Sit comfortably and relax. Breastmilk pumping is not something you should be afraid of. It can be painless if you completely relax and encourage the let-down reflex.
Breast pumping is good if you need breastmilk for your newborn while you are not together with them, if your let-down reflex becomes overactive, and if to have a prepared bottle while on the go when you can not breastfeed the baby for some reason.
If you are a first-time mom who feels uncomfortable while breast pumping, here is how to sit when pumping breast milk. The key stands in the let-down reflex, which we will discuss below, too.
How to Sit When Pumping Breast Milk
When pumping your breast milk, it is important to have good back support that will make you feel comfortable and lean a little bit forward to enable gravity to do its job. Use throw pillows, breastfeeding, and other pillows to help you feel relaxed and comfortable. Massage your breasts before pumping to enable better milk flow.
Standing or sitting in a bad posture might irritate you and cause back pain. Try to find a soft pillow for back support and an armrest. You can choose your comfy armchair or just sit on the bed. Try it hands-free. Almost all newer breast pumps are adjusted for hand-free pumping so that you can do something else meanwhile.
If recovering from a C-section, finding a good position for pumping might be harder. If you feel pressure on some body parts, try to manage the incline and find a position where you don’t feel pressure on the sore body areas. Just do not lean too far.
It is also important how you position the flanges of the breast pump. Try to keep them centered on the nipple to create a steady suction that will be closer to the baby’s natural sucking. Properly placed flanges lead to ample milk supplies.
Breast Pumping Tips
When should you start breast pumping?
In the first month, you and your baby manage the milk flow in your breasts. If the baby breastfeeds healthily, you would not need to pump them. You don’t need to force yourself to produce more milk if your baby is doing great.
Breast pumping in the first month might be necessary if the baby does not breastfeed for a specific reason. The specific reasons usually refer to prematurely born babies or special needs babies. Also, you can breast pump in the first weeks if you and your baby are separated for some reason.
You can also consult the hospital staff and professionals to guide you into breast pumping and tell you when is the best time to start pumping and how to sit when pumping breast milk.
The first breast pumping should be no longer than 15 minutes. Don’t worry if there is not much milk at first. Its flow will regulate over time when your baby starts breastfeeding.
How to choose a good breast pump
What breast pump to choose depends on how often you need to pump breast milk. If your situation requires getting back to work and leaving the baby at home, you will need a good pump.
If you need a pump for occasional pumping, you can go with a hand pump. These types of pumps are usually inexpensive but useful for occasional breast pumping. The price for a hand pump ranges from $20 to $50.
Conversely, the electric pumps range from $50 to $150. The less expensive options have a single sucking function, meaning you can pump one breast at a time. Also, some electric pumps might be louder, and others more silent. Some use batteries. Others have a cord and require wall plugging.
If your absence is longer than 8 hours, you might need a good electric pump because it will save you a lot of time and help you easily release milk because of its advanced sucking system. The advanced breast pumps may cost up to $300.
Must Read: How to Use a Manual Breast Pump
Prepare yourself
Find a comfortable and supportive position that will not put pressure on your back, shoulders, or any sore areas. Get the pumping equipment, your TV remote, phone, snacks, drinks, magazines, milk bottles, and cloth in case you need to soak leaks.
Also, it will be best if you have a breast-pumping supportive bra. This bra will help you pump hands-free and make breast milk pumping a much easier experience.
Before pumping, massage your breasts, starting from the armpit and continuing all the way down to improve circulation. You can also express milk using your hands in the first couple of minutes because the warmth of the hands provides good stimulation and milk release.
Ensure the place where you plant to pump is quiet and relaxing. Take a magazine or watch interesting videos on the phone while the breast pump does its job. Time passes by much faster when you focus on other, more interesting things.
Awaken the let-down reflex
The let-down reflex is triggered by the baby’s suction. When you are anxious or tired, the reflex might kick slower.
When breast pumping, it is important to awaken or kick this reflex for the milk to start flowing. So, you should relax first. Massage your breasts with circular motions for a few minutes to improve circulation and milk flow using your warm hands.
Place something warm on your breasts, or take a warm shower before pumping. The temperature will improve the milk flow.
Think about your baby, like they’re there waiting for their meal. Your mind will help you relax and calm and let the body do the job.
Conclusion
Breast pumping is a completely new experience for every first-time mom.
You might read a lot of guides and talk with other women about their experiences, but the reality comes when you feel it on your own.
