Useful Tips; Adjusting The Vacuum (Intensity Of Suction); Regulate The Cycle; Encouraging The Let Down Reflex - Ardo CARUM Mode D'emploi

5. Useful Tips

5.1. Adjusting the vacuum (intensity of suction)

Expressing milk should never be painful.
• Set the vacuum intensity at the highest level which is comfortable to you. If you are experiencing any
discomfort of pain while pumping, you should decrease the vacuum intensity.
• Take care that the nipple is centred in the breast shell.
• Check whether the size of the breast shell fits your nipple. (See the User Manual: Ardo Pumpset).
• In the event that the milk is not released, try massaging the breast – this can be really effective.
Regulate the vacuum by touching the arrow keys.
• Intensify the vacuum, until you feel a very slight discomfort, and then reduce the intensity of the
vacuum until pumping is comfortable.
• In the event of sore nipples or painful breasts, skip the stimulation mode. The Carum will then start in
expression mode with an especially mild, gentle and low level vacuum.
• It is recommended that, in pump- or stimulation mode, you adjust the suction strength each time to
suit your personal comfort level. This is because the vacuum level generated is sensitive to prevailing
atmospheric pressure.

5.2. Regulate the cycle

• When babies start to breast feed, they suckle with rapid sucking motions and low suction – this
causes the milk to release by stimulating the milk ejection reflex.
For this reason, the Carum will automatically start in stimulation mode, i.e. with a higher cycles level
and a lower vacuum strength, mimicking the baby's natural behaviour.
• Select stimulation mode, choose the level of vacuum which feels most comfortable.
• When the milk begins to flow, the baby's sucking pattern changes. The baby sucks more slowly, but
more strongly. Change to, and strengthen the vacuum and raise the cycles level by pressing the arrow
until a comfortable pumping experience is achieved.
• If the milk flow falters, return to stimulation mode to prompt renewed milk flow.

5.3. Encouraging the let down reflex

The milk ejection reflex may occur later when pumping than when breast feeding. The following measures
may be helpful.
• Have a warm drink.
• Relax and think about your baby.
• Look at a picture of your baby.
• Apply a warmed compress to the breast before expressing (e.g. Ardo Temperature Pack).
• Warm the cone or funnel of the breast shell before applying.

5.4. Pump efficiently

• Massaging the breast while using the breastpump can boost milk production, and promote better
milk flow.

5.5. Increase the quantity of milk

• Double pumping
• Massage your breast while pumping.
• For the first 10 minutes, or until no more milk is flowing, use a double pump i.e. express from both
breasts at once. Afterwards, switch to a single pump. Express from each breast for five minutes while
massaging gently.
en
11