How to Breast Pump
Today, many women are choosing to breast pump in order to provide their babies with the best nutrition – mom’s milk. Women choose to breast pump for various reasons; many moms even choose to breast pump full-time because their baby is unable to latch. Although many moms begin breast pumping with the best of intentions, many do not know how to breast pump. As a result, they give up.
Most women do not even think or worry about breastfeeding when they are pregnant. Instead, that nine months of pregnancy is a time of great excitement and anticipation. As a result, most women do not research the subject of how to breast pump. So, when they are faced with breastfeeding difficulties after the birth of their baby, they become hurried and anxious and in search of real, solid answers about how to breast pump. Odds are, if you are researching how to breast pump, you need some quick answers so that you can provide your baby with breast milk.
I was faced with this dilemma three years ago when my daughter was born and then again a year ago when my son was born; unfortunately, neither of my children would latch. So, I chose to breast pump full-time for both of my children in order to provide them with the breast milk that was designed specifically for them. When I began, I did not know how to breast pump successfully, so I faced many challenges. On top of that, there were no resources available that really taught a person how to breast pump. I was surprised that there was so much available about how to breastfeed but nothing about how to breast pump. Eventually, I learned how to breast pump very successfully and was able to provide both of my children with breast milk until they were over a year old.
Because there are very few resources out there for those who are choosing to breast pump, when I began to breast pump for my son, I decided to document everything and make breast-pumping videos that might help other women who would like to learn how to breast pump. So, I have written a book called, The Pumping Mom: Your Complete Guide to Pumping Breast Milk. I have also created many videos about breast pumping. One of the videos is of me actually breast pumping. The best way to learn something is to watch it being done, so the videos are extremely beneficial to moms learning how to breast pump. It is my desire that every mom who desires to provide her child with breast milk will be able to use the materials that I have created in order to learn how to breast pump successfully. You can get more information about my book and videos by going to www.thepumpingmom.com.
In my book, I specifically break down the steps to learn how to breast pump successfully. The information I provide below is taken from my book. The following 15 steps will teach you how to breast pump successfully:
How to Breast Pump Tip #1: Find a comfortable position
Make sure that you choose to breast pump in a comfortable place and position. Make sure you are sitting up-right or slightly forward so that gravity can help the flow of your milk. Also, use a pillow that can offer back support.
How to Breast Pump Tip #2: Use a Hospital-grade breast pump
Unfortunately, many moms do not realize the importance of a hospital-grade breast pump early enough. It is extremely important for a woman who is attempting to build her milk supply or for a woman who is breast pumping full-time to use a hospital-grade breast pump. The reason for this is that the pump is stronger and it best mimics the suck of an infant. In my book and videos, I offer a comparison of the different breast pumps available and give recommendations as to the best breast pumps on the market for rent and sale.
How to Breast Pump Tip #3: Select the correct speed of your pump
Choosing the correct speed of your breast pump is very important. The speed should be strong enough to create a suction but not so strong that you feel a great deal of pain. Also, be sure that your breast shields are the correct size. About 50% of women need a larger breastshield than the standard 24mm. In my book, I show graphically how to know you have the correct size breastsheilds.
How to Breast Pump Tip #4: Position your hands correctly
Holding your breastshields to your breasts can feel awkward at first. However, with time it will get much easier. It is best to hold your breastshields with your index finger and then massage with your other fingers.
How to Breast Pump Tip #5: Pump on a schedule
Especially in the beginning months, it is important to pump during set times throughout the day. This is important because it ensures that you are pumping often enough; with a new baby at home, it is easy to get tired and lose track of your pumping sessions.
How to Breast Pump Tip #6: Keep a daily log
In my book, I offer a daily log that I use in order to keep track of my pumping sessions and the amount of milk I am pumping every 24 hours. It has been of great help to me while establishing and increasing my milk supply.
How to Breast Pump Tip #7: Pump frequently
During the first few months, you must pump often and empty your breasts completely. How often you pump in the beginning months will determine how much milk your breasts produce long-term. In my book, I spell out exactly how often you should be pumping in order to maximize your milk production.
How to Breast Pump Tip #8: Do not place a time limit on your pumping sessions
In order to ensure that you thoroughly empty your breasts, do not place a time limit on your pumping sessions. Instead, pump until your breasts completely empty. The more empty your breasts are, the more milk your breasts will produce.
How to Breast Pump Tip #9: To maintain,pump the same; to increase, pump more
If you are attempting to maintain your milk supply, then make sure that you pump the same amount of milk every 24 hours. However, if you are attempting to increase your milk supply, attempt to pump just a little bit more milk every 24 hours. Every drop counts!
How to Breast Pump Tip #10: Pump an additional 5-10 minutes
To ensure that you are emptying your breasts completely, pump an additional 5-10 minutes after the last drops of milk are expressed. Sometimes women think their breasts are empty when they are not, so pumping this additional 5-10 minutes will either produce more milk or send a signal to your breasts to produce more milk.
How to Breast Pump Tip #11: Do not restrict the flow of milk with tight clothing
It is best to wear loose fitting clothing and appropriate breastfeeding bras in order to keep your milk flowing. Also, I find it beneficial to pump without a bra or shirt. In my book, I tell which bras I have found to be the most comfortable.
How to Breast Pump Tip #12: Massage
I cannot stress enough the importance of massage. I recommend massaging during the entire breast pumping session with short breaks for relaxation. Massaging really helps the flow of milk and ensures that your breasts are thoroughly emptied.
How to Breast Pump Tip #13: Take a break
There comes a point during the pumping session where it seems as though your breasts are empty because no more milk is being expressed. During this time, turn off your pump and remove the breastshields. Spend a minute or two tapping your breasts and allow them to hang for another minute. Resume pumping. This will help your let down.
How to Breast Pump Tip #14: Drink water
While pumping for my daughter, I became so dehydrated that I was hospitalized. I cannot stress enough the importance of drinking enough water to ensure that you will not become dehydrated and to aid in your milk production. I researched this subject thoroughly and have included it in my book because I feel it is so important.
How to Breast Pump Tip #15: Relax…relax…relax
It is difficult to relax as a new mom because there is so much going on and most moms are sleep deprived as well. I believe this is one of the primary reasons that many women are not successful at breast pumping long-term. You must learn to relax because it is through relaxation that your breasts “let-down” the milk.
Except in very rare circumstances, if a mom follows these 15 steps then she will be successful at breast pumping. Whether you are pumping out of necessity or by choice, whether you are pumping full-time or part-time, if you need to know how to breast pump, you really will benefit from knowing these 15 steps inside and out. I give away the specifics about each of these 15 steps in my FREE report called, “The 15 Things You Must Know to Breast Pump Successfully.” To get the FREE report, go to www.thepumpingmom.com.
