Exclusively pumping- 6 weeks PP

It’s official, I have been exclusively pumping for 6 weeks and my son has been drinking nothing but breastmilk 🍼

Pumping exclusively is the hardest thing I have ever done, my first born daughter I was able to exclusively breastfeed her and that seems like a walk in the past compared to pumping.

The reason for pumping? My baby boy was in the NICU for 3 weeks and breastfeeding at the breast has been unsuccessful since we have been home.

I want to share my tips about how I am coping/ managing exclusively pumping because everything I see online seems unrealistic and unhelpful and with the pressures of social media, it’s hard to stay committed.

Tip 1 🍼🍼 if you know pumping is something you want to do from day one, start immediately it can take a few sessions to start seeing something

Tip 2 🍼🍼 you will hear a lot about having a schedule, then you will hear make sure you eat and rest well while pumping to keep up with baby demands, but how are you suppose to sleep well if you have to wake up every 2-3 hours to pump? Personally I stopped following a schedule about 4 weeks in. I was exhausted especially since my pumping didn’t align with my son’s feedings, I ditched the schedule, I pump 8- 12 time a day to when I feel like my body needs me to pump and I pump at least 1 time in the middle of the night (at 3am is my favourite time). Doing this allowed me to feel more well rested and may me feel not so tied down as well.

Tip 3 🍼🍼 PORTABLE PUMPS are not my best friend, I got one, it gets the job down but definitely doesn’t pump the way a wall pump would. I had a portable pump because influencers online used nothing but their portables and got amazing output however, using mine the monitor is wearing down and not getting as much as an output. Definitely get a wall pump and use portables when you are back at work or needing to run errands.

Tip 4 🍼🍼 all those tips online about how to increase milk production…. Save your money. Keep pumping, throw power pump sessions, reach out to a lactation consultant to help with production before you spend any money on products or food (unless you like the foods). Personally I have found for my milk production is to stay hydrated, eating appropriate amount of calories, and BEING CONSISTENT.

Tip 4 🍼🍼 set goals, my first goal was to make it to 4 weeks PP, then 6 weeks now my goal is 8 weeks PP. if I can make it to 8 weeks PP my goal would be to make it until 3 months PP and focus trying to pump enough to create a backup stash (currently pumping on demand and for baby’s needs only)

Tip 5 🍼🍼 less is more in my opinion when it comes to supplies, I hate washing a million parts and a million bottles.

I hope this post provides some sort of help to others who are struggling with their pumping journey, it’s hard and a full time job and social media has a way of unintentionally making you feel bad. Just do what is natural for you to protect your mental health mama 🤍

#lemon8parenting #boymom #breastfeedingmom #breastmilk #pumpingmom #momlife #momsoflemon8 #motherhood #newborn @Lemon8Parenting