Exclusive Pumping: How to Manage Pumping

To initiate milk supply, pump every 2-3 hours with a 5 hour stretch at night for a total of at least 8 times per day of 10-15 minute double pumping sessions.  Many pumping moms get discouraged during the first 3-5 days as it is hard to see much going into the bottles as colostrum comes in teaspoons, not ounces.  Do not let this dissuade you, but draw this liquid gold up in a syringe and give it to the baby as it is chalked full of antibodies.  This schedule goes on for the first six months for the most part, but there are times when normal babies go through growth spurts that you will have to simulate with a pump.  When the baby is 2-3 weeks old and again when the baby is 3 months old, set aside a 5 day period that you will step up the pumping schedule to every 2 hours for a total of at least 11-12 times per day.  This must be 5 days in a row.  If your schedule gets interrupted, start over.   

Having you pump and parts all in one place even if you work from home, is essential.  Getting an easy to carry bag, like a breast pump backpack with built in cooler carrier, means all you have to do is grab some ice packs and go out the door!

In addition to a quality double breast pump a few key accessories will make your life easier.  These include a hands-free pumping bra so that you can multi-task while you are pumping, a breast pump cooler bag for transporting your pump and breast milk, an air dry bag to store and dry your breast pump parts on-the-go, and re-usable sterilizer bags to keep your parts sanitary anywhere you pump that you have access to a microwave.

Treat yourself to extra double pumping collection kits!  You don't have to sterilize your parts every time you use the, but having extras to be drying while you use another set will be a life saver.  Also, to maintain your milk supply, maintain your breast pump which means changing your valves and diaphragm or backflow protector every 6-8 weeks regularly.  This will keep you pump functioning at it's optimal level so your supply does not wain from parts that are not functioning at full suction potential.

Another accessory that might make life easier are these Breastmilk Bandit Tubing Tamers to keep your tubes from hanging down within reach of a toddler or pet and easier to travel with.

And finally, take stock of your storage options.  Many moms prefer to store in breastmilk bottles so they can also use them to feed, but other moms like the convenience and compactness of breast milk storage bags.  If you are choosing bags, a breastmilk storage bag that has a pour spout is handy.  If you are using bottles such as Spectra bottles, Motif Luna Bottles or Avent Classic bottles, make sure to have extra sealing discs.  These tend to get lost down the disposal so having extra bottle sealing discs is a lifesaver!  

Here is to your tenacity in providing your baby this previous gift!

You've got this, mama!

Tanya

Exclusive Pumping: Keeping Up Breast Milk Production While Pumping

I often get moms who want to exclusively pump instead of breast feed directly.  If you choose to pump exclusively, it is very important that stimulation starts in the hospital within 1 hour of the baby's birth.  Moms should double pump with a hospital or professional quality pump like the Ameda, Medela or Hygeia hospital grade rental pumps or a brand new (not used) professional quality pump like the Ameda Purely Yours,  Hygeia EnJoye Breast Pump or Spectra S2 Breast Pump. 



To initiate milk supply, pump every 2-3 hours with a 5 hour stretch at night for a total of at least 8 times per day of 10-15 minute double pumping sessions.  Many pumping moms get discouraged during the first 3-5 days as it is hard to see much going into the bottles as colostrum comes in teaspoons, not ounces.  Do not let this dissuade you, but draw this liquid gold up in a syringe and give it to the baby as it is chalked full of antibodies.  This schedule goes on for the first six months for the most part, but there are times when normal babies go through growth spurts that you will have to simulate with a pump.  When the baby is 2-3 weeks old and again when the baby is 3 months old, set aside a 5 day period that you will step up the pumping schedule to every 2 hours for a total of at least 11-12 times per day.  This must be 5 days in a row.  If your schedule gets interrupted, start over.   As you can see, this is a lot of pumping and cleaning of pump parts.  You will want at least 2-3 sets of breast flanges to use.  Some moms start this because it only takes 10-15 minutes to pump and a newborn baby takes 45 minutes to nurse, but as the baby gets older breastfeeding directly is much easier.  No bottles or pump parts to clean and most 2-6 month old babies will nurse in 20 minutes so you may want to reconsider your decision.  Pumping is great for the working mother, but if you choose to exclusively pump, experience shows me that these moms do not nurse as long as their direct breastfeeding counterparts.  If you breastfeed directly, it gets much easier by 6 weeks and by 3 months you feel sorry for moms who mix formula.   After all, have milk will travel!

If you do choose to exclusively pump, in addition to a quality breast pump a few key accessories will make your life easier.  These include a hands-free pumping bra so that you can multi-task while you are pumping, a breast pump cooler bag for transporting your pump and breast milk, an air dry bag to store and dry your breast pump parts on-the-go, and re-usable sterilizer bags to keep your parts sanitary anywhere you pump that you have access to a microwave.

Happy Traveling,
Tanya
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