Exclusively Breast Pumping Mummies: What you NEED to Know!
Calling All Exclusively Breast Pumping Mummies: What you NEED to Know!
Breastfeeding is beneficial for two reasons: it provides the opportunity to nourish your baby with unique vitamins and immunities, and it is a fantastic way to bond with your little one. At times, some factors interrupt the “ease” of breastfeeding… and that is okay! There are ways to nourish your baby AND bond with them even without the act of breastfeeding - expressing breast milk with pumping.
Exclusive pumping is an incredible way to gift your baby with breast milk, and all of the nutrients and antibodies that it holds. Pumping allows mothers to express their breast milk and feed their babies!
There are many factors that may have led mums to choose to pump such as:
Latching difficulties
Other caregivers to feed the infant
Building an emergency milk stash
Relieving engorgement
Increasing milk supply
Mothers going back to work
Mothers who are sick
Mothers consume non-breastfeeding compatible drugs
Mothers going through chemotherapy
What are the challenges that exclusive pumping mothers will face?
1) It can take up a lot of time in the initial stages.
Mothers will spend some time pumping, then time is needed to feed the baby the expressed milk. After that, time will have to be spent washing and sterilizing pump parts and bottles.
2) Heading out, logistically, can be a lot
When you are heading out, there are just a couple more things you need to pack. Your handy pump, pump parts, bottles, ice bag, etc. Many exclusive pumping mums do get used to packing more things and it is manageable once you get your groove with this new lifestyle.
Choosing a pump
First things first, you need a pump! There are two types of pumps available:
1) Manual Pumps
These are great because they do not use electricity and are easy to use on the go! They take a little bit more effort than alternative pumps, but should not be overlooked. They are generally more cost-effective and they get the job done!
2) Electric Pumps
Electric pumps are powerful and efficient. These pumps operate from a motor that creates suction through a tube, which is attached to the breast through a piece called a “flange”. Electric pumps can be used at several different speeds and powers, with the intention of being able to mimic your baby’s feeding patterns.
How often must I be pumping?
How often a mother needs to pump is directly related to the baby’s age and how often the baby is drinking milk. A healthy “newborn baby nurses on average 8 to 12 times in a 24 hour period”,
In the initial weeks, it is recommended that mums who are exclusively pumping try to pump on a schedule of at least every 2 - 3 hours. This is intended to mimic expressing milk as often as a baby nursing directly from the breast would eat.
How long must I pump per session?
Pumping sessions typically last 15-20 minutes. If you pump too long each time, many mothers do risk getting painful nipples. Aim to pump in a space that is quiet, cool, and relaxing (this can be tricky, especially with a newborn!). Try not to stress if your milk does not flow immediately. Sometimes it takes a few minutes!
How much milk must I be pumping?
Of course, it is impossible to know how much this is right off the bat and, even if you did know, your body would take time to regulate milk production to the ideal amount. Babies “will vary their intake of milk from feeding to feeding”. Therefore, it would be easier to work towards an average daily milk intake. Do monitor what is your baby’s usual daily intake and work towards that as your goal. As your baby grows, there may be a chance that the daily milk intake will increase a little. Once your baby begins consuming solid foods, there also may be a chance the milk intake will decrease slightly. There are of course some babies who would prefer more milk than solids. So, take some time to understand your baby’s milk intake as it changes every once in a while.
Sometimes, mums feel a sense of guilt or shame about not being able to breastfeed. As long as your baby is growing and thriving, while also being cared for and bonded with, guilt or shame is completely unproductive for your mental wellbeing. Mums who exclusively pump are doing a selfless act that is time-consuming and tiring. Be proud of your decision to provide for your child, and know that your baby is benefitting from it!
At the end of the day, exclusively pumping is an amazing alternative to breastfeeding. It may take some time to get into the “flow” of (no pun intended!), but it is totally worth it!
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