5 Ways To Make Pumping More Enjoyable
Pumping: a love-hate relationship.
I know it definitely was for me.
My daughter and I had all kinds of issues in the beginning: difficulty latching, low milk supply, tongue tie…you name it.
There was even a period when I felt more limited with my diet than while I was pregnant...which felt crazy! (My milk just wasn’t sitting well with the baby.)
Pumping is one of those things you read about and go, “sounds easy enough!”
Until you find yourself sleep-deprived, a little lost as a new mom, and going through Postpartum…
All the comforts of the hospital and its lactation team? Gone.
And unless you have a midwife, doula, or another lactation professional that can help guide you through the process of getting your milk in, this can be an incredibly lonely and challenging affair.
Overall, I still feel a deep sense of pride and gratitude that I could give my daughter breast milk for as long as I did.
But I was less fond of being hooked up to this thing, this loud and clunky pump contraption that made me feel more like a machine than a human, around the clock.
My life revolved around my pumping schedule, no matter what was going on. My daughter could be blissfully asleep, and I’d be desperate for a nap, too. (sleep when the baby sleeps, they say).
But… nope! Gotta pump. It felt like I was spending any downtime pumping bottles upon bottles of breastmilk out of me. You could say it’s exhausting, annoying, and still a necessity.
Weirdly enough, I still grieved — no matter how much I hated it at the time — when my journey with breastfeeding came to an end.
See? Love-hate relationship.
When I look back, there are many things I would have done differently to make pumping more enjoyable and less of a burden, and I hope by sharing my story, you find some use from what I learned.
Why Do You Need To Pump?
There are several important reasons why you need to pump if you’ve chosen to breastfeed:
Helps bring in your milk supply after baby is born
Gives baby breast milk even if there are initial issues with latching or feeding
Allows your partner or family members to feed the baby and give mama a well-deserved break (!!! - we cannot emphasize this point enough.)
Relieves pain and feelings of discomfort from engorgement
Offers a way to provide baby breastmilk while choosing to bottle-feed
Creates an emergency supply that can be easily stored
Gives breast milk to baby even when mom (if she chooses) returns to work
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned while pumping is this: be patient and kind with yourself. For some mamas, milk doesn’t come in right away. Or, there’s not much milk produced initially, which can be heavy on mama’s heart and motivation to keep going.
Your stress level about pumping and breastfeeding (and how much milk baby is getting) tends to affect your supply.
That’s why it’s essential to talk about some of the ways to make this experience easier on you.
1. Get A Good-Quality Pump
Good news, mama.
According to the Affordable Care Act, health insurance companies must cover the cost of a breast pump, counseling, and equipment as part of a woman’s health preventative services.
So, before you whip out that credit card, look into your insurance first.
You can also check out Pumps for Mom, which gives you an option to purchase a breast pump if you don’t have insurance and gives you plenty of information about all the different types.
Every mama will be different when it comes to their breast pump. Whether you’re in the market for a new one or doing some research for breastfeeding, you’ll want to think about your own specific needs.
There are four kinds of breast pumps to consider:
Double-electric breast pump - allows you to pump both breasts at the same time. This is good for mamas on the go, but it may get pricey.
Single-electric breast pump - you’ll only be able to pump one breast at a time, but the machine may be more affordable than the double-electric
Manual breast pump - just as it sounds, you’re doing all the work by yourself. The bright side is that these are affordable, portable, and uncomplicated.
Battery-operated pumps - you’ll probably go through a ton of batteries with these types of pumps, but if you don’t want to carry around a big ‘ol pumping machine with you, this is another option. Another one that’s good for mamas who are on the go or need their hands free
Here are also some other important factors to keep in mind when purchasing a breast pump:
Environment - will you always have access to an outlet? If so, the double-electric might be a good fit.
Noise level - pumps are definitely noisy, but some are quieter than others. If the noise of a pump bothers you, you might want to consider the sound before your purchase
Sophistication - sometimes a breast pump can get complicated to use the fancier it is. If you’re just looking for something that gets the job done with no extra bells and whistles, you’ll want to aim for simplicity
Frequency - if you plan to exclusively pump, then investing in a solid pump that not only makes your life easier but is also reliable, will be a big factor in your decision making.
No matter what you decide to do, just know that motherhood is not measured by the ounce. You are not defined by how much milk you do — or do not — make.
2. Create A Comfy Space
I know it’s hard to create a space that makes you feel relaxed and calm, especially in the first year of being a mama.
There’s so much on your mind.
So much is changing.
So much novelty.
And so, so much to learn.
I know exactly where you’re at. It can be overwhelming and stressful.
And that’s the very stress that can cause a dip in your milk supply.
No matter what your breastfeeding journey looks like right now, I hope you can do something that soothes you.
Even if it’s just as small as watching your favorite TV show or listening to the latest catchiest song out right now.
Or by just being at peace watching your little one.
Whatever this looks like for you, I invite you to lean into that space.
Get all your parts ready and set in one spot. Snacks. Your phone. Anything that gives you comfort.
Notice when you start to feel safe and warm.
What about it makes you wish you could stop time so you can savor the moment for a little bit longer?
Do you start to recognize that in these small moments, you are still you, no matter what’s changing around you?
Pumping in this kind of environment is ideal, and something to absolutely strive for, but also know that it’s okay if it doesn’t always happen.
You know it is with this crazy #momlife.
As long as you try to give yourself some quiet time while you pump, it makes a big difference in your mood and the amount of milk you produce.
3. Cover up the bottles
One of the most helpful pieces of advice I received while I was talking to another mommy friend was this:
“Set your timer, try to relax if you can, and cover up the bottles that you’re pumping into with a sock.”
Yes, a sock.
I gawked at her for a little while before she explained why. I had just finished confiding in her that I was having trouble producing enough milk, and the pumping schedule was starting to take a real toll on my physical -- and mental -- well-being.
To be completely honest, I started to feel like a failure. My breastfeeding journey was not going as planned since the get-go, and I began to feel discouraged.
She let me know that covering up the bottles might help prevent me from hyper-focusing on how much milk I was (or wasn’t) producing at the time.
I didn’t believe her at first until I actually tried it.
It wasn’t the perfect solution, but it did get me thinking about other, less stressful things that helped me relax. And I was able to produce more milk.
Of course, there could be several other factors affecting milk production, but this is one method to keep your mind off the ounces.
4. Stock Up on Nursing Bras
Having a nursing bra that not only supports you but allows for hands-free pumping is a game-changer.
Nursing bras that are specifically designed for pumping will make all the difference.
There are SO many brands out there that you can try.
One that I loved was this hands-free pumping bra I found on Amazon! (There are so many options on Amazon, too. So definitely shop around!)
Lupantte Hands-Free Pumping Bra
Always have a backup, mama. Here’s another good one by Simple Wishes.
Or, this super comfy one by Kindred Bravely.
Check out these ones from HATCH, too!
You’ll be able to move around, type away at your desk, and gain back some sense of freedom.
It just makes this process more manageable and still gives you some flexibility and freedom when you’re a busy mama that needs to get things done.
Grab your book, e-reader, laptop, etc., with both hands!
5. Always Have Spare Parts
While only having one set of pumping parts lessens the number of dishes you have to do (and unfortunately, with pumping, there are A LOT of dishes), there are a few reasons why you need spare pumping parts.
If you don’t replace your pumping parts regularly, it could affect how much milk your baby is getting.
Avoid moldy tubing that can get to your baby.
May increase your time pumping if the suction is no longer effective.
You can have a different set when you’re at work.
These are HUGE factors in your experience of pumping.
Imagine sitting there for an hour just trying to get one session in, but you’re not getting as much milk as usual.
It could potentially be your pump parts!
Just remember: this is a way to save you some time and the potential heartache of waiting for replacement parts.
If you have an FSA account, breastfeeding items such as pump parts could be a qualified expense.
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Mama, we always love hearing you.
Did we miss anything?
What did you do to improve your pumping situation? Any tips that you’d like to share here that helped you navigate this part of your journey?
Don’t be shy! Leave a comment down below!