Tips For Successful Breast Pumping

Breastfeeding moms often look for tips for successful breast pumping to avoid painful nipples while pumping. The experience of pumping may be a little uncomfortable the first few times you pump, but...

Breastfeeding moms often look for tips for successful breast pumping to avoid painful nipples while pumping. The experience of pumping may be a little uncomfortable the first few times you pump, but after that pumping should not involve any pain as long as you are using proper technique.

Just like most things about caring for your newborn, pumping your breast milk is a skill that needs to be taught, learned and practiced before you can be successful at it. Most breastfeeding moms are able to bump successfully with very little effort, especially if they are following expert advice from someone who has successfully breastfed and pumped herself.

Following proper pumping techniques will help stimulate your milk production, stimulate your milk ejection reflex, soothe sore nipples from breastfeeding, and allow you to produce more milk. Pumping milk can be convenient and allow others besides mom to feed the baby.

To stimulate your milk ejection reflex it is best that you follow a set routine for pumping. You should designate a place for pumping that includes a comfortable chair, your favorite beverage (preferably water or one made with water), have your pumping equipment ready and set up for use in the same way each time you pump, and have relaxation techniques ready and at your disposal at the time you pump. This familiar routine will help you to experience milk ejection reflex.

It is a very good idea to perform breast massage for a few moments prior to pumping. To massage your breasts in preparation for pumping, start at the armpit and use your fingertips of the opposite hand of the breast and make small circles lightly on the breast tissue in just one spot and then move your hand slightly and make the circles again. In this manner, make your way around the breast and gradually down toward your areola. You will notice that the massage action is very similar to the one you probably do while completing your monthly breast exam. At the end of the massage finish with some long strokes that start at your chest wall and work down to the areola, make sure you work your way around the entire breast with these long strokes. Do the same to the other breast. You can use this same breast massage if you should notice that during pumping the milk begins to slow. Stop and do the breast massage again, and the flow should pick back up.

It is vital that you drink a couple of glasses of water before pumping in order to “prime the pump” so to speak. Water is essential to pumping and to successful breastfeeding.

You can use visual imagery to get yourself in the relaxed mood that is so beneficial for successful pumping. Imagine flowing waterfalls, or mountain streams. Do whatever visual image allows you to feel relaxed and good about your efforts to pump. If your baby is not in view, have a picture of the baby, or a blanket or clothing that belongs to the baby and has the baby’s smell on it to help stimulate your memory of the baby.

If the baby is not with you, where you are pumping, if possible, make a phone call in inquire about how the baby is doing (if the baby is at the babysitter’s, or in the hospital NICU).

Enjoy music or a favorite television show while you are pumping or listen to an audio of rain falling, or sounds of the ocean or of nature.

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