How to Build a Full Milk Supply With a Breast Pump
Breast-feeding provides benefits to both mother and child. The American Association of Family Practitioners reports that breast-feeding helps prevent negative health conditions, provides a bonding experience between mother and child and nourishes the baby. Some women who choose to breast-feed find that their milk supply doesn't come in fully at first. The baby is suckling, but little or no milk is coming out. If you wish to nourish your baby exclusively with breast milk, one way to increase your milk supply is through the frequent and proper use of a breast pump.
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Things You'll Need
- Electric or manual breast pump
- Breast shields
- Breast pump tubing
- Breast pump valve and membrane
- Sterile bottles
- Breast pads
Instructions
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Clean and sanitize your pump and accompanying accessories. If the pump is new, a simple washing and rinsing with soap and water will suffice. If you've had the pump in storage, you might want to soak the components overnight in a bleach-and-water solution first. Do not put the electric part of a pump in water. Some pumps might be dishwasher safe, but it is best to check the manufacturer's instructions.
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Assemble your pump according to the manufacturer's directions.
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Place the pump's shields over your breasts so that the areolae are covered as much as possible and the hole or stem in the center of the shields is centered over the tip. With some electric pumps, pumping is as simple as holding the shields in place and turning a knob on the pump. With manual pumps, you may need to have one hand free to work a lever or other mechanism, so you may only be able to pump one side at a time.
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Pump for about 30 to 45 minutes. If you do not have a double pump, you'll need to spend 30 to 45 minutes on each side.
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Until you and baby get a routine going, it may be helpful to schedule pumping times. Pump often. Since newborns tend to feed every two hours, pumping on the hours baby isn't feeding is a good idea. Also, as baby starts sleeping longer intervals, pump during his naps. The frequent use of the pump usually increases your milk supply because your body thinks the baby is feeding often, and it naturally makes more milk.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are only able to pump one side at a time, place a breast pad on the other side to avoid soaking your garments with leaking milk.
Right after your baby has finished suckling, it is a good time to hook the pump up. Alternatively, pump one side while the baby is nursing on the other side.
Do not pump longer than 45 minutes or so, or your areolae will become swollen.
Until your supply comes in fully, avoid pumping right before feeding times; however, when your supply comes in fully, you may want to pump first so baby doesn't overfeed.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit mother and baby drinking breast-milk image by hans slegers from Fotolia.com CLOCK image by SKYDIVECOP from Fotolia.com
