There are a variety of reasons a mom may be exclusively pumping. Exclusive pumping comes with its own unique set of challenges and concerns. What pump to use, how long to pump, and how often to pump are big questions. Concerns about producing enough, how much baby should eat, and long term goals and expectations. So, lets start at the beginning.
If you are going to exclusively pump having a hospital grade pump is ideal. These pumps are specifically designed to be the most durable and effective pumps. They are a closed system, which means they can be used by multiple users. A hospital grade pump can be rented and is sometimes covered by your insurance. If a hospital grade pump is not an option, a good double electric pump is necessary. There are a variety of double electric pumps on the market today, and not all pumps are created equal. You want to make sure you get a good quality breast pump to avoid potential breast tissue damage. Look for a pump from Ameda, Medela, Hygeia, or Spectra. Even if you do have a hospital grade pump, having a quality double electric pump is still a good idea. Hospital pumps are large and not meant to be easily transported.
When you are exclusively pumping you need to pump as often as a baby would nurse. With a newborn in the first months of life this means every 2 – 3 hours around the clock. Make sure to set an alarm that will wake you up overnight! Often times new moms try to stretch out the overnight pumping, especially if the baby is sleeping. Remember the first weeks of pumping are establishing your supply! It is critical to make sure you wake up to pump. A good suggestion is to have extra pump parts on hand so that you don’t have to do much when you do wake up to pump. Another option is to store the pump parts in a cool bag with an ice pack. This will keep the parts cool between pumping sessions so you don’t have to get up and clean them.
You want to make sure you are pumping for at least 20 minutes each time you pump. Don’t be discouraged if at first you don’t see a huge production of milk. If you have just had your baby it will take time for your milk to come in. Remember: More stimulation = more milk! If you have just switched to pumping, it can take your body a few days to adjust to the pump. Remember that getting 2 – 4oz combined from both breasts with each pump session is in the range of normal! Make sure you have the correct size flange. Flange size can make a huge difference in pump output. If you are unsure about flange fit, contact a local IBCLC. Many IBCLCs are happy to help you troubleshoot pumping concerns and flange fit! Hands on breast compressions when you pump are another great way to encourage milk production.
So how much milk should your baby be taking? A breastfed baby typically takes between 19 and 30oz in 24 hours. (http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/milkcalc/). This amount does not generally increase over time, with the exception of the occasional growth spurt. Most babies will take about 3 -4oz every 2 – 3 hours, including overnight.
Other important things to remember: Your pump output will vary. Do NOT stress about one bad pump. For most women milk supply is highest in the morning and lower at night. This is normal. Breastmilk will also change color and composition throughout the day. Do not judge the quality of your breastmilk by how it looks! Invest in a few good hands free pumping bras, or make one yourself! Having the ability to pump hands free is HUGE. You can feed the baby and pump at the same time! Having multiple set of pump parts is also a huge help and saves having to wash everything over and over. Many moms store pump parts in the fridge between pumps. Talk to your partner about how they can support you. Remember your breastmilk storage guidelines! It is important with exclusive pumping to label and store your breastmilk correctly. Investing in a chest freezer is ideal, the frozen milk is good for 12 months.
Many moms eagerly ask when they can start sleeping longer at night and stop pumping, especially if their baby sleeps. The big picture is that most moms have to continue to pump at least once overnight. After the first 2 months going a 4 – 5 hour stretch overnight would be fine, but you still want to aim for at least 8 – 10 pump sessions in 24 hours. Remember: you are trying to mimic a baby who is nursing 8 – 10 times a day. In the first 6 months of life this does not change much. A pump is not as effective as a baby at removing milk, so you may have to work harder to get the amount of milk your baby needs. Even if you are making more than your baby drinks in 24 hours, you should still continue to pump frequently!
It is not uncommon to hit a pump slump. Your body will adjust to the pump and moms often find after a few months of pumping their output goes down. This is why it is so important in the first months to pump frequently and effectively! Sometimes moms find power pumping an effective way to boost supply during a pump slump. The idea behind power pumping is to mimic a breastfed baby going through a growth spurt and cluster feeding. You would pump for an hour doing 10 minutes of pumping followed by 10 minutes of rest. A mom may do this 2 times a day for a few days before seeing any results or improvement.
