New moms are always ready to pump. I can understand, your tired, your nipples hurt, the feeds are sometimes longer than a whole movie, it sounds much easier. But that's just a thought, not the truth. The truth is that pumping is much more work than breastfeeding. When I am discussing breastfeeding with a new mom I always use exercise as an analogy of breastfeeding. So if breastfeeding is a light walk around the block with the dog, pumping is a triathlon! The human body is not prepared to have a machine attached and "give " it milk. Its a lot of work for nothing. BUT, for many women, me included, its a necessity.
When I am away from my baby I want her to only drink breast milk, so I will need this pump. Since I am trying to be the best breast feeder ever, I am only allowing her to use a bottle when I am away from her. Some people will have you believe that you have to introduce a bottle early because otherwise they won't take it. I am going on the theory that if my little girl is hungry enough she will eat. So bottles only when I am away from her.
So this week I have started to pump. The real reason is because my husbands birthday is next week and I want to be able to have a nice adult dinner with him and not have to rush home to feed. So at five weeks old she will have her first bottle :/
So what I remember from my own pumping experience is that I really didn't like it, but luckily I was a stay at home mom and did not have to pump. This time is very different, but since I am a IBCLC a very nice Rep. from one of the big Pump makers has graciously allowed my to use their very best pump, in hopes that I recommended it to moms, or our hospital. So yesterday I started. I did a ten minute pump and had to give myself a internal "pumping consult".
I had to remember to not look at the pump..I was starting to wonder "were the milk was?" Typical first time pumper.
What I always tell moms...close your eyes, take deep breaths, the same kind you do in Yoga and relax! Also of course my favorite thing to tell moms..hand expression. Its always important to move the milk manually..the pump only pulls from the end, but milk is all over the breast.
So after ten long minutes I pumped out three ounces! I had to laugh a little at myself..I was a little disappointed I didn't pump out 10 ounces! Its our society we want everything bigger and better. I am sure my little one doesn't drink more than 2oz at a time, so the plan is to have three bottles with 2oz in them left for her. I am going to pump once a day if I can to start a small collection of milk. This is also something I recommend, no reason to go crazy with pumping early on. Their is plenty of time for that once you go back to work.
The biggest thing to remember about pumping, is that it is not breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is easy and the milk is always fresh. If you are a few days into breastfeeding and are starting to eyeball that pump, take a deep breath treat those sore nipples and stay away from the pump. You will appreciate breastfeeding more when you realize how it is really the easier way to feed the baby.
So lets see how this goes...I'll keep you updated
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