Expressing your milk can feel spooky! Whether you are pumping for a season, while at work, or pumping full time, there can be a bit of a learning curve. In this post, we’ve compiled some tips for expressing your milk that were shared in a discussion with mothers from the La Leche League of Springfield, Virginia Group. For more in-depth information, please view the resources at the bottom of this post and reach out to a local LLL Group or Leader for personalized support. You can find your local resources on the map at LLLUSA.org/locator/
Planning ahead
There are many things families can do ahead of time to prepare for their pumping journey. Learning hand expression and breast massage is one useful way to get the body ready to express and encourage milk flow.
Jessica D. suggested to “hand express at the end of your pump to get the last little bit of milk and to stimulate your breasts that much more.” Plus, if you are ever missing a pump part, your hands are always available for removing milk into a cup to relieve engorgement.
If you are expressing leading up to your return to work, be sure to prepare by learning your workplace rights! Knowing in advance what legal protections you have can be empowering when advocating for your pump breaks at work.
Many parents have found it helpful to talk with the baby’s caregivers ahead of time about milk storage and bottle feeding a breastfed baby with expressed milk. Knowledge of safe milk storage and paced bottle feeding can help ensure that your precious milk is not being wasted.
Simplify your pumping routine
Once you have prepared for your pumping session, you may wonder if there are some ways to make things more productive, simple, or even enjoyable.
Many parents have found that photos and videos of their baby, relaxing music, or an audiobook can help take some of the anxiety out of the experience. Stress can inhibit letdown, so a peaceful environment can be really beneficial.
After the environment is prepared, it is important to get set up with the tools you need to succeed. Sarah T. reminded everyone that “a nursing bra can double as a pumping bra by wrapping the clip behind the flange of the pump.” Other parents shared that investing in a good pumping bra helped to streamline the experience of pumping, especially hands free!
For parents who are expressing often, it may be worth considering having a second set of pump parts. Kate H. said that having multiple sets of pump parts was a big help in her experience. “It’s a huge quality of life improvement to be able to wash pump parts only once a day and dry overnight, as opposed to washing, sterilizing, and drying after each pump session.”
Speaking of pump parts, it is a good idea to check and replace your pump parts as time goes on. Ensuring pump parts are in good condition can help optimize milk output. Amanda C. suggested “replacing your pump parts regularly and get flange size checked after a couple months.” Some pumping parents report a reduction in milk output and see improvement with a new flange fitting. It may help to put a reminder on your calendar to do a quick pump and flange checkup every few months.
Simplifying your routine and having a plan in place can help you avoid difficulty in your feeding journey.
Be open to making changes
If you find that your original plan doesn’t seem as effective, consider changing your pumping routine or even some of the tools you use.
Annie L. says, “Don’t be afraid to try more than one type of pump!” Many Group parents agreed. Kenisha B. added, “I have tried so many that I feel like I collect pumps now. I wasn’t aware that our bodies react differently to pumps. It’s been great to figure out what works best.” Consider how often you will be pumping and your personal preferences when looking at pumps. Some parents prefer a double electric pump while others find success with a manual pump.
Occasionally, you may find that you need to pump more than your normal amount in a day to make the milk your baby needs and help increase milk output. The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding offers a fun tip to use pieces of candy to track how many times you have pumped. A little treat for all your hard work!
Celebrate your successes and find support
Providing breastmilk is such a gift to your child. Setting small goals and celebrating when you reach them can help make expressing milk more pleasant.
Kenisha B. encourages parents, “Do not be afraid to ask for help or suggestions. There are so many options and it’s a lot to navigate. It’s all trial and error.” Your local La Leche League Group is a great place to find encouragement in your pumping challenges and to celebrate and share your successes. Good support helps pumping and breastfeeding feel less spooky and scary!
Resources:
Please send your story ideas to Kylie at [email protected].
Supporting Breastfeeding Families–Today, Tomorrow, Always
Please consider donating to La Leche League USA.
Your gift helps support this blog and the website!
Donations of any amount are gratefully accepted. Thank you!
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Last Updated: October 31, 2023 by Yael Breimer
Tips, Tricks, and Treats for Pumping
Planning ahead
There are many things families can do ahead of time to prepare for their pumping journey. Learning hand expression and breast massage is one useful way to get the body ready to express and encourage milk flow.
Jessica D. suggested to “hand express at the end of your pump to get the last little bit of milk and to stimulate your breasts that much more.” Plus, if you are ever missing a pump part, your hands are always available for removing milk into a cup to relieve engorgement.
If you are expressing leading up to your return to work, be sure to prepare by learning your workplace rights! Knowing in advance what legal protections you have can be empowering when advocating for your pump breaks at work.
Many parents have found it helpful to talk with the baby’s caregivers ahead of time about milk storage and bottle feeding a breastfed baby with expressed milk. Knowledge of safe milk storage and paced bottle feeding can help ensure that your precious milk is not being wasted.
Once you have prepared for your pumping session, you may wonder if there are some ways to make things more productive, simple, or even enjoyable.
Many parents have found that photos and videos of their baby, relaxing music, or an audiobook can help take some of the anxiety out of the experience. Stress can inhibit letdown, so a peaceful environment can be really beneficial.
After the environment is prepared, it is important to get set up with the tools you need to succeed. Sarah T. reminded everyone that “a nursing bra can double as a pumping bra by wrapping the clip behind the flange of the pump.” Other parents shared that investing in a good pumping bra helped to streamline the experience of pumping, especially hands free!
For parents who are expressing often, it may be worth considering having a second set of pump parts. Kate H. said that having multiple sets of pump parts was a big help in her experience. “It’s a huge quality of life improvement to be able to wash pump parts only once a day and dry overnight, as opposed to washing, sterilizing, and drying after each pump session.”
Speaking of pump parts, it is a good idea to check and replace your pump parts as time goes on. Ensuring pump parts are in good condition can help optimize milk output. Amanda C. suggested “replacing your pump parts regularly and get flange size checked after a couple months.” Some pumping parents report a reduction in milk output and see improvement with a new flange fitting. It may help to put a reminder on your calendar to do a quick pump and flange checkup every few months.
Simplifying your routine and having a plan in place can help you avoid difficulty in your feeding journey.
Be open to making changes
If you find that your original plan doesn’t seem as effective, consider changing your pumping routine or even some of the tools you use.
Annie L. says, “Don’t be afraid to try more than one type of pump!” Many Group parents agreed. Kenisha B. added, “I have tried so many that I feel like I collect pumps now. I wasn’t aware that our bodies react differently to pumps. It’s been great to figure out what works best.” Consider how often you will be pumping and your personal preferences when looking at pumps. Some parents prefer a double electric pump while others find success with a manual pump.
Occasionally, you may find that you need to pump more than your normal amount in a day to make the milk your baby needs and help increase milk output. The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding offers a fun tip to use pieces of candy to track how many times you have pumped. A little treat for all your hard work!
Celebrate your successes and find support
Providing breastmilk is such a gift to your child. Setting small goals and celebrating when you reach them can help make expressing milk more pleasant.
Kenisha B. encourages parents, “Do not be afraid to ask for help or suggestions. There are so many options and it’s a lot to navigate. It’s all trial and error.” Your local La Leche League Group is a great place to find encouragement in your pumping challenges and to celebrate and share your successes. Good support helps pumping and breastfeeding feel less spooky and scary!
Resources:
Please send your story ideas to Kylie at [email protected].
Supporting Breastfeeding Families–Today, Tomorrow, Always
Please consider donating to La Leche League USA.
Your gift helps support this blog and the website!
Donations of any amount are gratefully accepted. Thank you!
Follow us on:
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