Pumping Breast Milk: All You Need to Know About It
The pumping of breast milk is becoming more and more popular. Many nursing mothers allow themselves a break now and then and still want to provide their baby with breast milk. You can find out here what you need to know about this.
Pumping breast milk has long since ceased to be an issue just for breastfeeding problems. According to a study by Medela, a manufacturer of breast pumps, pumping is now part of everyday breastfeeding for three out of four mothers. Many breastfeeding mothers simply allow themselves some time off, start working again during the breastfeeding period or have to attend important appointments. Pumping your baby benefits from your breast milk even if you can’t be with him or her directly and breastfeed him or her.
Pumping breast milk: How does that work?
Pumping breast milk is usually a little strange at the beginning, because many women feel like a milking cow at a milking machine. Also how much milk can be pumped out varies from one individual to another – some mothers have just 20 ml together after half an hour, others already have a full bottle. Don’t let this irritate you. Especially at the beginning of breastfeeding, the amount of milk has to settle down and the need for breast milk has to be adjusted to your baby. As with learning every new skill, you need to practice pumping breast milk. The most important thing is: Be patient! After all, pumping is not the same as breastfeeding your baby.
In breastfeeding, the hormone oxytocin triggers the milk-donor reflex as soon as your baby sucks on your breast. Breast pumps imitate this sucking by placing a suction cup or breast cap on your breast and creating a vacuum. Most of the time, your body gradually learns to trigger your breastfeeding reflex when you pump, and the amount of milk pumped out should increase.
When and how often should one pump out breast milk?
When the right time to pump breast milk is right for you is entirely up to you. You can pump the milk between your baby’s feeding times or directly after breastfeeding. Try pumping at different times to find out which rhythm suits you best. As the production of breast milk is based on how much your baby drinks and how much you pump, you should be careful when pumping the milk so that the balance between supply and demand is not disturbed too much. Therefore, it is recommended to pump and collect small amounts several times a day, or to pump a solid additional milk meal at the same time.
Are you unsure how to store your pumped milk? We have of course compiled all the information about storing breast milk for you.
Hand pump or electric breast pump – Which is better?
Pumping breast milk with hand pump
- handy if you just want to pump milk once in a while
- takes a little longer than with an electric breast pump
- is cheaper for it
- you can determine the rhythm of the pumping yourself
- more space-saving than an electric pump
Pumping breast milk with electric breast pump
- is especially worthwhile if you want to pump milk regularly and in large quantities
- with the matching bustier you have your hands free when pumping
- electric breast pumps are not quite cheap
- if you have a prescription from your paediatrician or gynaecologist, you can also borrow a breastpump from the pharmacy
It’s all about the fit! That’s what you should pay attention to with the breast pump
Pumping breast milk must not hurt! If you have pain when pumping your milk, if you rub something, if your skin becomes sore or blisters appear, something is wrong.
You can do that:
- Reduce the vacuum level of your breast pump and
- Check that you are using the right breastplate size (the funnel-shaped part of the pump set that is placed on your chest)
How to determine the right size of the breast cover of your breastpump
- The tunnel of the nipple cap should tightly surround your nipple, but leave enough room for it to move back and forth without rubbing against the tunnel walls.
- It should not rub against it, and there should not be too much of your areola (the dark area around your nipple) or the surrounding breast skin sucked into the tunnel as you pump.
- An ill-fitting breast cap can reduce the amount of milk pumped out, which is why some manufacturers such as Medela, Philips Avent, Ardo or Lansinoh offer breast caps in different sizes.
resim
If the symptoms persist after you have tried these tips, you should ask a doctor, midwife or lactation consultant for advice before pumping further.
Pumping breast milk: Tips and tricks
Take your time!
During the first four weeks your breastfeeding relationship must first settle down and your milk production must be stimulated. Therefore you should not artificially interfere with this rhythm during this time. If your baby drinks well and regularly, you will not need a breast pump at first. Just enjoy the first magical time with your little darling, breastfeed as needed – which also means, by the way, if you need it to give you some relief – and trust your gut feeling. Once the amount of milk and the breastfeeding rhythm have been regulated, you can start pumping with your breast milk.
Pay attention to hygiene!
Washing hands before pumping is mandatory. Also all pump parts that have come into contact with your breast milk, yourself or the baby should be cleaned and disinfected once a day after cleaning. When the pump set is completely dry, you can store it in a clean bag.
Make yourself at home.
Find a comfortable sitting position in which you feel comfortable. The more relaxed you are, the better it goes with the milk. So that you are completely relaxed during pumping and don’t have to interrupt the process, put everything you need within reach – telephone, remote control, a book, and don’t forget a glass of water or tea.
Trigger your milk-donor reflex !
Most electric breastpumps (e.g. from Medela) imitate the sucking rhythm of your baby in two phases. This begins with fast, light sucking, followed by slower, stronger sucking to trigger your milk-donor reflex. A breast massage and warmth before pumping additionally stimulate the milk flow and can increase the amount of milk. Skin contact with your baby before and during pumping can also help to produce more milk by stimulating the release of oxytocin. Pumping and breastfeeding at the same time also helps the milk to flow better.
Double is better!
If you plan to pump regularly, it is worth investing in a double pump. This is because pumping from both sides increases the prolactin level – the level of the lactation hormone. This means that almost a fifth more milk can be pumped out and the milk also has a higher fat content than if you pump out each breast one after the other.
No stress!
A quick pump between the door and the hinge? Not a good idea. Time pressure and stress inhibit the milk donor reflex. Therefore, it is best to plan enough time and pump breast milk in a relaxed manner.
Tip: Many mothers find it easier to pump their milk when they look at their baby. If your little darling isn’t here right now, look at a photo or sniff at his clothes. Sounds a little strange, but it helps.
When the baby cannot drink by itself
Some babies, such as premature babies or babies with special needs cannot manage to drink at mummy’s breast alone. However, so that the very young can also benefit from the many great properties of breast milk, you should start pumping on both sides as soon as possible after birth.
Studies have shown that mothers produce more milk by pumping breast milk whenever the baby would normally drink it. In other words, it is best to start pumping within the first few hours and then pump again about every three hours.
Familiarize yourself with breastfeeding and pumping during pregnancy, get the necessary accessories and ask a midwife or lactation consultant for support.