Tips for Breastfeeding & Pumping

I always had this pre-conceived ideal that breastfeeding is this natural bond between mother and that because it is this natural thing, it would somehow just come easily.

Then I had Levi and all of those ideals went out the window.

While I am extremely fortunate to not encounter any issues with latch, breastfeeding hasn’t always easy for me. Some days it is extremely trying as your newborn goes through growth spurts and is cluster feeding nonstop and some days it is indeed that peaceful ideal I envisioned. I’ve encountered nursing strikes, distracted eating to the point where he won’t stay latched for longer than a few minutes, low pumping supply at times, the need to supplement with formula, biting, and all the wiggles during our feeding sessions.

I’ve share on many of my social channels the struggles I have experienced when it comes to breastfeeding and pumping and I receive A LOT of questions continually on what I have done to combat some of the struggles, overcome, and persevere to making it 10 months and counting breastfeeding and pumping! So I wanted to give a few tips that have helped me find success. 

Please note: by sharing these resources, information, and tips I am by NO MEANS advocating that breastfeeding is best or shaming ANY mom who chooses formula. Fed is best and I support any mom’s choice on how they feed their baby. Levi to this day receives a mix of breastmilk and formula because it is what works for us. And that’s what this is all about – what works for you, your baby, and your family! 

GENERAL BREASTFEEDING TIPS 

HYDRATION & NUTRITION

Whether you are pumping or breastfeeding, maintaining “good” nutrition and hydration has been key for me. I say “good” because for me it isn’t necessarily maintaining a perfect diet, heck, you have a newborn baby just eating regularly is difficult. But ensuring I do get some form of food throughout the day was key, I try to include lots of healthy fats into my diet as well as oatmeal once a day. I also shoot for drinking 90+ ounces of water a day. My 30 ounce Yeti cup has been my BEST FRIEND! You may find that you respond well to certain foods, healthy fats, or so many ounces of water. Start implementing some things and give it a few days to take affect. But at first, just focus on getting your bases met. 

COMFORTABLE CHAIR

I can’t say enough about how important it is to have a comfortable place to nurse! I have spent HOURS in my recliner nursing and sometimes have even slept in it, comfort is a MUST. I chose a rocking recliner over a glider with an ottoman just because it was what I liked best and was the most comfortable for me. We spent quite a bit on our recliner and view it as an investment that it’ll last through many years (and hopefully future kids). Mine is leather for easy cleanup of spit ups and also has a motorized recline for easy getting up with a sleeping baby! I highly suggest going and physically sitting in chairs to get the feel of them and don’t get a recliner that fits your husband if you are going to be the one nursing, make sure it fits you! 

NEVER QUIT ON A BAD DAY

I have had many moms give me this advice and it has continually echoed in my head on the bad days. There will be bad days where you’ll want to just up and quit. Never quit on a bad day. If you are seriously wanting to continue breastfeeding but going through a hard day, make the decision to quit on a good day – not a bad one. Keep offering and keep trying through the intense periods of distraction, biting, or a nursing strike and when a good day comes around, re-evaluate your decision. 

SEEK OUT A LICENSED IBCLC

If you are having any serious problems or have concerns about if you baby is getting enough, seek out an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. They can do consults over the phone if the need be, but if you can, I highly suggest having one visit your home. They are a wealth of knowledge and will help you successfully navigate your breastfeeding journey. Click here to find one in your area.

COMMON PUMPING MYTHS  

Pumping is a whole different animal than nursing. I was super overwhelmed when it came to pumping: how, when, how long, what do I need. It literally made my head spin, so I avoided it for a long time knowing that I would eventually be going back to work. In hindsight, I wish I had started pumping (and storing) earlier on. It would have alleviated a lot of stress that came along with getting used to my pump as well as having enough to feed Levi on the days I don’t produce as much or miss a pump, etc. 

TYPICALLY, YOU WON’T PUMP AS MUCH AS YOU THINK

I also want to put this out there because I feel like it is one of the biggest misnomers out there. You won’t pump as much as you think each pump! For some reason, social media and the internet is littered with photos of these FULL bottles and people pumping 6, 8, 10, 14 ounces combined per pump! The vast majority of Mommas don’t produce that much per pump – in fact the average is more like anywhere between 1-4 ounces COMBINED per pump. So if you are within that range, you are completely normal. If you are one who pumps a large amount per pump, you are extremely blessed and I hope you can do amazing things with that extra milk like donate! 

YOUR PUMP IS NOT A MEASURE OF BREASTFEEDING SUPPLY

I’ve seen many moms FREAK OUT about the fact that when they pump only a small amount comes out and then they translate that to the fact that maybe their baby isn’t getting enough when they nurse. Your baby is far more efficient than your pump will ever be, so the pump is not a true measure of your supply. There are other measures far more effective at measuring whether or not your baby is getting enough milk through breastfeeding. Don’t rely on your pump to measure that – some people just don’t respond well to a pump and therefore won’t letdown the same amount of milk that they do when their baby is feeding. 

GENERAL PUMPING TIPS

INVEST IN A GOOD PUMP & PUMP BAG

Your pump and pump bag will be taken EVERYWHERE with you and will become like your third arm. Investing a good pump was key for me! I have had the opportunity to try three different pumps and I have responded well to all three and enjoyed all three for different reasons, but the one that has really been a game changer for me as far as ease of use, portability, and overall convenience has been the Spectra S1! I started with a Medela Pump In Style – great quality pump, powerful, and effective but it just doesn’t have all the additional features that are SO convenient that the Spectra has! I plan to exclusively use the Spectra on my new BF/pumping journey. 

ALSO, invest in bag that organizes and holds everything you need will make your life so much more simple! Find one that is comfortable for you to carry and use! It really helps you hook up much quicker and store much easier when everything is in order, organized, and in its place. This is key especially when you are traveling or need to pump quickly! Sarah Wells makes some amazing bags! I know for a lot of things like a breast pump or a pump bag, there can be sticker shock. But when you add up the amount of hours spent pumping, they are worth the investment. 

CARRY AN EXTRA SET OF PARTS

You never know when you’ll forget a duck valve or flange. Or lose it somewhere. Or when your pump hose will have a hole in it you didn’t notice. Bottom line is that you don’t want to be stuck somewhere without a functioning pump and needing to pump. I also recommend a hand pump in your bag for this reason too!

I also carry a wet bag in mine for my pump parts once used as well as wipes from Medela to quickly wipe down the parts in a pinch! A hands free bra is also a MUST HAVE. Medela makes one that works with Medela flanges, however, my favorite one is this one from Simple Wishes. I own two and they are the only ones I use. I also pump and dump directly into storage bags. I LOVE the Kiinde system and haven’t had a single one break!! 

STIMULATION, STIMULATION, STIMULATION

It SOUNDS counterintuitive, but the best way to increase your supply is by either nursing or pumping MORE. Breastmilk is made on an on demand basis, so if you aren’t regularly emptying your breasts – the body doesn’t signal that more milk needs to be produced. Adding even a short 5 minute pumping session is better than not pumping at all. Typically, you need to be pumping every time your baby would be eating when you are separated. That can vary anywhere from 2-4 hours depending on where your baby is at with their growth. 

SUPPLEMENTS AND LACTATION RECIPES

If you want to add any supplements or try out a lactation recipe, here are my favorites! 

• Lactation Cookies
• Lactation Bites
• Supplements
  • Soy or Sunflower Lethicin – like motor oil for your breasts! 😉 
  • Brewer’s Yeast Powder or Tablets – worked for me, doesn’t work for everyone
  • Legendairy Milk – fenugreek free (I found out the hard way that I am highly allergic to fenugreek)