So, You’ve Decided to Exclusively Pump

So, you’ve decided to exclusively pump because you know that it is healthiest for you and baby. Exclusive pumping means the mother has decided to put her breastmilk into a bottle and feed it to her baby, exclusively. For one reason or another, she decided not to put the baby to the breast for his feedings. Exclusively pumping or “eping”, is a full-time commitment and takes good planning.

For some moms, this is not how she pictured breastfeeding to happen and pumping is her last resort after many days/weeks of trying to latch her baby properly.  For other moms, this is a choice and she always imagined herself only pumping and bottle-feeding breastmilk.  Or maybe the choice was made for the mom, for example, her or the baby have been very ill, and they are not together. No matter what the reason is that you are “eping”, you are a selfless mother looking to do what’s best for your baby. 

With good proper planning (when possible), solid tools for success and keeping in contact with an expert, this technique can be a victory.

17 Amazing Tips because You Decided to Exclusively Pump

1.  Invest in a hospital-grade rental pump if you plan to do this for more than the first 3 months.  This is not the “free or upgraded” pump from your insurance or WIC, nor is it the pump you see in a store on a shelf.  These pumps are usually available as a rental from a durable medical equipment pharmacy, a lactation consultant or online.  Only Ameda and Medela have this level of quality.  Rental prices run between $65 and $100 per month, depending on where you get it. You may be able to buy a used one on ebay for a few hundred dollars. Think of this as an investment, you won’t need to buy formula.  Regular pumps are meant to use 2-4 times per day for a mom going back to work and will lose its’ efficacy much quicker.  Eping requires that you pump at least 8-12X per day in the first 4-6 months for the longevity of sustained milk supply.  Remember that a pump is not as efficient as an effectively latched baby.
2. For sensitive skin, lubricate before pumping. A little cooking olive or coconut oil on the breast or flanges will help keep skin from chaffing. Safe for baby to ingest.
3. Invest in a hand pump for back up.
4. Invest in a drying rack or system to clean parts.
5. To expedite the system, put your pump parts into a container after each use and refrigerate to limit the amount of washing. At the end of the day, wash well and sterilize.
6. Consider a nursing cover with a rigid neckline. This will help you see what you’re doing without always feeling isolated.
7. Once you realize that eping is what you will be doing, make a plan and try to be consistent.  The first month you are “blueprinting” your breast for optimal milk production.  This is like ordering takeout, you call and wait for it to be delivered.  With breastfeeding, the more you do the first month, the more yield you will have in the long run.  Every time the baby eats, you should be pumping (you can do it simultaneously) both breasts for 15-20 minutes (including overnight).  Continue to pump even if nothing is coming out.
8. On the other hand, if you forget a pumping session and you are feeling overwhelmed just pick up where you left off.  Your goal is at least 8x in 24 hours.
9. Don’t go longer than 3-4 hours without pumping in the first months.  Watch this video to optimize your production.
10. It is worth investing in extra supplies to make your day go smoother.  Consider having 2 pump kits, freezer bottles or bags, a cooler with quality ice packs, extra batteries/cords, car charger, a hands-free bra or pump and possibly a deep freezer. 
11. Try pumping pals for more comfort and yield.
12. Replace valves or membranes every few months for best use.
13. If you’re using Medela, run your pump after each use to get the condensation out of the tubing. Replace tubing if it is bad or has any sign of milk in it.
14. Keep in mind that you will not always pump the same amount at each session.  You will usually produce more volume in the morning and less at night.  It is normal for one breast to make more than the other.
15. Power pumping can be helpful to boost your supply.  This means that you can try pumping 10 mins-turn it off for 10 mins-turn on 10 mins etc for an hour, once per day to stimulate more production.  Or another way to power pump is to turn up suction until your let down, then turn it down until you are just dripping, then turn it up again until let down, etc.
16. Pump into the bottles that came with your kit. The bags don’t make a good seal and you may see less volume. Pour milk into the bags for freezing and storing if that’s better for you.
17. Don’t cry over spilled milk. Understand that it can come with the territory, especially if you have other kids around. 

Exclusive Pumping is Self-Less

Some breast pumps work better than others, some flanges fit better than others so you may have to try a few before feeling confident in your pumping. It’s not uncommon to find a mom using a certain size flange for a few weeks but switching to a different size (a lot of body changes happen in the first 6 weeks postpartum) or maybe she’s using a different size on each breast. Completely normal!

If you have the opportunity to prep ahead of time, this journey can go a lot smoother.  If you were thrown into this blind, it’s ok too.  Start with the tips above and do the best you can. Reach out for help, join a nursing mother’s support group like La Leche League , talk to your mom tribe and find a lactation consultant to make a plan with. We all have off days.  It does not mean the quest is over. You can be a successful pumping mom!

Happy parenting…