Women use breast pumps for many reasons. Many women use breast pumps to continue breastfeeding after they return to work. They use the pump to express breast milk, which is later bottle fed to their child by a caregiver.
Dr Agrawal explains, "A breast pump may also be used to stimulate lactation for women with a low milk supply or those who have not just given birth. It may be used to relieve engorgement, a painful condition whereby the breasts are overfull, possibly preventing a proper latch by the infant. Breast pumps may be used to facilitate weaning by women whose babies have died or suddenly refuse to nurse."
A mother may also choose to pump exclusively if her baby does not latch properly, is hospitalized after birth, or cannot nurse for physical reasons (such as cleft palate). When infants are unable to suckle, mothers can pump if they wish their babies to be fed with the mothers' own milk.