Breastfeeding And Pumping

  • Christina WeirMSc, Biotechnology, Bioprocessing & Business Management, University of Warwick, UK

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Introduction

Breastfeeding is the action of feeding an infant from the breast – to provide them with essential nutrition and promote bonding.1 Whereas pumping uses a breast pump to express and collect breast milk. This allows new mothers to provide their milk to their infants even if they are not present.2

Breastfeeding and pumping is an important topic, as it has large implications for infant and maternal health. Breastfeeding has numerous benefits, including optimal nutrition for babies and establishing a strong emotional bond.3 Pumping plays a large role in allowing mothers to keep breastfeeding alongside their other responsibilities, such as working or personal commitments.4

This article aims to provide a comprehensive and structured guide to understanding breastfeeding and pumping. Addressing the intricacies of breastfeeding and pumping will empower individuals to make the best decisions for themselves and their infants.

Benefits of breastfeeding

Nutritional advantages

Breast milk is an excellent source of vital nutrients – providing many advantages for the infant's health and development.5 The milk offers the perfect balance of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats – meeting the infant’s exact nutritional requirements. Additionally, breast milk contains many antibodies, enzymes, and hormones to stimulate and promote immune system defences and development.

Bonding and emotional benefits

Aside from its nutritional benefits, breastfeeding establishes a profound emotional connection between mother and child. This skin-to-skin contact of breastfeeding increases bonding and attachment. This emotional connection is very important for a baby's emotional and psychological development and can provide both comfort and reassurance.

Health benefits for the mother

Breastfeeding also provides the mother with various health advantages – aiding postpartum recovery (helping the uterus contract faster), minimising postpartum bleeding, and reducing the risk of postpartum depression. Potential long-term benefits of breastfeeding include reduced risks of breast and ovarian cancer.

Challenges of breastfeeding

Initial difficulties

1. Latching issues

Latching issues can be a common initial challenge for breastfeeding mothers, sometimes needing assistance from a lactation consultant or healthcare professional.

2. Sore nipples

Mothers often face sore nipples in the early stages of breastfeeding, with remedies and strategies available for relief.

Supply and demand concerns

1. Low milk supply

Low milk supply is an issue experienced by some women - lactation consultants can provide valuable assistance with this issue.

2. Oversupply

An oversupply of breast milk can create issues for both the mother and baby, such as engorgement and difficulty latching.

Time and commitment

It takes time and commitment to be able to successfully breastfeed. Overcoming breastfeeding challenges alongside other responsibilities can be demanding and family support is essential.

Introduction to pumping

Breast pumps are made to mimic the action of a baby’s sucking action. Pumping (expressing breast milk with a breast pump), allows flexibility and convenience for mothers providing breast milk to their infants even when they are not present.

Many mothers choose to pump for different reasons such as returning to work, sharing feeding responsibilities with a partner, or managing engorgement.

There are different types of breast pumps, such as manual and electric pumps, that are each suited to the preferences and needs of the mother. A manual pump involves squeezing the plunger by hand, whereas the electric pump does this for you. Manual pumps take longer than electric pumps, but they are cheaper and more intuitive to use.

How to prepare for pumping

Picking the best breast pump is an important step in preparation for pumping. There are various breast pumps available to cater to different needs and preferences. It's crucial to consider factors such as usage frequency, portability, and comfort when making a selection.

Locating a comfortable and secluded space to pump, is essential for a good pumping experience. The area should be clean, with good lighting and a comfortable chair. Privacy is an important factor for relaxation, and therefore considering a privacy curtain or screen may be useful.

A consistent pumping schedule is a crucial component of successful breast milk expression. A well-structured schedule will help maintain milk supply and ensure that milk is readily available. The frequency and length of pumping sessions should align with individual needs and lifestyles.

Pumping techniques

The correct breast pump setup is essential for good milk expression – by following the manufacturer's assembly and cleaning instructions. All components should be in good working condition, and the breast shields should be the correct size for a comfortable fit.

Finding a good frequency and length of pumping sessions is dependent on individual circumstances. Generally, newborn babies feed more often, which may require more frequent pumping. As the baby grows, this frequency and duration can be changed in accordance with the mother’s schedule and needs.

Storing breast milk correctly is crucial to maintaining its quality. Breast milk can be stored in sterile labelled and dated containers, in the refrigerator for several days or frozen to keep it for longer periods.

Combining breastfeeding and pumping

A combination of breastfeeding and pumping can be an effective strategy to build and maintain a good milk supply. This allows mothers to stimulate milk production and store breast milk for future use, offering flexibility for feeding.6

Mothers returning to work, or spending time away from their babies, can supplement breastfeeding with pumped milk - to ensure babies receive the benefits of breast milk.

Balancing work or other commitments with breastfeeding can be achieved through pumping while away from the baby. Proper planning, expressing milk at regular intervals, and ensuring a supportive workplace environment are essential for successful implementation.

Troubleshooting common pumping issues

Low milk output

Low milk output can be caused by various factors, like incorrect pump settings, stress, or infrequent pumping. A lactation consultant or adjusting pumping techniques can aid in addressing this issue.7

Pain or discomfort while pumping

Pain or discomfort from pumping can come from improper pump usage or an ill-fitting breast shield. Using a proper technique, adjusting the settings, and maintaining equipment can enhance comfort.

Cleaning and maintenance of breast pumps

Regularly cleaning breast pumps is very important for hygiene purposes and to ensure good pump performance. Improper cleaning can cause contamination and inefficiency.8 

Support and resources

Seeking help from a lactation consultant

Lactation consultants are essential to support breastfeeding and pumping – as they can provide specialised guidance and troubleshooting for issues breastfeeding mothers are facing.

Joining breastfeeding and pumping support groups

Local support groups can offer peer support for breastfeeding and pumping mothers – also providing valuable opportunities to share experiences and information.

Online resources and communities

Websites dedicated to breastfeeding and pumping can provide lots of information, encouragement, and shared experiences to women. These resources are very accessible and can be useful for mothers seeking advice and support.

Summary

Breastfeeding and pumping offer a variety of benefits, such as optimal infant nutrition, bonding, and maternal health advantages.9

Each mother's breastfeeding and pumping journey is unique - finding a suitable balance based on individual needs and circumstances is important. These choices must align with one's lifestyle and goals.

Whilst facing challenges, mothers should seek support and guidance from healthcare professionals, lactation consultants, or support groups. It's important to recognise that there is help available and that these challenges can be overcome with the correct support.

References

  1. World Health Organization. (2017). Breastfeeding. https://www.who.int/nutrition/topics/exclusive_breastfeeding/en/
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). Using a Breast Pump. https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/InfantandToddlerNutrition/breastfeeding/pumping-breastmilk.html
  3. Victora, C. G., Bahl, R., Barros, A. J., França, G. V., Horton, S., Krasevec, J., ... & Rollins, N. C. (2016). Breastfeeding in the 21st century: epidemiology, mechanisms, and lifelong effect. The Lancet, 387(10017), 475-490.
  4. Prior, E., Santhakumaran, S., Gale, C., & Philipps, L. H. (2012). Breastfeeding after cesarean delivery: a systematic review and meta-analysis of world literature. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 95(5), 1113-1135.
  5. Victora, C. G., Bahl, R., Barros, A. J., França, G. V., Horton, S., Krasevec, J., ... & Rollins, N. C. (2016). Breastfeeding in the 21st century: epidemiology, mechanisms, and lifelong effect. The Lancet, 387(10017), 475-490.
  6. Flaherman, V. J., Hicks, K. G., Huynh, J., Cabana, M. D., & Lee, H. C. (2017). Positive income and food insufficiency among breastfeeding families when the youngest child is 1 year old. Academic Pediatrics, 17(2), 159-165.
  7. Parker, L. A., Sullivan, S., Krueger, C., & Mueller, M. (2012). Association of timing of initiation of breastmilk expression on milk volume and timing of lactogenesis stage II among mothers of very low-birth-weight infants. Breastfeeding Medicine, 7(1), 20-28.
  8. Parker, L. A., Sullivan, S., Krueger, C., & Kelechi, T. (2015). The effect of early breast milk expression on milk volume and timing of lactogenesis stage II among mothers of very low birth weight infants: A pilot study. The Journal of Perinatal & Neonatal Nursing, 29(1), 81-92.
  9. Victora, C. G., Bahl, R., Barros, A. J., França, G. V., Horton, S., Krasevec, J., ... & Rollins, N. C. (2016). Breastfeeding in the 21st century: epidemiology, mechanisms, and lifelong effect. The Lancet, 387(10017), 475-490.

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Ayesha is a Biomedical Engineer with a Master of Science (MSc), with a passion for improving the lives of others with cutting-edge medical solutions. Having earned her MSc from The University of Southampton, Ayesha honed her skills in medical device design, bioinformatics and biomechanics. Ayesha brings a distinctive blend of scientific acumen and passion for writing, making her work enlightening, engaging and accessible.

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