The breast pump is a mechanical way of collecting milk and is used either when the mother is unable to breastfeed on her own or when she needs to separate from the newborn, often in the case when the mother wants to return to work.

This specific "Harmony Flex", from the company Medela, is manual, it securely attaches to the breast creating a natural suction. It also has an integrated bottle for milk collection and is easy to clean and sterilize.

How is the milk stored:
The best way is for the milk, once pumped, to be offered directly to the baby. If the mother wants to store the milk, she can keep it in the refrigerator, in a bottle, for up to 5 days or freeze it for up to 6 months in a sterilized glass bottle. The milk can stay at room temperature for up to 6 hours.