Breastfeeding creates an incredible bond with your little miracle and has many benefits for mom and baby. New moms may want or need to combine breastfeeding and pumping breast milk for numerous reasons, but getting started can be challenging. How does a new mom navigate the beautiful chaos that comes with having a newborn to develop breastfeeding and pumping schedules?
Here’s the short answer: A new mom should base her schedule for combining breastfeeding and pumping on her baby’s breastfeeding routine. Circumstances at birth or the mom returning to work may also demand baby-specific plans. There is no universal template, but sample schedules may help to get a new mom started. As a rule of thumb, you should pump 30-60 minutes after breastfeeding your baby to ensure your baby gets enough during their feeding. An example of a schedule for creating a freezer stash may look like this:
- 7 am: Breastfeed baby
- 8 am: Pump
- 10 am: Breastfeed
- 11 am: Pump
- 1 pm: Breastfeed
- 4 pm: Breastfeed
- 7 pm: Breastfeed
- 10 pm: Breastfeed
- 2 am: Breastfeed
- 5 am: Breastfeed
Newborn babies don’t care about our 24-hour day, and their feeding routines don’t always fit our ideas for our waking hours. Make peace with this. When you need or want to combine breastfeeding and pumping, it is possible to create a reasonably consistent schedule allowing you to breastfeed your baby for as long as possible. Read on for some guidelines to set your routine.
How To Combine Breastfeeding And Pumping
Breast milk is a baby’s best source of nutrition for the first six months, but circumstances don’t always allow for exclusive breastfeeding. Mothers decide to combine breastfeeding and pumping for many reasons, including:
- Bulking up their milk supply. Milk production increases with demand, so the more milk is released, the more the body can produce.
- Relieving discomfort. When moms suffer from blocked milk ducts and mastitis, pumping can help reduce the pain and discomfort.
- Needing to bottle feed. Moms may want breast milk available when they are away from their babies and would normally have fed them.
- Breastfeeding problems. When babies have latching problems or don’t drink enough from a breastfeeding session, having extra milk in a bottle can ensure he or she receives sufficient milk.
If you know you will be pumping for some time to come, it makes sense to create a routine or schedule. That way, you can plan your day to ensure you’re pumping enough to feed your baby or to store for when you’re absent.
When You Should Begin Pumping
There is no “right time” to start pumping. People start pumping for different reasons. So, the best time to start pumping is when it makes sense for your situation.
Some new moms start pumping breast milk almost immediately after the birth of their babies. Some women use it as a tool to start breastfeeding or to increase their milk production. If your baby has special needs or is premature, getting a head-start with pumping can be very beneficial.
Many women start pumping when their return to work is imminent. It’s a good idea to start the pumping routine about 3 – 4 weeks before you’re due back at work. This gives you ample time to establish your breastfeeding and pumping schedule and to create a freezer stash for backup.
Some new moms will only start pumping when their baby is a few weeks old. Lactation consultants often advise women to avoid giving their babies bottles until mom and baby have solidified their breastfeeding routine as bottle feeding can result in nipple confusion.
Also, when your baby is brand new, it may feel like you’re feeding all day with no time to pump in between. When your little one is 4 – 6 weeks old, your feeding routine will be well-established, leaving you a little more time between feedings to pump for later use.
A great mom hack for the early days of breastfeeding is to use a haakaa breast pump while pumping to collect any excess breast milk from your other breast. This tick alone will enable you to store 1-2 ounces per feeding and build up a stash of milk without ever having to pump! Check out our article to find all the details.
Getting Started With Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is beneficial for both mom and baby. A mom’s milk provides everything her new baby needs, including antibodies to fight off infections and all the vital nutrients for growth and development. Breastfeeding can even help to reduce the risk of certain diseases.
When you arrive home as a new mom with your tiny bundle of joy, things can get chaotic. Breastfeeding may be a challenge in the beginning, but it’s worth persevering. With practice, patience, and support, it can become a most rewarding experience. Follow these tips to get started:
1. Although breastfeeding gives you the luxury of feeding almost anywhere, finding a couple of quiet and comfortable spots around your home may help you adjust to your new breastfeeding routine. During the daytime, choosing a comfortable chair in the living room allows you to participate in family life while you feed your baby. On the other hand, nursing on the bed with pillows for support might suit some moms.
2. Setting up your favorite breastfeeding spots with a few essentials can make it a little more peaceful, especially in the early days. Having baby wipes, diapers, and a cloth for burping your baby within reach is so much more convenient than trying to find them during feeding time. A bottle of water and having your own items on hand is also helpful.
3. Make sure you and your little one are both comfortable. You can use pillows to support your arms and your baby’s head.
4. Your baby will feed best when he or she latches properly, so help this by ensuring your baby’s mouth is wide open, covering as much of your areola as possible.
5. Allow your baby to feed as long as he or she wants. Newborns often nurse for up to 45 minutes, but aim for at least 15-20 minutes per session. Breastfed babies usually feed every 2-3 hours. However, you should feed them whenever they are hungry to ensure they get enough sustenance.
6. Watch for cues indicating that your baby is hungry such as sucking their fingers or clothes, alertness, and rooting for your breast. Try to feed your baby before they start crying frantically, or they may struggle to settle and nurse properly.
7. Keep a record of when your baby feeds and for how long. It will help to figure out a schedule when you decide to combine breastfeeding and pumping. Try to relax and enjoy the time with your little one. Initially, it may feel like you’re permanently feeding, but you will settle into a natural routine soon enough.
8. Invest in some good “tools of the trade,” like a comfortable breastfeeding pillow, coconut oil or nipple cream, and some nursing bras for easy access.
Getting Started With Pumping
Once you’re used to your baby’s feeding routine, it’s easier to start figuring out a schedule for your pumping sessions. There are three kinds of breast pumps available, and each mom will decide which suits her needs best. This guide walks you through the different types of breast pumps in detail and provides our recommended products for each type!
Electric breast pumps have been around for years. They are efficient, but the downside is that they are bulky and loud, have many parts that need assembling and cleaning, and you need to be connected to a wall plug.
Manual breast pumps are fine if you’re only going to pump a few times a week. If you use the pump mainly to relieve engorgement or catch excess milk from the breast your baby didn’t drink from, they are perfect for your needs.
Wearable breast pumps are very convenient. They are quiet, fit inside your clothing, are portable, and you have the freedom to move around while wearing them.
Scheduling Your Breastfeeding And Pumping For Best Results
The best way to combine breastfeeding and pumping is to set a flexible routine that you can accommodate into your fluctuating schedule. Regularly pumping will help keep your milk production high, ensuring you have enough milk for when you’re away from your baby.
When you start creating a breastfeeding and pumping schedule, there are a few important things to remember:
- Every mom is different. Each woman will have to pump more or less often than the next to get the necessary amount of breast milk for her baby.
- As time passes, you will probably adjust your pumping schedule to your baby’s changing needs.
- Use the examples of feeding and pumping schedules as a guide, and tweak them to suit your own situation.
Examples Of Breastfeeding And Pumping Schedules
There is no one-size-fits-all schedule because you pump according to your baby’s needs and your circumstances.
Pumping-Only Schedule
If you have a newborn baby and you’re unable to breastfeed immediately, you will have a pumping-only routine. To get enough milk for your little one, you will have to pump between 8 and 12 times in a 24-hour period, including through the night. Each pumping session should last 15-20 minutes.
Pumping sessions should be regular, similar to a breastfeeding routine. Your milk supply is usually highest in the morning, so always pump once you’re up and about. As your little one grows, pumping will be less frequent, and eventually, you may be able to quit the session in the early hours.
During the day, from around 7 am until 7 pm, pump approximately every 2 hours. You can pump again at 10 pm and again at 3 am.
For an older infant, you could space the pumping sessions as follows: 7 am, 9 am, 2 pm, 5 pm, 8 pm, 11 pm, and 5 am.
How To Combine Breastfeeding And Pumping For A Freezer Stash
You may be returning to work soon and want to build up some extra stock for the freezer. Pumping will then usually happen between your baby’s breastfeeding sessions. You should only need to pump a few times a day to build up a freezer stash.
Your breasts are at their fullest in the mornings, so make use of this time, and pump 30 -60 minutes after breastfeeding your little one. After about three days, your body will be accustomed to pumping and will produce more milk regularly. An example of a schedule for creating a freezer stash may look like this:
- 7 am: Breastfeed baby
- 8 am: Pump
- 10 am: Breastfeed
- 11 am: Pump
- 1 pm: Breastfeed
- 4 pm: Breastfeed
- 7 pm: Breastfeed
- 10 pm: Breastfeed
- 2 am: Breastfeed
- 5 am: Breastfeed
Combining Breastfeeding And Pumping When Returning To Work
Many mothers want to keep their babies only on breast milk for as long as possible, even when they return to work after maternity leave. To continue producing enough milk, you must pump at the same frequency your baby would normally feed, i.e., every 2-3 hours while you’re apart.
Your day will probably start earlier when you go back to work, so consider this schedule a guideline on how to combine breastfeeding and pumping during your working hours:
- 6 am: Breastfeed baby
- 8 am: Breastfeed at daycare or when the babysitter arrives
- 10: Pump
- 1 pm: Pump
- 4 pm: Pump
- 6 pm: Breastfeed baby
- Bedtime: Breastfeed
- 10.30 pm: Pump
- 3 am: Breastfeed baby
Power Pumping To Increase Your Milk Supply
When babies go through growth spurts, they often cluster-feed, which increases the mom’s milk supply. You can use a power pumping schedule to up your milk production.
Power pumping involves picking 1-2 hours daily to pump very frequently in short bursts, keeping up this routine for approximately a week to supercharge your milk supply. Such a schedule could look like this:
- Pump for 20 minutes
- Rest for 10 minutes
- Pump for 20 minutes
- Rest for 10 minutes
- Pump for 15 minutes
- Rest for 10 minutes
How To Store Breast Milk Correctly
Before you start your breastfeeding and pumping routine, it’s essential to understand how to store the milk correctly. Spoiled breast milk can be contaminated with bacteria, which could make your baby ill. It is imperative, therefore, that it is stored correctly. The following guidelines indicate how to store your breast milk safely:
Freshly pumped breast milk
- Store on countertop at for a maximum of 4 hours
- Store in refrigerator for a maximum of 4 days
- Store in freezer for 6-12 months
Thawed from frozen stash
- Store on countertop for 1-2 hours
- Store in refrigerator for maximum of 24 hours
- Never refreeze breast milk after thawing
Leftover from previous feeding
- Use within 2 hours
Guidelines For Storing Pumped Breast Milk
Apart from storage temperatures and the period it can be kept safely, it’s also essential to stick to these guidelines.
- Use clean containers with tight-fitting lids or bags specially designed for storing breast milk. Bottles should be glass or BPA-free plastic.
- 2-4 ounces is sufficient for one container as you don’t want to waste milk.
- Label the container with the date you expressed the milk
- Don’t store the milk containers in the refrigerator door because it allows the temperature to fluctuate, which could cause it to spoil.
- Never thaw milk in the microwave. It destroys nutrients and can cause hot spots, which can burn your baby’s mouth.
The Pros And Cons Of Pumping And Breastfeeding
Combining breastfeeding and pumping also has its pros and cons.
Pros Of Combining Breastfeeding And Pumping
- It increases your milk supply.
- You can stockpile for times when you’re away from your baby or if you’re ill.
- Pumping can relieve engorgement and help prevent blocked ducts.
- It helps your baby adapt to a bottle for times when you aren’t available.
Cons Of Combining Breastfeeding And Pumping
- Combining breastfeeding and pumping could cause oversupply problems, such as blocked ducts, mastitis, or engorgement.
- Your milk could spoil if you don’t handle or store it correctly.
- Supplies for pumping and storing add extra costs to the budget.
- You could experience discomfort due to the excess action at your breasts.
Conclusion
Experts agree that breast milk is the best food for babies until six months old. By combining breastfeeding and pumping, you can ensure your little one has sufficient milk to keep them going during any separation times. It may not be your favorite activity, but it benefits you and your baby and is worth the extra effort. Your baby will thank you!