Pumping Tips for a Breastfeeding Mom
Very important: Choose the right pump for the job!
Rent a pump...
If your baby is not feeding directly from the breast
If baby gets more than half of his milk from a bottle
If you have a sensitive milk supply that drops easily
If you are trying to increase your milk supply
Examples: Medela Symphony or Ameda Platinum
Rent a pump or choose a personal use double electric pump...
If your baby is > six weeks old before you start bottle-feeding frequently
If you have no milk supply problems
If baby is getting at least half of his milk directly from the breast*
Examples: Medela Pump in Style, Ameda Purely Yours, Spectra S1/S2, or Lansinoh Double Electric
* If baby is not getting at least half of his milk from the breast, switch to hospital grade pump to protect supply.
Use any of the pumps above, or choose a single-sided or manual pump ...
If you need an occasional bottle (fewer than six per week)
If you are not worried about your supply
If you have lots of time to pump
Examples: Medela Swing, Medela Harmony, Lansinoh Manual
Tips for making more milk:
Rule #1: The better you empty your breasts, the more milk you make.
Rule #2: The more often you empty your breasts, the more milk you make.
Drinking crazy amounts of water, cow milk, or blue Gatorade will not help you make more mik. Neither will pumping for an hour at a time (been there, done that, got the long nipples and sad amount of milk).
More tips…
Nurse your baby as often as possible when together – your baby is usually the best pump in the world, hands-down.
Make sure you are using the right pump for the job, so your breasts are sufficiently emptied each time (see Rule #1).
Most nursing mothers need a different size flange than what came with the original kit. There are nine different sizes to customize fit to each nipple (note: flange size is not dependent on breast or areola size, and rarely changes from one baby to the next).
If the pump hurts, you will get less milk! Choose a quality pump from the list above; adjust suction to comfort (see below); and press the flanges against the breast just enough to maintain a seal; do not press into the breasts.
Make sure you pump every time baby would get a bottle, about every 2-3 hours. Don’t forget to add in commute time when calculating your time away from baby.
Studies have shown that even brief ( 5-10 seconds) massage before and during pumping improves milk output.
Most moms’ milk starts to flow well with fast, light suction; then turn up suction to comfort when milk is flowing.
Start on the lowest suction until you see milk coming out, then s-l-o-w-l-y increase suction, click by click, until it feels “a little pinchy,” then drop suction till the pinch is gone; this is the maximum suction for this pumping session. Studies show that more suction does not mean more milk. The “Max” suction setting on your pump is just an option, not a goal, and what's most comfortable might change each time.
Take a picture or make a video of your baby to enjoy while you pump. Otherwise, do something to get your mind off of the pumping, like read, watch TV, talk on the phone, eat, or use your computer. Tense = no milk.
Start building a “milk pantry” in your freezer about four weeks before you return to work by pumping a few times before lunch. Use this milk like a line of credit at the bank: as you take some out, be sure to replace it ASAP.
Plan ahead for growth spurts: 10 days, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months. Mark your calendar to avoid surprises.
Check out the internet for other support resources, including discussion groups exclusively for moms who are combining working and breastfeeding/pumping.
Call an IBCLC for help if your milk supply unexpectedly drops. We can usually trouble-shoot over the phone. Don’t give up without a good fight!
Give yourself a pat on the back for continuing to provide your precious milk to your lucky baby while you are apart.
