How to Exclusively Pump Your Breastmilk For Your Baby

Situations such as premature birth, cleft palate, latching issues, and past sexual abuse can prevent a mother from successfully nursing her baby naturally. While formula is an okay choice too, all experts agree that breastmilk is best. If a mother cannot successfully breastfeed, the next best choice then is to exclusively pump your breastmilk. It takes alot of hard work and dedication, but will provide you baby with the best nutrition in his/her first year of life.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hospital Grade Breast Pump
• Breastpump tubing and horns
• Bottles
• Lactation consultant phone #
• Fenugreek supplements
• Breast Warmers
• Breastmilk Storage Bags
• Refridgerator
• Freezer
• Dishwasher / Sanitizing Supplies
• Nursing bras
• Lansinoh cream
• Personal rewards for you (i.e. massage, day at the spa, new outfit)
• Computer and Internet Connection
• Lots of patience and dedication

1. 

   Make the decision to exclusively pump your breast milk for your baby. Whatever the reason for not being able to nurse naturally, remember that this is a great decision! Don't let anyone let you feel guilty.

2. 

   Rent (recommended) or purchase a hospital grade pump. I suggest the lactina, but there are several other excellent pumps out there. You can buy one online, or rent one through your hospital or other programs. Call your local hospital's lactation specialist to find a rental program. You might be able to rent one for free through WIC. (Visit www.fns.usda.gov/wic/ to find the local office.)

3. 

   Stock up on breast pump supplies and bottles. Have extra breast pump horns, and bottles available, depending on how often you will be able to sterilize. I recommend at least 5 horn sets.

4. 

   Consider purchasing a hands free breast pump bra. This will let you pump while you are doing other activities.

5. 

   In the first 6 weeks, pump every 2 hours (if possible) during the day and 4 hours at night. This will help you maintain your supply. If you are very sleep deprived, it is okay to miss a pumping session. As your baby gets older, you can decrease the amount of pumping sessions according to how often your baby eats and how much milk he/she consumes. It might be 6-8 times per day from 6 weeks - 3 months, 4-6 times per day from 3-9 months, and 2-5 times per day up to age one year. If your supply goes down, add more pumping sessions.

6. 

   It is best to empty your breasts at every pumping. Try to pump for at least 15 minutes if you are double pumping, or 15 minutes on each side if not.

7. 

   Entertain your baby with toys reserved only for your pumping time. Try not to ignore your baby during your sessions, you can still sing to your little one, read, shake rattles, etc.

8. 

   Feed your baby your precious breast milk whenever he/she is hungry. If you'd like, you can enhance the bonding by feeding your baby with your shirt off. Your baby will enjoy the skin-to-skin contact.

9. 

   Drink lots of water and eat well to keep your supply up.

10. 

    Follow CDC guidelines for handling breast milk. Visit http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/recommendations/handling_breastmilk.htm for more information.

11. 

    Freeze left over breast milk to be given later when your supply is low, or after you finish pumping.

12. 
    Source: momentbymoment.com.au/blog/

    Consider donating your extra frozen milk to a milk bank. The milk with be given to premature or seriously ill infants. Visit http://www.nationalmilkbank.org/ for more information.

13. 

    Set mini and long term goals for the length of pumping. (i.e. One month, 2 months, 6 months, 1 year, etc.) Reward yourself with something nice like a massage each time you meet a goal. Remind yourself that you are saving alot of money by pumping (compared to using formula) and you deserve it!

14. 

    If you have any problems, such as plogged ducts or low supply, consult with a lactation specialist. Call your local hospital to find one or look on http://www.ilca.org/falc.html.

15. 

    Get support and encouragement from an online EPers (Exclusive Pumpers) support group. Two great ones to try are http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EPers/ and http://www.cafemom.com/group/5332/. You might also find a La Leche group http://www.laleche.org. They are primarily naturally nursing moms, but you will still get support.

16. 

    Take it one day at a time! Every day you give your baby breast milk is a wonderful gift for him/her!

Tips & Warnings

• Buy a plethora of pumping supplies, bottles and nipples so you only have to sanitize once per day.
• Consider buying microwave sanitizing bags to help.
• Use breast warmers/gel packs to help with letdown
• "Massage" your breasts during pumping to help prevent clogs.
• Buy a separate freezer if necessary.
• Fenugreek supplements may help increase your supply. Ask your lactation specialist how much you should take.
• Use lansinoh cream if your nipples get sore and dry.
• Ebay is a great place to buy new pumping supplies.
• You can pump just about anywhere. There are even some moms that pump while driving!
• Remember you are a good mom!
• Ignore comments from people who say you'll eventually dry up and it won't work. Thousands of moms have exclusively pumped for a year or more!

Resources

• Cafe Mom Exclusively Pumping Group
• Yahoo Exclusively Pumping Group
• iVillage Exclusively Pumping Group
• Mothers Overcoming Breastfeeding Issues Yahoo Group
• La Leche League

[amylaine]

on 4/13/2008 Very informative. I breast feed, but one of my friends have to do this because of latch problems. Great article. 5+ stars.

[mom2dnlu]

on 4/10/2008 Very informative! I'm a member of the EP'ing board on ivillage. I never knew there was one on cafemom as well. I just joined it after reading this. :)