Pumping is breastfeeding!

First things first…..pumping is breastfeeding! It absolutely is.

 

Exclusive Pumping Tips

*Invest in a good pump and a great pumping bra ( I love kindred bravely)

*General rule of thumb is to pump for 120 minutes per day….so divide that by how many pumping sessions you have and set that as your goal!

*Generally for a newborn pump every 2 to 3 hours initially to build and protect your supply then as baby gets a little older does not have to be as frequent

(everyone is different so use the above as a general guideline)

*Pumping at night: aim for 1-2 sessions

* Choices for a pumping schedule: 1) a set schedule where you pump at the same time every day, 2) an “ every x hours schedule” where you schedule your next pumping schedule based on your last pump time or 3) a schedule where you pump whenever your baby eats

* Many women find that pumping for about two minutes after the last drop of milk is an effective way to stimulate more milk

* Consider setting up a pumping station or cart to hold everything you need in one place (for example: pump, hands free bra, nipple cream, breast pads, extra pump parts and clean caps for bottles, I love medela quick clean wipes etc)

*Most importantly: be gentle with yourself! This is hard work. Give yourself some grace

 

The mechanics of pumping…how to

  • Get relaxed. Find a comfortable, quiet spot to sit and relax as much as possible: take some deep breaths, do a five-minute meditation, do some yoga stretches.

  • Encourage let-down. A soft breast massage or warm compress can get your breasts ready for let down

  • Hold your baby close — in person, or in your imagination. If your baby is close by, a quick cuddle could help launch letdown (as long as she doesn't mind being this close to milk she’s not about to have). Away from home? Look at a photo of your baby, listen to a recording of her sounds or close your eyes and imagine her smell, her feel in your arms etc

  • Create a good seal. You might find that it helps to moisten the flange with water to ensure a good seal.

  • Get centered. Center the nipple in the middle of the flange before starting the pump.

  • Prime the pump. Most electric pumps will begin with a letdown phase — shorter, faster bursts of suction that mimic the initial suckling your baby would do in order to stimulate letdown. It will take a few minutes until letdown happens and before then you’ll only get drops to a slow trickle of milk. After a few minutes (around the time letdown happens) the pump will switch into regular mode.

  • Don’t default to the highest level of suction. You’ll want to start at a low suction and increase it when the milk starts flowing (but only to your level of comfort — pumping shouldn’t hurt and a higher suction doesn’t mean more milk!).

How Much Breast Milk to Pump

  • During the first few days after the birth of your baby, you will only be able to pump and collect a small amount of colostrum is the first breast milk. It is concentrated and very nutritious, so a tiny amount is all your baby needs

  • After the first week, you should be able to pump two to three ounces every two to three hours, or about 24 ounces in a 24-hour period. You would need to double this amount if you have twins, triple it for triplets, etc.

  • After about one month, you will need approximately three to four ounces every three to four hours, or about 24 to 32 ounces a day.

  • By the time your baby is six months old, they will need about six to eight ounces every four to six hours, so approximately 36 to 48 ounces a day.

 

 

 

 

Vanessa Grace Cornoni