If you are planning on breastfeeding, you have likely bought all kinds of things to help you manage those first few weeks at home. But for many parents, pumping quickly becomes part of the breastfeeding journey. So how much thought have you given to pumping and all the gear that goes with that?
If you are planning on breastfeeding, you have likely bought all kinds of things to help you manage those first few weeks at home. But for many parents, pumping quickly becomes part of the breastfeeding journey. So how much thought have you given to pumping and all the gear that goes with that?
While pumping may never be your favorite activity, it is a reality for breastfeeding parents. Luckily, we have tips, tricks, and gear suggestions that will help make pumping a lot easier and more comfortable.
Tips for Pumping Breastmilk
Pumping should follow your baby’s feeding schedule
One of the most stressful parts about pumping, especially in the beginning, is deciding how many sessions to pump per day and how to maintain your supply. This tip answers both of those questions.
When pumping, pump as many times as your baby would normally feed. So if you are gone for 8 hours and your baby would normally take 3 feeds in that time, pump 3 times. As your baby gets older and their number of feeds drops, you can drop pumping sessions, too. This takes the guesswork out of how many pumping sessions you need and also ensures you are maintaining supply throughout your breastfeeding journey.
Pumping shouldn’t hurt
Even though pumping has a reputation for being not-so-fun, it should never be a painful experience. If you are experiencing pain when you pump, it is typically due to one of two things: 1) your suction is too strong and/or 2) you are using the incorrect flange size.
When it comes to suction, you do NOT have to crank it to the highest setting in order to achieve maximum output. You want to aim for the highest setting you can get without pain.
And when it comes to flange sizes, look for the size that allows your nipple to move freely without touching the sides. Nipple size can also change, so if pumping suddenly becomes uncomfortable, check to make sure your flange size is still working for you! Good news is that most pumps come with a variety of different sizes.
You don’t have to pump in a bathroom stall
The PUMP Act requires that employers give breastfeeding employees time and a private space to pump during work hours. And “private” does not mean “bathroom stall.” Here is how the law reads:
“An employer may create or convert a temporary space for expressing milk, or make a space available when needed. The space must be shielded from view, and free from any intrusion from co-workers and the public. The location provided must be functional as a space for expressing breast milk.”
Choose a pump that fits your lifestyle
Many breastfeeding parents own multiple pumps as they find that different pumps work best for different situations – like whether you are at home or on the go. Do your research to find what works best for you and your lifestyle.
Some pumps only allow you to pump one breast at a time, while others allow you to pump both simultaneously, which is great if you want to minimize your overall pumping time.
Some pumps need to be directly plugged into an outlet and others are cordless or wireless. There are even wearable pumps that allow you to pump from anywhere, which gives parents the flexibility to pump on the go. Wearable pumps are relatively new and can be more expensive since most are not covered by insurance. But we’ve actually found this new option that’s affordable and 100% covered by most health insurance plans!
PORTABILITY & AFFORDABILITY
This new pump is a total game-changer
And we don’t use that phrase lightly. Wearable pumps were only just starting to come out when we had our babies just a few years ago, but most were expensive and not covered by insurance. We WISH Lansinoh’s DiscreetDuo™ wearable pump had been available when we were breastfeeding. This wearable pump is 100% covered by most health insurance plans. (Yes, you read that right.)
Already bought a pump through insurance? Even at full price, Lansinoh’s wearable DiscreetDuo™ breast pump is priced with that new baby budget in mind so that more parents can experience flexible, discreet pumping.
Learn more about Lansinoh’s DiscreetDuo™ breast pump here.
