When you think of breastfeeding, you think of boobs. But sometimes, breastfeeding isn’t all about the boobs – breastfeeding can incorporate bottles and other forms of getting that precious liquid into the tummies of babies.
With my eldest, I expressed occasionally – more for flexibility than anything. It meant that Kevin could give her the odd bottle so I could get a full nights sleep or go out for the evening. I tended to use a simple, manual pump and that was that.
Things were different when Jacob was born too early. He couldn’t suck, he couldn’t latch, yet I knew I still wanted to breastfeed him. The hospital showed me how to use the electric pumps in the special care unit, and every day I pumped as much as I could. I would then make my way down to see Jacob with my precious little syringe of breast milk, and dutifully pop it down his feeding tube. As he grew, I pumped more and more until eventually he could latch, and we were away. I had SO much milk – I do wonder if that was due to the early pumping – that I continued to pump alongside feeding him. Some of this milk I froze and used for the odd bottle feed, but most of it was collected and taken to the special care unit for those mums who were unable to breastfeed or pump for their tiny and sick babies.
Max also came too early, and again I pumped for him until he could suck. I continued to use a breast pump at home too, this time using an electric version. I certainly didn’t pump every day, but when I felt full or when I wanted a night out, I would pump enough for a couple of bottles.
So breastfeeding isn’t always the thing you imagine it to be. Sometimes a baby is too small or too sick to suck from anything, and at these times, pumping is a lifeline. You CAN still feed your baby breastmilk, even if they are a long way from learning to latch. Pumping, like breastfeeding, just takes a bit of practice. I felt SO proud that I could syringe tubes of breastmilk into my premature babies rather than formula. It was something I could do to help them, it was something I could provide to make them stronger. And I am proud of that.
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Get an electric pump – you need all the help you can get!
Yes, we need to have the whole world into breastfeeding! I might receive a lot of “hate” since I’m a guy saying this, but anyone who is physically able to breastfeed, should! It’s how Nature intended, not some formula made synthetically. Great post and I’m trying to win for my lovely, breastfeeding wife! Thanks!
relax and take your time
I never did get the hang of pumping, was lucky to get 1oz in half an hour 🙁
Unfortunately pumping just doesn’t work for us- so no tips!
I found the bags really handy and a lot cheaper than freezing a zillion bottles 🙂
Aparently looking at your baby or a photo of your baby helps with the milk let down when you’re pumping.
My firstborn was extremely poorly and I hand expressed into a syringe. Sadly he grew his wings at 13hrs. I carried on expressing for a few weeks for the nicu before it got too much emotionally. My rainbow daughter was jaundice and needed phototherapy treatment. They wanted me to bottle feed formula so we didn’t have to take her out from the lights. Instead I expressed and syringe/cup fed. After 5 days we were home and still breastfeeding at 13 months x
Pump at same time of day so you produce milk at the right time.
I never used a breast pump although would have been great for hubby to help with night feeds.
try hand expressing aswell as expressing with a pump to see which one is best for you
Massage your breasts and be relaxed.
pregnant with my first child so collecting all the tips I can!
Relax and when feeding pump the otherside I always found it increased amounts
When you are expressing try to massage the breast that is around the pump. I can get loads more out of my right boob if I gently squeeze it on the right side, sounds bizarre, but it works. Also don’t expect loads at the beginning it takes time to get a good supply going, but at the same time don’t express too much as you can become really engorged like I did with my first child! I’m currently feeding my second child, 7 mths in now 🙂
Don’t wait until you are full to bursting as it can be extremely tender if you wait too long.
be relaxed and think of your child
Try to wait till your boobs feel full
choose a relaxing time, feeling tense will not help
My advice is to relax, sit in front of the tv with a nice cuppa and some choccie and buy a good pump!