Exclusive Pumping to FEED your baby
So you’ve decided to feed your baby breastmilk but you aren’t nursing… What? That’s right you are exclusive pumping…but what does that mean? Providing the benefits of breastmilk without nursing.
MY STORY
I’ve had some experience with this. My son was born at 34 weeks and spent 7 days in the NICU prior to coming home. He couldn’t latch well and even when he did his little body was just not strong enough to get all he needed from breastfeeding. The poor guy would get tuckered out and fall asleep. So, I decided to pump and then bottle feed, we did this for fourth months straight. This, so far, has been the hardest thing I have had to do. Feedings were every three hours so I would need to feed him via bottle – 45 minutes at least, change and put him back to bed – another 30 minutes and then pump – yet another 15 – 20 minutes. Basically by the time I laid back down for sleep he was up again to start the process – it was exhausting to say the least, but we did it and we hit our goals.
Now let’s talk about some tips for success to help you become a pumping queen!
First – accept that it is going to be extremely hard. At the begining you could be pumping up to 12 times a day to establish your milk supply. You will be tied to equipment and constantly washing bottles, pump parts, etc.
Second – know that it will get easier. After some time your milk supply will regulate and you will be able to cut down on how many times you pump a day. Hopefully you will even be able to get some extra into the freezer!
Third – enrich your environment. Make sure to get all the neccessities you need to maek yourself successful. Have the right pump(s) for exclusive pumping – you made need something with a more powerful motor, get enough bags for freezer storage, invest in a hands-free pump bra so you can focus on other things while pumping, and always have a spare pump – manual or an extra powered – for the car or travel.
Finally – know that this means you have some freedom. If you are pumping and feeding your baby via bottle that means you don’t always have to be there. Get your partner to take some turns bonding, allow your mother-in-law to feed the baby while take in a movie or go hiking. Exclusive pumping allows you freedom that other breastfeeding mothers may not get.
Looking for support through your pregnancy, birth and beyond? Checkout www.storktoswaddle.com
Also checkout these sites for addiitonal information on exclusive pumping:
https://exclusivepumping.com/
https://breastfeedingusa.org/content/article/exclusive-pumping