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Home › Articles › Pumps and Pumping › A Bottle Filled With Breast Milk

A Bottle Filled With Breast Milk

Why and How Women Exclusively Pump

By Krissi Danielsson

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How can you make it work? The first thing is to have the right pump. "Hospital-grade breast pumps such as Ameda and Medela are the only pumps that a mom should use when her baby is a preemie and not latching," Crouthamel says. If you plan to continue pumping long-term, you can switch to another pump later, but it's important to understand that hospital-grade pumps are built to establish your milk supply, while store-bought pumps such as the popular Medela Pump-in-Style aim to maintain an existing supply.

The second step is to follow a regular pumping schedule. "The most important element to building and maintaining a strong milk supply is to establish and maintain excellent pumping habits," Casemore says. This means that in the beginning, you should pump every time you bottle-feed your baby, even in the middle of the night. It's a good idea to pump every two to three hours and at least once between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., making a grand total of at least eight to 10 pumping sessions every 24 hours.

Troubleshooting
Maintaining a milk supply is probably the biggest challenge moms face when exclusively pumping. Some are unable to continue more than a few months. Although any breast milk is better than none, as Crouthamel points out, there are some things mothers can do if they notice a supply dip while pumping. "If a woman detects a dip in supply, it is important to find the cause if there is something specific," Casemore says. "If nothing specific can be determined, the best way to boost supply is to start pumping more frequently, mimicking a baby's growth spurt."

Here are some additional tips Casemore offers for troubleshooting a supply dip:

  • Check for a problem such as a blocked duct or mastitis.
  • Inspect your pump. Sometimes there may be a hole in the tubing or a blockage someplace.
  • Get adequate nutrition and rest. You need to eat enough in order to produce enough milk, and stress from sleeplessness can also impact your supply. (Although with a baby around, getting sleep can be easier said than done.)
  • Drink at least eight to 10 glasses of water each day. Your body will have an easier time producing milk if you're adequately hydrated.
  • Eat oatmeal. "Many women give anecdotal support to the value of oatmeal in increasing milk supply," Casemore says.
  • Try fenugreek or Mother's Milk Tea, which help some women. Watch for gassiness or stomach irritability in your baby or yourself.
  • Wait to start any hormonal contraception until your milk supply is established, and then opt for the progestin-only pill (also called the mini-pill). Estrogen-containing contraception can negatively impact your supply.
  • Don't ignore your pain. If pumping hurts, check for thrush or reduce the suction level in your pump. Lanolin can also help with sore nipples.
  • Connect with other women in your situation for support and advice. There are online support groups for women exclusively pumping, as well as breastfeeding advice forums, where you'll find women with a wealth of knowledge who can offer additional tips.
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