Did you know that nutrients in breast milk are absorbed and used better by your baby than formula? Breastmilk is also best for your child’s nervous system and brain development.
As a new mom, you should aim to breastfeed as much as possible. Here is everything you need to know to help pump milk correctly for your child.
When to Pump Milk?
Newborn babies tend to breastfeed up to 8 times a day. So, you must pump milk the same number of times in 24 hours. Many new mothers start to pump milk right after their baby is born.
This can be done in the hospital where you give birth. It is always best to nurse your child from birth, especially if they are premature or have special needs.
In the early breastfeeding days, you will find very little time between nursing sessions and when you must pump. Many lactation experts have suggested holding off on giving your baby a bottle until breastfeeding is adequately established.
Some babies can also go back and forth between breast and bottle. So, pumping milk depends on what is best for you and your family.
Remember that when your child turns 6 weeks old, they should already be used to breastfeeding. Then you can have more time between feeding sessions and pumping extra milk to store for later.
How Often?
It would help if you pumped in between nursing sessions with your child to build up your milk supply. If you need to pump milk at work to replace feedings, you should try to pump on the same schedule as your child’s feedings back at home.
This way, you can keep your milk supply strong to meet your baby’s needs. So, you should expect to pump around every three or four hours. It would be best if you also aimed to spend at least 20 minutes hooked to the breast pump to collect a decent amount.
Some women may need half an hour or more with the pump in the early days. So, you should pump until the milk starts slowing down. Your breasts will also feel well-drained.
Then it would help if you learned about the different types of breast pumps to find the one that makes you feel most comfortable. Read this breast pump blog to find out more.
Remember that the best time to pump depends entirely on what works for you. Start by choosing a time of day when your breasts are full, and go for it.
Otherwise, you will have to pump at the same time as your child’s feedings if you want to do this outside the home.
If you’re going to stockpile milk and increase your supply, you should try pumping an hour after your child’s morning nursing time. This is when your breasts will be naturally fuller, so you can get more milk by pumping in the mornings.
Breastfeeding Done Right
Now that you know how often you should pump milk as a new mom, it is time to get your supplies and a schedule ready to do it consistently daily.
Remember that increasing the milk supply takes time, so you should not give up early. Stick with a routine for each day and be consistent with timings.
Then you should expect a lot of milk supply even to store for later. If you enjoyed reading this breast pump guide, check out some of our other posts.