How frequently should I breastfeed?

Breastfeeding should be done eight to twelve times a day for the first month or so after birth. Since breast milk is easily digested, babies frequently experience hunger. During the first few weeks, frequent feedings help to promote your milk production.

How long should I breastfeed my baby?

For the first six months, experts advise breastfeeding exclusively—without the use of water, juice, non-breast milk, or food. After that, if breastfeeding is beneficial to you and your child, doctors advise sticking with it for a full two years or beyond.

Is it normal to have cramps while breastfeeding?

Yes. When your milk "lets down" (begins to flow), you may experience intense, menstrual-like cramps in your uterus during the first few days to weeks following delivery. It is the uterus contracting back down to its original size.

Is it normal to feel pain during or after breastfeeding?

At the start of a breastfeeding session, some mothers experience some discomfort when their newborns latch on properly. The discomfort should subside after that. While your baby is nursing, you could feel a slight tug on your breasts, but it shouldn't hurt.

How do I store my breast milk?

Your expressed or pumped breast milk can be frozen or kept cold. Store it in tight-fitting, clean screw-capped bottles, nursing bags (sterilised bags specifically designed to hold breast milk), or hard plastic cups. To ensure that no breast milk goes to waste, it is preferable to freeze it in 2- to 4-ounce (59.1 to 118.2 millilitre) quantities rather than larger portions.

What type of pump do I need for breastfeeding?

This depends on how often you plan to use your pump. Electric pumps work better for frequent or daily pumping, whereas manual pumps work best for occasional uses.

What are the benefits of breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding has immense benefits for the mother as well as the baby. Nursing reduces a newborn's risk of contracting diseases like type 1 diabetes, obesity, asthma, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Breastfeeding mothers, on the other hand, have a decreased risk of developing high blood pressure, and ovarian and breast cancer.

February 12, 2025

Tips for Breastfeeding and Pumping

Returning to Work? Tips for Successful Breastfeeding and Pumping
Prepare Logistically and Emotionally
Establish a Pumping Routine
Choose the Right Breast Pump
Embrace the Freedom to Multitask
Advocate for Your Needs at Work
Be Kind to Yourself
References:

Returning to Work? Tips for Successful Breastfeeding and Pumping

Returning to work after having a baby will leave you with a lot of mixed emotions—excitement, anxiety, and often a touch of guilt. While you feel sad about being apart from your little one, you will also be excited to meet your colleagues and friends and get back to work. These emotions are natural and valid so try not to feel guilty about them. It will take time for you to adjust to juggling your baby’s needs with your professional responsibilities so remind yourself that transitioning back to work is a journey and not a sprint!

Tips for Successful Breastfeeding and Pumping

Prepare Logistically and Emotionally

The journey back to work is as much about emotional readiness as it is about logistics. Many new moms have found the transition to be mentally and emotionally taxing, despite careful planning. Freeze some of your expressed milk in the weeks before you return to work. If you’re worried that your baby won’t get enough milk because you’re pumping and breastfeeding, you can start by pumping after you’ve nursed your baby. This is one of the most common tips from lactation experts on how to increase breast milk production while pumping. Give yourself grace during this period. Understand that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed or tearful as you step into this new phase of motherhood. Start by planning ahead for breastfeeding and pumping.

Establish a Pumping Routine

If you're wondering how to increase breast milk supply while pumping, consistency is key. When you are balancing breastfeeding with work, synchronize your pumping schedule with your baby’s feeding routine to help maintain your milk supply. If your baby feeds every three hours, set an alarm to pump at the same intervals during your workday. This will not only help with milk production but also prevent discomfort from engorgement. Pumping after the morning feed is often productive, as milk supply tends to peak in the early hours. This is because the hormone prolactin which plays a critical role in breast milk production are higher during this time.

Choose the Right Breast Pump

A wearable breast pump can be a game changer for working mothers. Unlike conventional pumps, wearable options are discreet, hands-free, and highly portable. These devices fit into your bra, allowing you to pump on your commute or while working at your desk. Modern wearable pumps are quiet, more comfortable, and come with customizable settings, ensuring optimal efficiency without pain. Another benefit of wearable pumps is that they allow you to multitask so that you can make the most of your time.

Embrace the Freedom to Multitask

While wearable pumps give you the most freedom to multi-task, you can make do even with a conventional pump. This means that you don’t have to pause your day every time that you need to express milk. If you are unable to pump at your desk, schedule other tasks such as replying to emails and messages during your pumping sessions so that you can take care of these on your phone. While you are thinking out your responses, you can massage your breasts while pumping as this is an effective way to increase breast milk production when pumping.

Advocate for Your Needs at Work

Have an open conversation with your employer or HR department about your needs before returning to work. While your workplace is legally required to provide you with a space and breaks for pumping, they may not have a refrigerator for you to store your milk. You may have to bring your own cooler bag with ice packs so that you can store your milk safely until you get home where you can refrigerate or freeze it.

Be Kind to Yourself

This new chapter may come with moments of self-doubt or guilt. Remember, choosing to pump is an incredible act of love and dedication. Being kind to yourself will reduce your stress levels and studies show that lower stress levels can increase milk production while pumping. Celebrate small wins—whether it’s managing to pump at work or simply getting through a busy day. Surround yourself with supportive colleagues, friends, and family who understand your journey. Returning to work while breastfeeding is no easy feat, but with preparation, flexibility, and the right resources, you can navigate this transition successfully. Every ounce of milk you provide is a testament to your resilience and love. Trust in your ability to adapt and thrive, and know that you are giving your baby (and yourself) the best.