Peanut butter with jam Films and popcorn. Socks and shoes Some of life’s best things come in pairs. But what about nursing and pumping?
If your milk production is low or you need additional expressed milk for bottles, you may be asking how to combine nursing and pumping, whether it will enhance your supply, and if there are any drawbacks.
Don’t worry. We’ve got answers! We also provide some advice if you decide to try breastfeeding and pumping.
Reasons for Breastfeeding and Pumping
There are numerous reasons why you might choose to combine breastfeeding and pumping. Among the most common are:
- Increasing your supply of milk. Breast milk production is often based on availability and demand. The more milk is extracted, the more milk your breasts may produce. If you want to boost your milk supply, this is a beautiful place to start.
- Assisting with discomfort. This entails removing milk from your breasts to aid in treating blocked ducts and mastitis (inflammation of breast tissue).
- For use with bottles. If you need to be away from your baby for an extended period, you should have some breast milk for bottle feeding.
- Difficulties with breastfeeding.If your infant has difficulty latching or drinking enough milk from your breast alone, having some extra milk on hand to supplement breastfeeding with a bottle can be beneficial.
Why Should I Breastfeed and Pump?
Pumping may be an occasional duty for some (such as pumping a milk bottle for a sitter to feed the baby while out to dinner). Still, for others, breast pumping numerous times a day, or even exclusively, has become their new regular.
The primary reason for pumping:
- To save milk for use once maternity leave ends.
- To supplement a low milk supply.
- There are long periods of mother-infant separation, such as having a premature baby in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
- The baby is unable to latch and feeds poorly at the breast.
- To alleviate pain and swelling.
- When unable to breastfeed owing to medication or other reasons, supplement are taken, often known as “”pumping and dumping.””
Suggestions for managing breastfeeding and pumping
If you’re thinking about combining breastfeeding with pumping, here are a few ideas to get you started:
- First, breastfeed. You are pumping after breastfeeding is often recommended. That way, your child can have their fill. Rather, you’ll be able to empty your breasts afterward, and your breasts will have plenty of time to replenish before the next feed!
- Make use of your hands. Hands-on pumping and hand expression can help you produce more milk from your breasts. Doing these activities can also help your breasts produce more milk.
- Get some storage. You might want to use a Haakaa silicone breast pump or another milk storage container to catch the milk flowing from the breast your baby isn’t currently using so it doesn’t go wasted before you pump.
- Choose the best fit. Before pumping, double-check the flanges to ensure they are correctly seated. This can help reduce nipple injury and discomfort during pumping.
- Keep accessories close at hand. Place a few baskets throughout your house near your favourite breastfeeding spots that contain a water bottle, easy-to-eat adult snacks, nipple cream, burp cloths, wipes, and diapers, so you don’t have to get up to seek for these goods once you start feeding and pumping.
- Understand bottle-feeding practices. Use the timed bottle-feeding strategy to increase your baby’s desire to continue breastfeeding. (As an added benefit, a 2018 study found that it may help reduce respiratory and ear problems!)
- Prepare yourself. If you’re having difficulties getting your body to relax while pumping, try laying something warm on your chest first and watching videos of your child while you pump.
Advantages and disadvantages of combining breastfeeding and pumping?
Advantages
- raising the amount of milk produced by your breasts
- additional expressed breast milk for times of separation or illness
- easing engorgement pressure and assisting in the prevention of blocked ducts
- Encourage your infant to adopt bottle feeding and not to have to rely only on nursing.
Disadvantages
If the increased pumping increases your supply too much, you may experience oversupply difficulties like plugged ducts, engorgement, and mastitis.
- If milk is not handled and stored correctly, it might deteriorate.
- More pumping means more things to sterilize to keep bacteria at bay.
- Pumping supplies are an added expense.
- Because of the increased suction, your breasts/nipples may be more sore.
Conclusion
If your breast milk supply is lower than you (or your baby) would like, a combination of breastfeeding and pumping may be beneficial. Pumping after breastfeeding sessions can also provide a technique to collect breast milk for bottles if you require extra sleep or must be gone from your baby for an extended amount of time.
Schedules for breastfeeding and pumping might vary depending on various reasons, so you should talk with a lactation expert about your specific situation.
If you have breast soreness or your milk production is unsatisfactory, consult your doctor or a lactation consultant. Their assistance can make nursing and pumping more comfortable for you. It’s critical to remember that everyone’s experiences are unique!
You may realize that combining breastfeeding and pumping is something you enjoy, or you may discover that it is overrated, like peanut butter and jelly.