Breastfeeding and Pumping: Everything You Need to Know
It’s been a busy week, but I’m so glad to be writing this one. As a mother of six beautiful and adorable kids, today I want to share some knowledge and laughs about breastfeeding, pumping, and motherhood.
- We mothers know instinctively that our breast milk is crucial. All the nutrients our breast milk offers are necessary for newborns because breast milk is their primary food source!
- Not to mention that skin-to-skin contact fosters a lasting bond! I remember when I began breastfeeding my children. I felt warm and fuzzy and wanted only to nurture my sweet baby. Nothing replaces that feeling.
And when I started my journey into motherhood way back in 2008, I had so many other questions about breastfeeding and pumping. I was worried about how much milk to pump, when it’s too early, and when the milk supply regulates. Is it the same for you?
Let’s drive all these worries away one by one.
Table of Contents
Balancing Breastfeeding and Pumping
When you breastfeed your baby and combine that with scheduled pumping, it’ll rain benefits over benefits.
1) More Milk Supply
I just wanted a steady milk supply to feed all my children for longer. That’s why combining breastfeeding with pumping can help. Here is what helped me.
- Once my baby is full after breastfeeding, I use a pump to empty my breast milk. Why? Because our body takes an empty breast as a signal to produce more milk!
- The hormones wait for drained breasts to lactate again, so the more you breastfeed and pump to create an empty breast, the better your milk production for longer.
2) Shared Responsibility and Bonding
Pumping and storing breast milk in bottles helps other caregivers feed and bond with your baby.
- So, I returned to work a few weeks after my second child, Aiden. And I would breastfeed him before I left for work. At the same time, I would always store pumped milk so my husband or mother could use it for feeds.
- I vividly remember how happy my husband felt to share feeding duties with me. It helped him bond with his baby, something he has wanted to do.
Tips to Breastfeed and Pump
I know it might be tough to start breastfeeding AND pumping on top of that. So, here are some tips that helped me during my journey:
- Eat Well and Hydrate – You’ve got to take care of yourself to take care of your baby. Period! Your body decides the level of nutrition in your breast milk. So, please don’t neglect yourself.
- Look for Feeding Signs – You’ll know when your baby wants to feed. My babies will put their hands in their mouths, snuggle up at my breast, lick their lips, or cry if it gets too late. Therefore, feed them whenever they ask.
- Work Out a Pumping Schedule – I usually pump during my baby’s nap, early morning, or at night because you need a calm environment for the letdown reflex to kick in.
- Store Your Milk Properly – You don’t want a scenario where your pumped milk is spoiled, and you’re not around to feed your baby. So, label the milk with dates, store them in BPA-free containers or milk bags, and keep them in the freezer.
If you would like to know more about reheating breast milk and storing it well, I’ve already written a detailed blog post about it previously.
How Much Milk Should You Be Pumping?
The short answer: enough to keep your baby well-fed and growing. And the amount changes as your child grows. But let me offer a little more context. Hold on.
It all depends on the following:
1) The Age of Your Baby
When I was nursing my newborn, Theo (my sixth child), my milk supply was still budding. So, I couldn’t produce enough milk to pump often, but I was nursing him 8–10 times a day.
Then, with him growing, my milk supply also rose, and I could pump more often. Stats show that most mothers pump between 0.5 oz to 4 oz in both breasts during one 15-20 minute pumping session.
And please do not panic if you produce less or more than the average. My milk supply dipped and rose as Theo grew.
2) Time of Day
My lactation consultant helped me understand that our breasts produce more milk at night and early morning because of this hormone called prolactin.
I was pumping at night most times just to relieve me from leaky breasts. That was a rollercoaster ride all on its own!
The amount of milk you pump also depends on the time gap between your last pumping or breastfeeding session. You can’t expect full breasts soon after you finish a session, can you?
3) Breastfeeding Frequency
The more often you nurse or pump, the more your body makes milk. So, if you want to boost your supply, add extra pumping sessions or nurse frequently.
And this is important: don’t miss out on a session because you aim to wait for more milk. All that waiting can sometimes cause clogged milk ducts and reduce your supply!
If you’ve been talking to other mothers and feel you are not producing as much milk as them, don’t worry about it. Every baby is different and has different needs.
I try not to compare so much. It’s for my own mental peace as well! Just make sure your expectations for pumping are something that you can achieve, and chat with your doctor about how much to pump for your baby.
When Is It Too Early to Pump Breast Milk?
Alright, this is the gist of it:
- With a healthy milk supply, you can try a pump after a well-established breastfeeding routine. So, try to wait until about 4–6 weeks after you give birth.
- Pumping earlier than that might lead to an oversupply or problems like clogged ducts and mastitis. Your baby could even experience nipple confusion!
And yes, there are exceptions. You can pump earlier if:
- Your doctor recommends that,
- You are returning to work and need a breast milk stash for caregivers (happened to me!),
- You have difficulty breastfeeding,
- You remain separated from your baby because of disease,
- Your baby has difficulty latching, or
- You are traveling
Can You Pump While Pregnant?
When I talked to my doctor about this, she just shook her head and said, “No, Kelleigh. You don’t need to.”
So, please don’t pump during pregnancy unless your doctor says otherwise. It can cause a miscarriage or even induce pre-term labor!
Recommended Reading: How to Clean and Sanitize Breast Pumps
When Does Your Milk Supply Regulate?
Let me just briefly explain what happened to me during this regulation process:
Just so you know, it takes time for your milk to settle. And the milk goes through colostrum and transitional milk to reach mature milk.
So, when my milk was still settling, I faced breast engorgement. My breasts felt full, painful, and leaked a little. And it isn’t abnormal at this stage, either. My doctors advised me to feed as and when possible to relieve this pressure. And there are reasons why I mentioned this:
- During these early months, your body works overtime to supply your baby’s demands, which is why engorgement is common. So, keep calm! This initial phase is crucial for settling the milk supply.
- After about two weeks, my baby settled into a feeding rhythm, and my body adjusted its milk production too. Don’t get me wrong, it still takes time to establish that breastfeeding routine. But it’s usually after two weeks the body regulates the milk supply.
A Breastfeeding and Pumping Pro!
Whew! We made it. I’ve learned that one of the best ways to make your breastfeeding and pumping smoother is understanding the inner workings of it.
And yes, every mother has a different journey getting there. So, discuss with a lactation consultant, your doctors, or your pediatrician and understand what works for you and your baby. We are all here for you.