A Medela breast pump works by using gentle suction to draw milk from the breast, effectively mimicking the natural feeding action of a baby to collect breast milk.
Understanding the Basic Mechanism
At its core, a breast pump creates a vacuum seal around the nipple and applies suction to pull milk out of the milk ducts. Electric and battery-operated Medela pumps utilize a motor that generates this rhythmic suction and release cycle.
The Science Behind Medela: 2-Phase Expression Technology
A significant feature found in most electric and battery-operated Medela breast pumps is the 2-Phase Expression technology. This innovative approach is designed to simulate a baby's natural feeding pattern at the breast.
According to Medela, this technology mimics the way your baby feeds (with fast, light sucking followed by slower and stronger sucks), to help trigger your let down.
Let's break down the two phases:
Phase 1: Stimulation
This initial phase involves fast, light sucking. When a baby first latches, they use quick, fluttery sucks to stimulate the breast and signal the body to release milk. The pump replicates this action to help initiate the milk ejection reflex, commonly known as the "let-down."
Phase 2: Expression
Once milk begins to flow (let-down occurs), a baby transitions to a slower, more rhythmic sucking pattern to drink the milk. The pump's second phase switches to slower and stronger sucks. This deeper, more sustained suction is optimized for efficiently drawing milk out of the breast.
By transitioning between these two phases, Medela pumps aim to provide a comfortable and effective pumping experience that closely follows the body's natural response to nursing, helping mothers express more milk in less time compared to pumps without this technology.
