Separate Control of Speed and Suction within Pump Allows Mothers Greater Comfort and Multiple Milk Ejections, Contributing to Optimal Milk Expression
Lincolnshire, IL (April 2013) – The Ameda Platinum breast pump has been shown to help Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) mothers of preterm infants achieve full milk production, according to a clinical study, published in the February 2013 issue of Advances in Neonatal Care1.
The study evaluated whether full milk production, defined as 700 mL/d, could be achieved by NICU mothers exclusively pumping using the Ameda Platinum breast pump in the first 14 days postpartum. Twenty-six mothers who delivered infants between 26 and 32 weeks gestation participated in the study, being enrolled within 12 hours of birth and pumping eight times daily. The women’s milk volumes, suction pressures, cycle speeds and time spent pumping were measured. A “Performance Questionnaire” was also completed at the end of the study with questions on the ease of use, preferred speed and suction settings, and overall performance of the pump.
The study found that the average maximum daily milk volume expressed for all mothers utilizing the Ameda Platinum breast pump was 817 mL/d, more than the 700 mL/d definition for full milk production. 62% of the mothers in the study produced milk volumes more than 700 mL/d, and 35% of the mothers were able to express more than 1,000 mL/d by day 14. Excellent results considering a previous study by Hill et al. (2005)2 reported that only 49% of mothers with preterm infants produced >500mL/day at 6 weeks postpartum.
During the study, speed and suction settings, as well as average pumping session lengths, were analyzed in relation to maximum milk volumes expressed. It was determined that those producing greater than 700 mL/d used lower suction pressure settings to stimulate the milk ejection reflex (MER) and to drain the breast. These higher-producing mothers also chose ending speeds of 50 to 60 cycles per minute, similar to the sucking pattern of a healthy newborn. Mothers producing less than 500 mL/d used higher suction pressures, faster ending cycle speeds, and longer pumping times. Suction pressures varied widely among all of the mothers and were influenced by the mothers’ nipple or breast sensitivity, which varied from mother to mother and day to day. Mothers reported liking separate controls for speed and suction and used them to achieve maximum comfort and milk volume.
“We know that mothers who give birth to preterm infants who cannot immediately breastfeed need to rely on breast pumps to help them establish and maintain full milk production, and now we have clinical evidence that the Ameda Platinum breast pump can truly help them in this effort,” said Jill Uhryniak, Vice President of Global Marketing at Ameda.“It is our mission to help these mothers meet their long-term breastfeeding goals, and provide solutions as they transition home.”
Research says that mothers of preterm infants are at three times greater risk for low milk volume, less than 500 mL/d, when compared with mothers of healthy term breastfeeding infants2. Hospital-grade, multi-user breast pumps, like the Ameda Platinum breast pump, are the standard of care to help these exclusively pumping mothers establish full milk production (700 mL/d). Studies have shown that the unique features of hospital-grade, multi-user pumps may enhance their effectiveness, ease of use and comfort, all contributing to milk volume.
The Ameda Platinum breast pump utilizes an internal rotating piston to create suction that smoothly builds, peaks and releases during pumping. This rhythmic waveform has been shown to be the most effective for milk production for preterm and full term infants3, 4, 5. Also, only found in the Ameda Platinum pump, VacuSense™ Technology helps provide consistent suction during single and dual pumping and at varying altitudes.
With independent controls, mothers can customize their pump settings on the Ameda Platinum to their own body’s response and achieve multi-phase pumping. Babies naturally change sucking speed to achieve multiple milk ejections during a breastfeeding session6. Using the Ameda Platinum pump, mothers can adjust their speed higher to help trigger multiple milk ejections, and lower to help drain the breast several times while pumping3, 7, 8. Also, research has shown pumping at your highest comfortable suction setting yields more milk3, 4, 9, 10. The Ameda Platinum allows mothers to adjust suction and speed during a pumping session with over 5,000 unique setting combinations (speed: 30-80 cycles per minute (cpm), in increments of 1 cpm; suction levels: -30 to -250 mmHg, in increments of ~2.2mmHg). This flexibility allows a mother to pump at her own personal comfort level ease. Mothers can also feel safe in their pump choice with the Ameda Platinum, which uses the HygieniKit® featuring Proven Airlock Protection™, the world’s only proven protective barrier that protects breast milk from bacteria, mold and viruses while pumping.
For more information on the Ameda Platinum multi-user breast pump and its positive effect on full milk production, women can contact their health care provider, doctor or lactation consultant, and visit www.ameda.com.
