Thanks so much for this article. It (along with many more of your offerings) shows that Legendary Milk is about so much more than simply selling bc products.
———
Legendairy Milk replied:
❤️❤️

Tips for Exclusively Pumping
|
Time to read min
How did you hear about us?
|
Time to read min
It is estimated that at least 85% of mothers have expressed their milk at some point during the first 4 months of breastfeeding their babies.(1) Expressing breast milk during the breastfeeding relationship can look many different ways for families. Some people combine nursing and pumping and other folks are exclusive pumpers.
Many people choose a combination of pumping, direct breastfeeding and giving their baby expressed breastmilk. How your baby receives milk can give important information when challenges arise with breastfeeding. Language used can help your care providers best understand what you are currently doing and be able to help you reach the goals you have for breastfeeding your baby.
Breast pumps have come a long way. Methods to remove milk have been around for centuries. Over time, different materials have been used for pumping milk and improvements have been made to make pumps more efficient and effective as well as more comfortable and convenient for the user.
Electric pumps were first developed for hospital use at the beginning of the 20th century and then became more popular for personal use especially as mothers wanted to return to work while continuing to feed their baby their own milk.(3) The latest advances in pump technology has expanded and gives mothers the choice of exclusive pumping regardless of if they are returning to work or staying home with their child.
How often to pump depends on how old your baby is. Establishing your milk supply generally means you need to pump more often versus pumping for an older baby. As your milk supply regulates, usually around 6-8 weeks postpartum, you will begin to have a good idea of how often you need to pump to have the right amount of milk for your baby per 24 hours.
Newborn babies
Newborn babies eat every 2-3 hours. In the beginning, your pumping schedule should follow the pattern of when your baby eats. This signals your body to continue to make milk at the rate your baby is eating. Plan on pumping 8-12 times each 24 hours. Each pumping session will be 15-20 minutes on average. The times you pump should be spaced out evenly throughout the day and night. You may want to pump closer to every 2 hours during the day and stretch the nighttime sessions to every 3 hours for a little extra sleep during the night.
Middle of the night pumping
Middle of the night pumping is very important especially in the beginning while you are establishing your milk supply. Prolactin is a hormone responsible for milk production. Because of its own circadian rhythm, it is naturally highest during the night. Removing milk during that time when prolactin is naturally elevated can help establish a strong supply, set daytime milk production and even increase milk supply.
How much milk do you need to pump?
Babies eat about the same amount of milk from the time they are about 1 week old until at least the introduction of solid foods. Even around 6 months of age, solid foods are complimentary to your milk so their need for your milk does not decrease dramatically until they are eating more solids. The amount of milk your baby will take per 24 hours is 19-30 ounces with the average being 24 ounces. Using a paced bottle feeding method gives your baby more control over how much they drink at each feeding. This method also allows them to pay attention to when they are full and stop eating. Babies who are not pace bottle fed may overeat and not give you an accurate measure of how much milk they need to reach satiety.
Pump parts need to be replaced to keep your pump working its best. Worn out parts can reduce the suction of your pump and you will not get as much milk out which over time can reduce your milk supply. Check your pump manufacturer's guidelines for specific recommendations. Below gives you an idea of when to change the parts if you exclusively pump:
Exclusive pumping benefits you and your baby when feeding directly at the breast is not what you choose or is not an option for you. It can be hard work, but is worth the effort. There is not a lot of research about exclusive pumping, but it is beginning to get more attention. If you decide to exclusively pump, it may be helpful to join a support group to share experiences with people who are feeding their baby the same way as you and to exchange challenges and successes of exclusive pumping.
Footnotes:
Resources:
https://exclusivepumping.com/category/exclusive-pumping-101/
https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/infantandtoddlernutrition/breastfeeding/pumping-breast-milk.html
https://psmag.com/economics/unseen-consequences-pumping-breast-milk-94181
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26487378/
https://kellymom.com/mother2mother/exclusive-pumping/
https://pumpingmamas.com/replace-breast-pump-parts/
https://texasbreastfeeding.org/node/193
Comments
Thanks so much for this article. It (along with many more of your offerings) shows that Legendary Milk is about so much more than simply selling bc products.
———
Legendairy Milk replied:
❤️❤️
What are the hours that prolactin is highest? Between what times is middle-of-the-night pumping recommended?
How often should we replace the collection cup on the wearable pumps?
———
Legendairy Milk replied:
The plastic collection cup may need to be replaced every 4-6 months depending on frequency of use. However, if you notice any cracks or signs of wear, such as loss of shape, you may need to replace them sooner. Hope that helps clarify!