Tips for successful breastfeeding and pumping

Tips for successful breastfeeding and pumping

Blog Article

Work with a lactation consultant. Breastfeeding skills don’t always come naturally, and that’s OK! Before you leave the hospital, you can meet with a lactation consultant to practice feeding, try out your pump, and ask questions from an expert. Lactation consultant services are typically covered by health insurance, and we can connect you with local consultants near your home. Keep a traditional pump as a backup. Wearable breast pumps require a battery or charging, so they might not always be an option. Since you can get a regular breast pump through insurance at the hospital, take advantage of this perk to keep one on hand. Don’t borrow a pump from a friend. Even when they’re cleaned, pumps can retain bacteria that can make your baby very sick. Get a new, sterile pump, and don’t share it with others.

Before delivery, plan where you’ll pump at work. Whether using a wearable or traditional pump, you are entitled to a reasonable amount of break time and a private space to pump for up to one year after childbirth. Find this spot before the baby comes so you know right where to go to pump, disassemble your device, and store your milk. Remember, breast milk can only be stored safely at room temperature for up to four hours. When using a wearable pump, be sure to remove the pump and store milk within this timeframe.

While you might be tempted to work through your breaks with wearable breast pumps, this should not be the expectation. Stress and multitasking can make it harder to express milk. You might find that spending your pumping breaks with a picture of your child in a quiet and calming place initiates letdown faster and easier, especially when you are new to pumping.

Wearable breast pump technology can be a game-changer to help new moms continue breastfeeding and keep up their milk supply while balancing a busy lifestyle. For moms who are looking for pump-on-the-go options, wearable devices may be worth the hype. Future devices will undoubtedly be smaller, sleeker, and quieter – we look forward to seeing how wearables develop to give women even more control and support in breastfeeding.