I’m a due to have my 3rd child at then end of October and I’m really wanting to make breastfeeding work this time around. I’m wondering if you could advise me on the best pump for my needs? I also have a toddler so my hands are generally very full as is and I was thinking maybe a wearable kind of pump would be the way to go.
Also does pumping increase supply? It’s all very confusing to me, I had no help with my first baby and eventually at 6 weeks she was formula fed with the very odd boob, I wasn’t even sure if I was producing milk.. im wanting to give this a really good go and breast feed for as long as I can if possible.
Big congrats on your baby news!! The first thing I want to say, is that every baby breastfeeds differently, so things will be starting completely fresh this time, and you’ll have a little more experience up your sleeve. So it is optimistic!! It sounds like it was such a challenge for your last time, well done for doing what you did!
Yes pumping does help to increase supply, though bare in mind that a pump is never quite as efficient as baby at drinking milk. If you can do a combination of breastfeed baby at your boob, and then pump afterwards, and repeat that every day at the same time – such as at the 7am feed, then your body will think that baby is drinking all that amount (the volume baby drank and the volume you pumped) – and so the following day will produce that volume and a little bit extra. That’s why I suggest you try to do it regularly at the same time, your body things baby is demanding that amount.
When baby is first born, I would suggest you try to wait about 2 weeks before you start pumping to give your milk supply time to establish naturally. Though if you are feeling full and engorged, you can use a heat massage/flannel and then pump off a TINY amount in those first few weeks just to relieve the pressure on your boobs.
I would definitely recommend an electric breast pump for you, as it is not so much of a chore as a manual one. The wearable breast pump is a complete game changer now, and this is the one that i would recommend for you. This one sits inside a stretchy bra, and so you can be handsfree and a little mobile which is ideal when you have other kiddies to look after. You have to try and stay upright but at least you are not stuck on the couch next to the power plug. T
This would be my recommendation for you.
https://www.breastmates.co.nz/wearable-breast-pump/
Let me know if you have any other questions as I am here to help you.
Franny xxx
