How to Combine Breastfeeding and Pumping: A Comprehensive Guide
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.
Getting Started with Combined Breastfeeding and Pumping
Combining breastfeeding and pumping isn’t too difficult as long as you know what to do. Here are a few steps to make it a simple process.
1. First, breastfeed, then pump
You should feed your baby before pumping. That way, you’ll know that your baby has gotten enough milk before emptying your breasts more. Pumping will never replace the special bonding that happens when you nurse your baby, and on-demand nursing actually boosts production during your pumping sessions.
2. Utilize hands-on techniques
Hands-on pumping and hand expression can help to increase the amount of milk you get out of your breasts. Doing these things can also help increase the amount of milk your breasts produce in the future.
3. Consider milk storage
To store every drop of precious breast milk, it might be a good idea to use a silicone breast pump or milk collector whilst breastfeeding, as milk tends to leak from both breasts while feeding your baby.
4. Ensure proper fit
Before pumping, make sure to double-check the flange of your breast pump to ensure it fits correctly. Proper fit prevents nipple damage and discomfort during pumping sessions and will also make pumping more efficient.
5. Warm up and relax
You´ll have better success at both breastfeeding and breast pumping if you are doing them in a calm, quiet space, where you feel relaxed. If you´re having trouble getting your body to let down with the pump, consider placing something warm on your chest first and looking at pictures or videos of your little one while you pump.
6. Keep essentials nearby
You may want to place a few baskets around your house near your favorite breastfeeding locations that hold a water bottle, snacks, nipple cream, burp clothes, wipes, and diapers, so you don’t have to get up to look for these items once you start feeding and pumping.
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