Nobody instinctively understands how pumps work and are assembled.  It's
learned the hard way -- by seeking out the info. When I started as an LC one
thing that I did was write to different pump manufacturers and ask for a
sample pump or a visit from one of their sales reps who could in-service me
on the equipment.  I also purchased some pumps from garage sales and took
them apart with a screw driver.  If you read the package inserts and
instructions you can figure out how to assemble the pumps. There are
published studies starting in the 50's with Einer Egnell's work that discuss
the safe pressure levels for human milk expression, and some of the basic
texts like Riordan and Auerbach's have excellent sections on pumps.  Kittie
Frantz's Breastfeeding Products Guide (1994) is also very useful.

 I also did "pump trials" for years -- try it before you buy it.  I had
boiled the external parts (and later bought an autoclave) and dumped the
milk so there was no risk to the user. If one pump worked better than
another, the client could then see that for herself prior to spending money
on a purchase.  This immediate feedback from clients was very useful for me
in terms of learning about how pumps work (i.e. hand strain from some of the
manual pumps, excessive negative pressure from some of the semi-automatics,
issues related to pump flange size which you can see for yourself if you
watch a lot of different mothers pump, etc).

In Texas we've provided early bird sessions at our big La Leche League conf.
where experienced priv. pract LCs would do pump workshops.  These are
hands-on demos. The major pump manufacturers have booths at most conf.  Stop
by and ask them to explain how the pump works and play with it.  Ask to have
a kit to put together and take apart so you really understand the assembly.
It is unbelievable how many times a pressure problem is just an incorrect
assembly issue.  I think that if enough people asked for it, ILCA would
prob. put together an equipment workshop. This could involve some hands on.
 You could also ask a more experienced LC to train you, but I'd offer to pay
her for her time and expertise.  After all, she worked and paid for the
knowledge and by training you, she is training her competition.  It's only
right to make it worth her while to be generous.

Barbara Wilson-Clay, BS, IBCLC
Austin Lactation Associates
LactNews Press
www.lactnews.com

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