Updated June, 2021
Feeding your child in the first year can feel very important but also stressful. Parents want to make the right decision for their children and themselves. Many people talk about breast vs. formula feeding and of course everyone has their opinions. One type of feeding that often gets overlooked though is exclusive pumping. Exclusive pumping is where breast milk is provided by pumping all milk using a breast pump and the baby is fed with a bottle. This is a great option for parents of premature babies who can’t latch yet or other babies who can’t breastfeed for whatever reason. It’s also a great alternative for women who are not comfortable with breastfeeding for any reason. Exclusive pumping can be a lot of work though.
If you think breastfeeding or formula feeding are difficult, you have no idea how draining exclusive pumping can be. Sometimes it feels like all the work of the other two with none of the rewards (she says, pumping while typing this blog). It can be a lot of work, and very few women will stick with it for an extended period of time. It is a really great way to get breast milk to your infant if direct breastfeeding isn’t an option though. And as we know, I do find breast milk to be pretty remarkable.
Supplies
Thankfully, you really don’t need a lot of extra supplies to exclusively breastfeed. Just a pump, some bottles, and a way to keep your milk cool.
Your number one tool for exclusive pumping is going to be a good breast pump. Honestly, as much as I like the Medala breast pump, for exclusive pumping, if you can access a hospital grade pump, I would suggest that. The suction is so much stronger and makes it much easier to maintain your supply. Thankfully, if a $2,000 hospital grade pump is out of your price range (understandable), there are a lot of places you can rent from, including your hospital sometimes!
Of course, if you pump, you need something to pump into and then to feed with. So bottles are a next step must. If exclusively pumping, you need enough bottles to pump into throughout the day, store milk in, and have a few dirty. The quantity will really depend on how often you think you will have time to wash the bottles. My personal favorite is the EvenFlo glass bottle, which I pump directly into (compatible with Medala breast pumps) and my kids never had any issues taking it.
Cooling Options
Unless you are either at home or with your baby 24/7, you will need something to keep your milk cold after pumping. A little cooler bag with some ice packs can help keep your milk fresh and edible for your little one. I’ve also heard some parents prefer to carry a diaper bag that has a cooler pouch so that they don’t have to carry multiple bags. Even a lunch box will work, as long as you use something.
Odds and Ends
I was trying to think of other things that are helpful for moms with milk on the go. I feel like a little cup that you can use to warm up bottles if necessary can be helpful. Also, some nipple cream, since pumping can still make your nipples sore.
Tips and Tricks
The downfall of exclusive pumping is the cost in time. You have to take the time to pump, manage the bottles and pieces, and feed your little one. There have definitely been nights where I’m a fog at 2:00 in the morning and have to get up, feed the baby, then go pump because my breasts are full and because we need more milk for their next meal.
There are ways to make it easier. I started storing my pump parts in the fridge and only washing them once per day. Also, setting up a pumping station is helpful. Use your time pumping to read or write or knit or whatever you can do while staying in one spot. Finally, invest in a pumping bra. Different from a nursing bra, these bras let you go hands free while pumping, which can save a lot of frustration. While your breast pump will keep you contained to the length of its cord, a pumping bra can offer you a surprising amount of freedom.
To ensure your supply doesn’t drop off, you may need to pump as often as every 3 hours. If your supply is generous enough, you can also freeze some, so plan to invest in breast milk storage bags.
