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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
Pump & Store - If you will be away from your baby long enough that you regularly miss one or more feedings, you might need to use a breast pump to express your milk.
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 breastmilk in clean bottles or breastmilk 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 breastmilk smells sour, throw it out.
- You can thaw breastmilk in the refrigerator, under running water that is gradually warmed or in a cup or bowl of warm (NOT HOT) water.
- Never microwave breastmilk—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 Breastmilk | 5 days | 3 months | 6 months | 24 hours |
| Thawed Breastmilk | 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.
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