Once you and your little one have gotten off to a good start breastfeeding, you may decide you want to start pumping. A lot of moms think they need to start pumping in order to maintain a strong milk supply - but don’t feel pressured. Breastfeeding your baby on demand is the best way to maintain milk supply. If your baby is gaining weight and has enough wet and dirty diapers, you don’t have to add pumping to your breastfeeding routine, but there are many reasons why you still might want to!
Reasons to Add Pumping to Your Breastfeeding Routine
There are a lot of great reasons to add pumping to your feeding routine:
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To create a stash of pumped breastmilk for returning to work or school, running errands, date night, and more.
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To give your partner the opportunity to help with feedings.
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To give your supply a boost if you feel like it’s starting to lessen over time (learn more about power pumping).
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Oversuppliers can collect the excess milk that baby does not finish in one feeding.
Tips to Add Pumping to Your Breastfeeding Routine
Trying to work pumping into your day can be a little daunting at first, but here are some suggestions to get you started.
Delay Pumping For a Few Weeks
If possible, wait until your baby’s latch and breastfeeding routine is established (about 2-3 weeks after birth) before starting pumping and introducing a bottle to your breastfed baby.
Pump Early in the Morning
Many moms find that their milk supply is the strongest in the morning and have more luck adding pumping sessions early in the day.
Try Pumping Right After Breastfeeding
If baby has just fed and is full and happy (or even better – sleeping!), but your breasts don’t feel empty, adding a pumping session can increase your milk production over time. Why? Your body is pretty amazing. Over the first 6-12 weeks, it’s working to regulate your milk supply, so you have just the right amount your baby needs. If there’s milk left in the breast after a feed, your body thinks it’s made too much and will start to produce a little less. If you want to have extra milk or increase your supply, expressing milk after breastfeeding will signal to your body that this milk is needed, and it will continue to make more.
Pump 30 Minutes After Breastfeeding
If you’ve tried pumping right after breastfeeding but weren’t able to express much, try waiting about 30 minutes after a feed. This gives your body time to replenish before pumping, and also gives you time to replenish again before your next breastfeeding session. Try to plan for at least an hour between the end of your pumping session and baby’s next feed.
Find the Right Pump for You
To find the right breast pump to supplement breastfeeding, think about how often you plan to pump.
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For occasional use, a manual pump or simple single electric pump might work just fine for you if you only plan to feed your baby a bottle every once in a while.
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If you plan on regular/daily supplementing, a double electric pump is a good choice as it empties both breasts at the same time. A breast pump that simulates baby's natural tongue-fluttering vibrations at the breast is even better!
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For pumping on the go, a wearable breast pump offers more privacy and convenience.
Is More Milk Always Better?
Not necessarily. Regulating your supply to the amount your baby needs is a good thing because it means relief from the discomfort of engorgement. And while it may not seem like it at the beginning, eventually baby WILL start to sleep for longer stretches at night- and you will, too! Oversupply can also lead to challenges like plugged ducts. So start slowly and adjust your pumping routine to tell your body how much milk you want to make.
Go With What Works For You
Every mom is different. Some moms like to use a double electric breast pump to pump after breastfeeding. Some like to pump on one side while feeding on the other. Others prefer to add a silicone breast pump or breastmilk collector to their routine to help with milk supply. It may take some experimenting to find what works for you and your baby, but many moms appreciate the security that comes with a little extra milk on hand.
You've got this, mama!
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