More Tips on Pumping Milk

Taken from somewhere... (for the life of me, I can't remember where i lifted this from)

Prepping to Pump

-         Set a routine: Establish a place to pump, the beverage, the relaxing music, and a favorite picture of your baby. Have your equipment ready and pre-set up if possible. Having a routine helps with relaxation and the milk ejection reflex.

-         Water, Water, Water: Your body needs lots of water to produce milk. Drink at least 8 oz before your pumping, and frequently throughout the day.

-         Prep your breast: Try massaging your breast or using warm packs to help with your milk letdown. Start at the armpit and use the fingertips of your opposite hand to make small circles on the breast tissue in that one spot. Then move your hand slightly and do it again. Work your way around the breast and gradually down toward the areola in a spiral pattern. (This is similar to the breast exam that you or your doctor uses to check for lumps.) Finish the massage with a series of long strokes from the chest wall down to the areola, again working your way around the entire breast. Or, place a warm pack on your breast for 3 – 5 minutes prior to pumping.

-         Relaxing: Use your pumping time as a time to relax and rest your mind. Turn on some relaxing music and close your eyes. Picture in your mind a flowing stream or a warm sandy beach.

-         Picture your baby: bring a picture of your baby. Admire how adorable your baby is and how much joy your baby brings to you.

-         Massage again: If your milk flow slows down during a pumping session, a few minutes of breast massage may help get it going again.

 

Pumping More Milk

-         Try pumping on one breast while baby nurses at the other: The baby will trigger the milk ejection reflex, and you'll be able to collect milk from the other breast more easily. (This is easy to do with a Whisper Wear single pump.)

-         Got Water? Drink lots of water. Your baby will consume 14 – 32+oz (age and size dependant) of breast milk. Your body needs the extra fluids to make milk and keep your self hydrated.

-         More Milk Tea: Get 2 benefits from this tea. More Milk Tea provides beneficial herbs to stimulate more milk production and helps mom rehydrate.

-         Pump the same time your baby would feed: If you're worried about producing enough milk, pump more frequently. This is more effective at stimulating the milk supply than pumping longer at each session.

-         Pump extra milk in the morning: Your body produces the most milk in the morning. A morning pumping will help get more milk in the freezer.

-         Pumping more often: Pumping more often is more effective at keeping your milk supply up than pumping longer. Three 20-minute pumping sessions will produce more milk than two 30-minute sessions.

-         Pump once or twice a day even when you are with your baby full-time: This can help build up your supply for the days when you're relying on the pump alone for breast stimulation.

-         Breastfeed your baby frequently when you are together. Make breastfeeding a priority in the evening and on weekends. Don't give a bottle when you can nurse your baby directly.

-         Breastfed babies may finish a bottle quickly, but may still need to suck for comfort. Baby will take more milk if it's offered, but might also accept a pacifier or another kind of comforting. Consider this possibility with your caregiver.

-         Double Pumping yields more milk: Prolactin levels in the blood are also higher when you pump both breasts simultaneously.

 

Sore Nipples During Pumping

-         Try a pump with a silicone breast cup or liner: Pumps made with a silicone breast cup or liner are much gentler on the nipple and areola. The silicone cup is more form fitting which causes less friction and rubbing than a plastic flange.

-         Try a lower suction setting: If the suction is too strong you will get a nipple that gets “hickey” or blisters. Babies don’t give you hickeys neither should your pump!

-         Soothe sore nipples: Apply a small amount of emollient on your nipples to promote healing.

-         Cotton Bras: Wear cotton bras. Cotton bras breathe and help release any moisture that could produce bacteria and yeast.

-         Relaxation techniques: Use relaxation techniques to help before and during your pumping session.

-         When to get help? Your nipples will be sore for about 3 – 4 weeks. You should only feel tenderness when baby first latches on, not during the whole feeding. If you have pain in between feedings call your health care practitioner or Lactation Consultant.