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Balancing Life, Children and Chaos

Parenting, Pregnancy

Breast Pumping Tips for More Milk

January 11, 2019 Comments : 19

Struggling with breastfeeding and wondering if pumping may be right for you? Here are 9 ways on how to pump like a pro even if you are a first time mom. | Breastfeeding | Breast pump | Pumping Tips | #breastfeeding #breastfeedingtip #pumping
Struggling with breastfeeding and wondering if pumping may be right for you? Here are 9 ways on how to pump like a pro even if you are a first time mom. | Breastfeeding | Breast pump | Pumping Tips | #breastfeeding #breastfeedingtip #pumping

Breastfeeding is difficult. Some babies get it while others just don’t. Even if your baby is unable to get the hang of breastfeeding there are other ways to give your baby breast milk!

I know pumping is hard too. It takes a lot of work and dedication but if you stick with it, it will be worth it. I have made it to almost 10 months of pumping using these breast pumping tips for more milk. In the beginning I did a combination of both breastfeeding and pumping but have stuck with mostly pumping since Avery started getting teeth (and biting). Check out my post on breastfeeding essentials HERE and how to increase your breast milk supply HERE for more tips and tricks on breastfeeding.

However, if you do decide to go the pumping route here are 9 breast pumping tips for more milk.

The best breast pumping tip for more milk I can give is to invest in a good pump.

I love the Spectra. It has done me well these past 9 months. It is also important to invest in an extra seat of parts since these items do wear out overtime. I experienced a drop in my supply around 6 months and after replacing the worn out parts, viola, my supply went back up!

One con about the Spectra is that you have to purchase these parts online or on amazon (linked below) while with Medela you could just head to your local Target to get some. Medela is still a good pump but I didn’t find it as powerful as the hospital grade Spectra. Check out the Spectra at Amazon.com.

Pro Tip: Many insurances cover breast pumps now so check with them before making a purchase of your own.

Struggling with breastfeeding and wondering if pumping may be right for you? Here are 9 ways on how to pump like a pro even if you are a first time mom. | Breastfeeding | Breast pump | Pumping Tips | #breastfeeding #breastfeedingtip #pumping

The next best breast pumping tip for more milk I can give is learn how to use that pump!

When I first sat down to pump with the Spectra it was like looking at a Manuel in Chinese. I had no idea what the little buttons said or where even for. It was also super helpful that my insurance slacked and didn’t give me an instruction manual. Once I learned how to use the pump, my supply sky rocketed.

Pro Tip: YouTube!! You can literally find anything on YouTube and lo and behold there was a video (or 20) on how to use the Spectra to it’s full advantage.

Pump around the clock

I promise this won’t be forever but if you want to exclusively pump then for the first few weeks you should be pumping every 2-3 hours even throughout the night. This is to help boost up your supply. I did this for the first 6 weeks after Avery was born. I would either breastfeed or pump when she woke up at night.

Pro Tip: Pump just a little bit extra after your baby is done feeding, this will help create more of a supply. Just be careful because an oversupply can be just as harmful as an under supply. So do what feels right for you and your baby. 

Create a comfy pumping nook

Creating a little area in your home that has your pump, a good book or magazine, snacks and water will help you get cozy and settle in to pump. Even if you need to have your baby with you while you pump have a little chair for the baby to sit in.

Pro Tip: Massage your breast while pumping. This can help can milk out of the ducts that otherwise would not come out.

Invest in a pumping bra

Nothing is worse than having to sit there and hold the pump parts while pumping. Investing in a good pumping bra can hold them in place leaving your hands free to read, scroll through Facebook or take pumping selfies (you know you will!). Some nursing bras can also be clipped around the pump parts and held in place that way. So experiment with what you have! Check out Amazon.com for this one and more!

Pro Tip: If your cheap like me, take an old’s sports bra you already have and cut holes in it. Put that on when your going to pump.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!!!

Drink your water! Trying to squeeze water out of a stone is nearly impossible, the same goes for producing breast milk when you are dehydrated. Stay as hydrated as possible to help produce more and feel better physically!

Pro Tip: Carry a water bottle around with you where ever you go. This will encourage you to drink your water.

Struggling with breastfeeding and wondering if pumping may be right for you? Here are 9 ways on how to pump like a pro even if you are a first time mom. | Breastfeeding | Breast pump | Pumping Tips | #breastfeeding #breastfeedingtip #pumping

Treat yourself

While it is important to stay hydrated, it is also important to eat enough calories to sustain what you are putting out. Our bodies burn about 20 calories per ounce of breast milk produced (thank you Dr. Pinnette for this info) which means you can burn a lot of calories in one day breastfeeding alone. I know that when I don’t eat enough calories, I start to feel extremely tired and notice a significant drop in my milk supply.

Pro Tip: Keep healthy snacks on hand such as granola bars and cheese sticks to make sure your eating enough throughout the day.

Prepare to head back to work

If you are a working mama like me, prepare yourself to head back to work. Think about what pumping schedule you will want to maintain, if there is a room for you to pump in at your work, and what items you will need while there. Planning for these things ahead of time will help you be more successful when you have to go back to work.

Pro Tip: Create a pumping bag that is strictly for work. I have a bag that has my pump, my parts, a little bit of soap, a storage bag if needed, as well as a little cooler with an ice pack to store my freshly pumped milk.

The final breast pumping tip to get more milk is don’t give up!

Both breastfeeding and pumping can be hard. I have struggled with both my kids and often wanted to just throw in the towel. While it is perfectly fine to use formula (no shaming here) if things don’t work out or you just decide the pumping life isn’t for you, I urge you to at least try a couple of more days before quitting. Sometimes all you need is that extra push to really get the hang of it.

Pro Tip: No real pro tips here. Mostly just hang in there mama, you can do this.

Struggling with breastfeeding and wondering if pumping may be right for you? Here are 9 ways on how to pump like a pro even if you are a first time mom. | Breastfeeding | Breast pump | Pumping Tips | #breastfeeding #breastfeedingtip #pumping

 

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Comments

  1. Stacie says

    January 15, 2019 at 11:23 am

    Having a really good breast pump is so important. Lower-quality pumps are so horrible. They take forever, and they rarely do a good job.

    Reply
  2. Shannon says

    January 15, 2019 at 12:51 pm

    Loved reading about your blog! Both my kids were totally different. One was mostly bottle because of tortacollis and the other was a natural at the boob. Thanks for sharing your blog!

    Reply
  3. Lydia Smith says

    January 15, 2019 at 1:12 pm

    Nice post thou am not breast feeding mum but I find it very helpful and useful… Great post.

    Reply
  4. Maggie Unzueta says

    January 15, 2019 at 3:49 pm

    This is such a good blog especially for mothers who want to breastfeed their babies. And that’s a really amazing pump from Spectra. Thank you for sharing this.

    Reply
  5. Lydia Smith says

    January 15, 2019 at 4:26 pm

    Great tips here for all breastfeeding mothers. I had thought it was okay to do away with the stress that comes with pumping, but reading your post now, I see it in a better light. Kudos all the mommas out there.

    Reply
  6. Gabriel says

    January 15, 2019 at 5:10 pm

    I think more people need to talk about this topic and the information you provided is a great way to get the conversation started.

    Reply
  7. Kita Roberts says

    January 15, 2019 at 9:34 pm

    Very interesting article. I have never thought much about the logistics of filling milk bags for later.

    Reply
  8. Sam says

    January 16, 2019 at 12:40 am

    I’m not a mom, but these seem like really great tips. I would think investing in a good great pump would be very wise.

    Reply
  9. Brianne Tursi Manz says

    January 16, 2019 at 7:15 am

    That looks like an excellent pump. It’s important to get adequate amounts of breast milk for moms on the go.

    Reply
  10. Erica D Ardali says

    January 16, 2019 at 7:37 am

    I wan’t able to breast feed my kids, but I am really happy there are so many resources for moms these days

    Reply
  11. Sara says

    January 16, 2019 at 12:24 pm

    Love the bond breastfeeding creates between mother and child. Great review and good job Mama!

    Reply
  12. Kara says

    January 16, 2019 at 1:29 pm

    I found pumping a nightmare until I discovered an electric breast pump – it changed my life!!

    Reply
  13. Jasmine Hewitt says

    January 16, 2019 at 5:49 pm

    youre right about youtube! theres a wealth of information and it helps to not feel so alone when on your pumping journey

    Reply
  14. Dominique Brooks says

    January 16, 2019 at 8:41 pm

    My experience with breastfeeding and pumping was so different between my two children. My son could nurse without any problem but I couldn’t pump to save my life! The doctor said the baby could get the milk but the pump couldn’t or something to that effect.

    But with my daughter — she couldn’t nurse very well. But I pumped like a champ! I probably could have fed a couple of babies!

    I wonder if my first pumping experience would have been different if I had one of these newer pumps!

    Reply
  15. Catherine Santiago Jose says

    January 16, 2019 at 10:28 pm

    Even you say it’s not like a pro advise however while reading this, it makes me wonder that you really pin point every detail. Breastfeeding mother should or a must read this and be guided on proper way of pumping their milk for their dear baby.

    Reply
  16. Preet says

    January 17, 2019 at 2:41 am

    Breastfeeding is very important. When I gave birth to my youngest. I always make sure to give whats the best for her and pumping.is such a big help.

    Reply
  17. Courtney says

    January 17, 2019 at 6:10 pm

    Oooo great advice!!! I sucked big time when it came to pumping. I wish I had this advice a few years ago lol

    Reply
  18. twinspirational says

    January 18, 2019 at 10:21 pm

    This is such helpful advice for new moms. We aren’t moms yet, but we will definitely come back here when we are.

    Reply
  19. Eryka says

    January 18, 2019 at 10:56 pm

    I really struggled with pumping so these are greta tips

    Reply

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Hi! I'm Danielle. I'm a mom, wife and ED nurse. I love sharing my honest take on being a mom, traveling with kids and lifestyle content.

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I had to make the difficult decision to say goodby I had to make the difficult decision to say goodbye to Bella today. I’ve had Bella for 16 years. She has seen me through  relationships, marriages, a divorce, the birth of my children, countless moves and so much more. She was my little lazy dog that loved to snuggle under the covers and lay out in grass on a sunny day. 
She hated winter and tolerated the children. She’s going to be missed so much ❤️
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.
.
#familydog #italiangreyhound #olddog #sayinggoodbye #motherhoodunplugged
My nights after the kids go to bed is so productiv My nights after the kids go to bed is so productive. 
.
.
.
.
.
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.
.
.
#momtruth #motherhoodunplugged #honestmom #funnymom #momhumor #funnyreel #relateable
I’m not sure if they are going to invite me back I’m not sure if they are going to invite me back….
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#mommyandme #mommemes #honestmom #momsbelike #darkhumor #workingmomlife
Any other Winter Warriors out there? #ad You know, Any other Winter Warriors out there? #ad You know, the ones who drink iced coffee even in the coldest of weather? @dunkin is here to support all those Winter Warriors out there with their selection of iced coffee! If you’re out in the snow and drinking an iced coffee this winter, make sure to tag #dunkinwinterwarrior on your post!
#dunkinmaine #dunkinpartner
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.
.
.
.
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.
.
.
.
#maineliving #mainetheway #icedcoffee #icedcoffeeaddict #momstyle #momlifestyle
Supporting my postpartum body with @beli.baby Pren Supporting my postpartum body with @beli.baby Prenatal vitamins. 
Not only are the essential prior to conception and during pregnancy; they are essential to keep the body healthy after pregnancy as well. 
I have openly shared my previous miscarriages before finally getting pregnant with Chloe. This is why I decided to check out the Beli Women Prenatal vitamins to help with my own personal fertility and boost my chances of a having a successful pregnancy. The Beli Women Prenatal vitamins are formulated with powerful ingredients that can boost fertility and conception as well as  improve egg quality. As an older mom, this was especially important to me. During pregnancy, the Beli Women Prenatal can protect baby’s brain and spine, help reduce nausea, and then support postpartum recovery and breastfeeding.
And as a busy mom having the ability to order and have them delivered to your door monthly makes it that much easier for me to remember to take them. 
What are you doing to support your postpartum wellness? #belibaby #postpartumbody 
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.
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.
.
.
#postpartumwellness #postpartumjourney #pregnancylife #mombod #momof3 #pregnancyjourney
A little day off morning routine that for once was A little day off morning routine that for once was not pure craziness. 
Things that help me get out the door in the morning on time is getting up before the kids, having clothes picked out the night before and making sure their bags are packed for daycare and school. 
Mornings before work are a completely different ballgame. 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#morningroutine #morningvlog #dayinthelife #dailyvlog #momof3 #motherhoodunfiltered #dailylife
Not exactly sure how I am going to survive the tee Not exactly sure how I am going to survive the teen years with this one. 🤦🏻‍♀️ 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#raisingdaughters #momreels #motherhood #momhumor #mommyandme
I wonder what it must be like to go through life w I wonder what it must be like to go through life without a care in the world 😂 I guess this is where we balance each other out; me being the ball of anxiety and him being calm. Anyone else’s marriage or relationship like this? 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#marriagehumor #marriedlife #funnyreel #anxietyproblems #marriagegoals #husbandandwife
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