Breastfeeding And Pumping

Babies who are breast fed usually feed more than the formula fed babies. Before using breast pumps the bottles or containers, which will collect milk must be sterilized. The breast pump parts must also be sterilized. There is a general rather frightening trend that a pump is necessary to make breastfeeding a success. However use them only if it is necessary and not to avoid commitment. No matter, how good a pump is, it sure will not feel like a baby. Before starting breastfeeding and pumping, consult the lactation consultant to choose the breast pump appropriate for you.

Tips For Breastfeeding And Pumping

Make it a policy to breastfeed your baby, whenever possible. On other occasions, find a place where you can be comfortable and stay relaxed to pump. Before you start to pump, give your breasts a massage. Position the breast shield accurately over the areola and nipple. If placed incorrectly, you will be hurt and will not get the expected milk supply. When you need to go away, plan ahead to get a stash of milk to refrigerate before leaving. Make sure to pump in mornings. Besides, working mothers can pump at home and at work and make use of all the spare moments and holidays, when necessary. To save time, you can pump at the same time you are breastfeeding your baby. Moreover, if you use double breast pumps you can pump both your breasts simultaneously. If you find that even after all this there is not enough milk, rent a hospital-grade breast pump. Normally in a single pumping, a mother gets three ounce of milk. There is no need to fret if your milk supply is not large. Instead of pumping for a long time, just frequently pump once within every three hours. Your mindset must be positive and try to pump by visualizing or immersing yourself in the feel, sight, sounds and smell of the baby. If you want to smoke or imbibe alcohol, either breastfeed the baby before doing it, or else pump the necessary milk and refrigerate it. The baby can consume it later while your body is recovering from the aftereffects of smoking or alcohol.

Negative Aspects Of Pumping

Some women feel that breastfeeding the baby directly is better than using breast pumps if you are able to do it, as they encountered certain difficulties when using breast pumps like:

• Time consuming – Feels that it adds extra work to an already full day.  It doesn’t allow for the quality time that can otherwise be spent with the baby and feels that breast pumps are not as efficient or speedy as breastfeeding.
• Uncomfortable – Breastfeeding is more comfortable when it is the baby at their breasts.
• Change in behavior – Bottle-feeding the pumped milk changes the baby’s behavior when you breastfeed. It can affect the amount of milk consumed and its quality.
• Removal of milk – Machines cannot remove milk as well as any babies. The combination of the breastfeeding and pumping can affect the comfort level and the quantity that can be stored in a mother’s breast.