Pumping Tips for Nursing Mothers

Pumping your breasts is easy, and can be done in a variety of ways. Manual expression using the "Marmet Technique" is one option. There are also manual pumps. Especially best for handling fulltime pumping needs is the Medela Pump In Style, or other hospital grade pumps.

1. Finding a quiet, relaxing spot where you won't risk being disturbed and can truly relax.
2. Bringing along a picture or nightgown from your baby to speed letdown.
3. Pumping more frequently to improve milk supply.

• Breastmilk is good in the refridgerator for 5-8 days
  • in the freezer for 4-6 months
  • in a shared compartment freezer for two weeks
• Freezer ziplock bags are an inexpensive way to freeze breastmilk. Mark with the date pumped and # of ounces.
• Breastmilk can be defrosted overnight in the fridge or by placing the container in a bowl of warm water.
• Defrosted breastmilk often has a noticeable odor to it. Some babies may object to defrosted milk or only accept if it's mixed with fresh. Aim to keep most of your milk in the fridge unless you don't plan on using it within a week. Some women's babies don't accept any frozen breastmilk. If your baby objects, try scalding the milk before freezing. Although this will, of course, get rid of the immunological properties of your milk, it will still be better nutritionally than formula.
• Experts disagree on the best freezer storage technique, plastic or glass. Plastic storage loses some of the fats, and glass storage loses some of the leukocytes. Use whatever storage works best for your own situation.

• Pump more frequently.
• Pump later. For example, if you normally pump at 9:00 and 3:00, pump at 10:00 and 4:00. Expect your baby to nurse a bit longer and more frequently at night. This is *good* because you're letting your baby drive your milk supply up, instead of your pump.
• Pump while with your baby. Put one breast on a pump while baby nurses the other (works especially well with younger, less curious babies). Your breasts get faster and easier letdowns from the baby's nursing.
• Work with your caregiver to lessen the milk amounts. Is your caregiver feeding your baby 6 ounces at 10, 1, and 4 because every formula fed baby is getting that? The difference is that your breastfed baby is much more likely to be getting more breastmilk at night than the formula-fed baby is getting formula. Also, breastfed babies need less milk per day because breastmilk is more easily digested than formulas are digested. Explain this to your caregiver and enlist her aid in determining baby's hunger cues and how much baby needs at each session. Note that many breastfed babies are used to higher milk supplies in the morning and a bit less in the afternoon.
• Stumped? Try supplements such as fenugreek (in seeds or capsule form) to up supply. Avoid the spice sage (often used in your favorite Turkey dressing).

Can you still not make enough milk, or is it too stressful? If you do decide on formula, it is by no means the end of your nursing relationship. Simply ban the bottle in your own home, and your baby will be able to nurse what he or she needs. As with a fully breastfed baby, strive for the minimal amount of formula during the day and concentrate on nursing at night. Expect growth spurts to take a bit longer for your breasts to accomodate than a fully nursing mother (this is true for all working mothers as well), since baby has less time at the breast to increase your supply.

More and more information pumping is available to new moms, but a few vital facts tend to get left out. Here they are:

• Pumping is an enjoyable chore (well, compared to the work you're doing, it probably is:). This is a chance to drop your ordinary work for the day, kick back, and relax. You get to think about your baby with no interruptions.
• Pumping, or letdowns in general, release hormones which are proven stress combaters. You will be more relaxed and able to handle the day's stresses than bottlefeeding moms.
• There is a great deal of satisfaction in knowing that you are still providing nourishment while apart from your baby. It really helps ease some of the normal pangs of guilt at mother-baby separation.