Pumping breast milk — whether you are planning a return to work, or just need a few hours’ break — is a wonderful gift you can give to your baby. But it doesn’t come without stress. Caring for and breastfeeding your baby is difficult enough, but the idea of adding pumping into the mix can feel overwhelming. If you feel that way, you’re not alone.<\/p>
“Nursing and pumping may come with unexpected demands,” says Dr. Nikki L. Roberts<\/a>, an OB-GYN at CareMount Medical in Duchess County, New York. However, she assures that the majority of breastfeeding parents are able to pump without encountering serious roadblocks.<\/p> The keys to success, according to Roberts? Patience, setting realistic goals and cutting yourself a whole lot of slack. For parents wondering how to breastfeed and pump, here are nine reasonable tips from experts. <\/p> You might be wondering when the best time to pump is. Should you pump before nursing, or is it best to pump after? Experts agree that you should put your baby’s breastfeeding<\/a> needs first and start pumping after breastfeeding. <\/p> “Once you are ready to start pumping, nurse your baby, then pump afterward.”<\/p>— Dr. Nikki L. Roberts, OB-GYN<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure> Roberts recommends delaying pumping until about two weeks after birth, or when your milk supply is established. “Once you are ready to start pumping<\/a>, nurse your baby, then pump afterward,” she says. <\/p> How long should you wait to start pumping after feeding? “Waiting about 30 minutes after you’re done with breastfeeding is helpful, as well,” Roberts says.<\/p> Feed your baby according to their own schedule, even as you pump, says Roberts. This will amount to breastfeeding every two to three hours, including at least once at night.<\/p> “I nurse my baby on demand, which means anytime day or night,” says Karen Walsh, a lactation consultant from Bellmore, New York, who is certified with the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners.<\/p> Walsh shares that pumping the other side while she nurses has been very helpful and allows her to meet her daughter’s needs while building up her freezer stash. When she can’t do that, she has her husband hold the baby while she pumps.<\/p> Stress isn’t just unpleasant; it can make pumping less successful.<\/p> “Stress can reduce your supply, in general,” says Donna Kimick, a board-certified lactation consultant at Lakeshore Lactation<\/a> in Massapequa Park, New York. “It can also increase your cortisol levels and therefore decrease important milk-making hormones. It’s a good idea to try to stay calm while pumping.”<\/p>Key takeaways<\/h3>
1. Pump after breastfeeding<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>
2. Continue to breastfeed on demand<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>
3. Reduce stress while pumping<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>
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