Breastfeeding and pumping are two key ways of providing nourishment to your baby. Whether you’re a new mum or a veteran milk maker that's been out of the baby game for a while, it is going to take some time for your body's milk production to adjust itself. While breastfeeding offers numerous benefits, there are situations where combining breastfeeding and pumping can be beneficial.

Whether you're looking to increase your milk supply, manage breastfeeding difficulties, or need to be away from your baby for a period of time, understanding how to effectively combine pumping and breastfeeding is crucial. Selecting the right equipment including the best breast pump for you, as well as handy accessories like breast milk storage bags and breastfeeding equipment like Lola&Lykke Smart Electric Breast Pump will make your pumping and breastfeeding journey much easier.

In this article, we'll provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to successfully navigate combining breastfeeding and pumping. So, let's dive in!

Reasons for Combining Breastfeeding and Pumping

There are several reasons why parents choose to combine breastfeeding and pumping. Here are some of the most common ones.

1. Increasing your milk supply 

Breast milk production operates on supply and demand. The more milk is drawn out, the more your breasts will in turn produce. Combining breastfeeding with pumping can help stimulate milk production and increase your overall milk supply. Choosing a portable, wireless breast pump will give you the freedom to wherever best suits you.

2. Addressing breastfeeding difficulties 

If your baby has challenges latching or drinking a sufficient amount from your breast alone, it can be helpful to have some extra milk on hand to follow up breastfeeding with a bottle.

3. Helping with discomfort 

Using a breast pump can help clear milk from your breasts, which can provide relief from clogged milk ducts and mastitis (inflammation of breast tissue). Pumps like Lola&Lykke Electric Breast Pump offer similar suction levels to hospital-grade breast pumps and can effectively help relieve most common breastfeeding-related discomforts.

4. Bottle feeding

If you need to be away from your baby for any length of time, pumped breast milk allows you to continue providing them with the benefits of breast milk through bottle feeding.

5. Giving Mum a much-deserved break

Let’s be honest, breastfeeding is hard work. By bottle feeding your baby pumped breast milk, mums can occasionally rest for longer periods uninterrupted, run some errands, or even visit a day spa (if that’s your thing!).

6. Useful for working mums

If you plan to work, pumping is incredibly important so you can continue breastfeeding. Many working mums make the mistake of believing that they have to formula feed to return to work, but this isn’t the case.

7. Useful way to involve your partner in feeding

Feeding your baby some expressed breast milk is a great way to involve your partner in your baby’s feeding routine. This will allow dad to bond with the baby, whilst allowing your baby to learn to drink from a bottle.