- Exclusive Pumping in a Nutshell
- Pumping Milk: An Act of Love and Conviction
- Essential Gear for Beginner Exclusive Pumpers
- Secrets to Expressing Milk More Easily
- 4 Mom Tips for Exclusive Pumping Success!
It’s a funny term, exclusive pumping. Yet, more and more new moms are choosing this way to feed their baby, sometimes right from birth. Pumping allows you to balance an active woman’s life and the desire to continue breastfeeding your child—feeding them your own milk. As an alternative or complement to breastfeeding, or as an offshoot of combo feeding, exclusive pumping opens up possibilities for anyone who can’t or doesn’t want to put their baby to the breast, still making use of their breast milk.
Exclusive Pumping in a Nutshell
You probably guessed it—exclusive pumping is true to its name—the idea is to pump your breast milk every day to give to your baby at each meal, using a bottle.
Why? Maybe because breastfeeding didn’t work out, you find this method convenient and flexible, it suits your lifestyle… and for many other reasons.
Pumping Milk: An Act of Love and Conviction
Why choose to pump your milk? The answer is entirely up to you. However, we did try to compile a (non-exhaustive) list of reasons you might wonder, consider, or choose exclusive pumping.
- Returning to work is approaching and you want to keep giving your own milk to your baby for a few more months, even when you're away
- A latch problem, baby refuses to nurse, a physiological issue (inverted nipples, pain, cracked nipples, etc.) or health issues (low milk supply, fatigue, etc.) keep you from breastfeeding or keep your baby from nursing
- You want to involve your spouse or partner in the unique experience of feeding your child
- Pumping your own milk can relieve engorgement, whether your baby can’t drink all your milk or if you're at work and need relief
- On the flip side, if your supply is low, using the pump regularly can stimulate production and increase your output
- As long as you're breastfeeding, you delay the return of your period and menstruation
- To give your milk without breastfeeding, because you don’t like it, it makes you uncomfortable, or your first breastfeeding experience was hard: whatever your reason—and it's important—because it’s your choice
- Exclusive pumping lets you know exactly how much milk your baby gets at each bottle
Essential Gear for Beginner Exclusive Pumpers
A Breast Pump That’s Gentle with Your Breasts
Anyone who has already pumped knows—the machine isn’t always the most pleasant to use, even if some models are more comfortable than others.
To choose the right pump, you can start by renting one. Many companies offer weekly rentals, allowing you to quickly switch if the equipment isn’t right for you. Once you’ve found the right model, you can always decide to buy it.
Another consideration: manual or electric pump? Single or double pumping? Again, it depends on your needs and preferences. But if you’re choosing 100% exclusive pumping, consider that an electric double pump will be more effective and faster. Especially since pumping is, at least at the beginning, quite time-consuming.
Note that you can rent a pump fully covered by insurance at a pharmacy with a prescription from your doctor or midwife. You just have to buy the accessories (flanges and storage bottles)—which are sometimes also covered by your supplementary insurance.
If you plan to use it both at home and at work, pick a portable model that fits easily (with all accessories) in a convenient small bag.
Bottles!
Breastfeeding is a sweet and beautiful act. To recreate that magic through pumping, Élhée has designed the bibRond.
Created from a mother’s passion for childbirth and design, this unique blend resulted in the first round, flexible bottle—beautiful and comfortable in your hand and your child’s—with its distinct shape so reminiscent of the breast’s perfection. We designed it for this reason: so all parents can feel, share, and keep the delicate and pure sensations of breastfeeding, even through a bibRond. 5, 8, or 11 oz (150, 240 or 330 ml)—the choice is yours!
Containers for Storing Pumped Milk
For storage, you’ll need small freezer jars—or adapted storage bags—and storage bottles to keep in the fridge. You can use bottles that came with your pump if you have several. Élhée bibRONDS come with a small cap to make the bibROND airtight, so you can use it as a container by removing the nipple; pour in your milk, seal it tightly, and store it in the refrigerator.
When pumping milk several times a day, avoid pouring freshly expressed (and still warm) milk into a storage bottle that already contains milk cooled earlier in the day. Let the new milk cool first before adding it.
Is Exclusive Pumping Really Possible?
If you and your baby are on the same page, exclusive pumping can absolutely work. You just need to be equipped so that pumping is effective, comfortable, and as pleasant as possible.
Did you know? Hand expression is an alternative. If you can’t find a comfortable pump or pumping hurts, or even if you just dislike the device, try expressing your milk manually. Start by massaging the nipples and areolas with your thumb and forefinger, then place your hand on the breast. Press gently toward the chest, squeeze, and release. It’s worth trying!
Secrets to Expressing Milk More Easily
It’s not a myth—pumping can be unpleasant and might hurt a little in the beginning. Switching pumps, or even changing out the flanges, can add comfort to your pumping sessions. Consider investing in a pumping bra or bustier. By holding the flanges in place, these leave your hands free. But if you want to save time, you’ll need a little organization, especially during the first few weeks:
- To get maximum milk, choose a double electric pump
- Pump your milk regularly: Catherine Watson’s power-pumping method suggests 10 sessions per day, 5 to 10 minutes each, with at least 45 minutes between sessions. The Lact&Sens method recommends three 1-hour sessions per day—20 minutes of pumping, then alternating 10 minutes resting and 10 minutes pumping.
- Stimulate your supply! Nursing teas and certain foods will help: fennel, basil, cumin, verbena, as well as apples, quinces, cashews or almonds, with plenty of mineral water.
- Take your time: initially, you’ll spend several hours a day and night pumping. So take your time to stay relaxed and comfortable (especially at home; it’s trickier at work), and remember why you chose this in the first place.
- Ask for advice: LecheLeague is the lactation expert organization, but other moms—including your own mother—can help and support you too. There are also exclusive pumping groups on social media.
Massage yourself! Whether it’s for your well-being, to firm up your delicate skin, or to stimulate lactation, breast massage is beneficial and shouldn’t be overlooked. Before using the pump, gently massage the areolas to soften them. This can also help relieve engorgement.
Safely Storing Breast Milk Between Feedings
Breast milk needs a few storage precautions. In short, remember that it keeps for 4 hours at room temperature and 4 months in the freezer. In the fridge, it’s good for up to two days above 39°F (4°C).
To simplify things, use small labels on the container to note the date and time for each batch. Finally, to reheat expressed milk, use a bottle warmer and bottle prep machines compatible with all our Élhée models!
Note: Place frozen milk in the refrigerator at least 6 hours before feeding to let it return to its natural state.
Donating Breast Milk: A Tender and Still Often Unknown Gesture
There are about twenty milk banks in France that accept anonymous donor milk. Still relatively rare, this donation provides essential help to feed—and sometimes save—very premature infants whose mothers can’t breastfeed them. In 2018, almost 12,000 gallons (45,000 liters) of milk were collected.
If you have breastfed or are breastfeeding, you can donate your surplus expressed milk, or set aside a few milliliters from each session for other babies. After some medical testing, you can donate from home, at your own pace.
4 Mom Tips for Exclusive Pumping Success!
- Find your own routine by pumping when you want to, when you feel like it, when you’re in the right mood… No pressure! If possible, why not use a portable pump so you can pump at your workplace? In France, new moms have the right to one hour a day for this purpose.
- Banish stress and find what relaxes you best: a Netflix show or a good book can work wonders, helping you relax so your milk flows more easily.
- Stimulate your emotions with skin-to-skin time just before pumping, breathing in your baby’s pajamas or lovey, or even watching a video of them if you’re apart. The mother/child bond is an integral part of lactation.
- Whenever possible, always have your clean gear packed neatly in a sealed bag. You can also purchase extra pumping parts so you can postpone washing without missing your next session.
Have you heard of nursing shells? Both stylish and very useful, once placed, they help heal sore nipples by bathing them in breast milk. Just a little bonus to make exclusive pumping simpler and more successful.
