Feeding your baby directly from the breast is generally considered the 'easiest' way to ensure they're receiving plenty of liquid gold.
But what if you need to be away from your baby due to work or other commitments? Or fancy letting your partner give baby a feed? That's when expressed breast milk can come in very handy.
Expressing or pumping milk can be TOUGH. Even experienced breastfeeding mums can find the process frustrating and uncomfortable.
That's why we've pulled together 10 AMAZING tips to help you become a #motherpumper
1. Before you start pumping, it is essential that you select the pump that best suits your needs and lifestyle. Check out our essential guide to choosing a breast pump to select the breast pump best suited to your individual needs. It can also be super helpful to invest in some pumping accessories, like the Pump Strap Hands Free Pumping Bra, to make life easier, especially if you need to pump-on-the-go, or at work
2. Sit in a comfortable chair with your back straight and supported. Make sure your feet are flat on the floor and you use a pillow or cushion to support the arm holding the pump. Make sure you are warm and relaxed. Popping on a pair of socks and even using a heat pack can make all the difference when starting out.
3. Before and during expressing, massage your breasts in a clock-wise circular motion to encourage a good flow. If you're going to be expressing regularly, a lactation massager like the LaVie Lactation Massager can really help.
4. When you are ready to begin, support your breast from underneath by placing your fingers flat on your ribs with your first finger between your breast and your ribs. Gently ease your nipple into the funnel of the pump and ensure it is in the centre of the funnel for maximum suction.
5. Good breast pumps will mimic the sucking action of your baby, stimulating your milk let-down. You should continue to pump from each breast until the milk stops flowing. This will ensure that your supply is plentiful for the next time you need to feed or express.
6. Breathe! Breathe deeply. If you are struggling with expressing it can be a stressful experience and this can impact your let-down. Slow breathing automatically calms the nervous system so try this simple exercise: breathe in for the count of 5, breathe out for the count of 6, and pause for the count of one. Repeat until relaxed.
7. Looking at pictures of your baby can also stimulate the let-down reflex. Watching a video of my daughter laughing and babbling really helped me!
8. Find the time of day that works best for you. Some women say their flow is best in the morning, while some get more out at night. You know your body and your baby so let this be your guide.
9. Stay hydrated! Pumping is thirsty work! Make sure you grab a bottle of water (or, better yet, a cup of nursing tea!) before you sit down. A healthy snack like a lactation cookie can also help.
10. Finally, don’t be disheartened if it takes a while to get the hang of pumping, or if some days are better than others. Pumping and expressing is a learned skill and the more you practise the better and more proficient you will become.
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If you are struggling with expressing or feeding, then seeing a lactation consultant can provide an invaluable source of support.
For more help, support and advice, make sure you check out our resources section here.
While the majority of us have heard of (and donated!) blood, not as many of us will be familiar with breast milk donation. But, as shown by the latest statistics from The Red Cross Lifeblood, milk donation is increasingly becoming more common.Â
But how exactly does milk donation work and why is it so important? We spoke to Lifeblood and some mamas who have benefitted from informal milk sharing to get the lowdown.
When it comes to breast pumps, questions abound. From the best model to choose, to Manual versus electric pumps and even why we need a pump in the first place. We decided to go to the source, our Milkbar mums, to find out their thoughts on all things breast pumps. We surveyed 318 mums who responded to our various call outs for participants on our social media accounts and in our weekly newsletter.
We asked our mums a range of questions from what their favourite breast pump was, to why they decided to purchase a pump in the first place and the advice they’d give other mums new to pumping.
