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BreastmilkCounts.com
By Texas WIC

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Planning Ahead

If you will be away from your baby long enough to miss one or more feedings, pump to replace any feedings you miss. This will help you keep up your milk supply so you can continue breastfeeding, even when you cannot be with your baby.

The Basics of Pumping

Wash Your Hands First

Wash your hands before pumping, and then massage both breasts. Lean slightly forward, gently tap all around your breasts with your fingertips, then lightly massage them in a circular pattern. This should only take a minute or two.

Start With a Low Suction

Pump both breasts at the same time, starting with low suction and fast speed. When milk starts to flow, manually switch your pump to a slower speed and increase to a strong yet comfortable suction. It’s important to be comfortable while pumping, as this can impact the amount of milk you will get. Pumping at the highest suction level you feel completely comfortable at will produce the most milk. This level will be different for all mothers.

When you notice your milk slowing down, manually switch your breast pump back to its faster mode. This fast speed tells your body to create more milk, and you may trigger milk to flow more quickly. If you see milk flowing again, switch back to the slower mode, which helps remove the milk most effectively.

Pumping Shouldn't Hurt

A common cause of pain when pumping is a flange —the part that goes on your breast over your areola— that is either too large or too small. A flange that is too big or too small can not only hurt but can also result in a lower milk output.

The size of the flange has nothing to do with your breast or areola size, but rather the diameter of your nipple. On the side of the flange, you’ll see a number like 24 mm. This means the opening of the flange tunnel is 24 millimeters. The flange tunnel should be slightly larger than the diameter of your nipple. For example, if your nipple measures 21-23 mm, the 24 mm flange will probably be a comfortable fit.

Correct Flange Fit

In a comfortable fit, you will see your nipple moving freely with a small cushion of air around it. If your nipples are gently brushing inside of the flange tunnel without any discomfort, this may still be the correct size.

If the Flange is Too Small

However, if your nipples are rubbing or dragging inside of the tunnel in an uncomfortable way, this means your flange is too small and you need a larger size.

If the Flange is Too Large

If there is a lot of air space around your nipple and you notice your areola being pulled into the tunnel in an uncomfortable way, this means your flange is too large and you need a smaller size.

There are measuring tools available online through pump companies’ websites that help you determine which size you need. You can also use a millimeter measuring tape if you have one. In addition, WIC lactation consultants are available to assist you with a flange fitting to make sure you are pumping with the size that is best for you.

Use the Right Suction Level

Another common reason for pain with pumping is having the suction turned up too high. Many mothers believe that turning the suction up will make the milk come out more quickly, but the opposite is true. When the suction is too high, less milk tends to flow as pain blocks the milk-making hormones.

If you have pain, difficulty with pumping or trouble figuring out your flange size, ask your WIC office or a lactation consultant for help.

Store your pumped breastmilk safely

Learn how to store breastmilk and breastmilk storage guidelines for different storage methods.

Pumping Tips

Express Your Milk Faster with Hands-on Pumping

You may be able to get more milk out of a pumping session if you use an electric breast pump and your hands. During the last few minutes of your pumping session, gently compress and massage around your breasts to help most fully drain them. A pumping bra can be helpful if you are using this “hands-on pumping” technique. If you don’t have a pumping bra, you can pump one breast at a time for a minute or two and use your free hand to compress and massage. Adding a few minutes of just hand expression without the pump can also be helpful in getting some extra milk.

Learn how to hand-express breastmilk.

When to Start Using a Breast Pump

If you plan to go back to work, it's a good idea to begin pumping while you are still on maternity leave. Most babies will take a bottle and continue to breastfeed well if you introduce the bottle around 4 weeks postpartum. If you would like to offer breastmilk in their bottle, you would need to start pumping around week 4. A general plan is to double pump—or pump both breasts— for 15 minutes once a day after breastfeeding. Many moms find that they are able to express more milk in the morning. Once you find a time that works best for you, try to pump around the same time each day.

Don’t worry if you don’t see much milk the first day; it’s normal to take a few days of being consistent to see an increase in your milk supply.

The PUMP ACT: Your Rights in the Workplace

The PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act (2022) requires that most employers nationwide support a woman’s right to pump breastmilk in the workplace for up to one year following the birth of the employee’s child.

Learn about your rights in the workplace.

Keep a Consistent Schedule

If you would like to maintain the milk supply you have, you will need to pump for any missed breastfeeding session. For most parents who are separated from their babies for 8 to 10 hours, this means they will need to pump three times. Many mothers wonder how long to use a breast pump. In general, 15 minutes of double pumping equals one pumping session. These pumping sessions do not need to happen when your baby is eating but should be as evenly spaced throughout your day as possible. Talk to your employer about the timing of your pumping breaks, and then stick to your plan as closely as you can. Try not to skip pumping sessions, as this usually results in uncomfortable fullness and leaking, and sometimes even plugged ducts or stuck milk that can lead to an infection if not treated quickly.

It is normal to express about 4 ounces between both breasts during a pumping session that happens in place of a breastfeed. Don’t worry if you see one breast making double or even triple that of the other. This is very normal, and in fact, it’s quite rare to have both breasts making the same amount of milk. Four ounces total works well, as that is about what your baby needs in a bottle that replaces a breastfeed. Some babies will take a little less and some may take a little more. Practice pumping and bottle feeding your baby before you return to work to have a good idea about what your baby needs.

If you are unable to pump for every missed breastfeeding session or choose not to, you should plan to decrease your milk supply or partially wean before you go back to work. Many mothers use a combination of pumped milk and formula during the day while they work and continue to breastfeed when they are at home. Talk to a lactation consultant about how to reduce your milk supply and create a new plan for feeding your baby while you are separated.

Thoughts of Your Baby Can Help Milk Flow

If you are having trouble getting comfortable pumping at work, try looking at a picture of your baby, watching a video of your baby, or thinking about snuggling or nursing your baby. You can also try listening to relaxing sounds or music and breathing in your favorite essential oil. All these techniques may help you relax and start your milk flowing more easily.

Expert Tip

“If you’re trying to get a little extra milk during your pumping session, pause halfway through when your milk flow has stopped and do a quick thirty-second breast massage. Lean forward, tap gently all around your breasts and then start pumping again. Sometimes the hands-on stimulation helps to trigger another let down sooner!”

Michelle P., WIC  IBCLC

Picking a breast pump that is right for you

Many mothers wonder which is the best breast pump.

A single-user double electric pump is a great option for mothers who plan on pumping for occasional bottles or who will choose to pump when they return to work. Double electric pumps like these are usually free through insurance.

Some mothers who cannot find the time to sit down to pump may be interested in more portable electric breast pump options. These are usually smaller than a traditional pump but still contain tubing connecting the pump to the flanges. These are occasionally free through insurance, but often there is a co-pay for the upgrade.

Having a backup manual pump is nice for those times when the power goes out, you are without your electric pump, or your pump breaks. Some single-user double electric pumps will come with a rechargeable battery that can be helpful in these situations as well.

Get a Free Pump

Did you know that you can receive a free breast pump through your health insurance? Your health insurance plan should provide you with a double electric breast pump at no cost. Hands-free breast pumps are often available at a discount when you go through insurance. Call the number on your insurance card to ask about your free breast pump.

If you have trouble getting a pump this way or are unable to get a pump that meets your needs, call your WIC clinic. They can provide you with a pump after your baby has arrived.

Common Questions About Pumping Breastmilk

How do I pump enough for storing?

It may feel overwhelming to think about how to store breastmilk while also feeding your baby. We’ve got a great strategy.

  • Nurse your baby in the morning and then pump both breasts afterward for about 15 minutes.
  • When feeding later in the day, have someone else offer your baby an ounce or two of pumped milk while you pump again for about 15 minutes.
  • When you are done pumping, offer your baby your breast.
  • Add any extra pumped milk to your freezer supply.

Your breasts will get used to this routine within a few days, and there will be plenty of milk for both the baby and your freezer supply.

How can I boost my pumping output?

Because milk is made on a supply-and-demand basis, the best way to make more milk is to take more milk out. Any breastfeeding or pumping you add to your day will help boost your supply.

What is “power pumping?”

Power pumping is a technique that imitates a baby who is cluster feeding.

To power pump:

  1. Pump both breasts with your electric pump for 20 minutes.
  2. Take a break for 10 minutes.
  3. Pump again for 10 minutes.
  4. Break for 10 minutes.
  5. End your session by pumping again for 10 minutes.

This is a total of one hour of on-and-off pumping and can help boost your supply.

Do lactation cookies help?

While some foods are commonly believed to increase your milk supply, evidence shows that they may only have a very small impact. The most proven way to increase your supply is by breastfeeding or expressing breastmilk more often.

What about herbal supplements?

There are several supplements that may have a small impact on your milk supply. However, depending on your medical history, some of these herbs may reduce your supply instead of boosting it. Talk to your doctor and a lactation consultant before taking any herbal supplements.

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