Breastfeeding Pumping – Tips on making pumping successful

Breastfeeding & pumping can be done successfully by many mothers.  There are some things though that do make it a bit easier to do, and what follows are some tips to improve your experience:

1. Pump at the end of a nursing session – I found that this was easy to do, as it was a continuation of the nursing session so the milk seemed to flow out more.  Continue to pump for up to five minutes after no more milk is coming out, as this continues to stimulate your breasts for milk production.
2. Pump in between nursing sessions – The production of breast milk is all about supply and demand.  The more you pump or breastfeed, the more milk you will produce.
3. Pump when you are relaxed and comfortable – It is helpful to think of your baby suckling at the breast, as it can initiate the let-down reflex.
4. Pump both breasts at the same time – This saves you time and also increases milk supply.  There are special bras that allow you to pump hands-free.  Visit Shop for Pumping Bras at Nursing Mother Supplies. for these special bras that will allow you to read a book, check your e-mails, or do whatever else you want to as you pump.
5. Breastfeed your baby at all other times that you are present with your baby.  A breastfeeding baby still stimulates the breasts’ milk production better than any pump on the market.
6. Choose high-quality pumps.  There are pumps that you can buy on store shelves that actually damage breast tissue and don’t simulate a baby’s suckling as well as better pumps on the market do.  As well, you may want to give consideration to how much noise the pump makes if you will be pumping when you are at work.  See here for recommendations on breast pumps.
7. Apply warm compresses or massage your breast in order to stimulate the initiation of milk flow.
8. Pumping in the middle of the night is often useful as you may have a tendency to be more engorged at these times, especially as your baby grows older and may skip some nighttime feedings.

The above gives you some ideas and tips on making breastfeeding pumping more successful.  Visit other posts for information on various types of  breast pumps.