Pumping As A Nursing Mom

So, you’re exclusively breastfeeding your sweet babe and it’s a full-time job. You’re using your body to nourish a tiny human, and it can be both rewarding and exhausting.

As the weeks roll by, maybe you're ready to incorporate some nights off, return to work soon, want to take a freaking nap, or just need a date night and you’re not sure how exactly to start including the pump? I gotchu!

Welcome, Mama! I’m so glad you found this post, because we’re going to talk all about this topic today. Hopefully by the end you feel confident incorporating your pump into your nursing routine if you choose! We’ll talk through all the logistics and information you’ll need to know to be successful at this! You can absolutely do this, but you don’t have to include the pump if you’re nursing exclusively and don’t feel the need to pump or store up extra milk– this post is for the mamas who are!

BUT FIRST….

We’re going to focus on incorporating an electric pump into your nursing routine. However, before we jump into that, I do want to mention that things such as a Haakaa or Elvie Curve, etc will attach to the breast to catch letdown milk from the breast baby is not nursing on. This is an excellent and easy way to collect milk without having to get the full electric pump out, and you can begin doing this from the day your mature milk arrives! You can check out the KFP community’s opinions on some of the popular milk collectors here and my comparison of the the Haakaa and Elvie Curve here.

For a deep dive, check out the pumping section of my breastfeeding course!! You can also watch my video walk through about pumping as a nursing mom here.

**NOTE: This post is mainly for exclusively nursing moms who are needing to create a milk supply to freeze for returning to work or an upcoming event, date night, trip or just so your partner can take a turn feeding baby with a bottle.

4 KEYS TO PUMPING WHILE NURSING

Two things are happening when we pump:

First, we’re working to replenish the amount baby is using during a bottle feeding of breastmilk (or combo of breastmilk/formula).

Second, we want to tell our body that milk is still being demanded! (demand=supply)-- by stimulating the breast, we are “putting in orders” for more milk later!

Here are some keys to succeed at pumping while nursing:

🔑 #1: PLAN AHEAD

I really believe in getting the pump out early.

Not super early, but a few weeks prior to any upcoming event or return to work.

Pumping involves a lot of trial and error, so being prepared and in a rhythm before returning to work or going on a vacation (or whatever you’re planning for) will alleviate a lot of stress. It may take several pump sessions to figure out what settings work best for output and comfort, troubleshoot, and find how much baby is approximately taking in the bottle. Therefore, I would recommend starting a few weeks- month in advance for whatever is upcoming.

Since you’re exclusively nursing otherwise, it may take several of these first pump sessions to equal just one feeding for baby. Therefore, planning ahead is very important to have all you need when the time comes.

🔑 #2: CONSISTENCY

We want to let our bodies know that we are needing extra milk. Doing one extra pump session sporadically a few times over a month isn’t going to give our body the signal that more milk is in demand. We have to “place orders” for extra milk by consistently asking our body for it. Find a consistent routine that works for you and stick to it! (Ideas down below.)

Remember: demand= supply.. The more frequently and consistently you empty the breast (“putting in orders for milk”), the more response you are likely to get.

🔑 #3: PATIENCE

You’re going to slowly build up the supply you need for the upcoming date night, girls’ trip, returning to work, or whatever it is you’re wanting to plan for.

It does take time, persistence, and patience. We may not be able to pump full feedings for our baby right as we start (some can!). This can take time and putting in orders frequently and consistently is the best way to get those orders (for more milk) filled after a period of time. Our body need to be “told” over and over and over again to realize “oh, I guess we are needing some extra, here!”.

🔑 #4: KEEP LOW EXPECTATIONS

Keep your expectations low and plan on only producing a little bit of milk at each pump session. (It might barely be any at first!)

It might feel like you’re not producing much at first, but stick with it! It will take your body time to get the signal that more milk is needed and begin making milk accordingly. Everyone’s body is so different that it will take trial and error to find what works for you.

AM I TAKING MILK AWAY FROM THE NEXT FEED?

Your body is ALWAYS. MAKING. MILK. Even if your breasts are soft, they’re still making milk.

If baby doesn’t get enough during that usual next feed after a pump sesh, they are excellent at adapting and compensating– likely eating a little sooner for the next feed, or wanting to cluster a few feeds together and that is TOTALLY OK!

And remember: your body will eventually realize the “extra” orders for milk and will work to make milk accordingly. During the adjustment period, your baby’s typical feedings might shift a bit, and that is very normal and absolutely OK!

IDEAS FOR ADDING IN PUMP SESSIONS

There is no one right way to pump. Please, please don’t let anyone make you think otherwise! What works for you may not work for someone else. When or how often it will work to have extra pump sessions is going to vary from person to person.

VERY IMPORTANT: If your baby is getting milk by bottle (let’s say your partner gives baby a bottle at bedtime to help out) - you’ll need to bring out the pump close to the time of that bottle feed to let your body know that milk is still being demanded. Otherwise, your body has no idea that your child is away from you being fed. You have to stimulate it (with baby or pump) to signal that milk is still needed around this time as well.

You can check out my info on power pumping in my breastfeeding course if you’re working on boosting supply after a dip. Otherwise, check out the tips below for adding pumping into your routine! Remember, this is to build a little bit of milk up before an event/return to work. At said event or return to work, we will many times be pumping to “replenish” what baby took by bottle while we were away.

You can check out my info on power pumping if you’re working on boosting supply after a dip. Otherwise, check out the tips below for adding pumping into your routine!

For moms returning to work, vacation, etc, or just wanting a decent backup supply:

Begin by adding extra stimulation 1x/day around 30-60 minutes after a nursing session for about 20 minutes.
Closer to returning to work you can bump it to 2x/day (if possible) and add in another stimulation time, still 30-60 minutes after a nursing session.

For moms who don’t need as much of a stock or need a smaller “just in case” stash, I generally suggest fewer stimulations to begin with. Remember: a few ounces at a time really adds up!

Start at 2-3x per week: pick some days and stick with it!
Pump about 30-60 minutes after a nursing session for about 20 minutes.
After a few weeks, you can increase the frequency if wanted, otherwise, you can just keep going at the pace you’ve been at.

LET’S REVIEW

I really believe our culture has made this a little more complicated than it needs to be, so I hope you’re feeling a little bit more confident in adding in your pump!

Plan ahead ~4 weeks before planned event, etc
Consistency: supply & demand - let your body know it needs to produce this milk
Patience: adding in your pump takes a lot of trial and error!
Low expectations: you may not produce a lot at first, and that is OK! A little at a time really adds up in the long run!

Resource links:

Breastfeeding course | Haakaa + Elvie Curve Review | Power pumping

Good luck, Mamas!

Xoxo,

Kar