Feeding Patterns Is Baby Getting Enough? Let-Down Reflex Making Enough MilkToo Much Milk Leaking Your Nipples Family Planning Pump & Store Eating & Exercising Need Help?
Bella is 7 1/2 months old and I'm still nursing. We have an amazing bond together and it's very rewarding. I think it's much easier than making a bottle, cleaning a bottle or spending all the time to feed with a bottle. As time has passed, the baby has figured out how to get all the milk she needs within 10 quick minutes. I save so much money nursing and I have filled up an entire deep freezer with milk I've pumped!!! 
Courtney Crowley Morrill
Breastfeeding Mother
Pumping allows you to continue breastfeeding if you need to return to work or school after the birth of your baby. Having a supply of stored milk can also give you a break to sleep or relax, and gives your partner a chance to bond with baby while offering a bottle of pumped milk.
- Avoid pumping and formula use for about the first four weeks. Remember, the first four weeks is when you should be breastfeeding exclusively in order to set a good milk supply.
- Wash your hands before you hand express or pump milk.
- Pump both breasts at the same time after baby is done nursing, or pump one breast while your baby is nursing on the other. This helps produce more milk.
- Massage your breasts while pumping. This can increase your milk supply as well as the fat content in your milk.
- Look at a photo of your baby while you pump, or smell an article of her clothing. This releases hormones that allow you to pump more milk.
- Listening to a recording of your baby’s voice can also release hormones that allow
you to pump more milk.
- Put your breast milk in clean bottles or breast milk storage bags. Store about:
- 2-4 ounces per bottle or bag for a 6-week old
- 4-6 ounces for a 3-month old
- 5-8 ounces for a 6-month old
- The fat in the milk will rise to the top. This is normal.
- Label containers with the date pumped and baby’s name.
- Use the oldest milk first.
- If your bottled breast milk smells sour, throw it out.
- You can thaw breast milk in the refrigerator, under running water that is gradually warmed or in a cup or bowl of warm (NOT HOT) water.
- Never microwave breast milk—this can make hot spots that burn baby’s mouth.
- Gently turn the bottle to redistribute the fat and even out the milk.
| Refrigerator | Freezer | Deep Freezer | Portable Cooler with Ice Packs | |
| Fresh Breast milk | 5 days | 3 months | 6 months | 24 hours |
| Thawed Breast milk | 24 hours | Do not refreeze | Do not refreeze | 8 hours |
Breastfeeding moms who are returning to work or school are eligible for a free breast pump from the WIC office.
