small and this is normal - a term baby's tummy is the size of a marble. If your baby is born preterm, their tummy will be even smaller. You will probably find that collecting your EBM with a syringe will be easier at first.
- Aim to express 8-10 times in 24 hours, including once overnight. (Between 2 - 4am) Aim to not leave gaps of more than 4 hours in the day and no more than 6 hours at night.
- Cluster expressing (expressing two or three times within a few hours) can increase the number of expressions you can fit in to the day. You can do this at any time of the day.
- With each day, the amount of milk you express should increase, when you are expressing a total of 20mls in three consequtive expressions you can switch to the maintain setting on the symphony breast.
- Use breast masssage, relaxation techniques - breathing / music / bath, skin to skin contact and / or being close to baby can help stimulate oxytocin. Photos, videos and smelling clothing or bedding that has been near baby can also help.
- Expressing both breasts at the same time (double pumping) will save time and encourage milk production.
- We aim to complete an expressing assessment with you at least once within the first 12 hours following delivery and then at least four times within the first 2 weeks.
Unicef UK Baby Friendly Initiative | Hand expression
How to assemble Medela's Symphony pump set with PersonalFit PLUS | Medela | How-To Use
How to start Symphony breast pump INITIATE program
How to start Symphony breast pump MAINTAIN program
How to clean your Symphony® Breast Pump and Set
When mums are discharged home the unit will loan out an Ardo breast pump to use at home and provide a supply of bottles and labels.
The video below explains how to use the ardo pump.
Please label all your EBM with (labels are provided):
- Baby's name
- Baby's Date of Birth
- Baby's NHS number
- Date and Time milk expressed
Things you will need on discharge from maternity: Please keep your expressing sets from maternity
- A cold bag and freezer block for transfering EBM
- Tupperware box to keep your expressing set in on NICU (the box needs to be cleaned 24 hourly)
- Bottle brush to clean your expressing set with.
The symphony is a hospital grade pump - please use this pump when you are on the NICU.
In bra pumps are not recommended for pumping for preterm babies, they can be used as an extra or for occasional use when your baby is discharged
