Advantage of Pumping
- It’s a good way to ensure that your baby is getting their nutrients when they are unable to nurse directly from you, or you are unable to nurse them for any reason
- If you need to be away from baby or leave them with someone for a certain amount of time, you will have peace of mind that they can still be fed
- Baby can bond with another caregiver during their feeding
- Your spouse can feed baby while you have a well deserved rest
- Because the amount of breastmilk you produce is dependent on demand & supply, pumping helps to keep your supply up
- If you work, you can return to work without decreasing your milk supply, or having to supplement with formula
- Pumping helps to clear out blocked ducts and prevent mastitis
- If baby seems unsatisfied with their feed, you can give them a top up of expressed milk
- When going out, it’s easier to feed with a bottle
- You have more control over your time
Advantages of Breastfeeding
- Breastmilk is custom made for your baby’s needs at that time
- Milk will get produced based on how much your baby needs and not an oversupply
- Feed on demand will encourage a good milk supply
- It is more convenient to breastfeed than to wash bottles and warm up milk
- It can soothe an anxious baby
- Breastfeeding helps mother and baby with bonding
Tips for Breastfeeding & Pumping
- Breastfeed first and pump on the other side so your little one feeds to their full, straight after, pump till empty so it can refill before the next feed.
- Keep snacks, water, burp cloths & wet wipes close to where you usually nurse or pump so that you wont have to look for it whilst feeding.
- You can also use a Hakaa silicone breast pump to collect milk leaking from the side baby isn’t feeding on
- Hands-on pumping can help to increase the amount of milk you get. It can also help increase the amount of milk you produce in the future.
- Some breast pumps will only last a few hundred hours till the motor has to be replaced. The longest-lasting breast pump is the Spectra S1 or S2 with a lifespan of 1500 hours.
- Add a date and time to your expressed milk, offer the oldest milk first, as long as it’s in accordance with our storage guidelines here.
- If you are planning to return to work or go on vacation without your baby, begin expressing and storing a few weeks prior.
- The more you feed or express, the more milk your body produces.
- Use the Medela Quick Clean Wipes to easily clean your breast pump parts
- Purchase extra parts for your pump, so you wont have to worry about cleaning while out and about. Keep a wash bag for the used parts to wash and sterilize when you are able.
- After pumping, store your milk immediately into bottles or bags and then into a fridge or freezer, if you are out then into an insulated cooler with ice packs. If you use a spectra, the lansinoh storage bags fit directly onto the pump!
- Pump flanges does not fit all, and you may need to purchase them separately based on the size required. If you require guidance, a lactation consultant can help with what size to purchase.
- Buy a hands free bra to make your pumping easier.
- It is better to have more short sessions than to have fewer long ones.
- If you want to combine freshly expressed milk and frozen milk, make sure you cool the freshly expressed milk thoroughly before adding it to the frozen milk to reduce bacterial growth.
- To maintain a good supply, you will want to nurse as often as possible, when you notice a dip in your supply, take a day off if possible and try to have a relaxing day nursing.
- Wear nursing tops, nursing bras & use a nursing cover to make your pumping and nursing easier when you have guests or are out.
- Take care of your self, stay hydrated and well nourished. Nap when you need to. Stress isn’t good for milk production.
