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Rochester Local

Pump It Up: Tips From An Exclusive Pumper

Exclusive Pumper, breastfeeding, breastmilk, pumping, medela, rochester, moms blog, baby, nursing
Image source: Amy Runge // Lucid Photography

Before my daughter was born, I was sure of two things: 1) I would love her and defend her with my life, and 2) I would breastfeed her. Everything else would ebb and flow throughout those two things.

When it came time to give birth to my daughter, a stressful third trimester due to high blood pressure issues, a 35-hour labor, and an unplanned Caesarian Section threw me off the immediate course I wanted to take with breastfeeding my daughter. Despite several visits from lactation consultants and help from my wonderful nurses, we didn’t start off on the right foot. It took multiple days before anything happened, and by then, due to my daughter being jaundiced, we had to supplement with formula. I am thankful we had access to formula; it saved her life.

People often ask me aside from labor what the hardest thing was about being a new mom. I always say breastfeeding. Mamas who struggle with this can sympathize. I deeply desired to breastfeed my child but it was so, so hard. My daughter had an unusual sucking pattern and it hurt me so much that I often dreaded it.

We didn’t get into a groove with breastfeeding until she was about 9 weeks young. Just a little before then, my milk supply was finally coming in. Yes, it took that long. While she and I were trying to figure things out, on our pediatrician’s recommendation, we rented a hospital-grade pump to help my milk supply increase. I would put her to breast, she would feed as long as she and I could manage before frustration took over, and then I would pump while my husband fed her with either formula or the small amount of breast milk that I had previously pumped.

We lived like this for awhile. When my daughter was just shy of three months, she started daycare. Shortly thereafter, I contracted whatever germs she got from daycare and became ill and unable to breastfeed my daughter. Just two days of not breastfeeding and that was the end of breastfeeding for us.

I felt robbed, I felt useless, I felt defeated. After a few days of moping, I resolved that if she wouldn’t breastfeed from me, she would at least have my breast milk.

It’s been a journey, and almost six months in, I consider myself somewhat of an expert.

Here are a few tips for when you’ve found yourself in a position you may not have expected—the position of exclusively pumping.

1) Know that just because you’re not able to breastfeed your child, you are not a failure. What you’re doing for your child, how you’re feeding your child, is a wonderful thing! Surround yourself with people who affirm this and support your decision. The last thing you need while attaching phalanges to your breasts is negativity from skeptical people.

2) Invest in a good pump. I have a Medela Pump In Style Advanced, and I absolutely love it. A good pump is key to being able to be successful. With that, if you want to have your hands free while you’re pumping, invest in a pumping bra. This is not a necessity, but a nice perk.

3) Set a schedule of sorts. It’s easier said than done, I know, but it will help with motivation. This is especially beneficial if you’re going back to work part-time or full-time. Since I’m working full-time, I have time slots blocked out on my calendar where no appointments can be scheduled so I can pump without interruptions. Find out what works for you, and don’t be afraid to be protective of that time.

3) Research “power pumping.” I learned about it later than I would have liked to, but as soon as I knew, I made a goal to power pump every weekend. It definitely helped keep my milk supply up. Do research on other things too, like how long to pump, how often to pump. There are experts out there with great advice.

5) Find something to do while you’re pumping. The majority of the times that I pumped, I didn’t have to watch my daughter at the same time, enabling me to do other things. When my daughter was a newborn and I had to pump in the middle of the night, my favorite thing to do was browse social media because it didn’t require much brain power. At work when I pump, I’m able to complete work projects.

Otherwise, I watched YouTube videos on how to make Korean food, upcoming movie trailers, and catch up with shows on Netflix. If you love to read, read. If you like being on your phone, do that! (I read that looking at photos or videos of your little one helps with milk flow. Give that a try!) Find something to do that will make pumping more enjoyable, because I can guarantee you, there will come a time (or several times) when you will find it to be a chore.

Those are my tips for those of you wanting to be exclusive pumpers. I have tons more, but those are the essential ones. Good luck on your journey! I am rooting for you and your little one!

For those of you who are exclusive pumpers, what other tips do you have?

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