Pumpin rules

Pumping rules

1. Get a pump: if you plan on pumping long term, now is the time to invest! Most lactation consultants suggest a double electric pump (they stimulate milk supply more than single or manual). If your insurance can cover it, a hospital grade pump is great, although you cannot take it on the go as easily (they are not battery operated). I have a Medela Pump In Style and it works great, and has a battery option. 
Consult your lactation consultant and ask friends what thy have used, check if your insurance reimburses for breast pumps and breast pump accessories.

2. Get the right pumping tools: 

    - Breast Shields: I wish someone had told me that one size does not fit all. The medium size  breast shield is 24mm and comes with the pump standard. The number refers to the diameter of the areole. You want to buy a few sizes or consult your LC to see what your correct size is. To ensure proper fit you want your nipple to fit in the horn but not be squished, when pumping you don't want your nipples rubbing against the horn. If you have a poor fit you can chafe, crack, or bruise the nipple

  -Bottles and storage: make sure you have plenty of bottles to pump into and storage to keep extra milk, see breast milk storage.

  -Extra parts: I bought a few extra tubings (which are not sold in stores, usually from the manufacturers website), membranes, and flanges. Remember you are pumping often, and will needs extras

-Especially for Mom: your breast can get sore pumping until your nipples get used to it. It's helpful to have lanolin cream to soothe, I use it before and after each pump and when I shower. Some people say you can't use it before but it hasn't effected me. Also the hydrogel pads are great, expensive but soothing. 
-hands free bra

3. Start pumping:
 Your milk supply is established in the first 12weeks of baby's life, so this is the crucial period. The suggestion is to pump every time baby eats or every 3 hours. This, however, can be unrealistic since you also have to care for your child. As long you pump 7-8 times a day you will have your milk supply. If you are trying to increase your milk supply it's best to add more pumps  for a while, also you can try a pumpathon (pump every two hours for 24 hours).

4. Empty the Tank!
It's important to pump each time until to you empty your breasts so that you stimulate your breast to make more milk. Use the let down mode on your pump twice per pump and massage your breast to ensure duct emptying. I find it's best not to put on time on pumping as it differs each time. Average time for me is 40 mins. 

5. Ways to Increase Supply:
 -Increase how often you pump, I find when I add a pump the next day my supply has increased. I also had a pumpathon.
-Supplements: fenugreeks or special tea, consult your lactation consultant or provider before taking anything
-Skin to skin: put bare baby on your bare chest, not only does this increase bonding, this produces the hormone oxytocin tht helps make yr milk supply


6. Take care of yourself
-hydrate, be sure to drink 64oz of water daily
-Eat! Pumping burns calories!
-sleep, easier said than done right. But rest essential to produce milk, ask for help

Most important, get information, read the forums, blogs, dn books out there. This is not an easy choice and the more info and support you have the better!

I have now been doing this two weeks, my supply increased but not enough to wean Ethan from Formula, I have seemed to have leveled off. For me, I would rather him get some Brest milk than none. I was discouraged at first, in fact I told my husband that not being able to breast feed has broken my heart, but then I see my little boy thriving and growing. People often can make you feel bad (ugh especially those who have never had kids) about formula and breast feeding, but in the end you know whats best. Don't feel bad if EPing doesn't workout, it's hard work and you might not have time or the supply, and a happy mom is a happy baby. 

Next blog: pump a thon