Many women want to pump and store additional breastmilk while they are still exclusively breastfeeding. This is a particularly good idea if you are preparing to return to work and pump, if you want to have some breast milk "reserves" stored away for unexpected use, or to increase your milk supply.
If you are going to pump in addition to full-time breastfeeding, the first thing to remind yourself is that the milk you pump is extra- that you are producing above and beyond the needs of your baby. Many women become frustrated or think that pumping is not working when they first try because they are only able to collect a small amount of milk. Remember that it takes time to build up an extra milk supply above and beyond what you are providing your baby while nursing.
As for the actual timing, some experts recommend pumping half way between your baby's routine feedings, or pumping from one breast while your infant nurses from the other. I have found that pumping immediately after nursing is another effective method, since your milk is already flowing. This allows your body its normal amount of time to produce more breast milk before the next routine feeding, and works especially well if your baby does not tend to empty your breasts fully at every feeding.
— by Laura Jana, M.D., F.A.A.P. |
