Great to see that you’ve purchased our single electric breast pump. To help you get started and to keep your product working effectively, we’ve added all the guidance you should need within this area, as well as some handy hints and tips and troubleshooting advice.
PARTS GUIDE
A useful step by step guide to all the component parts and how they can be fitted together and taken apart.
SETTING UP YOUR BREAST PUMP BEFORE FIRST USE
We advise that you wash and sterilise all parts (not the electrical bits…) of your pump before first use. The parts you can sterilise are:
Silicone insert, horn, upper pump body, lower pump body, diaphragm, diaphragm cap, valve, bottle, horn hygiene cover, and milk storage lid or milk storage pods if required. These components are suitable for sterilisation by steam (electric and microwave),
boiling, or cold water tablet/ liquid solution. Follow the steriliser manufacturer’s instructions.
ASSEMBLING YOUR BREAST PUMP
Wash your hands thoroughly before handling the pump. o Wash and sterilise your breast pump before using following the instructions in our [cleaning & maintenance] area.
Make sure that the silicone insert is securely attached by clipping all areas into position at the end of the horn and by pushing the tube through the funnel, ensuring that the lip is fully clipped over the other side too.
Push the horn into the lower pump body as far as it will go.
Push the diaphragm down into the lower pump body and push the cap over the top as far as they will go.
Push the upper and lower pump bodies together until they click into place.
Attach the valve onto the lower pump body
It is possible for the valve to seal closed during storage & cleaning so before each use, remember to squeeze the valve to open it.
Screw bottle onto lower pump body.
Connect the air tube into the upper pump body and the motor. o The motor has two sockets, one for the air tube and one for the power cable. The air tube socket is on the RIGHT of the two sockets
Plug the power adaptor into the motor using the socket on the LEFT
Plug the power adaptor into your mains power supply.
HOW TO USE YOUR PUMP
How to use the Tommee Tippee Electric Breast Pump
1. Ensure that the breast pump has been cleaned and sterilised. Wash your hands before touching the breast pump or your breasts and avoid touching inside the breast pump or the storage pot. Find a comfortable chair where you can relaxHold the pump in whichever hand is most comfortable.
2. Hold the pump in whichever hand is most comfortable.
3. Place the silicone insert of the horn over your breast, so that it creates a seal all the way round. IF AIR CAN GET IN THERE WILL BE LOW OR NO SUCTION.
4. Press the on/off button to promote milk let-down. This let-down setting is a gentle rhythm to get your milkflowing.
5. IMPORTANT: Sit upright and do not tilt the bottle while pumping, it should be kept upright at all times to avoid milk flowing back up through the air tube. If this happens you must turn the breast pump off immediately as it could damage the motor. Read HELPFUL ADVICE for further information
6. After approximately a minute or so, your breast milk will start flowing freely. At this point, we recommend you press the low expression button 0. The button will light up. This is the slowest expression level for gentle and efficient expression.
7. To increase the expression level, press the medium expression button 00. The button will light up. If expressing is uncomfortable at this level switch back to the slower level by pressing the low expression button.
8. If you would like to express faster than the medium expression level, press the high expression button 000.The button will light up. If expressing is uncomfortable at this level switch back to medium expression.
9. Adjust expression level accordingly to achieve maximum comfort.
10.Avoid overfilling bottle. Switch off if you express over 150ml.
11. Once finished pumping, switch off the breast pump and unplug it. You do not need to sterilise your pump until you are ready to use it again.
12. Cover and store the expressed milk for later use.
Can I leave the batteries in my pump when it's connected to the power outlet?
Yep, that’s fine. The electrical power will simply override the battery supply.
Will all bottles work with the pump?
All Tommee Tippee bottles will fit perfectly with your breast pump. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to use other bottle brands with it though.
Can I sterilise my breast pump?
Yes, you certainly can, and we’d recommend that you do this before each use. Please don’t sterilise the electrical bits!!
How should I position it to my breast?
Place the pump into the hand that feels most comfortable for you. Once you’re settled, place the silicone insert of the horn over your breast, creating a seal all the way around. This is important as if air can get in, there’ll be low or no suction.
To help you get a good seal, use some cooled boiled water to moisten the silicone insert.
HOW TO USE YOUR STERILISING BOX
The Sterilising box has been specifically designed to microwave steam sterilise all of your breastfeeding equipment quickly and efficiently.To use:
Pour 100ml of water into sterilising box
Load upturned bottle, disassembled breast pump and any accessories.
Securely fit box lid
Open valve, on lid of box
Place steriliser box in microwave
Follow instructions according to microwave output below
CAUTION: To avoid risk of burning always ensure box is cool to touch before lifting out.
Immediately fit valve on lid to make box airtight and sterile
I’M STRUGGLING TO FIT ALL THE PARTS INTO THE STERILISING BOX – HELP!
Don’t worry. Watch this video on how to clean your breast pump. It shows you how to successfully place all the parts into the sterilising box.
How to clean the Tommee Tippee Electric Breast Pump
HOW TO USE THE BREAST MILK STORAGE SYSTEM WITH YOUR PUMP
Ensure pot is clean and sterilised.
Place pot inside of bottle.
Screw bottle onto bottle neck adaptor and continue to follow assembly of breast pump instructions.
When the breast pump is fully assembled and in usage, the pot will hold up to 60ml / 2oz.
Once you have expressed 60ml stop pumping, place lid on storage pot and remove from bottle.
Store pot in either the fridge or freezer. See storage guide below.
If you want to continue expressing, either insert another clean and sterilised pot or express directly into the bottle of the breast pump
STORAGE OF BREAST MILK
You will notice that stored milk separates out into layers. Shake to remix thoroughly before feeding.
When freezing milk, allow space at the top of the bottle for expansion. It is easiest to freeze milk in individual feed quantities of 60-125ml (2-4oz).
Thaw frozen milk in the fridge or by standing the bottle in luke warm water until it has reached body temperature.
If you want to take expressed milk with you when you are out, make sure it stays cold or frozen until needed.
Cleaning & Maintenance
DO'S
Before first use, disassemble all parts and clean those that can be in warm soapy water and rinse in clean water, or place on the top shelf of a dishwasher
Clean before and immediately after each use
Sterilise all suitable parts by your preferred method (all forms of sterilisation are suitable with this pump)
DON'TS
Do not allow product to come into contact with oil-based foods e.g. tomato based sauces or carrots as staining will occur
Do not clean the pump with solvents or harsh chemicals as damage can occur
DISASSEMBLING THE ELECTRIC BREAST PUMP
Unscrew bottle from lower pump body.
Pull off valve.
Pull air tube from upper pump body and motor unit.
Press release tabs to release upper pump body and pull apart.
Pull out diaphragm cap and diagphram.
Pull horn from lower pump body.
IT IS NOT ESSENTIAL TO TAKE THE SILICONE INSERT OUT OF THE HORN FOR CLEANING unless milk or dirt has become trapped inside. If so, unclip lip from cup and pull apart.
Troubleshooting
Why am i not getting much milk - what can i do?
Lots of mums find they only manage a few drops when they first start expressing. Don’t worry, most mums find it gets much easier with practise. If you are concerned, it’s best to chat with your Health Advisor.
Before you start using your pump, think about when you’re going to express (after the first feed of the day is best) and where you’re planning to express (are you comfortable, maybe with your baby with you, or a photo of them close by).
There’s some practical considerations too - do you need a warm cloth to help let down? Are you hydrated enough?
If you’re happy that you’re in a comfortable position and nice and relaxed, but you find your breast pump just isn’t creating much suction, check that the seal around your breast is secure as if not, air could get in. If everything’s good, follow the steps below:
Test the air tube against your hand to double check if there’s suction. If there isn’t, take the air tube out of the motor placing your hand where the tube was connected. If there’s suction, you may need a new air tube. We’d be happy to organise a replacement for you. To chat to one of our Product Pros about this, choose your preferred contact method below and we’ll get things organised Contact Us.
There’s a white valve that hangs down into the bottle (we call this a duckbill valve). Check that the split across the bottom of it’s open. If not, give it a little rub between your finger and thumb to help open it up.
If that’s not the issue then check the air tube for damage, along with all the plastic parts that make up the breast pump.
If none of these tips help, change the settings by pressing each button on the motor. You don’t necessarily need to use setting number 3 to get maximum suction, as everyone’s different.
I'm not getting much suction?
If you find your breast pump isn’t creating much suction, firstly check that the seal around your breast is secure as if not, air could get in. If everything’s good, follow the steps below to help see where an issue may be:
Test the air tube against your hand to double check if there’s suction. If there isn’t, take the air tube out of the motor placing your hand where the tube was connected. If there’s suction, you may need a new air tube. We’d be happy to organise a replacement for you. To chat to one of our Product Pros about this, choose your preferred contact method below and we’ll get things organised Contact Us.
There’s a white valve that hangs down into the bottle (we call this a duckbill valve). Check that the split across the bottom of it’s open. If not, give it a little rub between your finger and thumb to help open it up.
If that’s not the issue then check the air tube for damage, along with all the plastic parts that make up the breast pump.
If none of these tips help, change the settings by pressing each button on the motor. You don’t necessarily need to use setting number 3 to get maximum suction, as everyone’s different.
My pump adaptor feels warm, is this normal?
Yep, this is perfectly normal and safe - no need to worry.
I've melted my air tube - HELP!
Not to worry – our team of Product Pro’s will be able to help you with that
