Essential Tips for Healthy Pumping and Breastfeeding

If you intend to provide breast milk for your baby and might be away for periods of time (like going back to work), you will need a breast pump. Breast pumping can be beneficial in a variety of different situations. To ensure safe breast pumping, here are some recommendations for breastfeeding mothers.

The Safe Way to Pump Breastmilk

Follow Proper Hygiene Practices: Wash your hands thoroughly before handling your breasts, pump parts, or expressed milk. Clean the breast pump parts according to the manufacturer's instructions, using hot, soapy water or a dishwasher. Ensure that all equipment is properly sterilized before each use.

MOMS TIP - Sterilize your breast pump and accessories once a day. It is important to clean them thoroughly to avoid any infections in our little ones.

Massage is Important: Massage your breasts before you start pumping and do them during expressing too especially in areas that feel full.

Use the Correct Flange Size: Using the correct flange size is crucial for comfort and effective milk extraction. Flanges that are too small or too large can cause discomfort or affect milk flow. Consult with a lactation consultant or healthcare professional to determine the right flange size for you.

Establish a Pumping Schedule:  Be consistent with your pumping schedule, it helps maintain your milk supply and provides structure to your breastfeeding routine. Aim to pump around the same time each day, mimicking your baby's feeding pattern as much as possible. During the early stages of exclusively pumping, avoid going more than 5-6 hours between sessions. While it can get exhausting, pumping 1-2 times per night will ensure that you have a sufficient milk supply for your baby. 

Properly Store Expressed Milk: Store expressed breast milk in clean, sterilized bottles or breast milk storage bags. Label each container with the date and time of expression. Label the containers with the date the milk was pumped and your baby's name. This is helpful if your baby goes to childcare where there is more than one infant or if more than one mom is pumping at work.

Thawing and Warming Breast Milk: 

To thaw frozen milk, hold the frozen bottle or bag under lukewarm running water. You can also thaw it in the refrigerator or in a bowl of warm water. Swirl the milk gently to mix. The fatty part of the milk may have separated. If you thaw breast milk in the refrigerator, use it within 24 hours. Start counting the 24 hours when the breast milk is completely thawed, not from the time when you took it out of the freezer. Once breast milk is brought to room temperature or warmed, use it within 2 hours.

MOMS TIP - Nobody wants a freezer filled with milk. A recent study shows When you freeze breast milk, it loses some of its healthy immune factors, but not all. Go slow with pumping and breastfeed simultaneously while you pump.

Take Care of Your Breasts: Ensure that your breasts are well-cared for by wearing a comfortable and supportive nursing bra. Apply warm compresses or take a warm shower before pumping to help stimulate milk flow. Use lanolin, nipple cream, or coconut oil to soothe and moisturize your nipples to prevent sore or cracked nipples. You can even apply a few. drops of expressed breastmilk on nipples to keep them hydrated.

MOMS TIP - Wear a supportive bra, even at night. Make sure it fits well and is not too tight. Change nursing pads whenever they become damp, wet, or soiled.

Monitor Pumping Time and Suction Levels: Avoid excessive pumping durations or high suction levels, as they may cause discomfort or potential damage to breast tissue. Start with a low suction level and gradually increase it to a comfortable setting.

MOMS TIP - Aim for pumping sessions of about 15-20 minutes per breast. High Vacuum May Cause Damage to Your Nipples and Breasts.