Breastfeeding is a natural, affordable way to provide your new baby with the nutrition that he or she needs. Many women also feel that the act of breastfeeding helps form a strong bond between mother and baby. Unfortunately, there may be times when a mother can't be with her baby, but the baby will still need to eat-- pumping breast milk is a great solution for when nursing is not possible. If you plan to both breastfeed and pump breast milk for your baby, use the following tips:
Find the Best Time of Day for You
Every woman is different, and no two moms lactate in the same way. When you begin pumping, it may take some trial and error before you find the best time of day to express the most breast milk. While some women find that pumping works well for them in the morning, others may discover that pumping in the evening after baby has fallen asleep produces more milk. After you find out what times of day work best for pumping, you will be able to build up a supply of pumped breast milk, which can safely be frozen and then thawed when your baby needs to be fed.
Purchase a High Quality Breast Pump
If you're going to be pumping breast milk on a regular basis, it is in your best interest to purchase a high quality breast pump. Check with your insurance company before buying a breast pump-- some may reimburse you for the cost or provide a voucher that you can redeem through a health supply company. To make pumping breast milk as efficient as possible, look for an electric double breast pump that will pump milk from both breasts at the same time. You may also want to consider buying a special bra designed for pumping which will hold the cups of the pump in place so your hands can be free during your pumping sessions.
Select Bottles Carefully
When you're planning to both breastfeed and give your baby pump breast milk in a bottle, carefully select the bottles that you use. There are many types of bottles that are designed to mimic the shape and feel of a woman's nipple so the baby feels like he or she is nursing -- using these types of bottles can prevent your baby from becoming confused and either refusing to take a bottle or not being able to latch properly while nursing.
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